University of Limerick Alumni Spotlight: Ciara O'Flynn

In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlightseries, we speak to BA in European Studiesgraduate, Ciara O'Flynn, who is now working as a parliamentary assistant in the European Parliament in Brussels. Ciara serves as MEP Maria Walsh's advisor to the Gender Equality and Women's Rights Committee, as well as the Justice and Home Affairs committee.

Ciara explains why she chose to study European Studies at UL, what she enjoyed most about her course and how a moment of courage during her co-op placement changed the course of her career.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a 23-year-old Limerick woman. I did all my schooling in Limerick, from primary school in St Nessan's National School to secondary school in Laurel Hill FCJ and completing my bachelor's degree at University of Limerick.

My family are the most wonderful people, both for the lessons they've taught me and the gifts they've given me. My parents are the most hardworking people I know and their courage and determination consistently inspires me. Since I can remember my dad has told me "you are tough out". This coupled with my mom's constant reminder that "you can do this" have walked me into the rooms I'm in today and make up every fibre of my being.

Why did you choose the BA in European Studies at UL?

In transition year, I choose Politics and Society as a subject because I was a big history nerd and had an active interest in world affairs. I had the same teacher for History as I did for Politics and Society, and I can safely say that she changed my trajectory forever. She encouraged me to channel my own passion for both these subjects beyond a leaving cert exam and with me through college.

Now you can only imagine turning around to my parents and saying I wanted to study Politics or History in university. To put it lightly, there was plenty of "what are you going to be Ciara?" conversations. But these questions came from a lot of people because despite only leaving school in 2019, there still was a sense that you had to choose a 'safe' college course in order to get a good job and be set for life. I didn't really know how I felt about that and to be honest it really scared me.

University of Limerick has been forever in my life. From school trips to outdoor pursuits, to Saturday morning swims with my dad, and performing with stage schools at the University Concert Hall. The flagpoles have always been in my life. However, the idea of attending university at UL was a whole new adventure for me. In 5th year, I attended the Open Day with my friends and in 6th year, I attended the Open Day with my mom. I remember sitting at the talk for European Studies - given by the excellent Dr Joachim Fischer - and I remember being entirely in awe. This was the course that I wanted to do.

European Studiesoffered me the opportunity to study two of my favourite things - History and Politics. Something about what European Studies offered gave me a sense of excitement. I didn't know what I wanted to be, but the course made me feel like I would figure it out while consistently learning. I also chose European Studies because unsurprisingly, I felt it could guide me on my path to working in the European Union. I don't come from a political family, and we never discussed politics around the kitchen table. Despite this, my curiosity about the world before me persisted.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

My undergraduate degree was quite the journey. There were times when I loved what I was studying and there were times when I didn't enjoy what I was studying so much. But to be honest, in a weird way, that's why I loved it! It was a mixed bag and there were lessons at every corner, both in the classroom and outside it.

My favourite thing about the course was being able to study everything I liked at the same time, which for me was History, Politics, Law and French. I think there's a lot of pressure when you're coming out of school to pick one thing you like and roll with it. I loved my BA in European Studiesbecause it allowed me to combine all my interests and study them simultaneously.

What did you enjoy most about studying in UL?

I loved studying in UL so much because it reminded me of a house with many homes. There's a phrase that tags along to UL - 'Home of Firsts' - and for me that's what it was and will always be. From a young age UL has been a core part of my life and having the opportunity to experience it as a student was a blessing. As a student, Limerick is just perfect - not too big but not too small.

What was your co-op experience like?

My co-op took place during Covid, which definitely was a double-edged sword! I originally had my eyes set on the European Parliament traineeships but given travel restrictions at the time, this was no longer an option.

I did my co-op with Enactus Ireland, an NGO that encourages students and young people across the country to engage in social action and social enterprise. I was the organisation's first co-op student, which was in itself a great honour, but it meant a lot of learning, trial and error and 'will this work?'. However, in the end it worked out because I had a team of women who I worked with who put all their efforts into showing me how Enactus works, how to show up as the best version of myself for the organisation and how to make the organisation fulfil its mission of creating positive impact.

I know now some of us look back on the pandemic and think 'how was that real?' but to be honest, I'm glad my co-op took place online. Working online every day was definitely a challenge but it turned out to be a doorway to unexpected growth. I discovered new skills and more importantly, I became a little braver. Knowing that everyone was just a message or video call away made me realise there was nothing to lose in reaching out. My grandfather used to say, "A silent priest gets no collection", and that phrase stuck with me. During my co-op, I didn't just carry that mantra, I acted on it. One of my favourite examples is how I first connected with my current boss. We didn't know each other at all, but I took a deep breath, typed out a request to meet and hit send. That small moment of courage changed the course of my career.

