Stiofán graduated with a BA (Hons) in Humanities in 2015 and is now working as a Chaplain at Naas General Hospital.
My career since graduation
Following graduation from the BA (Hons) in Humanities, I went onto to complete a Masters in Theology with Mater Dei (now Dublin City University). From there I moved to Chicago to complete Clinical Pastoral Education in Northwestern Memorial Hospital and went on to work as Chaplain with Little Company of Mary Hospital for 6 years in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
My education didn’t finish there as I became a Crisis Intervention Counsellor and completed a Masters in Philosophy in the University of Exeter, UK, where I have also started my PhD in Philosophical Theology. I have since moved back to Ireland to take up a position of Chaplain in Naas General Hospital.
Learning skills for a successful career
One of the most important skills I learned was critical thinking. The Literature, Philosophy and Theology has been a life changer. I could never see the world the same Carlow College is the place I learned to see the world truly as it is, a place of hopeful beauty. It gave me the tools of critical conversations to put words to what cannot be worded like ‘hope’ and ‘love’ and aspects of meaning necessary to be with and care for people in ways of life.
Without the poetry, Philosophy and Theology I could not be as confident as I am especially in the most difficult of times. I was educated with a mix of beauty, goodness and truth that has been very attractive to employers.
Preparation for my future career
Personally, I have been granted a way of life that is extremely joyful. In my role as chaplain in Chicago ,I was met with anything from attending the scene and family of homicides to the birth of a child and everything in between. The poetry has called me into a way of seeing that I could not understand otherwise, the Philsophy provided serious critical thinking to help me in all decisions I make along with helping those who struggle in making such difficult life changing decisions and the Theology gave a whole basis upon which everything else grows – an understanding, meaning and purpose which is why I spend a lot of time in Behavioural Health Wards.
All three of poetry/Literature, Philosophy and Theology provided a creative, critical and original approach to life and others lives. In a word, Literature, Philosophy and Theology matured my mind and spirit to approach the world on a deeply intellectual, spiritual and pastoral way which I have not found elsewhere. Even now at PhD level, I find myself reflecting back to my time in Carlow College for resources as well as spiritual and psychological rejuvenation. So, my studies have not only benefited my career, they have made it and continue doing so.
Fondest memory of Carlow College
I was not a religious person until I learned to think critically and found myself spending a lot of time in the Chapel or with Sr Mary and Fr Conn in the Chaplain offices. I found a lot of psychological support from both and sit across from the Chapel for study as it really was the most inspiring place. I remember many people were not religious but they found that invitation of peace and comfort along with intellectual inspiration sitting by a place of tremendous meaning. It was also nice to be supported and encouraged without being assessed.
