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Interviews

Name: Sam McMahon
Trinity Qualification: BL (2017)
Title: Student caller & President of Trinity's Vincent De Paul
About: Sam Mc Mahon articulates how alumni giving inspired him and his fellow students to fundraise for Trinity’s Tap & Bridge 21 initiatives.

What is your fondest memory from your Trinity days so far?
My fondest memory from my time in Trinity, was when my friend and I took part in Jailbreak 2015. This is the largest student run charity event in Ireland, which sees teams of two race to a mystery location around the world, the first team who reaches location X, wins. There’s only one catch, you can’t spend any of your money. The year we did it, we reached managed to reach location X, which was Lake Bled, in Slovenia. It was without a doubt the most challenging yet rewarding weekend of my time here in Trinity with over €65,000 raised for charity.

What have you enjoyed the most about working as a student caller?
Speaking with past alumni, listening to their stories about their experience in Trinity, what courses they studied, what societies they were involved in and what they most liked about the college, is such a rewarding aspect to the job. I think we have such a unique opportunity as student callers, to be the bridge between the college and alumni. Everyone we talk to has something good to say about their experience in Trinity and how it has helped them get to whatever stage of life they are in today. Not only that, but I’ve found the alumni of Trinity are fantastic career counsellors! They are more than willing to share their own expertise and experiences post graduation.

Tell us about your role as President of Vincent De Paul?
My role as President of Trinity VDP, varies! With one of the largest societies on campus, there are numerous tasks, challenges and responsibilities that go with the role. We run over 20 weekly activities in Trinity VDP. These range from homework, drama, music, cooking and art clubs in nearby primary schools to playing football with a group of teenagers every Friday. We hold a weekly Kids Club every Sunday, taking a group of 25 kids from the nearby area on daily excursions. Further to this, we run a series of fundraisers throughout the year, to ensure our activities and events can continue to run year after year. Along with the rest of the VDP committee, there’s plenty to keep us occupied with during the year!

How did working as a student caller inspire you to fundraise for Trinity’s Tap & Bridge 21 initiatives?
Every year, Trinity VDP organise an annual fundraising trip along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This sees a group of Trinity students walk the Camino for charity. In previous years we’ve been fundraising for SVP Zambia. Whilst we saw a need for this money in Zambia, I felt there was also a need for financial support in the local community. Thus, once I started as a student caller, and learned more about the Trinity Access Programme and Bridge 21, I couldn’t help but relate to both causes. Both programmes allow students from across Ireland access third level education, those who simply wouldn’t be able to do so without the support of TAP and Bridge 21.

How do you feel TAP & Bridge 21 is positively impacting upon the Trinity community?
Bridge 21 and TAP are the positive change and action which is needed in Trinity’s community. TAP and Bridge 21 bring students in to Trinity from all across Ireland. Those who we can learn so much from; those who can offer us different perspectives, opinions and ideas. I believe that TAP is a fundamental part of the Trinity community. By bringing in students from underrepresented areas of Ireland, we’re bridging the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them’, between ‘hope’ and ‘expectation’, between ‘possibility’ and ‘reality’.

How do you think alumni inspire current Trinity students?
Trinity alumni can offer huge insight to Trinity students. I think having the opportunity to speak with alumni, is so valuable. As a Law Student, I have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with past Law Students and hearing about the various career paths they have ventured post graduation. It’s the opportunity to chat with new people, however, those with the same Trinity bond, in which I find most inspiration. We have the unique opportunity to not only share our own experiences with alumni, but also to listen to their stories.

When you become an alum how do you hope to inspire Trinity students?
When I become an alum, I hope to get involved in as many ways as possible. I would definitely get involved in the GradLink mentoring programme. I did this two years ago, and found it such a rewarding and eye-opening experience. If I ever receive a call from a student in the alumni office in the future, I would be more than happy to speak with them. I think the emphasis which is placed on establishing and maintaining connections with Trinity alumni, is something really worthwhile and something I look forward to immensely.

Do you feel that being a caller gives you a different perspective on giving back to the college?
Most definitely. Before becoming a caller, I wasn’t entirely sure on what exactly TAP or Bridge 21 were. As part of the job, I quickly learned about them and I became passionate about spreading the word on these worthwhile programmes.