This project was a collaboration between the Career Development Centre, Access Centre, Digi Champs and the CELT Studio, supported by funding from the EDI Project Fund.

Conversations in this series explore some of the different experiences, challenges and opportunities alumni have encountered in their lives and careers, and how aspects of identity, background and circumstance can shape those journeys. The project gave students the opportunity to hear directly from people with very different experiences and gives space to stories and perspectives that may not otherwise be heard.

Six podcasts will be released through University channels each Wednesday, with one episode launching each week for the first six weeks of term. One conversation was recorded through Gaeilge.

EPISODE 1: Councillor Helen Ogbu, Mayor of Galway and Sophia Saetes

What does it take to navigate the journey from university student to researcher and professional? In this episode, newly elected Galway Mayor Helen Ogbu shares her story with PhD Candidate Sophia Saetes, reflecting on the challenges, opportunities, and people that shaped her path. Together, they discuss academic life, career choices, resilience, and the advice Helen wishes she had heard earlier.

STUDENT PROFILE: Sophia Saetes, BA, MS, MHRS, SC

Sophia Saetes is a PhD researcher in Ireland, originally from California, with multiple undergraduate degrees in psychology and more than five years of frontline advocacy experience supporting women and children with disabilities.

EPISODE 2: Phil Trill and Eoin Maher

Guest Phil Trill, teacher and Galway United women’s football team coach, has played an instrumental role in guiding students and potential students through his vocational and voluntary work. Eoin and Phil talk about alternative education routes, the experience of returning to education as a the mature student and the importance of community in helping shape us as students, academics and people. They also talk about how coming from an ‘atypical’ family can shape us in a positive manner.

STUDENT PROFILE: Eoin Maher, BA

Eoin has just completed the BA Journalism course at the University of Galway. Coming from a large family and returning to education as a mature student, Eoin’s route to education was anything but ‘typical’ or linear, and he understands the importance of alternative routes to education. 

EPISODE 3: Dr Mary Keogh and Rosa Vaness Lazo Charur

In this episode, Dr Mary Keogh, advocacy director at CBM Global Disability Inclusion, chair of of the International Disability and Development Consortium and adjunct Professor with University of Galway’s School of Law, talks about the lessons she has learned by following a non-linear path in her career. She speaks about the importance of transferable people skills, continuous development and knowing ourselves for a fulfilling life. She also addresses confronting uncertainty and recognising the people in our life that can become our mentors. She offers her perspective on work-life balance and the importance of being challenged in life, and dives into her experience as a PHD graduate and professional expertise in reasonable accommodations in the workplace.

STUDENT PROFILE: Vanessa Lazo, BA, MA, LLM, H.Dip

Vanessa Lazo is a blind Mexican Postgrad student at the University of Galway doing the diploma in Irish. She is an international human rights lawyer, a trained conference interpreter, writer and musician. She has legal, research and teaching experience. She is passionate about language and culture, nature, working with people and embracing creativity in every aspect of life.

EPISODE 4: Eric Ehigie and Parwana Eghbali

In this episode, host Parwana Eghbali catches up with University of Galway alumnus Eric Ehigie, an inspiring Irish political commentator, legal scholar, and advocate who was raised in Longford. Eric was also awarded a Master’s in Public Policy from University of Oxford, and was a recipient of the prestigious George Moore Scholarship. He has championed social change as Director of Advocacy for Black and Irish and is a board member for Women for Election. Currently working at A&L Goodbody, he actively writes and speaks on identity, representation, and social cohesion. Grab a coffee, pop in some headphones, and tune in as they chat about his path from studying Law and Business at Galway through to his Master’s at Oxford, advocating with Black and Irish, and working as a paralegal at A&L Goodbody. It’s time to dive into beating exam stress, kicking self-doubt to the curb, and owning your future!

STUDENT PROFILE: Parwana Eghbali

In Parwana’s words: I am Parwana Eghbali, an Afghan Refugee student at the University of Galway, progressed from the Access Course to studying 1st-year Bachelor of Commerce. I am thrilled to host week four “A Voice for Equal Future”… I genuinely enjoy meeting new people and taking on tough challenges, trying new things, and making new friends. My goal is to make a positive impact on my University journey and community, even through small actions.

EPISODE 5: Emma Clark and Nora Morgan

Catch up with Emma and Nora as they talk about the real, raw reality of breaking stigmas, forging new paths, and overcoming adversity and imposter syndrome. Nora Mongan is a traveller woman who advocates for traveller women and girls to feel comfortable and confident towards further education. When it comes to new places, new experiences, and new people, it is nerve-wracking for anyone; but this episode is to break the harmful illusions of university being intimidating. Everyone has moments where they struggle and speaking about them upfront and honestly can tear down the walls we build in our mind and foster healthy communication and community. The Access Programme is frequently spoken about within the episode to highlight the range of people it applies to and the opportunities that once seemed impossible for some.

STUDENT PROFILE: Emma Clark

Emma Clark is a first year undergraduate who came to college through the Access Programme. Her mission is to spread awareness about those facing adversity, be it disabilities, mental health issues, neurodivergence or returning back to education despite a rocky past. Emma says: while everyone is welcome, it is important to feel like everybody belongs; turning first-hand experiences into a bright future for those who fall between the cracks of society, the future should be equal and our voices are the beginning of that.

EPISODE 6: Fionn Ó Cualáin agus Bairbre Uí Coisdhealbha

Nuair atá ort tú rud éigin a déanamh sa saol seo, má tá do croí is do anam ann agus tá tú ag iarraidh a déanamh, déanamh tú é cuma cé chomh deacair atá sé. (When you want to do something in this life, as long as your heart and soul is in it and you really want to do it, you’ll get it done no matter how hard it is.) University of Galway alumna Bairbre Uí Coisdhealbha has been a consistent figure for Raidió na Gaeltachta for almost two decades now, hosting shows such as Togha agus Rogha as well as a frequent newsreader. She’s also helped student hone their Irish speaking skills for many years. In this Irish language episode, Bairbre chats to Fionn about her life through education, how she gained an interest in the media and the radio in particular, how an initial three-month contract at Raidió na Gaeltachta turned into a near 20 year career, and the trials and tribulations of going back to college later in life while trying to balance raising and rearing a family. Tune in now to listen to our final episode of the Voices for Equal Futures series!

STUDENT PROFILE: Fionn Ó Cualáin

Fionn Ó Cualáin is bilingual and a final year Journalism student at University of Galway. He has done great work for the likes of Flirt FM and Athlone Community Radio, hosting shows such as Athlone Today and Reelin in the Ears. He has also done work for TG4. His band, Na hEasógaí, has opened for Damien Dempsey, multi time nominee at the Gradaim NÓS, and were featured in the RTÉ programme An Ghig Mhór.