Sarah Magennis
Sarah Magennis from Glenarm has recently graduated with a Master of Science with commendation. Employed as Senior Receptionist at East Belfast Enterprise, Sarah completed her Masters with her new baby Freddie by her side.
Speaking about celebrating her graduation, Sarah said:
“On my graduation day I was filled with nerves but I was also excited and slightly relieved that 10 years of study were finally over! It was such a joyous day of celebration and lovely to enjoy the occasion with my family, partner Carl and our son Freddie, who was born in December last year.”
Whilst still at school, Sarah got a taste for event management assisting as a festival planner. She studied Travel and Tourism at Northern Regional College before beginning her degree in International Hospitality and Event Management at Ulster University.
During her college course, Sarah discovered she was Dyslexic, but this did not deter her from completing her Level 2 and Level 3 in Travel and Tourism with three distinctions. She later became a hotel receptionist while continuing with her education and completing Level 3 in Leadership and Management.
Sarah said: “Although I’m relieved to be closing the books, I’ve always been encouraged on my educational journey by my family. They suggested I enrol for my Masters and I applied to do a Masters in International Event Management part time which has taken me to graduating with a Master of Science with commendation.”
Speaking about her role with East Belfast Enterprise and returning to work after Freddie’s birth, Sarah said:
“I adore my new life as a mother and made the most of my maternity leave with Freddie. I am also glad to be back at work as the role is varied and, as well as the crucial administrative side of my job, I get to plan events for East Belfast Enterprise tenants and the local community.
“The role can certainly be challenging which I absolutely love. One moment I’ll be scheduling appointments and working closely with members of other departments, issuing invoices and taking payments and then the next I’ll be greeting a new tenant and learning about their business and hearing stories of their entrepreneurial journey.
“We’re a small team at East Belfast Enterprise and it really feels like we’re just a family.”
Previously Sarah was a member of Glenarm Rowing Club and has competed in five ‘All Ireland’ Coastal Rowing competitions. While studying in London she joined the university rowing team and participated in several charity events and university competitions. These days she switches off by going to the cinema and concerts. She loves to travel and has visited several European countries.
For more information about East Belfast Enterprise, opportunities to rent workspaces and offices, or to find out about the business start up programmes on offer, please visit: www.eastbelfast.org