Pauline McNamara

Work

What’s your job title?

 HR Business Partner

How long have you been working here?

I joined the University in April 2020

Where did you work before this position?

 I worked as the HR Manager in hospitality.

What does your day-to-day look like? 

No day is the same, there is huge variety depending on what’s happening. It could be meetings or calls or dealing with emails from different employees or managers to advise or support on activities that are being undertaken. It could be dealing with an employee relation issue, resourcing support for a unit, coming up with solutions for items and then being the link between HR operations and the HR need of the customer. The day can be meetings back to back be it internal ones in HR or college/school/people manager meetings. The variety of the work is what is great about the position, it varies from day to day so the day flies.

When would someone come to you?

 Usually when they have queries or need support with an item or issue relation to HR be it a what do I do if in this situation or this has happened, what steps/policy/procedure needs to be followed etc.

How do you prefer to start your work day?

 I start with email catchup to see whats new then make sure anything that’s needed for meetings are clear for the day. Then start on the to do list.

How do you prefer to end your work day? 

With a review of the to do list and adding on items that need attention. Review of the calendar to see what upcoming.

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of? 

My team the HRP’s commenced last year with online learning sessions for senior people manager in the areas we support covering different topics once a month so we have taken these topics and prepared the sessions and run them in teams. It’s been great to both work through a topic and present it and hopefully it’s benefiting our customer too.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position? 

That it's recruitment.

What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? 

I don’t think ‘cool’ is the right word for what I do.

Personal/Social 

What was your first paying job?

 I worked in a B&B and Restaurant really near home from 1^st year of secondary school onwards – weekends and all summer.  Over the years, 4 cousins, my 2 sisters and I all worked there, family affair. We (the coursins & I) even used the restaurant kitchen one stormy Christmas when the electricity was gone and Phil & Liz were on holidays but it was a gas oven and the dinners needed cooking! Like a second home. 

Have you ever met anyone famous?

 I met Jared Leto in Thailand. He was filming Alexander at the time and I am sure his friend who took a photo of us was famous too but we were only interested in Jordan Catalano.

Are you a cat or dog person (or neither)?

Not really either. Would prefer dogs but strongly believe as a farmers daughter that animals should be outdoors – controversial with some of my friends!  

Are you a coffee or tea person? 

Coffee all the way, do not drink tea at all. 

What’s the best place you’ve travelled to? 

Ooh.. this is tough I think Australia but more specifically the Great Barrier reef - 3 dives a day, 6am starts and amazing sites and sights.  

What three items would you take with you to a deserted island? 

Swiss Army knife, sun screen, water purification tablets. Or, just 1 cheat item: a suitcase full of essentials .

What’s your favorite place to eat around Galway? 

Kai for dinner, Nimmo’s for brunch