The city of Derry/Londonderry is full of talented young people, and nobody fits that description better than local Derry girl, Catriona Walsh.
In her 21 years, Catriona has accomplished things many people can only dream of.
Catriona got involved in an organisation called ‘Get Into Film’ during her time at St Mary’s College in Derry, ‘I got involved in ‘Get Into Film’ when I was 17, my Moving Images teacher sent a link into our whatsapp groupchat.’
Through Get Into Film, Catriona conducted an interview on a red carpet in London, with the stars of ‘Last Christmas’, ‘it was like being on a reality show. I wasn’t sure it was what I wanted to do… I got the news stepping onto a stage doing a TED talk.’
Catriona’s professional highlight is ‘I recently interviewed someone in a secondary school, and I find secondary school intimidating, that age group. Fourteen or fifteen year old me couldn’t picture me doing that- it was a personal succession.’
When asked what advice she would give to someone entering the media world Catriona said she would tell them three things, ‘Always believe in yourself… I saw something recently that someone had said, opportunities don’t arrive unless you are ready for them.’
She stated her most important piece of advice would be to ‘Never go into anything wanting to win something. How well of an interview can I do? And what do I want to get out of it?’
‘If you have prepared everything else will fall into place.’
Catriona suffers with dyslexia and was only diagnosed in Year 11, whilst sitting her GCSEs. She turned this into an opportunity and has delivered two TED talks, one on how she dealt with being diagnosed as dyslexic and how much she struggled before being diagnosed, the second TED talk was on ‘being a girl.’
When asked what her professional goal would be Catriona said, ‘Oh it would have to be working on Blue Peter, without a doubt. I’ve always wanted to in some capacity.’
I conducted this interview in March, I heard from Catriona last week that she has now been given the opportunity to work on Blue Peter in the coming weeks and she ‘can’t wait!’
Catriona Walsh is a phenomenal young woman, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for her. catriona walsh interview final – Made with Clipchamp_1683734874364.mp4
Kate Harkin 
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