Maura McDonagh: BSc Hons Computer Aided Design and Technology

Maura McDonagh

BSc Hons Computer Aided Design and Technology, 1999

"I am now a technician at the National University of Ireland."

When Maura McDonagh is not working, teaching or studying – she’s concentrating on building her own house next to a lake, just a mile from where she grew up in Southern Ireland.

She returned to her home country after completing her degree at Luton and after trying out various jobs, she found one to suit her. For three years she has been a senior civil technician, working in the Department of Civil Engineering in the National University of Ireland, in Galway.

She said: “I met some great people in Luton and being there opened my mind to so many possibilities. As a Southern Irish student I did not get a grant the first year but I worked at night and it paid off. I think if you want something badly enough, you just have to go for it! I would advise any student to follow their dreams – life’s too short and goes too fast not to.

“When I returned home I was unsure what to do. I first worked in a factory for six months and I just got lucky, getting work in a design consultancy called JDI, using Alias Wavefront, which I loved. I worked there for a year and a half and then went to work for a company, which was interesting but not my field.

“But I did hand in my CV to lots of places. You really need experience – or persistence to let them know you are willing to work.

“Luton definitely helped me not only to get my degree but the confidence to go for the positions I wanted and not be afraid of the change.

“I now also teach a night course, the City and Guilds in Computer Aided Design 2D. While working in JDI, I completed a night course in Advanced 3D AutoCAD. And while working with the University of Ireland, I have completed a technical training course and Microsoft administration of an NT V4 network. I am currently studying for an MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) Windows 2000 network.

“I would like to complete the MCSE and maybe go into teaching at a later stage for companies or become a Microsoft trainer so I could also go on contract to companies.

“I always wanted to design my own home. There is a lot of work to be put in but it will be a good challenge and I got good ideas from working previously and using AutoCAD.

“I did the original design and then got it checked by an engineer. I am employing people myself to do the work, as a building contractor takes about 20 per cent of the mortgage. I have just applied for planning permission. This can take up to three months and then it will take maybe a year after that. It’s got everything I want and there is room for development at a later stage if I need to.”

Interview took place in 2004.