Shannan Mulrooney

MA in Leadership & Advocacy in the Early Years

Sligo

My name is Shannan Mulroney and I studied the MA in Leadership and Advocacy in Early Years at ATU. I knew that I always wanted to work with children and my passion was children and child development, but I didn’t want to be in a classroom. I really liked the broad career objectives that this course offered me.

The online part-time delivery of the course meant that I could go back and I could work full time while studying as well. I found the part time online very manageable. It came with its challenges in terms of having a full-time job and the study. Completing this course has had a huge impact on my career because shortly after graduating in January 2023, I went on to set up my own business, Maia Purposeful Play.

I facilitate children’s play classes. I do training workshops for educators and parents and then I do events. I go into primary schools, early years services and do children’s workshops with them as well. 

There was a huge sense of accomplishment when I’d finished my Masters. Even now I’m like I can’t believe that I’ve done it and I have a Masters qualification’.