In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Sarah Kinsella, who studied History, Politics and Social Studies as part of the Bachelor of Arts programme.
From lifelong friendships and a life-changing Coop experience in Canada, to working with some of the world’s leading history experts throughout her rich career in the heritage sector; Sarah shares how her time at UL transformed her life.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I grew up in Castleblakeney, County Galway. I’m the youngest of eight children. I’ve worked in the heritage sector, in one way or another, since graduating from UL. I live with my husband and two children in Nottinghamshire.
What course did you study, and what year did you graduate?
I studied History, Politics, Social Studies from 2000-2004
Why did you choose to study at UL?
I always wanted to study history after school, and although the Arts course in University of Galway appealed – with many of my friends going there and being close to home – the course at UL offered the extra year with Coop work placement and study abroad. So, I put UL as my first choice, and it was the best decision I made to start my adult life.
What were the highlights of your course?
We had some of the best lecturers in History and Sociology in Ireland teaching us. Getting to spend a semester at University of Calgary in Canada, studying Canadian history and meeting students from across the world, was definitely one of the best experiences for me. But for me, the favourite aspect of the course was the friendships I made during those four years. The people I met at UL - some on the first day(!) - are still some of my closest friends.
As an AHSS student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like?
I was privileged to hear from experts every day like Eoin Devereux, and was honoured to have Pádraig Lenihan as my Final Year Project (FYP) supervisor on a local history subject – I always valued his advice and opinions during my final year.
What advice would you offer to students considering studying at UL?
Embrace the world-class facilities, opportunities to study abroad and different people you will meet throughout the years.
Separately, what advice would you offer to students considering an Arts degree?
It opens your eyes to so much - what you think you want to do at the beginning of your course could change, and it gives you options afterwards, so be open to where your path leads you.
A lot of my UL friends have gone on to do a lot of different roles since graduating but all found their paths. An Arts degree is such a good basis for many exciting careers.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UL?
The time I spent with my classmates, meeting new interesting people, socialising, and generally growing up at UL.
At UL, we’re known as the ‘Home of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced as a UL student, that you would like to share?
I was only 17 when I started at UL, so it was the first time leaving home. I moved into a house not knowing my housemates (they were third years, and took me under their wing) and I lived with them the following year in Briarfield.
At 19, for the first semester of third year, I moved to Canada for a (cold) semester at University of Calgary – another first for me; but this opportunity wasn’t offered through the other arts courses my friends had undertaken.
Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
Most important was the library. On day one, I stood beside two people in my course; we arranged to meet outside the library on day two (I didn’t have a mobile phone). Thankfully, they showed up and we have been friends for over 24 years, and we have seen each other marry and have children. It was also the place where you would meet fellow classmates searching for books or queueing for computers (before people had laptops or social media, really!)
How did your course and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating?
As I had met so many different people, and lived abroad, it gave me the confidence to move again to gain the relevant experience I needed to further my career. It opened my eyes to a bigger world than the small village I grew up in.
After graduating, I undertook an internship in a museum in Lakes District for a year, and I think it cemented my love of people and presenting history to a range of groups. And there, my career in heritage began. I gained a Masters of Science in Cultural Heritage Studies at Glasgow Caledonian before moving to Dublin for a museum job. I then spent time working in a museum in Vancouver, before one of my biggest achievements – securing a job at the British Museum in London for four years, where I led a programme of events curated around the museum collection for adults and young people.
Could you update us on where you are now in your career?
I’ve worked with the National Trust for seven years. The National Trust is the largest conservation charity in Europe looking after nature, history and beauty for all to enjoy. For the past three-and-a-half years, as Events Manager at the Trust, I have led a team of events specialists, implementing and delivering the events strategy for the organisation’s fundraising and wider stakeholder events. I work closely with senior stakeholders to deliver events that engage and show the impact of our supporters’ donations at our places in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. I’m privileged to work with leading experts in Curation, Conservation, and Nature.
I had the privilege of seeing the true impact of the Trust’s work on preserving and presenting history. Last year, I was honoured to deliver an event seeing the 13th Gideon Tapestry being rehung at Hardwick Hall after a 24-year conservation project. I also worked on the first events at newly acquired property Munstead Wood, a horticultural gem secured for the nation. I have worked with historians Mary Beard and Neil McGregor in my current role and while at the British Museum. My role gives me exposure to fascinating experts in their fields.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
Continuing working in a field that combines my love for history, showcasing the past and developing teams in the field I love so much, while ensuring places are conserved for the future for everyone.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I think what I would say is UL was a great starting point for me, personally. But so much of what you learn after university is what cements your career.
There are many routes to the career of your dreams, so UL gave me the basis to search for my dream career. What it gave me most was confidence and friends to believe in myself.
A last piece of advice would be to do something you love and is worthwhile for future generations.