2: Gemma Treacy

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2: Gemma Treacy

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About this listen

Question: Introduce yourself (0:15)

Recent Multimedia graduate

Question: Have there been any personal barriers that have affected your journey to college or your time at DCU and how did you overcome those barriers? (0:35)

Had a daughter at 15 and was pregnant at the time she was taking her Junior Leaving Certificate
Faced a lot of stigma from being a young mother
Internalized teachers’ low expectations for her educational future
Ended up earning enough points on the Leaving Certificate exam to meet the Access requirement and was offered her first choice in Multimedia Studies
Found the transition to DCU and social life difficult, particularly as a young parent
She never thought that she would go to college and finish her degree, so she wants younger students to believe in themselves no matter what teachers or other people tell them about their potential

Question: What kind of support did you receive from the Access program and how has that made a difference in your college experience? (3:05)

Received an Access Scholarship
Worked as an Access Ambassador and was able to earn some money, develop her self confidence, and meet new people
Through the Access to the Workplace program, she did a paid internship with Irish Distillers which helped her develop new skills and develop professionally

Question: Can you tell us about the skills you developed from your role as an Access Ambassador? (4:10)

Entered first year with low self esteem but gained confidence and public speaking skills through her work as an Access Ambassador
She finds it gratifying to speak to students about the Access route, because she went to a non-DEIS school where she was not exposed to information about Access programs.
Got involved in mentoring secondary school students in multimedia studies.

Question: How did you make friends and adapt to the social life in DCU? (5:40)

Found DCU to be a friendly, open environment
Joined a committee in her final year
Made friends with the students in that committee

Question: What are your plans now that you’ve graduated from DCU? (6:50)

Primary goal is to buy a house with her daughter and boyfriend and to find a job that she enjoys
Hopes to work in illustration or graphic design
Currently participating in a UX Design mentoring program

Question: What advice would you give someone from your old school who is about to sit the Leaving Certificate and is considering going to college? (8:10)

Wants to empower students like herself, coming from disadvantaged backgrounds surrounded by wealthy students in their school, to overcome barriers and create a nice life for themselves.
Don’t be afraid to get help and use the Access resources.

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