Erika Valiukaite - BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology

UCD Social Policy & Sociology alumnus Erika Valiukaite is currently currently working as an IGEES policy analyst in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. 

"I graduated with first class honours from BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology degree and afterwards completed a Master of Public Policy in UCD as well. My biggest accomplishment after completing my Bachelor’s degree was the publication of my thesis on the gender pay gap in The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)'s Journal of Public Policy - The Public Sphere Journal.  

Although I enjoyed all the interesting and insightful lectures, I equally enjoyed the campus, whether staying up late in the library to deepen my knowledge or at the Clubhouse hanging out with other students, being in UCD made me feel like I was part of a community. I met so many amazing people who I am still lucky to call my friends today. 

The one piece of advice I would give myself if I was starting the degree again is to trust the process. In simple words, do the best you can, but do not get too overwhelmed by the choices or potential pathways that might not even be available to you yet. I could not even imagine that I would be working as a civil servant in the Irish government, but everything worked out perfectly and even though it might sound corny, looking back I would not change anything about my time in UCD."