Email: s.annette@qub.ac.uk

What was your career journey before you started working at The Thomas J Moran Graduate School?  

I've had the pleasure of working in a few different companies, all of which were very much centred around customer service, an aspect I really enjoy as I would consider myself a people person and enjoy being able to help people.   

When did you start working at the Graduate School?   

I started in October 2022, an exciting time to start as we were right at the beginning of the new academic year, which is the busiest period for the Graduate School as we run a variety of different events for our new and existing postgraduate students. 

What's your role and what do you enjoy most about it?   

I am the Student Engagement Coordinator and what I enjoy most is our social events and getting the opportunity to meet our postgraduate students and hearing their stories.   

If you are reading this, firstly, thank you very much for taking the time to do so and secondly, please feel free to come say hello. 

Name one thing you can’t survive a working day without. Why’s it so important?  

My colleagues! We honestly have such an amazingly talented and passionate team within the Graduate School; I am blessed to be able to work alongside them. 

Do you have any favourite inspirational quotes or mantras that keep you motivated in your work?  

“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. 
 
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” 

I love this quote from Bruce Lee, to me it is about being able to adapt to any situation, and like water changing it’s form, being ready and willing to change the way you approach a problem, if that is what is required. 

What's your favourite thing about Belfast that students should definitely check out?  

Whilst Belfast does have a lot to offer, I am going to cheat slightly on this one and recommend that everyone should visit Portrush/Portstewart at least once! There are few places can rival it’s beauty, especially on a sunny day (although if you have been here for any length of time, you have probably realised, we don’t get many of those). 

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be?  

A mattress, a blanket and a pillow – whilst I love my children dearly, I would take full advantage of being able to rest while I have the chance without fear of my five and two year old children jumping on top of me at 6am. 

What are your favourite hobbies or pastimes outside of work (sports, creative hobbies, music)?  

I love keeping active, be it running, swimming or going to the gym.   

Do you have a favourite travel destination or a memorable trip?   

My favourite travel destination has to be Orlando, Florida.