deiseanna gairme in institiúide an AE

Employer Insights Getting the job

When I came out of the Botanic Gardens, I went to work in Holland for the summer and when I came back, I joined a Landscaping firm. This was in the early 1979/80 when the economy was not as buoyant as it is now. We were working on dusty sites, doing landscaping and lawns.

When the weather got bad, you were let go and got a pound an hour "wet time". I remember standing in out of very heavy rain one day in an industrial unit, reading the paper. I saw a job for a Sales Rep to sell horticultural machinery, chainsaws, lawnmowers, golf course equipment etc. I applied for and got the job as an indoors Sales Rep.

It was a great learning curve, I got training in sales, and I was selling equipment related to the industry I was in. That was one of the reasons I got the job as a result of my background in horticulture. That was great training, and I really enjoyed it. I was getting on very well with that job, but when the weather was good (around March/April) I really missed being out in the fresh air.

Within a short period of time it turned out that the company ran into bad financial difficulties, and they let about eight people go and as I was one of the last in, I was also let go. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it gave me the impetus to set up on my own.

I went out and started working for myself then. It was a big decision for me. I was lucky to get onto a Start your Own Business course, run by the Irish Productivity Centre and FAS. The course was excellent, it ran over sixteen weeks - eight weeks of lectures and practicals, and the second eight was about getting it off the ground.

It was great doing that, and I had a job I used to do on a Saturday. I managed to get another contract for a couple of days a week shortly afterwards, and I just built it up from there. That's really how my own Landscaping Business got off the ground.

Paul DowlingHorticulturist I applied to an advert via a recruitment agency. My experience at the time was a good match for the role required. Des LalorWind Engineer When I started looking for a job I subscribed to a UK-based weekly list of academic jobs. As lecturers tend to work in specialised areas I did anticipate that I would have to work abroad for a number of years, to gain experience and wait for a job to become available in Ireland.

Fortunately, I was nearing completion of my doctorate as DCU Business School entered into significant expansion. I heard about my job through a number of sources - it was advertised both in the Irish Times and on the DCU website.

At that point I was getting the Times every week, as were my parents. I was also told about by a fellow PhD student in Trinity, who was also working in DCU. I applied by filling in an application form, which was available on the web. I was given the opportunity to include additional pertinent information, so I sent in an extra document to accompany the form.

In this I emphasised the fact that my research interests were complementary to those of members of the HRM/Organisational Psychology group, as well as to those of the Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Research Center. I was also excited at the prospect of joining the Business School as it entered a dynamic expansion phase.

The selection process had two components, which were a few days apart. First I had to come in and make a presentation. This was to assess my teaching and communication skills. There was a panel with the Head and Professor of the Human Resource Management and Organisational Psychology Group, which I was applying to join; the Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning; an external representative; and a representative from the Human Resource Department.

In the next stage, I had an interview with what seemed a big panel at the time. The Dean of the Business School, the Professor of HRM, the Head of the HRM and Organisational Psychology group, two external Professors and a representative of the HR group asked me questions about why I wanted to work in DCU; my teaching and research experience and philosophy; course design and delivery.

The panel made an obvious effort to make me feel comfortable, but I was still pretty nervous - I really wanted to work here!

I was contacted by telephone two weeks later and was told that they would like to offer me the job. The offer was quickly followed by a formal letter and contract.

The decision to take the job was easy. I had also applied for and been offered two other jobs - one in Ireland and one in the UK. But DCU had a very clear fit with my research interests, I was very impressed by their strategy and I'd really enjoyed meeting my potential colleagues through the interview process. I had really enjoyed being in college in Trinity so moving into a similarly welcoming and collegiate culture was very important to me. Aoife Mc DermottLecturer After I completed my time as an apprentice, I was being offered opportunities to take on more responsibilities in the work I was doing and it progressed to assisting the site manager. Colin ButterlySite Manager - Trade Entry I sent my C.V. and a cover letter to the school. Paul GalvanResource Teacher I had heard in the papers that St. Michael's were hiring people. Once I called to enquire I was sent out an application form which I filled in and then I was called for interview about a month later.

I felt that went well, it was with 3 women working high up in the organisation and I relied a lot on previous experience and gave examples of how I would work in a certain situation.

This seemed to be what they were looking for and so about 3 weeks later they offered me the job. I accepted it but they didn't start me for another month!

I had to go for a medical also before I started. Naoise PyeSocial Care Worker I started my own company, Celtic Catalysts Brian KellyScience Entrepreneur A Customer Service Manager role is a hybrid between a contact centre manager and an insurance service manager. In order to show I was capable of such a diverse and dynamic position, I began looking at ways to build the required skills and knowledge.

In June 2014, I Began a QQI certificate in contact centre management, this helped me develop new skills such as scheduling, forecasting and Workforce management needed in a busy contact centre like ours.

I’m also studying towards my MDI qualification with the III to give me a competitive edge and improved technical competency in insurance and insurance products. Nicole FeigheryCustomer Care Manager

I was studying in the college in Greencastle, and I feel in love with he place and the community. I put myself out there and got to know a lot of the locals and then I was offered the job on the Northern Celt that way.

The college really helped introduce us to different people within the industry which helped then when it came to looking for a job. Jobs on boats are not normally advertised the traditional way online it’s all about who you know and your own experience. Daniel Walsh Trainee Engineer/Deckhand The job was advertised in the paper and on the council website. I filled in the application, waited patiently for an interview, and happy days, here I am. Maria O'NeillCivil Engineer I did a Diploma in QA in NUI Galway which was fulltime until one got a Tuesday to Friday work placement. I got a placement in a chip manufacturing entity in Dublin. After this year long diploma, courtesy of my mother spotting a job advertisement, I got a permanent job in Iarnrod Eireann in the Technical Department in Inchicore Works, where locomotives, carriages, etc. are maintained.

I was involved in many interesting projects, mostly specifying and buying vehicles, e.g. the first Arrows, and this made me competent in contracts and legal issues relating to procurement. I was there from 1992 to 1997 and left primarily for a change and for more money!

