My name is Elaine Kerr.  I am from Clonakilty and I have the privilege of studying at the renowned University of Limerick.  Back in the days of my Leaving Cert and returning CAO forms, I considered all options and numerous universities but in the end decided that UL was the place for me.  Clearly its academic reputation played a role in my decision, but truthfully, UL just seems to have the most craic. 

At school, I had a keen interest in maths.  That's not to say that I was Ms Einstein mind you but I did love the satisfaction of logically finding a solution to a problem.  Like many of my friends at the time, I was still unsure of what course I should pick when filling out the CAO form, but decided that I would take a course doing something that I might enjoy and thus chose the BSc Economics & Mathematical Sciences.

The course is certainly challenging but offers an excellent degree at the end which is regarded very highly by employers.  Graduates of the programme are considered competent and very logical - two much sought-after characteristics by employers.  Luckily my coop employers, JP MorganChase spotted these qualities, and offered me a job upon graduation.  This placement gave me a very nice taste for Structured Finance, an area I hope to specialise in very soon.  Like any course, you have to put in your fair share of study hours but luckily there are not too many compulsory lecture hours, thereby leaving time for some extra curricular activity!  The course is geared towards a certain type of student - maths isn't on the top of every student's wish list.  On this programme, class sizes promote close working relationships with the lecturers and ensure almost one-to-one tuition. 

Life at UL is really fantastic.  If you are a sports fanatic, like myself, you will appreciate the fully equipped gym with a 50m Olympic-sized pool.  The UL campus buzzes all day and all night - its just good old-fashioned fun!  My four years in UL have been spent laughing a lot  and all the time delighted to be here - not a bad life if you ask me.