Tapping into our talent Trinity Today catches up with three Trinity Access Programme (TAP) staff members to talk about the impact of TAP for them, the opportunities and challenges for today’s students, and why there is no ‘us and them’ into a library looking for help with my dyslexia. Well, the librarian didn’t give me the time of day and I left just feeling totally crushed. I wouldn’t want that for anyone. Last year, I got an honorary degree from Trinity as thanks and recognition for long service. I can honestly say it was the proudest day of my life. I retire this year and I’m really going to miss this place, my colleagues and the students. I’m thinking of doing the Foundation Year as a stepping stone to maybe taking a degree – but I haven’t made up my mind yet. I’ve been working since I was fourteen. Maybe I need to take some time off! Elaine Reynolds Executive Officer Started working with TAP in 1996, retiring August 2024 I think I’m the longest-serving staff member in TAP. I started working in housekeeping in March 1996. Even though I’m a Dubliner, I had never been through Front Gate until then. I was intimidated going in but I loved it from the start, the whole environment and the people. I always loved books and stories even though I really struggled at school and left early – I had undiagnosed dyslexia. Working in Goldsmith Hall, I got friendly with one of the TAP staff, Sheila Flood, and when she heard I was doing a night course in computers so I could help my kids, she encouraged me to start working in admin. I didn’t think I was able but they were really encouraging. I learnt to type; I did my junior cert and I got help for my dyslexia. In truth, I will never be able to thank Trinity for allowing me that space and time and scope and self-belief. Now I work in the main office and my door is always open to students. That’s true of all staff here – no matter what capacity we’re working in, we stop everything to make time for students. I’m really aware that for some people, even making that first phone-call seeking information can be a huge deal. Encouragement is everything. I remember the first time I went Daniel McFarlane Senior Cycle Coordinator Pathways to Law and Bridge to College 2012, Film & English degree 2014-18, joined TAP 2018 I started attending the Pathways to Law and Bridge to College programmes when I was in secondary school. These are TAP initiatives aimed at encouraging pupils in schools in disadvantaged areas to think about applying to college. I was a good student but my parents left school young, my Mam didn’t even do the junior cert, so I had no college culture to draw on.
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