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Fiontar Graduates In their own words, Fiontar graduates tell you about the course they completed. You will get a great understanding of the beneficial and enjoyable experience of studying with us here in DCU. Tomás Ó Madagáin MSc - Financial Advisor I did a degree in Irish and History in NUIG. One day a lecturer from Fiontar came and gave a presentation and there and then I decided that the MSc i nGnó agus i dTeicneolaíocht an Eolais (MSc in Business and IT) was the course for me. I chose it because the fees were subsidised at the time and because I wanted to go into business in some way. I wanted to continue my education through Irish and I knew that DCU had, and still has a good reputation in business studies. Also, I knew that employers out there know that if you come out of DCU you have worked hard and done great things, and I think that helps you at interviews. The course was enjoyable because you could give your own opinions and you could develop your own business style during the course – in presentations, the assignments and in the thesis at the end. Despite myself perhaps, I grew and developed as a person during the course. We studied various entrepreneurs and I learned that you have to be confident of your own ability and if you want to have a great unique life for yourself you need to go out and establish your own business. After spending a year working in IT with Gael Linn, for the last three years I’ve been self-employed as a financial consultant. For the last two years I’ve been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table – the top 1% of financial consultants worldwide. I was at the annual meeting in Toronto last year and I’m going to this year’s meeting in Indianapolis. I meet the most inspiring people in the world there – it’s amazing. I’ve got good experience in the consultancy but my passion is sport – that’s very important in life. Therefore, I’m starting a new business called Sports Academy International, an innovative company organising training camps in Ireland and throughout Europe, for professional and amateur teams in Gaelic, rugby and soccer etc. For the last few months we’ve got most of the senior intercounty teams – myself and my business partner Tony Griffin. Also I’m on the Clare senior football county panel. I’m busy and life is good here in Clare. The Masters helps me a lot as it gave me the basic business skills – how to write reports, how to make a presentation in front of the Director of the London Irish Rugby Team; now to manage the company’s finances; how to grow a business; and how to manage it from day to day. I got great experience during my time in Fiontar – the lecturers were very helpful, the course was very innovative and it’s a great experience for anybody thinking of going into business or to establish a company or be self-employed. Basically it gave me the skills and self-confidence to go out and do the work. Seriously, I’m not lying, I really enjoyed my time now that I look back! Niamh Ní Bhroin MSc - Broadcasting Executive I had a first class honours degree in Communications (Film and Broadcasting) from DIT. I was working full-time as a director with Macalla Teoranta. At that time, Macalla was primarily concerned with dubbing cartoons into Irish for broadcasting on TG4. I wanted to enhance my academic skills, particularly with regard to business. I had always been interested in Fiontar as it was possible to obtain a third level education through the medium of Irish there. I didn’t want to stop working. I chose to undertake the Masters in Business and Information Technology on a part-time basis. I liked a lot of things about the course: it was clearly laid out; the classes were small; I was able to attend college after work; and, the staff were always more than willing to assist the students in any of the work that they were undertaking. What I liked the most was probably the fact that I met like-minded people who were interested in the importance of the Irish language and in finding ways of using the language in our daily lives. I would say this about the staff and the students. There was always a lovely atmosphere in Fiontar. I prepared a thesis on the main reasons that Irish-language programming was broadcast on commercial radio in Ireland in 2005 and 2006. I was interested in understanding why these programmes were broadcast and in what stations’ obligations were in relation to Irish language programming. In addition, I was interested in researching whether there were other reasons, apart from contractual obligations, that these programmes were broadcast. At the moment I am working with the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland. Most of my work is concerned with the various policies that the Commission is required to implement. In addition, I am secretary to an Irish Language Development Committee that the Commission founded with Foras na Gaeilge, Gael Linn and the community and commercial radio stations in 1999. This committee aims to find ways of promoting and enhancing the use of the Irish language on independent radio stations. The Masters helps me with my work in three main areas: • What I learned in terms of business and resource management assists me with management, be that people, project or work-plan management; • The essays, projects and