I then worked for a number of years through agencies working for various pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, a year here, a year there, and the work, surprisingly, was like the previous railway work: specifiying and procuring; only this time it was things like high-speed Tube-filling machines, etc. Next, out of the blue, I got a call from a businessman who had gotten my name from Iarnrod Eireann and he offerred me a car, nice salary and a permanent sales engineering job, selling Bus, Truck and Railway parts, with the CIE companies being my main customer. That was interesting but hectic. A

fter one year, again I was appraoched (as opposed to applying) and was asked (because of a lack of people with railway engineering experience) if would I be available to supervise the manufacture of the Luas Vehicles in France! Of course I was! That was 18 years ago and, a couple of years after my return from France, I was made permanent and promoted to Rolling Stock Manager. 18 years later and I'm still here! Ciaran MacSamhrainEngineer - Transport Infrastructure Ireland Community Policing was an area that always interested me and when a vacancy came up, I applied through my Sergeant and my application was accepted. Niamh BriggsGarda Prior to my current role, I was team coach of the Finance Operations area for three years and when the opportunity for promotion arose, I put myself forward.

I completed an interview with the Operations Manager and one week later I was offered the position. My predecessor had over 40 years’ experience and I was very lucky to have him as a mentor. With his guidance and support, I felt I was ready to take on the challenge. Sarah TenantyFinance Operations Initially I got a phone call from Chairman of the  Board of Management (B.O.M.) to take a subbing position in the school. That then became temporary some six months later. The job was then advertised and I applied for it.

The interview panel consisted of the Chairperson of the B.O.M, a retired Primary Principal and a Bishop's nominee as this was a diocesan school. I was questioned about the school, its ethos, how I would teach certain subjects and my extra-curricular interests.

I was told that I was successful through a phone call from the Chairperson. Deirdre SayersPrimary School Teacher While in college, a recruiter came into my college to discuss working at sea and within the first 5 minutes of the presentation I was sold and haven't looked back since. I had an interview a few weeks later and a practical assessment and a public speaking exercise. I then received an email telling me I would be contacted soon if I was successful. Low and behold, the phone rang and it was that day my life completely changed. I went and did 6 weeks intense training in London in all aspects of beauty for the company and learned their way of doing treatments etc. Kate WalshBeauty Therapist I applied through publicjobs.ie and was guided through the process. Mark Spain Garda Trainee I applied in the last recruitment campaign in December 2013. I passed all assessments and test and was invited to Garda College in Templemore for a 34 week training period, which I enjoyed a lot. Emilia GilroyGarda Sat beside a Davy Exec a rugby match. He invited me for an interview and the rest is history. Richard KinsellaManaging Director I was approached through the University of Limerick by Northern Trust to do an interview for their co-op programme. I was successful in my interview and was offered a chance to do my co-op with them which I gladly accepted. I really enjoyed my co-op and was then offered a chance to come back to Northern Trust upon completion of my final year of college. Jack BarryAnalyst, Transfer Agency Luckily I made my way up through the ranks within my company since I finished college. I completed my work experience with the company and they asked me to return once I completed the course. Aidan MaherSite Manager - Grad Entry Main challenges Time management & Self accountability Barry McEnteeChartered Physiotherapist Ensuring any parts designed is produced to a high standard and changes are properly conducted after inspection. As a Design Engineer, my role has a great deal of responsibility in the entire process of the project. Kevin O'HaganDesign Engineer Training and riding horses is extremely time consuming and it is the clock that I guess I feel the most pressure from. Particularly in the winter when the weather and the dark evenings make the days very short. Horses don't wear watches and there is no substitute for time and patience when training them. Trying to allocate time equally to all the horses I have to ride can be difficult. Luke DreaEvent Rider One of the biggest challenges is lack of awareness of our location and region by the International market, we rely heavily on our International Coach Tour Customers and this has been a challenge in attracting new customers to schedule this area. The lack of accommodation in the area also poses as a challenge. Catherine O'Grady PowersOwner Gleenkeen Farms

The rising costs across accommodation, dining and activities in Ireland are making it increasingly challenging to offer clients exceptional value for their incentive trips. While the country’s unique charm and premium experiences remain a draw, balancing budget constraints with the high standards expected by incentive groups has become a delicate task.

 

Hannah Smyth Events Programme Coordinator Attending to emergency situations where you are expected to act rapidly in a dangerous environment with a wide range of different people, some of whom may be hostile to you (e.g. in a riot or fight), also working with people in distress and taking decisions that will affect life and livelihoods and sometimes on the basis of incomplete and ambiguous information. Rasaq FaladeGarda Reserve

Over the past year, the main challenge but equally an opportunity, has been putting The Heritage back on the map for MICE business, our combined efforts have been successful but we still have more to cover moving forward in different locations such as the UK and Europe which we will be actively targeting next year.

 

Jack FitzsimonsDirector of Sales & Marketing I don’t find the work challenging. I am proud of my country and I love meeting clients and showing them around the wonderful place that we live. When I hear the ‘wow’ from clients when they get their first site of Kylemore Abbey or the Long Room in Trinity College, my heart bursts with pride. Neal DohertyPrivate Driver Guide Each child is different and has his or her own difficulties. In a class of nine their may be as many as nine dramatically different levels of reading/ writing/ spelling ability. Knowing at what level to pitch a lesson can be challenging. This is why we practice a lot of group work/ games and learning activities in this school to meet the needs of the children, and ensure they are working within their own abilities while still being challenged and motivated Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs The main challenges of my job(s) are managing multiple projects, many staff members and a variety of duties at the same time. There is often too much work for the small number of staff at SOSA or at MCSS, so we have to be very organised and efficient to do everything properly. My jobs are also quite varied, so I have to be able to wear many hats at the same time. This means that I have to be able to think as a leader, scientist, a diplomat, a manager and a friend at the same time, which can be quite demanding.

