Martin Melarkey

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health & Social Care

Donegal – Letterkenny

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

When I left secondary school, I knew that I wanted to help others, except I didn’t know where to begin. Still unsure, I entered ATU Letterkenny to stay close to home and learn how to drive. I chose the programme that aligned most with my goals, a degree in ‘Health and Social Care’. Now approaching the end of my journey in the course, I can say that this proved to be one of the best choices I have made in my adult life. Studying Health and Social Care has allowed me to meet and work with people of such strong character, a privilege I feel immensely grateful for. 

What are your favourite modules on the course?  

I may be speaking from recency bias, but my two favourite modules come from the first semester of Year Four, ‘Professional Practice 3: Continuing Professional Development Project’ and ‘Advancing Equality, Social Justice and Human Rights in Social Care Practice.’ The first module is mainly independent work, centring on you creating an entire project of any kind which identifies and addresses your learning needs. The second module forces you to reflect on your position in society, and your role as a social care worker in addressing systematic inequalities impacting marginalised communities. It may not be easy, but it is definitely worth it! 

Is there anything else about the course that you particularly enjoy or find beneficial?  

Whether you are just out of secondary school or entering college as a mature student, developing a professional identity within a new career can be daunting (which is how I felt). The Health and Social Care programme recognises the importance of cultivating this identity and provides you with the opportunity to grow and develop as a professional on two separate placements. These experiences provided me with the confidence to continue in the course that I may not have gained otherwise. 

What is the best thing about your course that you think new applicants should know?  

It’s a cliché to say but college is equally about finding ‘who you are’ just as much as studying. Relating this to the Health and Social Care programme, you are always reflecting on how your learning impacts you, both personally and professionally. You begin to strengthen a ‘muscle’ whereby you become better at recognising your strengths and learning how you can build upon your limitations. There are no weaknesses in this line of work, only possibilities for growth. 

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

If I could speak to my first-year self, I would want him to know that it’s all right to not have all the answers right now. Starting college is stressful, so make sure you take care of yourself, the future will thank you for it. Although you may not know it, you are in the right place and the lecturers in this programme prove that. In time, you will reveal strengths in yourself that you never thought possible. Sometimes we can’t see far ahead, but we can always take the next step that’s right in front of us. 

If you are involved in sport, volunteering, working or have other passions you pursue outside of your academic life, can you tell us about that?  

Outside of Health and Social Care, I am a part time factory worker, so I don’t have an abundance of free time … but who does? Although I want to help and support others, that doesn’t mean that your needs must go unmet. That is why I am passionate about meditation, particularly Vipassana meditation. It supports me in life, through thick and thin, so I can’t recommend it enough! 

What are your plans after ATU and any long-term goals you are aiming for?  

The ‘Equality, Human Rights and Social Justice’ from last semester module had a deep impact on me. Modern day social care relates to so many different variations of care, and I believe this experience has led me to my passion, becoming an advocate for change. The module empowered me to see that we, as social care workers, are active agents for change. As such, I am going on to study the Master of Arts in ‘Public Advocacy and Activism’ at the University of Galway. Afterwards, I want to work with International Protection Applicants in Ireland.