thesis that I prepared during the course added to my communication and analytical skills, and this helps me when preparing reports, researching particular policies or analysing information submitted to the Commission; and, • The presentations I made during the course added to my communication skills. This helps when I need to make presentations in work (which happens a lot!). Caoimhe Ní Laighin MSc - Journalist I started Fiontar’s MSc in Business and Information Technology in 2003. I had just finished a BA in Journalism in Dublin Institute of Technology and I wanted to develop my practical skills. I felt that a lot of the practical skills I needed in my profession were covered by the course – skills in computing, business and research. During the course the topics I liked most were the research on multimedia and the opportunity I had to do a Masters level thesis. I really liked the fact that I had the freedom to concentrate on the disciplines in which I was particularly interested. As I had a qualification in journalism, I decided to write my thesis on the Irish language media and I thought the lecturers gave me great help and support. After qualifying with the MSc, I worked with the Northern Ireland Screen and Television Commission for a while and then I worked as a freelance journalist and as the editor of the internet magazine Beo! (www.beo.ie). I’m currently working as an editor with Nuacht RTÉ/TG4. I’ve also done some part time lecturing with Fiontar and have given guest lectures in Dublin Institute of Technology. I think the postgraduate course genuinely helped me develop my professional career – with the skills I learned and the contacts I made. I would strongly recommend this course to everybody. It opens many doors, regardless what your background is. There was even a chemistry graduate in our class. People don’t get ‘put in boxes’ and students are given the freedom to concentrate on their own interests during the course. Nollaig Ó Maonaigh MA I was a Sergeant Major in the Army working in the Strategic Planning Office when I decided to apply for the MA in Bilingual Practice with Fiontar. I had just finished the BA in Irish in UCD. I had two reasons to continuing my Irish studies. As I was very interested in the language and was able to deal with Irish language matters in the Army, I thought the course would help me a lot in my work. I was a member of the Irish language Council of the Army and one of the responsibilities of the Council was to promote Irish in the forces. One of my responsibilities was to write the Army’s Irish language policy and later I also developed and published the Army’s first official language scheme. I hoped to learn more about the official status of the Irish language and the rights citizens have to conduct their business with the state through the medium of Irish. I have to say that I was not disappointed by the end of the course. What I liked most about the course was that I could study at home using the internet, rather than have to go up to Dublin every week. I had done that for the BA and it was tough. I think I learned a lot of new things on the course. The things that still help me most in my daily work is the understanding I got about the Constitutional status of the language as an official language. I left the Army during the course and got a job with The Teaching Council. My fluency in Irish helped me get the new job. My interview was conducted bilingually and the MA in Bilingual Practice was discussed during the interview. I decided to do something useful and practical for my thesis . I examined the Teaching Council as a newly formed organisation and I developed a framework for the organisation’s language policy. The time I spent with Fiontar opened my eyes about Irish speakers’ rights and particular specialist knowledge was shared with me during the course. I would recommend this course to anybody working in the public sector who is interested in the language. There’s a great need in the public sector for more people with expertise on citizens desire to have services through the medium of Irish. Carmel Mac Domhnaill MA - Irish Language Development Officer I was working as an Irish Language Development Officer with the Health Services Executive when I decided to return to college even though I didn’t have a primary degree. Fiontar gave me a chance to attend their MA in Bilingual Practice because of my work experience and because I was sufficiently fluent and accurate in my Irish. I was very thankful for that opportunity. At that time the HSE was legally required by the Official Languages Act (2003) to design and implement a language scheme, and those of us employed as Irish language officers had responsibility for the scheme. When I read that the course would give me an education and training in management and in the delivery of bilingual services, as well as practical training with a theoretical basis in bilingual best practice I knew I would enjoy and benefit from the course. The course set up was very handy as most of the teaching was on line and we only had to attend the campus on 6 weekends each year. This is great for people who work fulltime and who don’t live near Dublin. All the Fiontar staff were very helpful to all of us and always ready to help and provide support. While there was a lot of work involved, the course was well laid