I began working part time in Trefoil Controls Ltd in 2016. I worked some Fridays and during the summer months while I was in college studying Early Childhood Care and Education in IT Sligo. My role included general admin duties as well as support to the Accounts Department. I continued this work when Trefoil Controls merged with Eurotech Calibration Services and became CalX.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I was in my final weeks of college and as it went online, I decided to move back home. In CalX, many of the office staff had to begin to work from home due to health reasons and social distancing measures. Goods Handling was an essential element of the business that could not be carried out at home. When I had the majority of my assignments completed, my manager approached me and asked would I consider covering the Goods Handling temporarily until the person doing it was able to return to the office.
With regular video calls I was trained in the Goods Handling procedures and I began to work more hours.
At this stage, many of my classmates had begun to apply for jobs in the childcare sector or further their studies. With many childcare facilities not opened, I felt it may not be easy to get a job. I also was very content working here in CalX so I didn’t feel the urge to start looking for one in my field just yet. I had good relationships with my colleagues and I always felt supported and encouraged by the directors, so I wasn’t ready to lose that.
A few months passed of doing Goods Handling along with my usual Friday work, and working one day a week soon turned in to being offered a full-time position in October 2020.
At the end of October 2020, I officially graduated online with a BA Hons in Early Childhood Care and Education. I swore I would not be doing any more college courses as I wanted a break after the previous 4 years. Needless to say that didn’t last very long. I completed a course with Clear Customs through Carlow IT in relation to Brexit preparation. I also completed training with our accounting software company.
Since the start of 2021 I have moved away from Goods Handling and I am working as an Accounts Administrator full time. I am also currently halfway through an evening course In Bookkeeping with DIFE. Professional development is always fostered and encouraged in CalX and I have reaped the benefits of this.
I enjoy coming to work every day. No matter how stressful or busy it may get it’s guaranteed there will always be laughter. CalX is not your average workplace – there is always a good atmosphere and a bit of fun and many holidays or special occasions are marked in some way even if we cannot all get together for them.
It has nearly been a year since I submitted my last college assignment. If you asked me this time last year where I saw myself in a years’ time, I would have said I’d be working in childcare, but I can definitely say I don’t regret my decision and I hope to be still working in CalX for years to come.