Changing the future with history

It wasn’t until my sixth year of school that I learned the history of Ireland and it changed the way I viewed my surroundings. Suddenly, specific sayings and symbols carried meaning and I realised the power that the knowledge of history can have upon your perception of the modern world. Each lesson weaved another thread in the tapestry of who I was, generating a passion for history that led to my choice to study the subject at a university level. I was eager to see where I fit in the bigger picture! I felt that in order to pave my way through the world I had to be fully aware of the political, social and cultural nuances of as many countries as possible.

The teaching quality at Loughborough was second to none. The delivery of lectures and seminars triggered particular interests in me that I would not have otherwise known. Whilst this sentiment could be shared about most of my lecturers, there is one that stood out to me: Catherine Armstrong. Catherine was attentive, caring and inspiring. Her passion for teaching history shone throughout her detailed presentations, relevant supplementary material suggestions and engaging assignments. Each query, no matter how small, was answered with no hesitation nor judgement and in rapid speed!

Catherine believed in me as a student and encouraged all my ideas and theories. This was integral in my ability to craft an award winning dissertation in my final year. With her care for my professional writing and research, and me as a human being, I believed that I was capable of something that once seemed so daunting. I can’t thank her enough for all she instilled in me as an historian.

Being an athlete at the most successful university in BUCS (British University and College Sport) history is an experience that will remain with me forever. Training alongside elite athletes at the HIPAC, flying out to warm weather training camps with my teammates and competing at the BUCS cross country championships every year have shaped who I am as an individual to this day. Being surrounded by such greatness allowed me to learn the intricacies of middle distance running. It taught me how to manage difficult situations, be strong in the face of adversity and the power of working together as a team to achieve a goal.

Gaining my undergraduate degree in History at Loughborough has unlocked a world of opportunities in the working world. My qualifications from a renowned university mean my LinkedIn profile is very active! Networking with fellow alumni and sharing the vast range of skills I had acquired through my time at Loughborough University led my current manager to reach out to me and offer me my job!

Working with a group of like-minded individuals is inspiring and competitive. It is exciting to go to work knowing that you can collaborate with some brilliant minds.

Professionally, I would like to go back to my history roots and use what I have learned for the betterment of Northern Ireland. Through the use of the past I believe it can be healed from its trauma and in doing so create a more peaceful environment for the current generation to live in.

Never underestimate the relevance of what may seem like a lifetime ago. In today’s modern world we can see social change as an ongoing and achievable thing due to the protests and celebrations of what makes us different. However, learning of the past through my course has taught me that this was not commonplace. Generations of people have had to, willingly and most of the time, unwillingly, give their lives to reach this point. Whilst we are still not living in a perfect world, we stand on the backs of those who suffered unimaginably. So, when you are thinking there is no relevance in studying something that happened in the 1500s or 1900s, know that you are uncovering the pathway that has led to the world you live in today. It couldn’t be more interesting.