out and we had enough time to do all the assignments. After I finished the course I continued as an Irish Language Development Officer but now my job is permanent. The MA gave me a great foundation in a wide range of subjects. It gave me an understanding of the theories and practices in diversity and equality. I was hoping to finish the course with high level skills in delivering services through Irish and I have to say I was not disappointed. Not only did I gain an understanding of conducting business through Irish, but I also got the information and skills I needed to ensure I would provide high quality service to the public along international standards. For my thesis I chose to do some research on Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge – the European Certificate in Irish – for adult learners of Irish. The TEG is linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and as Irish is one of the official working languages in Europe, I had a particular interest in it. Also, I was teaching internal classes in our workplace and using this system which examines four skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. My thesis was about the theory and the history of Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge. Bairbre Uí Theighneáin - Irish Language Development Officer I’m Bairbre Uí Theighneáin. I’m an Irish language development officer and I work with the Health Services Executive. I got my nursing training in NUIG and spent 17 years working as nurse. I was employed in the General Hospital in Tullamore when I saw an advert for a new job – Irish Language Development Officer. I didn’t know what the job would be but I was ready for a new challenge. I started the job in July 2000. I heard about the MA in Bilingual Practice with Fiontar from a friend who was in the first year of the course. He was very dilligent and he inspired me to get more information about the course. When I saw I would get training in various issues such as bilingual design, Irish and the law, not to mention how to deal with language promotion in a business-like manner, I was really interested in it. Still and all, i was not sure if I would do the course as I didn’t have a degree in Irish, Once I heard I could do the course as I was working with the language, I decided to apply. I liked a lot of things about the course. There were very interesting people in the class – i got to know them while I was in college. I learned a lot about how to do research, something I’d never learned before. The lecturers were really great – very hepful and friendly. That really added to the experience. I’m still in touch with them. Our prior experience was acknowledged and we had plenty of opportunities to incorporate the work we had already done into the tasks we had to do. What I learned most on the course was to ensure that any information given to me is accurate. I learned about the importance of ensuring that I and others should use credible sources – especially when dealing with statistics. I decided to do my thesis about the difficulties encountered by older people whose first language is Irish when living in long stay nursing homes run by the HSE. I hope to finish the thesis soon. Everytime I send a translation for signage or stationery to a manager I ensure that I include notes on best practice in bilingual design. I use what I learned in the design module every day. I feel I have gained a comprehensive understanding on a lot of matters since I finished the taught part of the course and through all the reading for the thesis. Everybody in Fiontar was very friendly and they gave us huge help in learning how to do research and how to undertake a thesis. They always gave honest helpful feedback. I feel proud of Fiontar every time I see the name on focal.ie or on logainm.ie as I think the School makes a difference in the day-to-day lives of people working with the Irish language. Aisling Nic Craith - Administration and Corporate Affairs Manager I have an interesting background because of all my travelling and experience. After school I did a Certificate in Art. I then worked in the hospitality sector in New York and later spent three years in Japan and Korea, teaching English and learning karate. I have a black belt in karate and a Diploma in Japanese. After returning to Ireland I spent seven years working in the tourism industry. I had a wide range of experience in those years – guiding Japanese groups around the country; organising international conferences and incentive visits for large multinationals; as well as marketing and sales. For the last six years I've been working as an administration and corporate affairs manager with COGG - Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta. COGG’s regulatory functions include coordinating the provision of textbooks and resources for the teaching of Irish and through the medium of Irish; provision of support services; and coordination of research. I chose the MSc in Business and Information Technology in order to develop my professional skills in terms of analysis; research; IT; and business. I thought the course covered a wide range of subjects and was very practical and suitable for the workplace. My primary and secondary level education had been through the medium of Irish and now I’m working in an office that conducts all of its business through