Were you a member of any clubs and societies during your time in UL?

I was a member of the Enactus Social Entrepreneurship Societyat UL, and I will be forever grateful for it. It changed my life and introduced me to some of the greatest people I know. It taught me so much about myself and allowed me to become the best version of myself.

It taught me the importance of teamwork, how to negotiate and how to effectively communicate. Much of which are skills I use every day now in my career. But most importantly, my experiences in Enactus taught me that passions don't have to sit quietly in the background, waiting for 'the right time'. They don't have to stay in the back of your mind as something you daydream about or keep neatly boxed away as a pleasant little hobby. They can take up space in your daily life, fuel your decisions and shape the way you work. Joining the Enactus Society was the moment that lesson truly clicked for me. It was a space where my values and actions could finally meet.

I had the chance to work hands-on with missions that mattered to me on a deeply personal level. And of course, at the heart of it all was my passion for gender equality. That passion has been part of me for as long as I can remember, something I read about, debated and defended in conversations. But Enactus gave me something new - a platform to act. I was no longer just talking about change. I was helping to create it, shoulder to shoulder with others who cared just as much. Whether it was brainstorming solutions, planning initiatives or seeing a project take shape, I learned what it felt like to turn conviction into tangible positive impact. Once you've experienced that, it's impossible to go back to letting your passion live quietly in the background!

You were project lead on Anytime of the Month during your time at UL. Can you tell us about this initiative?

Anytime of the Month was a social enterprise that worked to alleviate period poverty and eradicate period stigma. It was an initiative that reached thousands across Ireland and abroad with the mission to transform the way we as a society view periods. We gave hundreds of workshops to companies and schools across Ireland, donated thousands of period products, ran an impressive, far reaching social media campaign, hosted events and campaigned tirelessly. Anytime of the Month was the campaign of all campaigns and taught me that passion, dedication and determination can transform lives, as well as your own.

I will forever be grateful for the initiative because it changed my life and opened thousands of doors for me, while still allowing me to maintain my values. I look back on the time I spent working on the initiative and my heart swells with pride for everyone we worked with, every young person we spoke to, every donation we made and every mind we changed. I didn't know it then, but Anytime of Month was the first taste of campaigning I had, and I wasn't letting that feeling go.

A memory I hold very highly from my time in Anytime of the Month is when I delivered our first second level education workshop to a class from the secondary school I went to. I remember sitting on Zoom fidgeting and rattled with nerves. Once I got into the groove of delivering the workshop, everything was perfect. However, I'll forever remember a young girl who put her hand to ask a question. She said: "Can I just ask how you are brave enough to talk about periods?". I told the young girl that the reason I'm doing this workshop and all my work with Anytime of the Month is for her because I too sat in her same uniform only a few short years before with the fear to talk about my basic health needs. I did everything for the mini me and all the other young girls across the country who were embarrassed about their health because I needed someone like me when I was her age - that's ultimately why I did Anytime of the Month. I wanted to be part of a shift in how we view periods and how we treat all those who menstruate. Although we impacted many lives, I knew that even if we just changed one mind, we did something right.

How did UL support you throughout your studies?

UL was a great support throughout my studies. It's not every day you have to deal with a global pandemic when studying at university and I think the way UL coordinated itself and delivered its teaching for its students has to be commended. I never felt for a moment that my learning was impacted because of the pandemic.

I had many lecturers that played an important role in my time at UL. Notably, Dr Joachim Fischer and his brilliant mind and understanding of European affairs. Professor Laura Cahillane is one of the most competent and engaging lecturers I ever had. Her skill and way of thinking and delivering all there is to know about the Irish Constitution is remarkable and stays with me. It's safe to say that I wasn't top of my class in French - that language and I have a tricky relationship! But no matter my struggles, I pay a great deal of respect to Annie Girardin-Halpin, one of the most strong-minded people I have ever come across. At every corner, she guided me along my journey in the French classroom - a truly remarkable lecturer with a great amount of care and love for every student that sits in her classrooms.

One of the most important groups of people though from my time in UL were the wonderful 'Pink Ladies' from the library café. The Glucksman Library saw me, as I'm sure many other students, in a range of different states - sometimes stressed, sometimes happy and sometimes at a loss, but the one constant was the smile and comfort of the wonderful ladies who worked in that café. Knowing me by name and knowing I wanted a cappuccino with chocolate on top was sometimes the saving grace for me! They were there to put a smile on your face at all times, and I'll always associate them with my time in UL.

What is it like to now be working as a Parliamentary Assistant in the European Parliament in Brussels?

