Lisa Howard

The courses that I have undertaken are a Certificate in Secretarial Studies with Business Studies, as well one in Travel and Tourism in Ireland. I also completed a Diploma in Community Care FETAC Level 5 along with a Diploma in Computer Applications with Office Skills.

The most beneficial/rewarding one I found was the Diploma in Computer Applications as I am now able to use the computer as well as to send and receive e-mails from friends and family. It takes a lot of pressure off!

Five years ago, I was in college studying the secretarial course, and now I am working as a receptionist/ administrator in a community organisation, TARGET. When I started to work there, I realised it was the setting I really wanted to work in, a community based organisation.

Doing the computer training helped me to get my current job. Starting to work in TARGET was a big change in my career and I think doing the course provided me with the skills and knowledge that I need in my everyday working life. 

Education is essential in my opinion; it opens doors to a lot of different opportunities that would not otherwise be available. It’s important to me to further my education, because you can keep learning new things and broaden your knowledge and you also become a better person in the process.

The greatest obstacles that I have overcome in realising my goals were finding wheelchair accessible training and employment.

The advice that I would impart on others to avoid unhappiness in their careers is that changing career can be done easily. You just need to be brave, chose where you want to go, and try not to hesitate.

The proudest moment of my career, both professionally and academically is graduating from 2 years of studying in a community care course.

My hopes for the future are to continue my work in the community.