the medium of Irish. I was attracted to the MSc because it was run through Irish. I liked the technological element of the course a lot, especially the design and the web development and database design. I was able to use my own creativity with the new IT skills I learned. What I learned most on the course was: how to analyse documents, statistics and annual reports; how to do research; and how to structure a report or an academic essay properly. All the modules are very interesting and very useful in business. I draw on various aspects of the course every day at work: - dealing with the COGG website - developing databases for various projects - implementing things I learned in the marketing and communications modules - using the skills I learned in the project management module when organising our various projects - analysing accounts My thesis is about my work in COGG – the provision of resources to second level schools. I highly recommend this course as you can use the skills and knowledge you learn in all kinds of jobs and careers. While the teaching and learning is all through Irish you don’t need to be working in the Irish language sector. Bairbre Ní Choisdealbha MSc - Mathematics Teacher I’m a secondary school teacher who used to teach maths and computing in Coláiste de hÍde – a Gaelscoil in Dublin. I had responsibility for IT in the school. I am a member of the executive committee of the Computer Education Society of Ireland. I was the site co-ordinator of the CESI Annual Conference in Coláiste de hÍde from 2002 to 2008 and I am the deputy co-ordinator this year. The conference is attended by around 300 teachers, and includes 34 computing sessions. I chose the MSc because of the IT component run through the medium of Irish and I was interested in the modules offered on the course. The Computer Networks for Business module was directly related to my responsibility for ICT in the school. I saw how the Multimedia Publishing and Marketing modules would help me create a professional online image for the school. I also liked Fiontar’s ethos. I did the part-time course to get a formal qualification in computing but I got so much extra out of the course. We studied a wide range of subjects which greatly added to my skills, not just as a teacher but also as a person in general. These skills – communications, research, human resource management, strategic planning – help me in my daily work. Through the modules we did in business and management, I now have a far better understanding of and respect for the management and leadership role in school. As a citizen of a minority language country, I have a deeper understanding and higher awareness of the importance of heritage and culture. The course fostered my entrepreneurial and innovation skills. My computing skills developed to such an extent that I was able to undertake the development of a maths teaching tool as part of my thesis. The tool I created was recognised as one of the Top 100 for the E-Learning Awards in 2005 (http://elearningawards.eun.org). As a result of the Masters qualification I am now qualified to teach a wide range of subjects including business studies. Because of that wide range and my primary degree in maths, I got a teaching job in a new Gaelscoil – Coláiste an Eachréidh in Co Galway. I made great friends with many of my fellow students on the course, and I have great memories of the craic we had. I loved my time in DCU. The classes were small; the interdisciplinarity and the different academic backgrounds of all the students; the co-operation to meet deadlines; the different approaches we all had; the very good relationship we had with the lecturers; the encouragement they gave us to recognise our own visions and to achieve them. I had great fun on the masters programme – I got so much from it. I can only praise it. Our school’s website is here .
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Céimithe Fiontar Ina bhfocail féin, labhraíonn céimithe Fiontar faoin gcúrsa a rinne siad. Gheobhaidh tú tuiscint an-mhaith ar an taitneamh agus tairbhe a bhaineann daoine as a bheith ag staidéar linn. Tomás Ó Madagáin MSc - Comhairleoir Airgeadais D’fhreastail mé ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe agus dhein mé céim sa Ghaeilge agus sa Stair. Tháinig duine de léachtóirí Fiontar go dtí an Ollscoil chun cur i láthair a dhéanamh lá amháin agus chuaigh an chaint sin i bhfeidhm orm. Roghnaigh mé an cúrsa MSc i nGnó agus i dTeicneolaíocht an Eolais mar go raibh táillí laghdaithe i gceist ag an am, agus mar gur theastaigh uaim dul isteach i gcúrsaí gnó. Theastaigh uaim m’oideachas a leanúint trí Ghaeilge agus bhí, agus tá fós, ainm maith ag DCU mar ollscoil ghnó. Ina theannta sin, tuigeann comhlachtaí má thagann tú amach as Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath go bhfuil obair mhaith agus obair mhór déanta agat agus téann sé chun leasa an iarratasóra i mo thuairim. Bhí an cúrsa taitneamhach mar go raibh tú ábalta do thuairimí féin a thabhairt agus do stíl phearsanta ghnó a fhás tríd an gcúrsa – cur i láthair, na tascanna agus an tráchtas ag an deireadh. De m’ainneoin féin, b’fhéidir, d’fhás mé mar dhuine le linn an chúrsa. Rinneamar staidéar ar fhiontraithe éagsúla agus d’fhoghlaim mé go gcaithfidh tú a bheith muiníneach as do chumas féin agus go gcaithfidh tú dul amach ann agus gnó a bhunú