My Dashboard / Career Heroes / Clodagh Monaghan

Career Heroes - Clodagh Monaghan

Job title

Project Administrator

Employer

Telestack

Tell us more about you

In my spare time, I enjoy attending the gym and taking part in CrossFit competitions. I also enjoy reading, especially books based on understanding ourselves and how and why we as individuals function.

What kind of work do you do?

I attend production meetings, where I hear about the key issues facing production. I’m responsible for updating and reviewing project hours and costings, liaising with suppliers, and I assist with project planning.

I also liaise with the sales department regarding sales estimates and I work cross-functionally across sales and design to review upcoming project builds.

I work mainly in an office alongside our design engineers, electrical engineers, and aftersales department. I currently work in a team with a project manager.

Top 5 Skills & Attributes Needed for your job

Communicator

Focused & Committed

Critical Thinker & Problem Solver

Motivated By Excellence

Team Player

How did you become a Project Administrator ?

I completed my GCSEs and A Levels at Sacred Heart College, Omagh. From there I went on to do a Foundation Degree in Computing. I felt I wasn’t ready to go to university.

I obtained a 2:1 in my Foundation Degree and went on to Ulster University to study Computer Science. I successfully obtained my degree in 2019.

I started working as an apprentice for TEREX, working as their first female Fitter on the Evoquip line. I then moved into Production Control, working closely with the Machine Shop. I decided to go back to college and study a Foundation Degree in Mechatronic Engineering at South West College. I was able to do this through an apprenticeship route. After completing the programme, I obtained a graduate role with TEREX, which allowed for me to expand my knowledge by working in Production Control in the planning and ECO teams.

Recently I was successful in obtaining a job with Telestack working as a Project Administrator, assisting in overseeing our project builds.

What you do enjoy most about your job?

I think the most enjoyable aspect of my role is the ability to work cross-functionally with the different departments and seeing a project go from a basic concept to a fully assembled unit.

If you could do-over, What would you do differently?

I’ve been to university the traditional way and now I’m doing a second degree through an apprenticeship route. If I could go back, I would have gone for an apprenticeship first because it would have allowed me to gain industry experience and a degree without the cost of student loans.

What advice would you give someone starting out on their career jouney today?

Don’t feel pressured to go to university or to do A Levels in subjects just because you are good at them. Take on subjects you genuinely enjoy. Most of our lives are spent working and as the saying goes ‘if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life’.

Take time to explore and learn about yourself; your likes and dislikes, etc. This self-work will enable you to follow a career path you will feel fulfilled in.

If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.