Emer Hughes
4th year Food Science student UCD
Concluding her food science studies in UCD this year, Emer admits that when she was leaving her home outside of Enniscorthy, Wexford, at the ripe age of 18, she was “still very young at heart”.
Emer found it difficult to adjust to moving away from home. Her newly discovered freedom meant being left to her own devices a lot and missing her friends and family. Reacting proactively to this problem, Emer immersed herself into the college lifestyle, attending college-organised events and class parties.
Emer has come a long way from her days as a first-year student.
“My greatest achievement would have to be getting selected to do my professional work placement in Glanbia Ingredients Kilkenny. The experience was invaluable, and I feel that it will really stand to me in the future.”
If I knew then what I know now… “I would definitely apply for campus accommodation. I feel that it isn’t really publicised and would have been a good way to mingle and meet new people.”
Rachel White
4th year Ag Science
student UCD
Rachel left home in Ballygarvan, Co Cork, to complete her agricultural science studies in UCD in 2013.
Rachel has always had a genuine interest in agriculture, having grown up on a dairy farm and with past experience showing dairy calves as part of the Young Members Association (YMA) in the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA).
“What was important for me was to go for something that I was interested in, not a high points course that wasn’t suited to me.”
Since starting her undergraduate education, Rachel has never looked back. Undertaking an active role in the Agricultural Society, she has always been kept busy. As careers chair, Rachel has coordinated an Agricultural Careers Day within the college as well as workshops and other events. “Doing this, I got to know the people in my year a lot better, as well as UCD staff and people in the industry.”
If I knew then what I know now… “Embrace everything and try to get stuck into it all. Very quickly you will find out what you like and what you don’t.”
Peter Doyle
4th year Ag Science
student UCD
For Peter, a fourth year agricultural science student from Monageer, Co Wexford, agricultural science was a natural progression for him.
“I love farming at home. I had also done ag science for the Leaving Cert and enjoyed the theory and science behind it.”
Peter looked forward to college and kept an open mind for new things. He admits that his biggest challenge when starting college was learning how to cook.
“I’m no Gordon Ramsey now, but I have gotten a lot better and I’m always learning off the lads too.”
Adjusting to the college lifestyle, Peter found that residency helped a great deal.
“It is a great way to meet new people. I was lucky in that I was placed with two other agricultural science students. We have been friends ever since.”
If I knew then what I know now… “Go in with an open mind. I did omnibus as I was not sure what I wanted to specialise in. Talk to lecturers about the course and job prospects. The first two years are quite scientific while third and fourth year become more practical.”
Gavin Beattie
4th year Land Management Student WIT
Gavin Beattie from Enfield, Co Meath, says he “didn’t find it difficult to adjust to moving away because I went to boarding school for six years before I started in Waterford, so there wasn’t much of a change”.
Gavin was particularly interested in agriculture in WIT for its practical element as well as the fact that he comes from a beef farm.
“The course had a lot of hands-on, practical work which made a very welcome change to being in the class room every day.”
Gavin has now completed his fourth year in a Level 8 degree in Land Management, which is a follow-up course that is available upon completion of a Level 7 Agricultural degree.
If I knew then what I know now… “Make sure and try everything the college has to offer and that you make the most of your time there. It was most definitely the quickest four years of my life.”