agus a fhás má tá tú chun saol maith uathúil a bheith agat. Tar éis dom trí bliana a chaitheamh ag obair le gníomhaíochtaí teicneolaíochta Ghael Linn táim anois féinfhostaithe mar chomhairleoir airgeadais le trí bliana anuas. Le dhá bhliain anuas is ball mé den Million Dollar Round Table - an 1% is fearr de chomhairleoirí airgeadais ar domhan. Bhíos ag an gcruinniú anuraidh in Toronto agus táim ag freastal arís i mbliana in Indianapolis. Buailim leis na daoine is inspioráidí ar domhan, tá sé dochreidte ansin! Tá taithí mhaith agam ar an gcomhlairleoireacht ach tá paisean agam don spórt. Ad bhrí sin, táim ag tosnú gnó nua darb ainm Sports Academy International, comhlacht nuálaíoch a eagraíonn campaí traenála in Éirinn agus ar Mhór-Roinn na hEorpa, d’fhoirne phroifisiúnta agus amaitéaracha rugbaí, sacair srl. Le dhá bhliain anuas, tá cuid mhaith de na foirne sinsir idirchontae againn - mé féin agus mo chomhpháirtí gnó, Tony Griffin. Chomh maith leis sin, táim ar phainéal sinsir peile an Chláir. Táim gnóthach agus tá an saol go maith anseo sa Chlár. Cabhraíonn an mháistreacht go mór liom mar thug sé na bunscileanna gnó dom - tuairiscí a scríobh; conas cur i láthair a dhéanamh ós comhair Stiúrthóir Rugbaí London Irish; conas airgeadas an chomhlachta a bhainistiú; agus conas gnó a fhás, a rialú agus a bhainistiú go laethúil. Bhain mé an-taithí as m’am le Fiontar - bhí na léachtóirí an-chabhrach, bhí an cúrsa an-nuálaíoch agus is taithí iontach í d’éinne atá ag iarraidh dul amach sa saol agus a ghnó féin a thosnú agus a rud féin a dhéanamh. Go bunúsach, tugann sé na scileanna agus an mhuinín duit dul amach agus an obair a dhéanamh. I ndáiríre, níl focal bréige ansin, bhain mé an-taitneamh as ag féachaint siar air. Niamh Ní Bhroin MSc - Feidhmeannach Craoltóireachta Bhí bunchéim céad onóracha agam ó Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath sa Chumarsáid (Scannánaíocht agus Craoltóireacht). Bhí mé ag obair go lán-aimseartha mar stiúrthóir le Macalla Teoranta. Is é an príomhchineál oibre a bhí idir lámha ag Macalla ag an am ná dubáil Ghaeilge a dhéanamh ar chartúin le craoladh ar TG4. Theastaigh uaim cur le mo chuid scileanna acadúla, ach go háirithe i réimse an ghnó. Bhí an-spéis agam i gcónaí in Fiontar ós rud é go bhféadfaí oideachas tríú leibhéil trí mheán na Gaeilge a fháil ann. Níor theastaigh uaim éirí as an obair ach an oiread. Roghnaigh mé tabhairt faoin Máistreacht i nGnó agus i dTeicneolaíocht an Eolais ar bhonn páirtaimseartha. Bhí an-chuid rudaí a thaitin liom faoin gcúrsa: bhí sé leagtha amach go soiléir; bhí na ranganna beag; bhíos in ann freastal ar an ollscoil i ndiaidh lá oibre; agus, bhí an fhoireann lánsásta tacaíocht a thabhairt do na mic léinn leis an obair a bhí ar bun acu. Is dócha gurb é an rud is mó a thaitin liom ná gur bhuaileas le daoine a bhí ar aon tuairim liom maidir le tábhacht na Gaeilge agus an dúshlán a bhí romhainn teacht ar bhealaigh lena húsáid inár saol laethúil. Déarfainn é seo faoin bhfoireann agus faoi na mic léinn. Bhí atmaisféar an-deas ag baint le Fiontar i gcónaí. D’ullmhaigh mé tráchtas ar na príomhchúiseanna gur craoladh cláir raidió trí mheán na Gaeilge ar stáisiúin raidió tráchtála in Éirinn i 2005 agus 2006. Bhí spéis agam a thuiscint cén fáth go raibh a leithéid de chraoladh ar bun agus cé na freagrachtaí a bhí ar stáisiúin raidió tráchtála maidir leis an nGaeilge. Sa bhreis air sin, bhí spéis agam a fháil amach an raibh cúiseanna eile, lasmuigh de fhreagrachtaí a bhain le conarthaí craolacháin a chomhlíonadh, ag baint leis an gcraoladh seo. Faoi láthair táim ag obair le Coimisiún Craolacháin na hÉireann. Baineann an chuid is mó de mo chuid oibre faoi láthair leis an réimse polasaí a mbíonn an Coimisiún ag plé leis. Sa bhreis air seo, táim mar rúnaí ar Choiste Forbartha na Gaeilge a bhunaigh an Coimisiún i gcomhar le Foras na Gaeilge, Gael Linn agus na stáisiúin raidió pobail agus tráchtála i 1999. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an gcoiste seo teacht ar bhealaigh le cur le húsáid na Gaeilge ar na stáisiúin raidió neamhspleácha. Cabhraíonn an Mháistreacht liom sa jab ar thrí phríomhbhealach: • Cuidíonn an méid a d’fhoghlaim mé ó thaobh gnó agus bainistíocht acmhainní de liom agus mé i mbun bainistíochta, bíodh sé sin ag plé le bainistíocht ar dhaoine, ar thograí nó ar phleananna oibre ar leith; • Chuir na haistí, na tionscnaimh agus an tráchtas a d’ullmhaigh mé le linn an chúrsa le mo scileanna cumarsáide agus anailíse, agus cabhraíonn sé sin liom agus mé ag ullmhú tuairiscí, ag déanamh taighde maidir le polasaithe ar leith, nó ag déanamh anailís ar iarratais a chuirtear faoi bhráid an Choimisiúin; agus • Chuir an méid cur i láthair a rinne mé le linn an chúrsa le mo scileanna cumarsáide, agus cabhraíonn sé seo liom i gcónaí má bhíonn cur i láthair le déanamh agam agus mé i mbun oibre (rud a tharlaíonn go minic!). Caoimhe Ní Laighin MSc - Iriseoir Thug mé faoin MSc i nGnó agus dTeicneolaíocht an Eolais a chuireann Fiontar ar fáil sa bhliain 2003. Ag an am bhí mé díreach i ndiaidh bunchéim san iriseoireacht a bhaint amach in Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath agus theastaigh uaim cur le mo chuid scileanna praiticiúla. Bhí meascán deas daoine ar an gcúrsa – bhí cailín a raibh céim sa cheimic aici sa rang freisin. Níor bhraith mé go raibh sé ina bhac ollmhór nach raibh céim sa Ghaeilge