My Career: ‘I love going to work...you never know what opportunity will come up’

Name: Mairead Twohig

Age: 29

Lives: Ballygarvan

Job title: Producer, Cork Today on C103

Salary bracket: Enough to keep the flat whites coming.

Education background: I went to Ballygarvan National School and then Carrigaline Community School. I opted for a PLC and studied Radio Broadcasting at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa (now Cork College of FET Tramore Road Campus) for two years. I did Speech & Drama classes for years, and in 2022, I graduated with a Teaching Diploma in Speech & Drama from the Irish Music & Drama College.

Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, games of Ludo and 45, dancing, reading, baking, and watching TV.

Describe your job in five words: Exciting, busy, creative, interesting, rewarding.

Describe yourself in five words: Enthusiastic, realistic, curious, friendly, compassionate.

Personality needed for this kind of work?

You need to be compassionate, friendly, accommodating, hard-working, and curious!

How long are you doing this job?

I’ve been producing Cork Today on C103 since April of this year.

How did you get this job?

I first set foot in Broadcasting House when I was in fourth year in secondary school for a week’s work experience, and I loved it.

During my time in college, we were encouraged to seek work experience. In my first year of the PLC, I was on UCC radio every Friday morning and then in second year I secured some work experience on the Opinion Line on 96FM.

In May, 2016, there was an opening in the newsroom and I read my first ever live news bulletin on Cork’s 96FM & C103 on the May Bank Holiday Monday in 2016.

I spent nearly nine years in the newsroom, and I loved my time there and all the opportunities and successes along the way.

When the producer job came up, I knew it was a rare opportunity and I decided I would like to put my name forward for a new adventure with a bag full of skills and experience picked up over the last number of years.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience? Experience is great, and any opportunity to get more is always worthwhile. Qualifications are also a bonus, but the main thing is having a real passion and interest in radio.

Describe a day at work: I arrive into the office around 8am and I meet Patricia Messinger (who presents Cork Today). We chat through what’s in the papers and what’s on the news, we check emails, start booking guests in for the next show, and catch-up on anything that’s happened since we last spoke.

I do a social post, sometimes we do a video piece where Patricia says what’s coming up on today’s show.

The show goes live at 10am and is on until 1pm. During this time, I’m taking calls, chatting to listeners, and writing up their thoughts for Patricia to read out.

Once the show is over, we chat about it, have lunch, and then look ahead to the next show.

The show is podcasted so I prepare that and I also upload the repeat show to the station’s playout system. I pick a short 20-25 second clip from the show to be used as a promo and this is played out a couple of times a day.

How many hours do you work a week?

I’m in the office from 8am until mid-afternoon, and after that I keep an eye on the news, etc. It’s all very interesting and I often say I’d be looking at this regardless of my job!

Is your industry male or female-dominated?

There is a good mix of males and females.

Does this affect you in any particular way?

It’s wonderful to be surrounded by like-minded people.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10: It’s very enjoyable and rewarding and sometimes very busy - the ability to stay calm is a great benefit to the gig!

Do you work with others or on your own?

I work with Patricia Messinger who presents Cork Today. We also work closely with other teams in the station.

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

I haven’t thought much about that yet!

Best bits: Getting to work with brilliant people, having the chance to share people’s stories.

Worst bits: It’s a fast-paced environment - we have to try and find the time to reflect on our achievements.

Advice to those who want your job?

Go for it! I love going to work every day. You never know where it might take you or what opportunities you’ll get.

Any other comments?

I am a big fan of PLC courses and would encourage everyone to take a look at what’s on offer.