Staying in her home city to study was the smart decision for Niamh who found work in an international financial services firm in the south east.
"There is no way to thank SETU and its lecturers enough as they have done so much for me over these last few years, and I will be forever grateful in return. I will always highly recommend SETU as for me it is up there with one of the best universities in Ireland." SETU Graduate, Niamh Hennessy
Mercy Secondary School Waterford past pupil Niamh Hennessy continued on to do a MSc in Global Financial Information Systems (GFIS) following her BA (Hons) Law degree which has led to a fulfilling role in BNY Mellon in Wexford.
Relationships made to cherish for years to come
When I started college I studied at with mainly for financial purposes, as I was only 18 and was unemployed. My parents were paying for college, so I chose to study at SETU to help them out. I soon grew to love everything about SETU, from my courses and lectures to even the nightlife and events thrown by SETU. I have met and made close relationships with lecturers and fellow students that I will cherish for years. After my undergraduate course, I went on to complete a Masters in UL. I was used to smaller classrooms, but this was different in UL, I loved SETU so much that I came back after my master's in UL to study a master's in SETU and I do not regret my decision at all.
ELS Brussels trip
Over the last four years, I have loved every minute of SETU, I have formed very close friendships as the classes are small so it is easier to form relationships and know everyone by name, I have attended many events organised by SETU from student marches and protesting to non-academic events such as RAG week and Freshers Week. I have also attended Brussels as part of ELS at SETU and have organised and attended the Law Ball, Humanities Ball and even the Business Ball. I have cherished every moment at SETU and will not forget all the highlights.
No regrets
I was thrilled as I always wanted to go to college but couldn't afford to go away so the first and only place I put down was SETU and I have never regretted my choice even to this day I talk very highly of SETU as a college, and how excellent the lecturers are, they choose the best staff to teach the students.
Two masters' degrees
All I would say is do it, it's only as hard as you make it. If you don't study then it's going to be very hard to pass, but if you do then it is worthwhile. You can still go out and have fun and still study as I am a good example of living the college dream by attending and studying but also going out for student nights if you put your mind to it you can do it. Three years ago I didn't think I would ever do a master's and two years later I have completed two master's degrees.
Forever grateful
My studies at SETU helped me a lot I wouldn't be where I am today without SETU, as I studied law it helped me understand legislation, regulations, and codes and practices. Studying for a master's in global financial Information systems has helped me develop knowledge of IT software and business transactions on a global and local scale. My experience at SETU has helped me a lot as I partook in an internship for my master's and it helped me to get in the door of a company. Since then I have been promoted and I have been training new staff. I love every moment of my job. There is no way to thank SETU and its lecturers as they have done so much for me over these last few years, and I will be forever grateful in return I will always highly recommend SETU as for me it is up there with one of the best universities in Ireland.
The importance of being a class rep
In my undergraduate degree, I was a First Year Class Rep I loved this as I got to make close friends from my class organise trips and even make friends from other courses, I would ask everyone to at least try and be a class rep at least once in SETU. I was also heavily involved in the Law Society at SETU; I was entertainment officer and vice president in my final year. I was also involved in ELSA in SETU (I was vice president also in my final year), and I was also the treasurer the year before that. I would highly recommend all students to join at least one club or society when they are in SETU as you make long-lasting connections and also it's very good for your CV.
Niamh currently works at BNY Mellon Wexford as an SNR AIS AML/KYC Specialist