agam. Chonacthas dom go raibh go leor de na scileanna a bheadh de dhíth orm i mo shaol proifisiúnta clúdaithe ar chlár an MSc – scileanna ríomhaireachta, taighde agus gnó. Le linn an chúrsa, b’iad na heilimintí ba mhó ar bhain mé taitneamh astu ná an staidéar a rinne mé ar na hilmheáin agus an deis a bhí agam tráchtas a scríobh ar leibhéal máistreachta. Thaitin sé go mór liom chomh maith gur tugadh saoirse dom díriú isteach ar na disciplíní a bhfuil spéis agam iontu. Ó tharla go raibh cáilíocht san iriseoireacht bainte amach agam, shocraigh mé go dtabharfainn faoi thráchtas a scríobh ar na meáin chumarsáide Ghaeilge agus bhraith mé gur thug na léachtóirí go leor cabhrach agus tacaíochta dom. D’oibrigh mé le Coimisiún Scannán agus Teilifíse Thuaisceart Éireann ar feadh seala i ndiaidh dom an MSc a bhaint amach, agus ansin bhí mé ag obair mar shaor-iriseoir agus mar eagarthóir leis an iris idirlín Beo! Tá mé ag obair faoi láthair mar iriseoir le Nuacht RTÉ/TG4. Tá sealanna caite agam chomh maith ag obair mar léachtóir páirtaimseartha le Fiontar agus tá aoiléachtaí tugtha agam in Institiúid Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath. Braithim go ndeachaigh an cúrsa iarchéime go mór chun sochair dom ó thaobh mo shaoil phroifisiúnta de – idir na scileanna a d’fhoghlaim mé lena linn agus na teagmhálacha ar chuir mé aithne orthu. Mholainn go láidir do dhaoine an cúrsa seo a dhéanamh. Osclaíonn sé go leor doirse, is cuma cén cúlra atá agat. Ní chuirtear daoine ‘i mboscaí’ ar an gcúrsa agus tugtar saoirse d’iarchéimithe díriú isteach ar na rudaí is mó a bhfuil spéis acu iontu. Nollaig Ó Maonaigh MA Bhí mé i mo Mhaorsháirsint leis an Arm ag obair san Oifig Pleanála Straitéisí, fo-oifig d’Oifig an Cheann Foirne, nuair a rinne mé cinneadh cur isteach ar an gcúrsa MA sa Chleachtas Dátheangach in Fiontar. Bhí mé díreach tar éis BA le Gaeilge a chríochnú in UCD. Bhí dá chúis taobh thiar de mo chinneadh chun tuilleadh staidéir a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Ós rud é go raibh an-suim agam sa teanga agus go raibh mé ag déileáil le cúrsaí Gaeilge san Arm, cheap mé go mbeadh an cúrsa an-chabhrach dom i mo chuid oibre. Ba bhall de Chomhairle Gaeilge Óglaigh na hÉireann mé le linn mo thréimhse san Arm agus bhí sé mar dhualgas ag an gComhairle an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sna fórsaí. Ceann de na curaimí a thit orm ná polasaí Gaeilge Óglaigh na hÉireann a scríobh agus ina dhiaidh sin chéad Scéim Teanga Oifigiúil Óglaigh na hÉireann a chur le chéile agus a fhoilsiú. Bhí mé ag súil le tuilleadh a fhoghlaim faoi stádas oifigiúil na Gaeilge agus na cearta atá ag saoránaigh a ngnó a dhéanamh leis an Stát trí mhéan na Gaeilge agus ag deireadh an chúrsa caithfidh mé a rá nach raibh aon díomá orm. An rud is mó a thaitin liom faoin gcúrsa ná go raibh mé in ann staidéar a dhéanamh sa bhaile ag plé le cúrsaí ar an idirlíon in ionad a bheith ag dul isteach go Baile Átha Cliath gach uile sheachtain. Rinne mé é sin don BA agus bhí sé dian orm. Ceapaim gur fhoghlaim mé go leor rudaí nua ar an gcúrsa ach is iad na rudaí a chabraíonn liom go laethúil i mo chuid oibre go fóill ná an t-eolas faoi stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúl faoin mBunreacht. D’éirigh mé as an Arm le linn an chúrsa agus fuair mé post nua leis an gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta. Chabhraigh mo líofacht sa Ghaeilge liom an post nua a fháil. Cuireadh agallamh orm go dátheangach agus pléadh an MA sa Cheachtas Dátheangach le linn an agallaimh. Don tráchtas, rinne mé cinneadh rud praicticiúil a dhéanamh leis an eolas nua a bhí faighte agam. Shocraigh mé go ndéanfainn stáidear ar an gComhairle Mhúinteoireachta mar eagraíocht nuabhunaithe agus chruthaigh mé creatlach beartas teanga don eagraíocht. D’oscail an tréimhse a chaith mé le Fiontar mo shúile maidir le cearta an chainteora Ghaeilge agus bhí saineolas faoi leith le fáil ar an gcúrsa. Mholfainn d’éinne atá ag obair san earnáil phoiblí agus a bhfuil suim aige/aici sa teanga smoineamh ar an gcúrsa seo a dhéanamh. Tá gearghá le tuilleadh daoine san earnáil phoiblí le saineolas faoi na cearta atá ag saoránaigh a bhíonn ag lorg seirbhísí Gaeilge ón Stát. Carmel Mac Domhnaill MA - Oifigeach Gaeilge Bhíos ag obair mar Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte nuair a bheartaigh mé dul ar ais ag staidéar agus cé nach raibh bunchéim bainte amach agam, thug Fiontar an seans seo dom áit a fháil ar an MA sa Chleachtas Dátheangach de bharr mo thaithí oibre agus de bharr go raibh leibhéal sásúil líofachta agus cruinnis sa Ghaeilge agam. Bhíos fíorbhuíoch as ucht an seans sin. Ag an am sin bhí dualgas ar FSS de réir na reachtaíochta faoin Acht Teanga scéim teanga a ullmhú agus is orainne a bhí ag feidhmiú mar oifigigh Ghaeilge a thit an dualgas sin. Nuair a léigh mé go mbeadh oiliúint i mbainistíocht agus i seachadadh seirbhísí dátheangacha chomh maith le traenáil phraiticiúil le bonn teoiriciúil sa dea-chleachtas dátheangach i gceist, bhíos cinnte go mbainfinn leas ar leith as an gcúrsa. Bhí sé an-oiriúnach chomh maith de bharr go raibh an chuid is mó den teagasc ar líne agus nach raibh ranganna san ollscoil ach 6 dheireadh seachtaine i rith na bliana. Cabhraíonn sé sin le daoine atá ag obair go lánaimseartha agus ina gcónaí i bhfad ó Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhí foireann Fiontar