Finally, I also have to point out that even in this day and age, there are people that are sceptical of a young woman trying to push through to new boundaries and leading big projects. I constantly have to prove myself to others, especially the older generation here in Slovakia. I will not let it daunt me or put me off of my goals whatsoever. It is, however, another obstacle sometimes when trying to set up collaborations or negotiate with those people. Michaela MusilovaMission Control Space Services The main challenges include managing staff schedules, recruitment, maintaining high service standards, handling guest feedback, staying on top of stock and budgets. It’s a demanding role, but with the right support and mindset, it’s incredibly rewarding. Amy Brady Hotel Spa Manager Husband is in full time education and I am the only earner. Staying focused and keeping it going through very tough times. Staying positive. Liz ChristyTextile Design/Handweaver It’s a strange thing to say in 2020 but in a “normal” year, the high volume of visitors in July and August and the demand for tickets and tours is challenging and requires high front of house customer service skill. Mary Jo SheridanTourism Manager - Dublinia The main challenges revolve around trying to ensure that you are achieving the best learning outcomes for students. Prioritising learning needs for students can be challenging, as there are often subtle learning difficulties which can prove difficult to target.

Encouraging positive self esteem in students with SEN is another challenge, as often students with SEN feel left behind. This can result in behavioural issues and low self esteem.

Lastly, special education is an evolving area of expertise and there is a need to continually update skills and keep abreast of current research and best practice. Continual professional development is very important for a resource teacher. Paul GalvanResource Teacher Working in a fast-paced environment can also be challenging at times. It is an environment that demands high productivity at high standards.  Laura FinneganProcess Development Engineer Extreme multitasking is a challenge, but it’s also exciting. Being self-employed means that you can’t just leave it to someone else. You can draw on support, and I do, but you have to set that support up. Dr. John Francis LeaderCounselling Psychologist As you can imagine, there is a lot of administrative work that goes with project management and this is particularly true when you are dealing with flight hardware and safety to crew. Neil MurreyAerothermodynamics and Propulsion Design Engineer The financial markets always move on to the next theme once the current outlook is priced in, so one always needs to be ahead of the market, keep an eye on potential risks and anticipate how the market would react to them. I guess this explains the long hours on the desk. Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader

As with most jobs there is the continuous challenge of working to client deadlines while trying to ensure that high standards are maintained at all time. 

Maria O'NeillCivil Engineer One of the main challenges in my role is keeping up with the detailed data tracking, monitoring energy consumption, carbon emissions, and water usage accurately and consistently. Also, balancing the demands of sustainability initiatives alongside my other responsibilities means I need to stay organized and adaptable, which helps me grow professionally. Sissyane Rodrigues Sustainability Leader - The Sandymount Hotel Typical day No two days are the same but my typical working hours are from 8.30 – 5.30 each day.

I compile a “to-do” list every evening before leaving the office and I prioritise what needs to be done each morning.

My days would mainly consist of making /receiving phone calls and sending/receiving emails, attending meetings and interactions with my team. I very rarely get through all items in any given day and for that reason prioritisation of tasks is key. Sarah TenantyFinance Operations

A typical day in my role is never quite the same, as it depends on weather, sea conditions, and the survey plan. Most mornings start with a quick breakfast and coffee before helping to prepare the boat to leave the dock or anchor, this can involve handling lines, checking equipment, and making sure everything is secure. I’ll then meet with the skipper to agree on the day’s plan, including the survey areas we want to cover.

Once we set off, I begin the survey work by starting up the computer and software that tracks our continuous GPS location. I also brief the crew, outline the day’s objectives, and organise them into a rotating watch system for spotting marine life. Whenever a sighting occurs, I’m notified immediately so I can record the details, take photographs of the species, and log the information accurately.

At the end of the day, once we’ve returned to dock or dropped anchor, I review all the photographs, cross-check them with my records, and ensure the data is stored properly. After that, the crew and I share a meal together onboard. Evenings are usually relaxed, often ending with a card game or a board game, before getting an early night ready to start again the following morning.

While the work can be demanding requiring focus, organisation, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions, the reward comes in the unique experiences at sea, contributing to meaningful conservation research, and the sense of camaraderie with the crew.

Patrick KinnairdMarine Biologist Every day starts the same…I look at two things: 1. Bloomberg’s “5 things you need to know to start your day” and 2. my “to-do” list in Excel. Everything in my to-do list is colour-coded, depending on how urgent it is. I have a plan for every day but I rarely complete the tasks I had intended to as you’ll get an “urgent” email / call / Teams message from a colleague or client that interrupts your plan and it goes from there! I find prioritising is a major part of every day, with the most “urgent” task on my list changing as the day goes on.

My day-to-day work entails preparing meeting papers for upcoming client meetings, progressing actions from previous client meetings and responding to emails. People management consumes a chunk of my time – with a growing client base and a few people moving internally within Mercer, hiring is also a feature of my role.

I find my days busy and I have to be flexible and willing to adapt when unexpected issues arise during the day. While sometimes, I do crave 2 uninterrupted hours to focus on a particular task, I really enjoy regularly interacting with colleagues and clients alike. If I have a client meeting on a particular day, I’ll set aside some time to prep for that. Deadlines are a key feature of every day. You need lots of energy to stay on top of everything, monitor deadlines and ensure tasks are progressing well. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant

As a pilot in the Air Corps, a 'days work' is usually very different from day to day. We are required to fly a number of jobs each day with many different customers. Each will present different timings, a new challenge...some rewarding and some more mundane.

Our official working hours are from 9-5 but due to the nature of the job this changes regularly!! Each morning at 9am we have a morning brief. This includes a weather brief, an update of what aircraft are serviceable and a briefing on the days operations.

Each day we would have a number of flying jobs to be completed. These range from Troop transport, air ambulance, VIP transport, surveys, area reconnaissance's, etc. Generally flying crews are assigned to these jobs and are required to liaise with those involved to organise timings/locations/number of passengers, etc.

Once all is organised, the jobs will be completed as requested by the customer. Each job requires the pilots to make difficult weather calls, which can lead to pressurised decisions and some very challenging flying conditions. So each day presents a number of new challenges, pressures, and requires solid decision making. This makes the job very exciting for me!

