Student Testimonials - Mature Students
"Rachel taught me on the Quality Management Course/Medical Device Technology for the academic year of 2015/16. Previous to doing this course I had worked in the printing trade for 25 years (was made redundant in my forties). I had the opportunity to go back to education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from NUIG in 2014. However, I could not find any employment and therefore had to a Springboard course to help me join the workforce.
Rachel’s part of the course included; Histograms, Scatter Diagrams, Ishikawa Diagrams, Brainstorming, Pareto Analysis, Cause and Effect Diagrams and Six Sigma Yellow Belt training. In order to have a good understanding of the course, students had to have a grasp of maths. However, I was apprehensive about learning, as I had very little maths education. Rachel’s teaching style put me at ease from the very beginning. She is a very patient, courteous teacher, easy to listen to and explained everything about maths-based lessons in a very refreshing upbeat manner. She is a very natural, inspirational lecturer and treated everyone in our class with the utmost respect. Rachel also taught me how to be positive about the transferable skills I had in my past occupation and actively encouraged me to network these skills. She made me realise that there was a career for me even at my mature age. After graduating from the course in 2016, and with the help of Rachel, I found employment with a new upcoming, exciting Medical Device company called Phenox. I started off as a product builder but was recently promoted to an engineering technician in January 2019. I can never thank Rachel enough for what she has done for me. Writing this testimonial makes me realise that without her help I would not have had the opportunity that I have today.”
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- Paul Mc Donagh, Engineering Technician
In 2016 I attended GMIT to Study Medical Device Technology and Quality Management. One of my lectures there was Rachel McCarthy. My experience with Rachel as a lecture and educator was very positive. Rachel lectures were very engaging, the course content was delivered in smooth easy to learn way. Rachel’s dynamic teaching style accommodated to all levels of student knowledge, and no question was too simple. I truly feel that learning Medical Device technology from Rachel changed my direction in life.
With Rachel’s guidance I was able to prepare for an interview for working with a start-up company that specialised in neurovascular medical devices. I felt totally prepared in my knowledge of the industry and the strengths that I could take to the company because of Rachel’s mentorship outside the class room. Her invested interest in her students and interest in their success in the medical device industry goes beyond a normal lecture.
Because of taking Rachel’s classes and my transferable skills I was able to gain employment right away. Although Rachel is no longer my lecture she continues to mentor me through communication and has even taken time out of her private time to meet with me and give me direction towards my career development.
I am honoured and privileged to have been a student with Rachel."
- Robert Ward, Engineering Technician
"When I began my Course of Science of Medical Device Technology, it was originally designed to be a means to an end due to life circumstances. By the end of the first day with my lecturer Rachel McCarthy, I was completely hooked, inspired, and full of curiosity, by her sheer energy and passion and open desire to share her knowledge and her endless patience with my constant questioning and her ability to adapt to each person’s individual learning process.
I landed a job in Quality for work experience, required as part of Rachel's Course. I always felt Rachel nurtured my personal progress as I continued my journey and equally through contact with other past students, we still are grateful and appreciate her dedication. I am now working as a Supplier Quality Engineer and also a Certified Trainer. I continue to use Rachel's inspiring techniques, and inject all my enthusiasm in everything that I do. Rachel has not just taught me the program and moved me on, Rachel has shown me how to inspire and be inspired. I am hoping to join another program Rachel will be lecturing in within the year. All I the people I have met who have been through Rachel's hands have agreed "We were lucky to have had her". A statement I stand by."
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- Sara O'Flynn, Supplier Quality Engineer