Journey to the Job – A Feature in Leitrim Life Magazine

I was delighted when I received a phone call recently, from Claire Corrigan of the Leitrim Observer Newspaper and Leitrim Life Magazine. Claire asked me if I would like to take part in a feature about my career. Although I don’t live in Leitrim, I feature Leitrim a lot, and I work for Momentum – a Leitrim based company.

If you’ve read my blog before, you’ll know that nothing about my career path has been particularly straightforward. When I was at school, the job I’m in now didn’t exist. In fact, I did my work experience in a hospital, looking back that was certainly my mum’s dream for me to be a nurse. It wasn’t my dream though. I don’t have the patience/patients (pun intended!)

I didn’t set out to work in media or communications. Like a lot of people, I tried different things, changed direction a few times, and figured things out as I went along. I would have loved to have been a journalist, but I’m not intelligent enough – and I don’t mind admitting that. I don’t have a degree, or many qualifications.

I’d also have liked to be in the police – but I was too short. I did apply and get accepted for the RAF – and I was going to go into the police section there. All was going well, until I saw a video of recruits ironing their uniforms – and being given out to if they weren’t done properly. That was me gone. I couldn’t deal with the ironing, or the shouting!

Blogging was something I started in my spare time. It gave me an outlet when family members weren’t well. I had my writing and my photography to keep me focused – oh dear – another pun!

Over time, the led to other opportunities, and possibly helped me get the job I have now.

When I started the job 17 years ago, I didn’t expect people to read it, and I definitely didn’t expect it to lead anywhere career-wise. But it did, and I’ll always be grateful for that. I tend to think of the blog as an extension of me, it’s a much more confident version of me too.

I suppose if there’s anything I’ve learned (and I’m still learning), it’s this: You don’t have to have it all mapped out. You can start something just because you enjoy it. You can try things, change direction, and figure it out as you go along. There’s a lot of pressure to have a clear plan, but sometimes the best things happen when you don’t.

I’m a firm believer in things moving organically, opportunities come along, and sometimes they are wonderful.

I’d say to anyone reading: Try the thing. Write the blog. Take the photo. Take the chance. You genuinely don’t know where it might lead.

I’m really grateful to Claire for including me in the feature, and for taking the time to put it all together. You can find Leitrim Life Magazine in selected newsagents and shops in County Leitrim. I’m also very grateful to Orla at Momentum, for taking a chance on me. Seven years on, I’m still delighted to be working there.