All jobs that are completed successfully are quite rewarding! It is rare that somebody can get up in the morning and look forward to going to work...

Oisin McGrathLieutenant - Pilot - Air Corp

I got an opportunity to move to a workforce organisational design role in our chief technology office which is leading the development of a strategy for new and existing workforce. In the CTO, we provide the wider AIB Group with thetechnology and data solutions that enables the AIB Group to back our customers so it’s a really great area to work in.

It might sound cliché but no two days are the same.

Sabrina StauntonDesign & Strategy Development Manager AIB No day is ever the same. Tasks vary (preparing policy documents, speeches, giving input to meetings). Deadlines can be very short. One has to learn to cut corners, be resourceful and smile. Fergal DonnellyEuropean Commission My day starts at 8:30am. I am part of the System Admin team. We are responsible for providing robust cloud infrastructure to engineering teams, automating processes, configuring hardware and troubleshooting infrastructure related issues. During my day, I assign myself tasks from our backlog. The highest priority tasks are issues and I would troubleshoot these issues first. In the afternoon, my team meets for our scrum call and we provide an update on our tasks and discuss any open items. My day ends at 5:30pm. Lynda O'LearySystems Engineer My typical day would consist of catching up on work emails, communicating with my colleagues in multidisciplinary team (psychiatrists, psychiatry nursing staff, occupational therapist, social worker, other psychologists) about any updates and planning my day. I would see some clients for individual, family or group work. This could be an assessment or psychological intervention such as psychotherapy. I host training placement, so I would meet with a psychologist in training for a supervision. I would attend an MDT meeting where we develop and review integrated care plans for our clients. I write healthcare notes and check emails again. I may make some phone calls if needed. Dr Katarina TimulakovaSenior Clinical Psychologist I'm in the office at 7:30 while the Asian market is still open, work throughout European trading hours and the US morning session and leave around 18:30. Every day is different, depending on the market price action, data releases, political events and our client meetings. The themes we follow change from macroeconomics to geopolitics to commodities and lately even epidemiology! Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader The best thing about the job is there is no typical day. This was probably the biggest draw for me to the job. I love the unpredictable nature of it and that we can get called to any incident at any time.

Some days when it is extremely busy I find we are very reactive due to the high volume of calls. Other days when it is a bit quieter we can be more proactive and we can get out and prevent incidents from happening before they unfold. Peter CliffordProbationer Garda Scientific research is a cycle of a) devising an experiment to find the answer to a particular question, b) running that experiment - whether on a computer or in an experimental laboratory, c) analysing the results and d) publishing your conclusions. A typical day depends on where in this cycle you are and, of course, you could be trying to answer several questions at once! A typical day for me includes reading the relevant literature to see what people already know, using computer code to model the properties of new materials, and writing up my methods and results so that I can communicate them to my colleagues. Nuala CaffreyResearch Fellow in Computational Physics

My day usually starts at 8:00 AM with a walk around the hotel to check in with the teams working that day. At 8:45 AM, we have a morning stand-up meeting with all department heads and the General Manager. This is a great chance for everyone to discuss the day’s plans, any challenges we’re facing, and work together on solutions.

After the meeting, I spend some time checking my emails and getting updates. I then focus on guest interaction during the late morning, especially during the busy check-out period, helping the team as needed. Once the check-out rush settles, I join the accommodation team for a walk through the floors and rooms, ensuring we’re consistently delivering a high-quality product.

Depending on the day, I may attend operational meetings or spend time tackling administrative tasks. One of my favourite parts of the job is meeting guests as they arrive, sharing the unique experiences Mount Juliet Estate has to offer.

No two days are the same, and the variety keeps things interesting it’s honestly somewhat addictive. I finish my day with another walk around the hotel, ensuring the teams are set up for a successful evening and offering assistance where needed.

Liam Ryan Rooms Division Manager - Mount Juliet Estate Some days can be very busy. In personal sales we look after Personal Loan, Credit Card, and Overdraft Applications. Some days, I need to do a lot of admin work on applications. All in all, the day normally goes by quickly! Sarah TuiteAIB Sales Advisor A typical day can vary a lot, but generally consists of activities such as writing code, analyzing data, and researching and applying machine learning and mathematical techniques. However, we follow the Agile working process, so every day there are standup meetings where everyone gives an update on what they've been working on, and every other week we have planning and review meetings Catherine AhearnData Scientist I start my day with a shift handover from the previous shift to get an update on process status for each product.  I have a team of six pharmaceutical technicians reporting to me so I try to spend time with them to plan their day.  We then have update meetings with other department managers, and spend the rest of the day ensuring the smooth running of each process, answering technical questions, scheduling maintenance work, troubleshooting, and report writing. Rachel BennettIndustrial Pharmacist My work is very personal as I am with up to 5 clients for a full day touring and showing the wonderful places in the west of Ireland from the Cliffs of Moher to Yeats Country in Co Sligo. I pick up the clients from their accommodation, do my intro in Irish then in English and start with a funny ‘thought for the day’ to get the tour up an running. My commentary covers all aspects of everything Irish: history, music, literature, government, weather, television, movies, actors you name it we talk about it. I also like to find out more about the clients and their life in the US. It’s a two way conversation. Apart from the payment, it is gratifying to get five star reviews from clients following the completion of the tour. Neal DohertyPrivate Driver Guide A lot of my duties as a Revenue Auditor are carried on outside the office, either at the tax payer’s premises or that of their adviser / agent. The Audit process involves me preparing my file following an analysis of the taxpayers tax returns and other information, which allows me to prepare my Audit Plan and I carry this into the initial ( and possible subsequent) interviews with the tax payer and / or their advisers.
I will also examine / analyse the books and records, which will allow me to arrive at my Audit findings, which I will present to the taxpayer and their adviser / agent. Edel ButlerAdministrative Officer Apart from managing the compliance work for my clients, my day also generally involves some ad-hoc work such as assisting with a project, proposal or piece of advice. This work is normally undertaken as part of a team with a partner, director, manager and trainees. Most businesses differ therefore the tax advice we prepare for these businesses differs. This ensures that every day brings a new challenge and a new learning experience.