I started my career journey with a traineeship in the European Parliament. How I got there was by reaching out to the Fine Gael MEP for Midlands-North West, Maria Walsh, who I had previously worked with through Anytime of the Month. I sent her an email essentially enquiring about how best to get my foot in the door of Brussels and next thing I know I find myself in an interview!

I started the traineeship in September 2023 and completed it in February 2024. I then threw myself head first into a European Election campaign by moving back to Ireland. I spent March to June of 2024 campaigning for Maria's re-election, all with two hopes; one, Maria would get elected by her constituency and two, she would offer me a full-time parliamentary position. Looking back, it's almost like I was running for election! Having been successful in the election, I was fortunate to be offered a position as Maria's advisor to the Gender Equality and Women's Rights Committee, as well as the Justice and Home Affairs committee.

The work I do on the two committees is challenging but it's also rewarding. There is no daily routine and no set hours. Every day is different from the next. There is a lot of working together with people from different countries and different parties. Ultimately, it's about representing the voices of Maria's constituents in policy.

It still doesn't feel real and sometimes I get a wave of 'OMG is this is my job?' coming over me. Being 24 and having the opportunity to work as a parliamentary assistant for a two term MEP in Brussels, under areas that motivate me and empower me, is nothing short of incredible. I'm at the forefront of policy making in the European Parliament and I can't believe I'm at this point in my career already. It's overwhelming to be in the halls of power at this point but I'm so incredibly grateful. I've met some of the most influential people in modern day politics, I've shared tables with some of the most courageous changemakers across Europe today and I've had the opportunity to have conversations with wonderful minds.

How did your course help you get to where you are now in your career?

The question I got most from the moment of entering my course to the final hours of my degree was "What's a European Studier?" and look, that question often stumped me too! I wasn't going to have a traditional job title given to me by my degree, for instance a nurse after doing a nursing degree. But I always knew that I would make my degree what I wanted it to be and for me that was a path to working in European politics.

Of course, with a hint in the name, my degree was and continues to be instrumental to my career. Learning about the foundations of the EU, its laws that govern it, the dynamics that shape it and getting a taste for a language that fits into part of its culture offered me a great advantage in my current job. With this knowledge that my BA in European Studies gave me, I have the privilege of showing up to my job in the European Parliament everyday with an appreciation for how we as a society got here, and what to do and not to do to maintain peace, freedom and democracy.

What are your hopes and plans for the future?

Honestly, my plans for the future are still pretty open. I don't have a set path or a list of career milestones I'm racing toward, and I've learned that's not something to be afraid of. My time at UL, both in lectures and in all the moments outside them, taught me that if I stay true to my values and follow what feels right, I'll end up exactly where I'm meant to be.

I've always wanted to work for "the good guys" even though these days it can be hard to tell who they are or to see good. But that's still my north star, it's what keeps me motivated and grounded. And if I'm really honest, when I think about looking back on my life one day, my goal isn't about big titles or awards. I just hope I'll be able to say that I made a difference for at least one person and that because of the work I did, I made sure someone's life was a little brighter.

What advice would you give to anyone considering studying at UL?

If you're thinking about studying at UL, I'd tell you this - it's the kind of place that gives back exactly what you put in, so lean in, say yes often and let yourself be surprised. UL has this wonderful way of feeling both big enough to keep you curious and small enough to feel like home.

When it comes to European Studies, I would say think of it less as a degree and more as a journey. You'll dive into history, politics, languages and culture, but the real magic is how those pieces start to weave together in your mind. You begin to see connections everywhere - in the news, in conversations, even when you're ordering coffee in another language. And slowly, you find your own place in that bigger European story.

When I first started in UL, I didn't have every detail of my path figured out and honestly, I think that was the best part. The BA in European Studies opens so many doors, and sometimes the one you walk through will be the one you never even noticed at first. I never envisioned myself doing half the things I have done.

My advice to anyone beginning their journey at UL is to take the time to join a society even if it makes you uncomfortable or scared, get that coffee in Scholars with friends after class, take advantage of the bagels at the Tuesday market, walk along the river when you need to clear your head, cry in the Glucksman when you're overwhelmed, laugh until your stomach hurts on the grass in front of the ski slopes. Those little moments are what make UL feel like yours and by the time you leave, you'll carry those memories and that confidence into whatever comes next.

Here at UL, we encourage our students to 'Stay Curious'. What keeps you curious?

What keeps me curious is knowing there are still so many people I haven't met and so many lessons I haven't learned. Every new door you walk through whether it's a conversation, a challenge or a completely unexpected opportunity has the potential to teach you something that changes the way you see the world. And I never want to stop opening those doors.