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Interview | ALUMNI


(Photo of Maribé Fallon)

"It was my Trinity network that helped me to integrate in each of the locations I was living"

(...Continued from page 58)

Quite apart from helping her career, Trinity has always held a special place in Maribé’s heart. A trip down memory lane has Fallon recalling some of her fondest college memories, including hosting charity fashion shows with pals and, of course, the Trinity Ball. “It was probably the best time of my life actually, those four years at Trinity.”

One of Maribé’s closest friends to this dayis someone she met on her very fi rst day in the registration queue. “It was lashing rain that day, she was standing in front of me and she shared her umbrella with me; we have been best friends ever since."

Since taking up her current role at Google just 18 months ago, Maribé discovered that there are a large number of Trinity graduates working in the sales section of the company. Together, they have set up the Google Trinity Alumni Group. The idea is that the College will benefi t from the skills of its former students and Google’s strong social agenda will be a major contributing factor.

“We just decided that we wanted to do something for the College to help them with aspects of their social agenda. We are supporting the initiative 'Trinity Takes to the Streets' starting with a Google fundraising event.

“And the alumni, or the young fellas – because most of them are in their mid or late 20s! – they are really hooked into technology so the College could benefit from some of their experience.”

“I think that students who attend Trinity should realise how privileged they are to be able to go to that University. It is such a valuable passport to go travelling abroad."

“Graduating in the late '80s, it was wonderful to have that passport. A lot of other emigrant populations don’t have that kind of access to other more prosperous economies. I think we are very lucky to have had that, and so we should give something back.”

To use that passport is the advice that Fallon offers new graduates in the current climate. “Go out there and see a bit of the world. A lot of graduates go travelling but I think there’s quite a big difference between travelling and career working abroad. I think you learn a lot working with people from different cultures.”

But for Maribé herself, plans are to stay in Dublin for the long-term. “My children love it here. They love the space here that they wouldn’t have in Paris. There are lots of sports here in the schools and they are enjoying that.” And who knows, perhaps one day they will follow in their mother’s footsteps and study at Ireland’s premier college themselves?

“I want my children to go there Absolutely!” says Maribé animatedly. “Trinity is so contained – the space itself, and all the faculties are there so you end up meeting people from different disciplines. I really, really enjoyed my time there. It truly is a unique place.”

For futher details on alumni groups and networks visit www.tcd.ie/alumni/groups


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