Before joining Deloitte I did wonder if I would spend my days photocopying and filing however, I have found that even as a trainee I have been given plenty of responsibility. There is no shortage of interesting work to get involved in and there is excellent support with someone always available to answer any queries or concerns I have. Anna Holohan Tax Manager My day in the office typically starts at about 08.30 and ends about 18.00 The activities of the day generally fall into one of 3 categories
(i) Planning
(ii) Reporting and
(iii) Problem solving.

Typically the day involves lots of meetings - these can range from meetings with other members of the management team, to meeting with investors, existing and potential customers, lawyers, accountants and bank managers.

Generally speaking these meetings revolve around getting and providing updates on the progress of the Company compared against the objectives set out in the Company's business plan. Often times these meetings will inform the next iteration of the business plan itself and the strategies the Company must employ to achieve these objectives.

During busy periods I would often take work home in the evening and at weekends - but as I said earlier I am getting better at achieving a proper work/life balance. Brian KellyScience Entrepreneur

A typical day for me it really depends on what type of tour you are doing. For example I could be doing bus tours which is bringing a group of people from A to B safely all while enjoying themselves. This would involve telling them about the area we are traveling through the history, folklore and key points targeting the points of interests all while making it light hearted. My goal really is to treat everyone like a friend not a history lesson they are the holidays and want to enjoy themselves and by the end I have a bus load of friends. I tell them good places to eat, answer any questions they have, make sure they know a return time to the bus and where to get it and everything in between.

Some days I could be doing food tours, describing the local cusine, other days I could be doing walking tours. Every tour you do , you have to take into consideration the type of group you have are they elderly , any mobility issues, are they students, is there first time in Ireland, where are they from,  everything you can think off and all of this will allow for a more enjoyable day for everyone.

Pressures can present themselves in different ways. Time management definitely is one of the most important things for me you want them to have the best possible day and hit there itinerary with what they have planned to do. It's so important to stick to this or adjust it in ways that guests enjoy themselves and they are getting the full experience. Some things can go wrong that's out of your control, diversions on the road, bus break downs, guests falling etc Your dealing with the public anything can happen.

I find that you prepare yourself as best you can for all scenarios but most of all remain calm and collected the last thing you want is guests to feel stressed. So go with the flow things will happen but at the end of the day if everyone is happy and they enjoyed themselves that is the most important thing. Nicole McGuireFreelance Tour Guide Further training... I am currently participating in the Digital that Delivers course with Failte Ireland. I have two modules completed and am working on the Website module at present. Neal DohertyPrivate Driver Guide As above I’m currently doing the FCII and a degree in International Finance & Banking. I’m also participating in a number of internal Aon courses. Karl CurranAssociate Director The training I have undertaken includes a very basic computers course before my first computer purchase, a Monaghan County Enterprise Board business skills course, training with Fáilte Ireland and a Leader funded website and internet skills course/2.0 skills course. 

I am also embarking on stage two of the Leader funded Web2.0 skills course with a view to attaining digital media skills to market and develop online aspect of business.  Liz ChristyTextile Design/Handweaver I have received training on the use of the interactive whiteboard as a tool for teaching. 

Inservice days on new (1999) primary school curriculum. 

I have participated in many courses on Gaelic Games run by the local G.A.A. Club 'Kilmacud Crokes'.

Currently I am studying in U.C.D. on a Masters in Education programme. Brian CadiganPrimary School Teacher Yes, I believe in continuous learning and seeking new challenges. There are always industry events, projects, trainings as well as online education opportunities. Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader I am currently studying for a BA in Social Studies (Disability). My organisation offers on the job training to the staff on an ongoing basis. This enables staff to update and expand their skills. Deirdre LavelleCare Assistant I intend to sit my Sergeant Exams this year. Niamh BriggsGarda I will take any opportunity that arises in the future. Aishling ButlerGarda Trainee Ongoing training is par for the course within Coillte and I am also currently being coached by my line manager as are many of my colleagues within the BAU. I also hope to take part in a short course on leadership externally over the coming year; this is to purely satisfy my own interest in this subject. Kevin PowerResource Manager

I plan on getting my licence as this is very beneficial to guides in Ireland. Most companies are looking for driver guides so it can be difficult to get employment your options are more limited. So to prevent any limitation this is something I would like to do to upskill my career.

Experience also is huge for upskilling so I'm looking to gain as much experience as possible. I want to get more out on extended tours and experience that side of things. As I am a women and when I have a family I would like to stay at home more so I won't have the opportunity to go on extended tours as much. Therefore now is my time. My end goal potentially is to work on Tourism development programmes with Failte Ireland coming up with ideas , carrying out those ideas etc. I feel if I get first hand experience of what Ireland has to offer while being on the road it will better my knowledge for getting career in Tourism Development programmes. Nicole McGuireFreelance Tour Guide There is always something new to learn. At this time, I’m interested in learning how to evaluate outreach activities in a meaningful way. Karen O'FlahertyScience Communicator Applied Psychologists are trained to work within a reflective-scientific-practitioner model. We also have an ethical responsibility to work within our competency.

This means staying up-to-date with recent developments in the specific areas we are working in. Since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, I have done trainings in a range of therapeutic approaches and assessment tools, as well as supervisor training.

