Michelle takes law and medicine in stride

SHE is still only 21 but Michelle McCarthy is like someone who has already lived at least two lives.

Feted last evening as Graduate of the Year at University College Cork, her achievements to date belie her years.

An outstanding student from Waterford city, Michelle graduated with a first-class honours BCL degree in law last year and is now pursuing a degree in medicine at UCC.

“I didn’t have enough points in my Leaving Cert for medicine initially and I was interested in the policy aspect of Law, so I did a BCL degree. I really enjoyed it but when I got the opportunity to do medicine I was delighted.”

It wasn’t all books, either. During her time studying Law, Michelle was involved with a number of student-run societies, and served on three at committee level. She wrote for the UCC Express and Motley Magazine and spent a year as features editor at UCC Express. Short-listed in two categories at the National Student Media Awards for her work with UCC Express, she also co-hosted travel, current affairs and breakfast shows on Cork Campus radio.

The Graduate of the Year Award is given annually to the most distinguished student but both academic distinction and the part played in the public life of the university are taken into consideration.

“I wasn’t by any means top of my class. I did a bit of everything. I got involved in the Journalism Society and took part in activities with other societies as well. I particularly loved doing the breakfast show on Campus Radio. That was brilliant. I have made friends for life in UCC and most of them are not from my law class.”

Michelle was involved in the Student’s Union Welfare Working group and, as part of a team, assisted the Welfare Officer in running campaigns around campus on issues such as alcohol awareness, stress and mental and sexual health. She also volunteered as a Student Peer Supporter to introduce first years to the college and college life and competed in inter-varsities as part of the Equestrian Club.

The award was announced at the 2010 prize giving ceremony at UCC yesterday at which 37 undergraduate and postgraduate prizes were presented to 43 prizewinners by Professor Paul Giller, registrar and senior vice-president academic.

Extending his congratulations to the prizewinners, Professor Giller said: “Our ambition here in UCC is that our students and graduates will be our best ambassadors in society.”