Today, as we say goodbye to familiar faces and welcome new ones, we look back at our past Presidents, the special individuals that helped shape The Third Eye to the way it is now. We got in touch with Adrian, the co-founder of The Third Eye, Nicky, and Martina, the following two presidents, to share some thoughts about the organisation.
What course were you in during your term as President?
Adrian: B.A Hons. European Studies
Nicky: Mechanical Engineering
Martina: During my term as President I was actually shifting between two different worlds, I started off my term while I was studying law, however by April I had decided that I wanted to change my course as I wasn’t really feeling fulfilled so I started looking for a career which would inspire me to help others, so I set my heart on Psychology. The Third Eye played an important part as it inspired me to learn more about media and showed me the beauty of photography, therefore I enrolled for a B.A in Psychology and Communication Studies.
What are you doing currently?
Adrian: I work in the gaming sector, as a Logistics Associate. Although not directly related to my studies, it allows me to merge my love of sports and apply skills garnered during my time at university.
Nicky: I work as an Engineer and Project Coordinator at Shapelamp.com. We’re a small team trying to revolutionise the way people design and order lights online. I am driven by my passion for creating new things and being at the forefront of digital technology due to new projects at work and since my job involves so many different aspects of business I am constantly exposed to new things and ideas, which I love. In my limited free time, I manage a small side hustle and go diving almost every weekend to relieve some of the stress accumulated during the week.
Martina: Currently I’m focusing on my second year of studies in BA in Psych and Comms. I’m also part of another organisation; SDM and a member of the Salesian Oratory in Sliema where I form part of the PR team. I’ve taken an interest in photography, thanks to Third Eye, and try to capture some shots in my free time.
If you were to describe The Third Eye in one word, what would it be?
Adrian: I guess it would be “dynamic”. When setting up the organisation, we were well aware that anything static in life is bound to become boring over time. To remain relevant, one must always be open to change. Of course, there are things which in hindsight we would not have done, or would have done differently, but we do not regret those decisions. Personally, my only regrets are those things that we never did!
Nicky: Momentous
Martina: Inspirational – throughout the years, this organisation has developed so much, and personally, it has given me the inspiration and motivated me to pursue what I wanted.
How would you say The Third Eye changed from when you first entered?
Adrian: It has grown a lot. In its beginning, we were only a handful of people, and it is never easy to convince people to get on board a project that is still in a very premature state. We were short on money and resources, but we had a lot of ideas, and in some way or another we were willing to implement those ideas.
Today, I see a well-established organisation which has matured. The team managing the organisation is doing an unbelievable job; they have clear concepts, and they know exactly where they went to take the organisation.
Nicky: The Third Eye grew. It grew to become something so much more than a university organisation. The Third Eye is a family that brings people together. Every year new members join the family and give something to it, whilst themselves gaining from others. The Third Eye went from reporting “odd”, “less spoken about”, “controversial” things, to being a voice to students around Uni. I could say that The Third Eye hit the ground running, and hasn’t stopped. Every so often I see new ideas, new people, new topics, and I’d give an arm and a leg to be back at uni with The Third Eye team – and this just shows how far the organisation has come.
Martina: Looking at The Third Eye nowadays, I appreciate how much the organisation has grown since 2017. Each year the executive focused on different aspects in order to elevate the level of the organisation and I am very proud of what the team has managed to accomplish this year despite the challenges faced. The organisation has definitely strengthened it’s identity on campus through maintaining the image and by strengthening the voice it gives to students.
Did you find The Third Eye beneficial to your social and career life?
Adrian: Through The Third Eye, I had various experiences that I would otherwise not have. I think it is fair to say that we were very instinctive back then. There were times when we would meet for an exec meeting at seven in the evening, and extend it till four in the morning. Probably we could have finished those meetings much earlier if we wanted to, but we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. We knew that those days were not going to last forever, so wanted to make the most of them.
Unfortunately, the current situation does not permit students to make the most out of their university experience. I find it sad that students are missing out on a lot of experiences, but the situation is what it is, and health protocols need to be observed. When things get somewhere close to normal, I strongly advice University students to look at University not just as a place from where they will earn their degree, but to perceive it as an alternative home.
My suggestion is that one does not join organisations for the sole purpose of building networks or improving their CV. Those are things that will happen just the same, but they should be an outcome and not a purpose. Only join an organisation if you honestly feel that you can make a difference within that organisation.
Nicky: Yes. So much. I like to say that I got my current job due to The Third Eye. I learnt so many different skills and met so many different people that I learnt from that in addition to the things learnt during my engineering course, made me feel like I was ready for something different than what most of my course mates are doing. You might think that it is just another talking point, but it is not, I made close friends, new experiences, and have some great stories to tell, and in the end that is what matters most to me.
Martina: The Third Eye has actually given me so many enriching experiences and thought me many lessons as well. This organisation sparked an interest in different aspects of media and also in buildings relationships, amongst many other valuable topics, which in reality also led to my course change. It has also given me the opportunity to see certain things from a different perspective, a tool which is found useful in any aspect of life.
It is thanks to these people and their respective team that The Third Eye is where it is now. This organisation shall further blossom into greater things and continue being the voice of the student.
Who do you think is our next president?