For example, I have done trainings in Compassion Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and Group Schema Therapy. Cal Mc DonaghSenior Clinical Psychologist In this field it is critical to have the most up to date information available to me whether it is fish nutrition, safety, or any other area; hence I am always willing to participate in any training that may become available to me. To date I have completed over forty courses between Marine Harvest and BIM. Hugh Heraghty Fish Farm Manager For now I don’t have any free time for further education however in time I would love to do spa consultancy so will do a course that will help me to break into this field. Melissa JonesGroup Spa Development Manager In all my roles I have had since completed my degree I have had the opportunity to grow and further my learning. I have done courses in leadership, Microsoft skills , finance training and many more. Laura NeillEvent and Engagement Manager I have just begun the Green Belt in Lean Supply Chain Management, which will definitely help me in my current role, this is a programme Musgrave offer jointly with UCC. I have also begun a 4-week Project Management course to understand the basics of this. Later on, I would like to go back and do a Masters to help me with my future roles, but that will be another few years down the line. Denise HarringtonSupply Chain Analyst I would like to learn sign language so I can impart my enthusiastic talks and workshops to the hearing impaired. Deirdre KelleghanAmateur Astronomer In our organisation, continuous learning and personal development are encouraged. As part of my role, I attend training workshops on a regular basis which are facilitated by our learning and development team.

We also have access to an online academy where there is a library of courses available at our disposal. Sarah TenantyFinance Operations I'm planning to undertake a coaching qualification Kathryn ReevesLearning and Development Lead I decided to pursue the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification on joining Deloitte. I had undertaken some lectures with the Irish Tax Institute as part of my Masters in Smurfit and found them to be extremely well organised and professional. I knew that I would have excellent support pursuing my tax qualification.
Deloitte have really supported me in pursuing the CTA qualification. They offered me paid study leave for my exams and in house training sessions which made the experience of sitting my first set of exams as stress free as possible. Anna Holohan Tax Manager Advice if considering this job Take every opportunity that comes your way, don’t be afraid of a challenge. Don’t be afraid to throw yourself into things, you’ll learn on the job. Denise HarringtonSupply Chain Analyst It can take between 7-10yrs to properly qualify so you need to be committed. There is limited work in professional sport in Ireland and this should be factored in when you weigh up the years of study versus the outcome. Anne-Marie KennedyChartered Sport Psychologist It is a very rewarding but also extremely challenging job. It requires a lot of resilience, mental strength, patience and compassion. It means seeing people at their worst in the most difficult circumstances.

It involves making difficult decisions, which will have life changing consequences for the offenders. If you think you have the ability to handle all that, it is a truly great job with amazing opportunities. Emilia GilroyGarda Give your over all life ambitions, style and quality of a life as a major considering factor when trying to make a career choice. Its also never too late to change direction. Ciara Shine Marketing Manager Be flexible and adaptable as sometimes you will be asked to work outside of your comfort zone. Have a good understanding of harvesting and establishment processes before working in this area. Kevin PowerResource Manager In terms of education, people on my team are generally either actuaries or hold the CFA qualification. While I’m an actuary, I would advise anyone setting out on this career path to head down the CFA route. It’s (arguably) more relevant and, while the exams are very challenging, there are “only” three of them, so even if you’re finding it tough, at least the end is always in sight!

Having a genuine interest in markets and the world around us is a big benefit.

As a consultant, you need to enjoy dealing with people. The key skills required are strong communication skills – both with clients and colleagues alike. Team work. I’m lucky to work on a great team in Mercer, with a strong team spirit – I’m surrounded by very professional people who are obliging and keen to help each other out.

In terms of advice, don’t under-estimate the skills you’re developing while still a student – regardless of what career you choose, communication skills are really important. Any presentation you do in school or college is fantastic experience. Any part-time or summer job you have is so helpful in developing really important life-skills that will stand to you in any career e.g. the ability to work well as part of a team, meeting deadlines, prioritising etc. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant Once you’re willing to listen, take advice and work hard there are many options for career paths / future development. Donal KaneConstruction Site Supervisor Anyone considering this job should be ready to work thoughtfully rather than reactively. Also they should be emotionally present and ready to facilitate meaningful conversation. Rasaq FaladeGarda Reserve If you are considering full-time scientific research, try to get a work placement in a university department so you can see first hand what it’s like. It’s a relatively relaxed, flexible environment, but there is a certain degree of self-motivation needed. 

So I would say you need to be able to push  yourself and be proactive in terms of setting up collaborations with other scientists etc. Caitriona JackmanPlanetary Scientist Having planning and organisation skills. Being able to think strategically and foresee and address problems before they happen. Billy LarkinLogistics Coordinator Do not judge the job by your experience in the college. Join the Garda Reserve to gain experience of the outside world. Be yourself and put in the effort to achieve your goals. Steven KilgannonGarda Trainee If it is possible to get some work experience during the summer holidays or weekends, it would be great. Find out if there are any positions (voluntary or otherwise) available in your local IT or University. Get involved in a hobby such as model making, this would be very helpful as it would help with dexterity & impart an understanding of the ways in which different materials interact when assembled together. Sinead KennyDesign Engineer

Look up the Defence Forces website at www.military.ie and talk to serving personnel. If its possible try to visit a barracks.

Tom TooherLieutenant - Army It is essential to be a very patient and organised person. Also you must have a sense of humour, be easy going and not take yourself too seriously. Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs The role is really a portfolio of jobs, so you'd need to be able to vary your skills depending on the situation, be it operational management, people leadership to strategy formulation, etc. Richard KinsellaManaging Director To succeed in this job, you need to be passionate about sustainability, organized, and a good communicator. Being comfortable with data tracking is also important. People often overlook how much teamwork matters, real change only happens when you get everyone involved and inspired. Sissyane Rodrigues Sustainability Leader - The Sandymount Hotel It is a fast-paced environment, and you have to be able to work as part of a team and find creative solutions to unique problems. Megan WalshMechanical Engineer

I think sometimes people think jobs in learning and development are all about delivering training courses but this is usually only one aspect of the role. A big focus of the role is project management, event organisation and designing and selecting relevant learning content. A key skill that is required is the ability to review and synthetize materials and content and to be able to condense these into easily understandable 'chunks' to help people learn something new or change the way they do things.

A passion for learning is obviously important, as is the belief that people aren't 'fixed' - that can learn and grow. I don't think a particular educational background is required, people move into learning from all different education and career backgrounds.

