Saul Mezzapelle

Teamwork: I am adept at working in a team environment both in an academic and work setting In fourth year, there was a group assignment to create a mock radio show with pre recorded radio packages mixed in with live on air presenting and interviews After each individual's role was clearly outlined, we discussed as a team what content we could get to make us stand out and how we could use our own individual skills to help each other I decided to make a package on the EU-Mercosur trade deal and its impacts on Limerick farmers as this was a topical issue at the time After being put in contact with a farmer from another team member, I got to work on the package I also had the role of presenter alongside another team member, so we had to co-ordinate a script together to ensure a coherent and entertaining broadcast was achieved Our group worked well together as we had a diverse range of various skills

Initiative: In fourth year, we did a television broadcast module in which I was in charge of creating a TV package As part of this role, I was responsible for 2 team members who were part of the crew Although we had a few weeks to complete this project, I decided to start work on it immediately I had read a story about a pub saved from closure by locals efforts to raise money to keep it open, and thought it was a good story, so my group and I got in contact with the owners, shot and edited the package within the first week of the 5 week module While minor changes were requested, the package received positive feedback

Problem-solving: One of my first lessons in problem solving came in first year of college when I had to overcome the problem of meeting a deadline in a group project where multiple members were not pulling their weight The project involved creating effective solutions to problems in a fictional country, using real world examples and sustainable development goals One particular group member was not attending any of our group meetings, and frequent contact efforts by me and my peers were ignored, while another group member showing up only sporadically This caused problems as our group fell behind schedule As the weeks went by, we were at serious risk of not meeting the assignment deadline, so the 2 other students who were meeting frequently and I had to take on more work to make up for the absentee members We hastily met up to analyse the unfinished work that had been assigned to the other 2 members, and re-distributed it among the 3 of us While it was not ideal, with some drive and determination, we completed the project to a high standard just in time, and received an A1 grade