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Tell us a bit about yourself, what course did you study in UL, what has your career looked like to date?

My name is Lyndsey Hall, and I studied English and New Media at the 51���� from 2011 to 2015. After graduation, I began my career in social and digital marketing (starting with a role in the UL Global office, which I absolutely loved). Currently, I am the Head of Digital Communications at Piquant, a full-service creative agency based in Limerick. 

Tell us a bit about your co-op placement, what organisation did you work with and what year it took place?

Looking back, when I was choosing my co-op placement, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation. I knew I was interested in culture, stories, and communication—things that were subtly pointing me toward the career I’m in now, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. I completed my placement in the Frank McCourt Museum in 2013 with two other UL students. It was a small, quirky space with a big heart, dedicated to preserving the memory of Frank McCourt and his work. I worked as part of a small team of volunteers, under the guidance of the endlessly energetic Una Heaton and the ever-supportive Dorothy Cantrell.  

I left my placement with a real sense that I’d made an actual difference, something that was entirely enabled by Una and Dorothy's trust in us. We gave tours to visitors from all over, promoted the museum at home and abroad, and helped to tell the museum’s story. 

Working at the Frank McCourt Museum was never dull. Whether it was hosting a press reception for the launch of Angela’s Ashes The Musical, or managing a visit from 52 lively pensioners, we were always on our toes.  

One of the highlights was running a youth project, where we engaged a group of local students in a drama and scriptwriting workshop led by a visiting drama teacher. It was rewarding to see them connect creatively with the history and stories of Limerick. In the feedback form, one of the students said the “best thing about the museum” was “the three girls that worked there,” which still makes me smile. 

Una and Dorothy were pivotal to my experience. Dorothy, with her background in PR, always had creative marketing ideas, and she taught me so much about promoting an organisation on a small budget. Meanwhile, Una’s passion for Frank McCourt’s legacy and her art was infectious.  

What impact did your co-op placement have on your future career?

If I learned one thing from my co-op, it's that small teams and grassroots projects can make a big difference for both the organisation and the people working there. As a co-op student, it was so empowering to feel like I was genuinely contributing to the success of the museum. Something like creating a simple website—which, as it turns out, is still live over 10 years later—gave me the sense I contributed something helpful, which in your first experience of the professional world, is such a confidence boost.  

I came to appreciate the value of leaving something behind—whether that’s a new system, an improvement, or even just knowledge that helps the team keep things going after you’ve moved on. In a small organisation, things can easily fall through the cracks when someone leaves, so making sure your contributions endure is key. 

Working at the museum also gave me an appreciation for storytelling, which I think guided me toward my future career (and I needed guidance). Storytelling was essential at the museum for bringing the history to life and making it accessible to all visitors. Today, storytelling is central to my career in digital communications, crafting compelling messages that connect with diverse audiences. In my role today, I get the pleasure of working with UL co-op students from the other end, and I always hope they feel as empowered as I did.  

What piece of advice would you give to students going on co-op now?

I would say small organisations are a fantastic way to learn because you’re not just a cog in the machine—you’re an essential part of the team. Every task, no matter how seemingly minor, can have a significant impact on the organisation’s overall success. Whether it’s developing a process, improving communications, or engaging directly with visitors, your role carries weight. 

In a small organisation, you can leave behind something that will outlast your time there. This could be a system you’ve put in place, a project you’ve led, or simply sharing knowledge with your colleagues so they can continue the work after you’ve gone. You might be surprised at how much impact you can have, even as a student.