The Product of Education & Perseverance

My dad, Eamonn Dowling, turned 93 this week. While he’s spending time in California this winter, I find myself reflecting that I would not have had my fulfilling career and be living this great life without his foresight, his determination, his (at times tough) love and his constant encouragement.

The early journey was rocky and I didn’t always make it easy, but deep down I always knew I could depend on his unwavering support and belief in my potential.

Eamonn started his own working life at age 14 in Dublin’s General Post Office, missing the opportunity to complete secondary school, never mind university. Despite the circumstances, he was determined that his kids would have every opportunity to get an education and realize their potential.

When I wanted to leave secondary school at 15, he was having none of it. I would finish in a new school in a new town, away from the local environment that was contributing to my low aspirations. I wasn’t happy about this situation and, with typical teenage attitude, I gave him the silent treatment for the best part of a year.

When I said I had no intention of going to college, but knowing my strength in math and science, he dangled a few ideas. He posited that computers were ‘up and coming’ and brought me to see the post office’s new computer center. I was hooked after I wrote my first ‘hello world’ program. I went on to earn a computer science degree from Trinity College Dublin.

When I was offered a job in California upon graduation, he encouraged me to jump at the opportunity given my poor prospects in the face of the 17% unemployment rate and a fledgling tech industry. His encouragement was unwavering despite the prospect of me making a permanent life overseas (but ever hopeful I would return).

While this might sound like ‘do as I say not as I do’, Eamonn eventually got his turn. With a curious mind and a lifelong learning attitude he attended UCD with ‘life credit’, graduating with his qualification in genealogy and heraldry after retiring from a 46-year career in public service which, incidentally, included a number of years in the department of labor providing career support services for early school leavers.

Eamonn went on to publish two history books and was the contributing author on many more, in addition to numerous published articles on genealogy and related topics.

So, thanks Dad! You’ve been an inspiration. I could not have had such a fulfilling and fruitful career without your perseverance and inspired guidance in those early days which also paved the way for three additional humans to gain a great education on their own life journeys.

Oh yeah, and sorry for that year of silent treatment ??.