an-chabhrach dúinn go léir agus i gcónaí sásta cabhair agus tacaíocht a thabhairt. Cé go raibh neart oibre i gceist bhí an cúrsa leagtha amach go maith agus bhí go leor ama againn do na tascanna. Tar éis dom an chéim a ghnóthú, lean mé ar aghaidh le mo phost mar Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge, post atá buan anois. Leis an MA fuair mé bunús den scoth maidir le réimse leathan ábhar. Thug an cúrsa tuiscint ar theoiricí agus ar chleachtais i leith comhionannas éagsúlachta dom. Bhíos ag tnúth le teacht amach ón gcúrsa le hardscileanna maidir le soláthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge. Chaithfinn a rá nach raibh díomá orm, ní hé amháin go bhfuair mé eolas leathan maidir le gnó trí Ghaeilge ach thug an clár an t-eolas agus an scil ba ghá dom lena chinntiú go soláthróinn seirbhís ardcháilíochta dhátheangach don phobal ag teacht le caighdeáin idirnáisiúnta. Mar ábhar tráchtais roghnaigh mé Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, sin córas scrúdaithe d’fhoghlaimeoirí fásta Gaeilge. Tá baint ag TEG leis an bhFráma Tagartha Comónta Eorpach do Theangacha agus de bharr go bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil oibre san Eoraip bhí spéis ar leith agam ann. Chomh maith leis sin, bhíos ag múineadh ranganna inmheánacha sa láthair oibre agus ag baint úsáide as an gcóras seo ina scrúdaítear na ceithre scil: labhairt, cluastuiscint, léamhtuiscint agus scríbhneoireacht. Sa tráchtas rinne mé staidéar ar an teoiric agus ar an stair atá taobh thiar de Theastas Eorpach na Gaeilge. Bairbre Uí Theighneáin - Oifigeach Gaeilge Is mise Bairbre Uí Theighneáin. Is Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge mé agus táim ag obair le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte. Fuair mé oiliúint san Altranas in Ospidéal na hOllscoile, Gaillimh agus chaith mé seacht mbliana déag i m’altra. Bhí mé fostaithe san Ospidéal Ginearálta sa Tulach Mhór nuair a chonaic mé an fógra faoi phost nua – Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge. Ní raibh a fhios agam cad a bheadh i gceist ach bhí mé sásta tabhairt faoin dúshlán. Fostaíodh mé mar Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge i mí Iúil 2000. Chuala mé faoin MA sa Chleachtas Dátheangach in Fiontar ó chara a bhí ag déanamh an chéad bhliain den chúrsa. Bhí sé an-díograiseach agus spreag sé mé chun níos mó eolas a fháil faoi. Nuair a chonaic mé go raibh comhairle le fáil faoi ghnéithe éagsúla mar dhearadh dátheangach, agus an dlí agus an Ghaeilge, gan trácht ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge a láimhseáil mar gnó, bhí an-suim go deo agam ann. Fós féin ní raibh mé cinnte go dtabharfainn faoi mar nach raibh céim sa Ghaeilge agam. Ansin fuair mé amach go bhféadfainn cur isteach ar an gcúrsa mar go raibh mé fostaithe i ngort na Gaeilge- rinne mé an cinneadh ansin é a dhéanamh. Thaitin a lán rudaí faoin gcúrsa liom. Bhí daoine suimiúla ar an gcúrsa linn – chuir mé aithne orthu i rith an ama a chaith mé san ollscoil. D’fhoghlaim mé a lán faoi conas taighde a dhéanamh, rud nach ndearna mé riamh cheana. Bhí na léachtóirí thar cionn ar fad agus bhí siad an-chabhrach agus cairdiúil, rud a chuir leis an gcúrsa. Táim i dteagmháil leo i gcónaí. Tugadh suntas don taithí a bhí againn cheana féin agus bhí gach seans againn tógáil ar an obair a bhí déanta againn cheana leis na tascanna a bhí le déanamh againn. An rud is mó a d’fhoghlaim mé ar an gcúrsa ná cinntiú go bhfuil an t-eolas a thugtar dom beacht. D’fhoghlaim mé faoin dtábhacht a bhaineann le cinntiú go bhfuil foinsí inchreidte á n-úsáid agam féin agus ag daoine eile, go háirithe agus staitisticí á bplé. Thug mé faoi tráchtas a dhéanamh ar na constaicí a bhíonn ann do dhaoine aosta arb í an Ghaeilge a gcéad teanga agus a bhfuil cónaí orthu in Aonad Fadchónaithe de chuid Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte. Níl an tráchtas críochnaithe agam fós ach beidh! Gach uair a sheolaim aistriúcháin ar chomharthaíocht nó stáiseanóireacht chuig bainisteoir, déanaim cinnte noda faoi dhearadh dátheangach a sheoladh freisin. Fuair mé na noda ar an gcúrsa agus bainim úsáid astu gach lá. Airím go bhfuil eolas cuimsitheach agam ó rinne mé an cúrsa mar gur léigh mé an oiread sin chun an tráchtas a dhéanamh. Bhí gach duine in Fiontar an-chairdiúil agus thugadar gach cabhair dúinn le foghlaim conas taighde a dhéanamh, conas tabhairt faoin tráchtas agus thugadar aiseolas ionraic agus cuiditheach i gcónaí. Bím bródúil as Fiontar gach uair a fheicim an t-ainm ar focal.ie agus logainm.ie mar feictear dom go bhfuil difríocht á dhéanamh ag Fiontar do shaol réalaíoch an duine atá ag obair gach lá i ngort na Gaeilge. Aisling Nic Craith - Bainisteoir Riaracháin agus Gnóthaí Corporáideacha Tá cúlra ilchineálach agam de bharr taistil agus taithí éagsúla. Rinne mé Teastas san ealaíon tar éis an scoil a fhágáil. D’oibrigh mé san earnáil lónadóireachta i Nua Eabhrac agus chaith mé trí bliana idir an tSeapáin agus an Cóiré ag múineadh Béarla agus ag traenáil in karate. Rinne mé Dioplóma sa Seapáinis freisin. Tar éis filleadh go hÉirinn bhí mé ag obair san earnáil turasóireachta ar feadh seacht mbliana. Bhí réimse leathan gníomhaíochtaí ar siúl agam sa tréimhse seo: stiúradh grúpaí Seapánacha timpeall na tíre; eagrú comhdhálacha Idirnáisiúnta agus turais dreasachta do chomhlachtaí móra domhanda chomh maith le