Today’s society sees a large percentage of the population running from A to B without a real sense of where they are going. People are chasing money and status rather than their passion, always wanting more and more but still feeling unaccomplished.

Allow me to give an example, a close friend of many years, we’ll call her “Lucy”. Lucy was an overachiever at school, constantly had her head in the books and always surpassed what was expected of her. Lucy managed to gain a fantastic memory test”¦ I mean “Leaving Cert””¦ and decided at the tender age of 17, accountancy was the career path for her.

Lucy slogged for seven years completing a masters in Financial Accountancy, working for a prestigious auditing company and gained her FE1’s. Lucy thought she had it made- she was offered a permanent position at the aforementioned prestigious auditing company, until three months into the job ”“ when she discovered that she detested the work she was doing as she found it mundane and tedious. On one particular night out, Lucy stated with a glum expression and a few Mojitos inside her “I’ve always wanted to work in the music industry”. Two years on, Lucy still continues to work at her prestigious job with a mid-range salary, alluring perks including an expense account and is 100% miserable.

Which begs me to pose the questions

Are we a nation of sell out’s?

Does money drive people to a state of depression and numbness?

Is anyone truly happy at what they do?

These questions will now allow me to explain a bit about my story and how I came to write this blog.

I’m Chloe, 25 years old, Events Intern at the best event management company in Ireland and most importantly, a mother.

Much like “Lucy” at 17, although not half as studious, I felt an unjust amount of pressure on making sure I mapped out the rest of my life. Luckily for me I fell pregnant two months into my boring, run-of-the-mill Business Admin course, (you may think I’m using the term luckily in the wrong context but allow me to expand).

Once the initial shock of the teenage pregnancy had set in I found myself needing to alter everything around this little person who is now the major decision maker in our household. I felt a need to put my professional life on hold to primarily raise this child until she was of school age and then learn to juggle and juggling I am.

Events Intern

The four years out of education allowed me realise my passion, find myself and what career would work for me. I discovered Event Management and so it began, I eased myself back in by taking a FETAC level 5 course which offered a work experience module amongst others that prepare you for the working world. I was encouraged to complete a two week placement and I found Grooveyard. I gained first-hand experience on how a successful event management company operates, reiterating my need to fulfil my passion of becoming an Event Manager. On completion of the FETAC course I wasted no time in filling out that CAO application and taking that scary leap back into third level education.

Now, having completed two of three years studying Event Management with Public Relations at GMIT, I have progressed into a seven month Event Management internship and welcomed again by Grooveyard.

Of course there are trials and tribulations of being an Events intern, not inclusive of a single mother’s workload, such as fears of failure, on the job learning and financial strain but against all of these woes I find the job to be both equally challenging and rewarding.

I feel as though I am an important part of the team and this is completely recognised by the companies Managing Director. I am trusted with majorly important tasks on a daily basis and could not be happier.

Don’t get me wrong, there are days which are a struggle and it feels like things aren’t going to plan but when I hear my seven year old say “I’m going to work in Groove(y)yard when I’m older” I know I must be doing something right.

“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”

“ Luckily for me, I have found this to be true in both my professional and personal life.”