50 Years of Co-op: Dr Mark Mantey

Tell us a bit about yourself, what course did you study in UL, what has your career looked like to date? 

I was born and raised in a village near Ankaful, Cape Coast in the Central Region, of Ghana.  My parents who suffered from Leprosy worked hard to provide me with an education and with the support of religious orders I managed to complete a second-level education.  Due to an extraordinary act of generosity from Fr Patrick Seaver in Limerick, I was funded to undertake my third-level education at the University of Limerick (UL) starting in 2001 as a mature student.  In 2005 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, a master’s in public administration in 2006, and a PhD in 2012.   

Tell us a bit about your co-op placement, what organisation did you work with and what year it took place? 

I was privileged to do my co-op placement at the Access office University of Limerick, as a publicity officer from July 2003 - February 2004. This offered me a tremendous opportunity to learn the Irish culture of work. As a publicity officer, from the beginning, I understood what I would need to do to complete my placement in a different culture. I learned about addressing the needs of the access office customers. As a mature student, I became aware of the Irish customs and traditions of work and was able to blend this with my Ghanaian experience. I learned how to treat everyone with dignity, respect, and good manners. My co-op placement gave me so much in my life, I loved it and made some good and lasting friends.  While doing my co-op, I felt the need to create an opportunity for the Irish students to go to Ghana to do their placement.  

What impact did your co-op placement have on your future career? 

Having seen the strengths of the co-op programme from my perspective as an undergraduate, in 2004, together with Jerry Cronin, I helped to establish a UL student co-operative education placement programme in Ghana – bringing undergraduates from UL to Ghana for six-month stints. I now oversee this programme and more than 100 Irish students from different disciplines have worked as volunteers under the co-operative education programme.  Many will have described it as life-changing.  I have fond memories of my wonderful experience in Ireland, but more importantly, my Irish families and friends, the UL campus community, and all those who have supported and encouraged me over the years. 

My co-op has been the best experience of my life.  It was an excellent opportunity for me to improve my soft skills. It allowed me to gain the confidence to work independently. The impact of my co-op placement and my UL education has helped me to provide the day-to-day leadership and management of an agency whose work is primarily based on the rehabilitation and reintegration of Leprosy Survivors and their families. I also work as a consultant in helping organisations, especially religious congregations and village communities, assisting in the development and implementation of strategic plans and delivering seminars on best practices. 

What piece of advice would you give to students going on co-op now? 

The UL Cooperative Education Programme is the best I have come across.  The programme has all it takes to make your co-op experience a memorable one. The office team is an amazing group of people. Please listen to them.  Have an open mind, because your co-op will provide you with opportunities to learn so much about yourself, but more importantly, an opportunity to know what you would like to do in the future.  You will learn how to become assertive and work as a team player.  Self-motivation is a great skill to have; your co-op can help you develop that. Remember your co-op education will provide you with good opportunities and advantages to showcase your skills for your real job interviews. You will learn so much on co-op because it will open your eyes to the real world of work.