margaíocht agus díolacháin. Le sé bliana anuas tá mé ag obair mar bhainisteoir riaracháin agus gnóthaí corparáideacha don Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta (COGG). Is cuid de fheidhmeanna reachtaíochta COGG iad comhordú ar sholáthar téacsleabhair & acmhainní do mhúineadh na Gaeilge agus trí Ghaeilge, seirbhísí taca agus comhordú ar thaighde. Roghnaigh mé an MSc i nGnó agus i dTeicneolaíocht an Eolais a dhéanamh chun cur le mo chuid scileanna don obair ó thaobh anailíse, taighde agus forbairt ar chúrsaí teicneolaíochta agus gnó de. Bhraith mé go raibh réimse leathan d’ábhar á chlúdach ar an gcúrsa a bheadh an-phraiticiúil don ionad oibre. Rinne mé mo chuid oideachais bhunscoile agus iar-bhunscoile trí Ghaeilge agus anois tá mé ag obair in oifig ina ndéantar an gnó ar fad trí Ghaeilge. Mheall an MSc mé toisc go dtiocfadh liom é a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Thaitin an gné teicneolaíochta go mór liom, go háirithe an dearadh & an fhorbairt ar shuíomh gréasáin agus cruthú an bhunachair sonraí. Bhí mé in ann mo chruthaitheacht a úsáid chomh maith leis na scileanna nua a d’fhoghlaim mé ó na gnéithe teicneolaíochta. An rud is mó a d’fhoghlaim mé ná: conas anailís a dhéanamh ar cháipéisí, ar staitisticí agus ar thuairiscí bliantúla; taighde a dhéanamh; agus struchtúr ceart a chur ar thuairiscí agus aistí acadúla. Tá na módúil ar fad an-suimiúil agus an-úsáideach sa saol gnó. Tarraingím ar gnéithe den chúrsa go laethúil i mo chuid oibre: - Ag plé le suíomh gréasáin COGG - Ag tógáil bunachair sonraí do ghnéithe éagsúla den obair - Ag cur i bhfeidhm an t-eolas a d’fhoghlaim mé sna módúil mhargaíochta agus chaidreamh poiblí. - Ag úsáid na scileanna a d’fhoghlaim me ón módúil ar bhainistíocht tionscadail agus eagrú agus comhordú ar thionscadail éagsúla á dhéanamh. - Na scileanna anailíse cuntasaíochta. Tá mo thráchtas mar gheall ar sholáthar áiseanna san iar-bhunscoil atá bainteach leis an obair atá ar siúl agam faoi láthair. Molaim go mór an cúrsa seo a dhéanamh. Is féidir na scileanna a aistriú idir poist agus gairmbeatha difriúla. Cé go bhfuil an teagasc agus an fhoghlaim ar fad trí Ghaeilge ní gá go mbeadh na mic léinn ag obair san earnáil Ghaeilge. Bairbre Ní Choisdealbha MSc - Múinteoir Matamaitice Is múinteoir méanscoile mé a bhíodh ag múineadh matamaitice agus ríomhaireachta i nGaelscoil Choláiste de hÍde i mBÁC. Bhí post freagrachta agam i leith Teicneolaíocht Faisnéise. Is ball de choiste feidhmeannach Chumann Ríomh Oideachais na hÉireann (CESI) mé. Bhí mé i mo chomhordaitheoir suímh ar Chomhdháil Náisiúnta CESI i gColáiste de hÍde ó 2002 go 2008 agus is leas-chomhordaitheoir suímh mé i mbliana. Seo Comhdháil a dhéanann freastal ar beagnach 300 múinteoir agus 34 seisiún ríomhaireachta. Roghnaigh mé an mháistreacht seo mar go raibh an cúrsa i dTeicneolaíocht Faisnéise trí mheán na Gaeilge agus thaitin na hábhair a sholáthair an cúrsa go mór liom. Bhí an módúl Líonraí Ríomhairí don Gnó díreach bainteach leis an gcúram i dTeicneolaíocht Chumarsáide agus Faisnéise a bhí agam sa scoil. Chonaic mé na féideartheachtaí a sholáthair na modúil i bhFoilsitheoireacht Ilmheán agus sa Mhargaíocht le híomhá proifisiúnta scoile ar líne a chruthú agus thaitin éiteas Fiontar liom. Rinne mé an cúrsa go páirtaimseartha le cáilíocht fhoirmeálta ríomhaireachta a bhaint amach, ach fuair mé an oiread eile as. Rinne muid réimse leathan ábhar, atá tar éis cur go mór le mo chuid scileanna, ní amháin mar mhúinteoir ach go ginearálta mar dhuine. Seasann na scileanna cumarsáide, taighde, bainistíocht acmhainní daonna, agus pleanála straitéisí go mór liom ar bhonn laethúil i mo chuid oibre. Tá meas agus tuiscint i bhfad níos fearr agam ar ról bainistíochta agus ceannaireachta scoile leis na módúil a rinne muid i nGnó agus Bainistíocht. Tá léargas níos doimhne agus feasacht níos airde agam ar thábhacht oidhreachta agus cultúrtha mar shaoránach i dtír mhiontheangach. Mhúscail an cúrsa tréithe fiontraíochta agus nuálaíocha ionam. Neartaigh sé mo scileanna ríomhaireachta go dtí leibhéal go raibh ar mo chumas tabhairt faoi uirlis teagaisc matamaitice a fhorbairt le haghaidh mo thráchtais. Bhí an uirlis teagaisc a cruthaigh mé aitheanta sa Bharr 100 le haghaidh gradam ríomh-foghlama 2005 ag http://elearningawards.eun.org De thoradh ar an gcáilíocht mháistreachta seo tá mé oilte anois le réimse leathan ábhar eile a mhúineadh, gnó ina measc. Mar gheall ar an réimse leathan sin agus mo bhunchéim sa mhatamaitic d’éirigh liom post múinteoireachta a fháil i nGaelscoil Choláiste an Eachréidh i gCo. na Gaillimhe. Tá dlúthchairdeas agam le go leor de mo chomh-mhic léinn a bhí ar an gcúrsa liom agus cuimhní iontach agam ar an gcraic a bhí againn le chéile. Thaitin mo chuid ama go mór liom sn ollscoil, líon beag mac léinn sna ranganna, an trasdisciplíneacht agus an cúlra acadúil a bhí ag na mic léinn ar fad; an comhoibriú eatarthu féin le spriocdátaí a shroicheadh; an éagsúlacht sa chur chuige; an gaol maith bhí againn leis na léachtóirí; an spreagadh a tugadh dúinn ár bhfís féin a aithint agus a bhaint amach. Bhain mé an-sult as an mháistreacht seo a dhéanamh agus tá mé tar éis an oiread sin taitneamh agus tairbhe a bhaint aisti. Molaim go hard í. Seo nasc chuig suíomh idirlín na scoile: http://www.countygalwayvec.ie/irish/ar-seirbhisi/scoileanna-agus-colaiste/colaiste-eachreidh-athenry.html.