Kathryn ReevesLearning and Development Lead Earth Observation is quite technical and has a number of research opportunities. I’d advise trying to achieve a PhD in Remote Sensing and get comfortable with a variety of computer skills, from coding to databases and cloud computing infrastructure. Also, do not overlook the value of learning to work in teams. Sam FranklinEarth Observation Specialist I would advise them to ensure they enjoy working with young people. If possible try to get some teaching experience; I started out as a substitute teacher before applying for my H Dip in Education. Paul GalvanResource Teacher The lifestyle

I am very happy in my current role as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Heritage, like anyone who has worked in this industry, there are stages when you work in operations and have to do long hours, but I feel that is where a barrier lies from the outside, is the perspective of hospitality being a job that does not allow a lifestyle, I have been fortunate to work in Food and Beverage, Front Office, Guest Relations and now in Sales and Marketing, so my former roles have given me a great appreciation for the operation, but equally now allows me a more structured work week to spend time with family and friends.

Jack FitzsimonsDirector of Sales & Marketing The hours are good, you still have enough time in the evening to follow pursuits which interest you. In the last number of years, I got married abroad, in fact, in Cyprus and my wife and I bought our new home in 2005.

The house has a study/ writing room, to which I go in the evening time. I'm not big on excessive luxuries but we do have a car and like to go on family holidays, usually somewhere hot like Spain. I also have my series of dvd collections, for example 007 movies and cult t.v. shows like 'The Prisoner', which I regularly add to. We also have a lovely garden where the children can play and I can relax, if only!. Jonathan SmythLibrary Assistant Due to the boat tours being a seasonal activity, it doesn’t sustain year-round employment, so I have not given up my job as a marine engineer. Between both jobs it is quite busy but I really enjoy working on the boat tours because I am working close to home. Manus O’BoyleMarine Engineer Yes I’m very happy with my lifestyle. My job is doing something that interests me every day, and Flexi-time allows me to continue doing things I love outside of work at times that suit me, like exercising and spending time with friends. There’s a really great atmosphere in my workplace and people are more like friends than work colleagues, and we have quite a relaxed, yet efficient working environment. Claire PurcellSoftware Engineer Yes it does. Having a work life balance, especially with a young family is curtail. My job’s location (north west of Ireland) allows for a relatively chilled day to day activities, no traffic and affordable housing. Ciara Shine Marketing Manager

There are many opportunities in Ireland in the medical device arena as Ireland could be described as the “silicone valley” of medical devices in Europe. A majority of the large multinationals are located here which means that there are a lot of people with the skills specifically required for the industry.

Most of these multinationals are located in North America, hence we are often required to travel to the US. I have travelled to a number of different countries both during my postgrad & with my job. Also, because people are living longer & have certain lifestyle expectations, there will almost certainly always be a need for new medical devices. Unlike a lot of other industries, this would suggest that there will always be funding available to develop products for new areas. Also as a result of human DNA mapping, more & more diseases will become manageable, possibly through the help of medical devices

Sinead KennyDesign Engineer Yes, I always loved having a routine mid-week. The job has ideal hours of 09:00am – 17:15pm Monday to Friday giving me plenty of free time in the evening for leisure activities such as the gym and sport and with weekends off it enable me plenty of time for socialising, relaxing and spending time with family. Furthermore, the opportunities available within Northern Trust to progress within the company and develop me as a professional keeps me motivated which I feel is very important to a successful career and feeling fulfilled and happy within myself. Jack BarryAnalyst, Transfer Agency Yes! Ray PowerPotter Although both my kids are now grown up in their mid-20’s, balancing life as a working mother was really hard. I don’t think people really understand the pressure working mums of young kids are under. Summer holidays are a nightmare, especially during peak season when you’re at your maximum if you work in any tourism operational role. I spent summers with my kids bundled in the back of the car dealing with coach tour groups and sorting out issues. By the time my kids were 4 & 6, they knew every hotel & attraction in Ireland and the proximity it was to the nearest Smyth’s toys. However, I have always loved my job, the people I have met, the friendships made and the financial security it has afforded me, I feel I am blessed. Caoimhe Moloney-KavanaghCoach Company - Group Operations Director Yes, absolutely. As a busy mum of two daughters, aged 8 and 4, I feel very fortunate to have a career that supports a healthy work-life balance. My role allows me to be present for my family while continuing to grow professionally. This balance wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of my husband and my amazing team - together, we make it work. I also make it a priority to instil a positive work-life balance within my team. I believe that when we feel supported both at work and at home, we thrive - not just as professionals, but as people. Amy Brady Hotel Spa Manager

As a working artist teaching allows me a lot of time to pursue my painting. In the last 5 years I have had time to prepare 4 solo exhibitions - something which would be immpossible in almost any other proffession.

You will never be "rolling in money" as a teacher, however it allows you to have a very comfortable standard of living and the time off to travel and pursue other interests. Also it is a rewarding profession as you get to make a difference in childrens lives, and in the current climate of instability it is a very secure job

Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs

I am very passionate about my work and I feel very fortunate in my career to-date. My work does not ever feel like work because I love and enjoy it so much. Being self-employed can be challenging but I have total flexibility in my working hours to an extent. I can take days off and holidays when I need to. I have gotten to work with the most incredible people and have travelled the world doing what I love.

