Local TUS student looks back on her CAO experience

Ahead of the Central Applications Office (CAO) closing on July 1, third-level TUS student Marcela Turtakova from Birr, looks back on her CAO experience.

When Marcela Turtakova was deciding her future career path, hospitality wasn't initially on her radar. A chance encounter changed everything. At 16, she didn’t know what she wanted to do until a school visit by TUS' Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure sparked her interest in the field of hospitality.

“I had no clear direction on what I wanted to study at the time,” Marcela recalls, “but the talk made me think, ‘This could be really interesting.’”

Marcela, who is the first in her family to go to university, decided to sign up for a hospitality taster session on campus, where she was introduced to bar supervision by lecturer Sarah Jane Coffey.

“It was an absolutely class experience. It was like being a college student for the day, and it really made me want to go for it,” she says.

After doing some more research, Marcela enrolled in the Higher Certificate in Bar Supervision, knowing its broad scope could offer various career opportunities.

“Even if I wasn't sure about staying in hospitality, I knew it offered modules in accounting, marketing, and IT which meant I’d have options in other areas,” she says. “You learn a bit of everything on the course.”

This broad curriculum has allowed Marcela to develop a versatile skill set, giving her confidence in her career prospects.

She credits her choice of university to both family influences and her own first-hand experience: “My brother’s girlfriend recommended it, and when I visited, I loved the campus and the community feel.”

The campus’s close proximity to her hometown of Birr also allowed for an easy commute. “I’m only a 30-minute drive.”

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. Marcela admits that she found modules like accounting tough at times, but perseverance and the supportive campus environment helped her through.

“The growth in my self-confidence has been incredible over the last three years. Initially I was extremely shy, but I’ve learned to push past my fears and embrace new opportunities,” she shares.

Marcela’s hard work paid off when she made TUS’s Dean’s Honours List, a prestigious award which recognises students who achieve a first-class honour grade average.

“After making the Dean’s Honours List for my bar supervision course, my lecturers encouraged me to aim higher, which led me to apply for the degree in hospitality management,” she explains.

Marcela’s practical experiences, including her work placement with Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan, have solidified her career aspirations.

“I love being on the floor, interacting with customers. That’s my strong suit. I see myself in a supervisory role soon,” she says with determination.

Looking ahead, Marcela is contemplating further studies in hospitality management and is excited about the prospect of potential international trips through her studies with TUS Athlone.

“These experiences give you a chance to learn a lot and see different aspects of the industry,” she notes.

Marcela’s advice to future students is simple: “Go for it. Even if you’re unsure, just try it out. Do your research, talk to people, and don’t be afraid of challenges.”

Marcela Turtakova is in her third year of studying Hospitality Management at TUS Athlone Campus.