Joseph Cashell, Secondary Science Teacher

10 Mar 2022

"To a lot of employers out there, a physics degree seems to be seen as a problem-solving degree and almost every industry needs a problem-solver every now and then."

Current job title:

Secondary Science Teacher

What appeals to you most about your current role?

I enjoy teaching science at this level (lower secondary) as the kids are fun to work with and are so amazed by a lot of the concepts I get to teach.

Course/subjects studied in UCC and year of graduation:

BSc Astrophysics, graduated 2013.

MSc Physics (Photonics), graduated 2015.

What influenced or helped you decide to study this degree?

I was always a quizical child and as my questions got more fundamental physics was the subject that answered them, it only seemed natural I go on to study it in university.

Most relevant main or subsidiary topic studied:

I guess seeing as I went on to become a teacher, PALS (Peer-Assisted Learning Support) was one of the most relevant things I did in my time in university even if it wasn’t technically a module but it was my first real teaching experience.

Best memory of UCC:

Since I was in UCC for nearly six years, it is really hard to pick one but I was always a big fan of lunches in Kampus Kitchen (which I’ve heard is no more, being replaced by the Ted Neville cafe).

What role do you feel UCC played in getting you to where you are today?

Well I guess providing me with the degree would be the biggest and most important role but UCC didn’t really have any part in my decision, that was quite the fluke really though funnily enough I did meet the now former UCC president, Michael Murphy in Hanoi in 2016.

Brief overview of work history (to highlight the path to where you are now):

Masters Student/Researcher, Tyndall National Insitute, Cork, Ireland:
Oct 2013 - Apr 2015

Wellspring International School Hanoi, Ha Noi, Viet Nam:
July 2015 - May 2017

Vietnam Australia School Hanoi, Ha Noi, Viet Nam:
August 2017 - May 2019

What advice would you give to current students that are about to graduate/enter the job market?

Don’t think the only thing a physics degree can get you is a research or industry position. To a lot of employers out there, a physics degree seems to be seen as a problem-solving degree and almost every industry needs a problem-solver every now and then.

Any links to work profiles / LinkedIn etc you would like to share:

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/joseph-cashell-18a44597

Any other comments you wish to share:

Join Physoc, I’m happy to see that they’re still doing a great job!