At 25 years old, Sean McGreal was well aware that he was not an academically impeccable student during his school days and the reality of not securing his top preference in the Leaving Cert in 2017 left him feeling lost and anxious about being left in the lurch. As he candidly shares, despite achieving decent grades, a sense of direction was evidently lacking and his focus lay more on the sports he was involved in.
Raised in the small countryside town of Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Sean attended the St Louis Community School where his interest gravitated towards agriculture and outdoor work from an early age. Whilst he was bright academically, he was not the number one student in his class, causing him to believe everyone else had sorted out their life plans except him.
Post Leaving Cert, Sean was unsure about the path to take in his life. The concept of getting into a trade was contemplated, however, the lack of self-assurance held him back. He only had a vague idea about the path he wanted to follow but felt the burden of pressure when asked to determine the course of his life at the mere age of 17 or 18. This intense uncertainty narrates that his future seemed scary due to his inability to identify his true passion.
However, his life took a turn when he received information about the Westport College of Further Education (CFE). The decision to join the course was a result of an informative session with the course coordinator which boosted his confidence as it seemed diverse enough to suit his interests.
Sean went on to study Animal Care Level 5 at the aforementioned college and then achieved an honours degree in agricultural science from UCD, with his primary areas of study being animal and crop production.
Sean McGreal’s journey as an assistant agricultural inspector for the Department of Agriculture in Ireland is quite adventurous. Having worked on farms in Germany, Uzbekistan in Central Asia, and East Lothian in Scotland, Sean decided to return to his homeland. He admits that his decision to enrol at the Westport institution was among the best choices he has made and never regrets not taking the paths that most of his friends chose either through pursuing trades or attending university.
In Sean’s view, tertiary studies often prove daunting to many, with many not even making it past the first few months. In contrast, he had a different experience after his stint at Westport. It gave him a sense of fulfillment and it made him believe he was equipped to commit to educational pursuits over long periods.
One of the upside of being at Westport, Sean highlights, was the intimate classroom setup, quite in contrast to the volumes you could find in a UCD lecture. He found the tutors at Westport incredibly relatable and he appreciated the balance given to course content – a blend of theory and practicality.
His experience at Westport boosted his confidence and provided him clarity on his future endeavours, breaking free from uncertainty and doubt. He began to look toward his future with anticipation and excitement, acknowledging the multitude of doors of opportunity opening up to him.
Sean considered Westport as his stepping stone to higher education. After his time there, he moved on to university, ultimately earning an honours degree in agricultural science from UCD. Singling out UCD’s course as the best in Ireland and among the top twenty globally, he had no hesitation but to make it his pick. Receiving knowledge from respected researchers and having access to resources like UCD Lyons Farm made his decision straightforward.
The reason behind opting for UCD was primarily the prospect of gaining firsthand work experience in the third year, allowing me to work directly on farms all over Ireland. I was even granted access to German farms managed by the Costello family. It was a remarkable experience as a young individual that had a profound impact on me.
During my four-year tenure at UCD, McGreal’s summers were dedicated to work on large commercial crop and livestock farms scattered across the UK.
The chance to operate on such large-scale farming provided me with valuable experiences, assisting me during my job interview process. Applying the apptitudes I acquired to a relevant field during my summer stints was a plus point.
On completing his studies at UCD, McGreal was part of a global crew of equipment operators from Ireland, the UK, and New Zealand travelling to Uzbekistan, to conclude a major harvest of wheat and barley for affluent commodities corporation Indorama Agro.
Uzbekistan was a novel addition for me, having heard about people relocating to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand for agricultural work. However, I had spent my summers working in the UK. My friend and I, who were on the verge of completing our degree, were applying for jobs and spotted the advertisement. We reached out to the company’s operations director.
He stated he’d be in London in a fortnight and would travel to Dublin if we expressed curiosity. He ended up offering five Irish lads employment.
McGreal regarded it as an extraordinary opportunity. “Though it was a demanding setting, it was an excellent chance for a graduate to work in a less explored agricultural region. The culture was distinct, and witnessing this at 22 was truly an honour,” he further explains, “the expanse of the farms was staggering, with agricultural land spanning over 75,000 hectares by the company.
Living barely 90 kilometres away from the Afghan border gave me an experience unlike anything I’d observed before. I’d never endured such intense heat. Working relentlessly for three months at temperatures close to 50 degrees, without a solitary day off. But I’m content I took the leap.
According to McGreal, this experience was instrumental in setting him apart during upcoming job application processes.
“Being so young, I was quite the exception,” he remarks, referring to his fellow workers who were mostly in their 40s. Following this, he spent time working on a sizable arable and potato farm spanning 4,000 acres in East Lothian, Scotland. “The time I spent there was a mixture of enjoyment and invaluable learning experiences,” he asserts.
Thereafter, he returned to Castlebar, Co Mayo, where he assumed the role of a technical agricultural officer in the Department of Agriculture. He later relocated to Dublin where he is currently working as an assistant agricultural inspector in the department’s import controls division. “It’s an enjoyable role, and I’m fortunate to work with a team of wonderful people,” he asserts.
“The varied possibilities sprang from my choice to join Westport CFE, a step that reassured me. It also demonstrated to others the multitude of educational pathways available, be it full-time, part-time or distance learning. Just a few years back, my future was uncertain. However, taking tiny steps forward and capitalising on all offered help and advice, I’m now fully employed and eagerly anticipating what awaits me,” he reveals.
“The initial step might be somewhat intimidating. However, if one embraces different directions, possibilities for advancement are tremendous,” he says.
McGreal, not one to rest on his laurels, is presently juggling his job at the Department of Agriculture with his studies for a Level 9 Master of Sciences degree in AgInnovation from the University of Galway, his only stumbling block is his pending minor dissertation.
“The programme extends over a year, and they accepted me because of my life journey rather than my academic record,” he says. His learning routine involves attending in-person classes with diverse peers one Saturday per month at the University while also logging on for a two-hour digital session every Thursday evening.
“The cost is offset by Springboard, thus, it’s not a drain on my finances,” he assures. “For our food supplies to continue, we need to have content farmers in Ireland. I believe my acquired skills and experience have equipped me to contribute towards enhancing my future, as well as the futures of others. The key lies in creating new products and services that will ensure rural Ireland thrives and remains profitable,” he concludes.
Reflecting on my educational journey, my perceptions have significantly improved since my time at Westport CFE. Over the last few successful years, my tenure at this institution was a launchpad for everything else.
From the very first day when I stepped into the premises of the school, every moment has been a progression towards the right path. With my graduation from Westport CFE, I initiated a journey and saw it to fruition. All subsequent endeavours have been a continuation of that journey, moving forward one step at a time.