Student Spotlight: Juliet Mulcahy

As a co-op student with the Careers Service, no day was merely a check-the-box activity with a repetitive list of tasks. Instead, each day brought new projects and opportunities.

The project-based work I was involved in varied significantly. Firstly, the content I worked with depended on the audience—whether it was employer-facing or student-facing publications. This really helped me understand our customers better, a vital skill in marketing. My tasks spanned a wide range, from data collection to final print. Being involved in every step of the process allowed me to develop a broader skill set and excel in areas where I previously felt out of my depth.

Working in an open office you never know who will walk through the door next, at first this may seem daunting, but I quickly learned to adapt to the needs of whoever may need our guidance. The beauty of this is that I had the chance to communicate with people of varying backgrounds and stages of their academic journey. From first years to professors, local community members to international students, everyone was greeted with a "hi, hello how can I help?". It was a pleasure to even play a small part in making their day better, even if it was just to guide them in the right direction, we all know how much of a maze the Main Building is! As a marketing student the ability to communicate effectively is so crucial and I never thought a simple task like greeting people at the door would play such a huge part in developing this core competency.

In addition to this being given such a voice in team meetings was something that I did not expect. It was hugely rewarding to see my suggestions being taken on board and implemented accordingly. Now as I help to train the new co-op students, it’s almost like looking back to all those months ago when I started. It is unbelievable just how quickly we all merge into a cohesive working environment.

I know I said at the beginning my day was never the same, that was a lie. The one constant throughout my days was the fantastic team I had the pleasure of working with. From my manager to my fellow co-op students, each person has left an everlasting positive impact on my professional and personal growth.

All in all, my co-op experience was more than just another day at the office—it was a day full of new learnings, professional development, and lifelong friendships.