Aoibhinn Fox

Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Event Management and Public Relations

Galway City – Dublin Road

Where are you from (town and school)?

I’m from Carnmore in Galway and I went to school in Coláiste Bhaile Chláir.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course

I graduated from ATU in 2023 with both my Honours degree and the Academic Excellence Award which I received for my final year project entitled ‘Comprehensive analysis of the funding model for the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association and the Camogie Association in schools, clubs and Galway County’. Not long after graduating I returned to ATU as a staff member in the marketing department, firstly in ATU Sligo as the graduate intern digital marketing assistant and then to ATU Galway in the school liaison office.

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I was doing my leaving cert, but I knew I loved organising things and being involved in the community and with the public. I was studying business subject for my leaving cert but had little interest in the business side of things and preferred anything that had to do with planning.

Tell us why you chose ATU

In all honesty the main reason I chose ATU was because it was the only college in Galway offering Event Management with PR, but I’m glad I did. If I had to fill in my CAO all over again ATU would be my top choice every time.

What do you like about life in your campus location?

Being from Galway the campus was in an ideal location for me as I had a short enough commute, and if you don’t drive that’s okay too as there are bus stops right outside the door! The college has a really inviting and welcoming atmosphere and everyone says hi to each other in the corridors, it doesn’t matter if you know them or not.

What advice would you give to a student thinking about coming to ATU?

Research your course but then come to an open day, speak with our staff and students, take a campus tour and then go off and explore the campus yourself to get a feel for the place. Learn about ATU and everything we have to offer; you won’t regret it!

What do/did you enjoy most about your course?

I loved the small class sizes, I knew I wouldn’t do as well in a large lecture hall being 1 of 100 students so being in a small class suited my style of learning better. Not only that there was a mix of both theory and practical classes so not only was I learning but I was learning by doing as well. The lecturers were always so helpful, and it was clear they wanted the best for their students.

If you were speaking with a first-year student about to start your course, what advice/information would you give them?

I would tell them to take every opportunity that comes their way, even if it pushes them out of their comfort zone. College is a time for trying new things and having new experiences. Talk to everyone on your first day, the small class sizes means you will have a tight knit group and it makes college so much better when everyone is friends.