As a new student to the University of Limerick in 2022, I was excited to get immersed in college life. It wasn’t long before the months turned into semesters, and before I knew it I had completed my second year. With the third year of my course consisting of an eight-month Co-op placement followed by Erasmus, I thought I would have to say goodbye to my beloved campus for the foreseeable future. Little did I know I would not be parting ways with UL just yet as I’d landed a position with ITD’s Service Desk.
Although my degree is a dual qualification in Journalism and Digital Communications, I was apprehensive of being thrown into the deep end of the technology pool. As someone who would normally go to ITD for assistance myself, I was sympathetic to whoever would be on the receiving end of my first call. A role reversal that would end in tears for both parties…however, I was wrong (thankfully).
From my very first day with ITD, I have felt both welcomed and encouraged. Each day I acquire more accessories for my metaphorical tech toolkit. As well as now being a self-proclaimed junior expert in all things Microsoft, I also have the role of being the mastermind behind our social media pages. While I have you here check out our Instagram: itd.ul (the hustle for new followers never stops).
Apart from the professional benefits of my role on the Service Desk, I was fortunate enough to strike up great friendships during my time here too. With our core working group consisting of students from a plethora of courses, ranging from journalists like myself, to engineers and business students.
Those who study the computing courses are to be commended for their willingness to help the rest of us newbies out when it comes to issues that are out of our depth. I admittedly am always pestering them with questions, but the upbeat work atmosphere overshadows any embarrassment I feel about asking for a little help every now and then. I’ve tried to offer my social media advice as a trade off but I’m yet to give the boy’s accounts a makeover.
The main lesson I will take away from my co-op, other than asking a user to ‘turn their laptop on and off again’, is to embrace the new challenges that come your way. Resetting passwords and authenticator apps are second nature, and I have finally navigated my way around the Glucksman basement.
Written by Co-Op student Aoife Cahill