The work can be unsociable ie. Lots of evening and weekends. Anne-Marie KennedyChartered Sport Psychologist Yes, flexible working hours, managing my own work. I take ownership of my career and job choices. Niamh YatesValidation Engineer I currently work fixed 12 hour shifts, so if I work two days, I get two days off and then can have a lot of time to focus on my own hobbies, and get shopping etc.  However, I’ve only every other weekend off so it can be difficult at times to catch up with friends and family, and to fit in around sporting activities.  Hospital and Community Pharmacy have more ‘normal’ hours in general although being on-call is still expected as is the case with most clinical roles. Rachel BennettIndustrial Pharmacist Yes it does, I am lucky that my career choice heavily overlaps with my personal interests so I guess I am lucky in that sense, there is also a lot of opportunities to travel. Jonathan FaullSpace Social Media and Communications It does. Always room for improvement! Owen HughesManufacturing Technician Yes I’m lucky that Johnson & Johnson are such a fantastic company to work for and that the job enables me to travel a lot which I really enjoy. Donal Og CusackAutomation/Energy Engineer Once you reach a certain level everyone in the room is pretty smart, and so the part of my education that has proven most useful is communications. Being able to present and discuss complex topics amongst your peers is essential and even though it doesn’t seem like it at the time school and college set you up well for this. Shane McDonaghRenewable Energy Engineer I believe it does, my manager always promotes a healthy work-life balance and helps with managing workload and expectations. Ross McKeoghMusgrave Retail Graduate Programme My job makes me very happy as it is a great mix of clinical work, practice development, research, teaching and learning. My children are grown up so I can give time back to psychological community through work in PSI. My lifestyle enables me to pursue love for leisure (sea swimming, cycling, meeting people, travelling). Dr Katarina TimulakovaSenior Clinical Psychologist Whats cool You get to meet and work with a lot of different suppliers in the tourism industry. Billy LarkinLogistics Coordinator I love people management and I love building a rapport with my busiest clients who I’m in frequent contact with. The ability to build strong relationships with clients is important in this job and it’s something I enjoy. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant A good catch, especially when you catch more than a boat thats bigger than yours! When you’re able to fix a possibly life threatening problem out at sea, and continue fishing and you always have plenty of opportunities to do so. Fishing is continuously a test of one’s abilities, so when you are tested and come out successful, it’s good/cool. Liz O'TooleSkipper Responding to Emergency calls is pretty ‘cool’, all the action and the excitement. This can get your adrenaline going, having to think on your feet and getting to use your skills, medications and equipment.

Driving on blue lights and sirens is pretty ‘cool’ too. Although most of the time when you arrive at the scene of an incident, things are bad. However, there are still ‘cool’ times such as delivering a baby in the back of the Ambulance or a car at the side of the road, that can be magic.

It’s a great feeling when you learn new skills or administer new drugs and you can see the patient improving immediately. Keith HayesAmbulance / Paramedic

I love coaching and my digital work. I also enjoy getting to meet with and work with lots of people from lots of different people from across the organisation.

Kerri MartinTraining Development Officer What I enjoy most about my job is the unique opportunity to spend my days at sea, observing whales and dolphins in their natural environment. Sailing around the Irish coast has always been a dream of mine, so being able to do this as part of my work feels incredibly special. It’s a rare combination of science, adventure, and personal fulfilment that I really value. Patrick KinnairdMarine Biologist The cool things are the hours, the time off i.e long summer holidays etc. I like the interaction with children and fellow teachers. There is a great sense of satisfaction in seeing another person develop both academically and emotionally. Deirdre SayersPrimary School Teacher As a Coillte employee, I can experience all aspects of forestry and I am not just restricted to one particular aspect. New forest management systems are currently being introduced within Coillte and it is great to be part of this exciting transformation. There are brilliant opportunities within Coillte at the moment. Kevin PowerResource Manager Getting to meet and work with Astronauts! They are very down to Earth people! Jonathan FaullSpace Social Media and Communications The variety (two days are rarely the same) and the fact that I can control how my career develops. You are given a lot of freedom by the university to research what is most interesting to you, and this can change over time. I think the opportunities for international travel with a stable Irish base are great as well. Dr. Patrick CadwellLecturer

I like it that my job is always challenging and never boring. Throughout the economic cycle, change is constant within financial markets. Interacting with our clients, hearing what it is that they are mostly focused on, allows us to tailor our solutions and be relevant.

Currently as economies are recovering from the pandemic, we are hearing more on how to hedge inflation risks, if house prices are reflecting asset price bubbles and on ESG investing. We have the opportunity to offer guidance and use our expertise to support our customers.

Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader Getting to travel and be part of a team that is good at what they do.  John OglesbyDeck Hand I love getting to sing beautiful music! That makes me so happy. And it's an amazing perk of the job to get to dress up as other people and see the world through their eyes. I also love the achievement of working really hard at something that is technically difficult, and then coming together with other people to make something really beautiful that lots of people can enjoy, as well as the storytelling element that we singers get to use very directly, because of having text to communicate to an audience. Sharon CartyOpera Singer I love lots of things about my job, the friendly/laid-back environment, the people, the place, but most of all I love what I do! Writing code and having something to demo is such a satisfying feeling Claire PurcellSoftware Engineer

I really enjoy representing the hotel at trade events, collaborating with industry colleagues but equally working with my counterparts at FBD Hotels and Resorts, we learn so much from each other as to what is happening in the market, trends and how we are all performing.

 

Jack FitzsimonsDirector of Sales & Marketing It is always varied so the work can be stimulating, interesting and exciting. It can also be stressful, pressurised and tiring particularly when a court case is at hearing but even when it is the diversity and adrenalin rush makes the long hours tolerable! Its often nice to escape the office and go to court for the day for a change of environment! Niamh CacciatoSolicitor Chill is all about making Insurance easier for the customer. As a company, they are always open to new ideas and changes to make us better at what we do. This gives staff the opportunity to improve things and build on ideas that will improve the company and what we do. Nicole FeigheryCustomer Care Manager I get to work on unique and interesting problems in an area I have a strong interest in. Getting to work on engaging machine learning problems means that I never get bored Catherine AhearnData Scientist I love the variety in my job, the people- staff and customers, when its busy and the day fly’s. There are days on my feet when I see on the App I have done over 9000 steps and 30 flights of stairs, just doing my duties and I have days when I’m at a desk all day with a list of tasks to complete and crossing each one off before heading home feels great. I like working in not-for-profit, I work for our visitors and not for shareholders pockets! Mary Jo SheridanTourism Manager - Dublinia Being your own boss a lot of the time, making your own decisions, being able to step out of my back door every morning and stepping into my 1,000 acre office. Kieran MageeFarm Manager - Dry Stock Not so cool

The most difficult parts of the job are competing reporting requirements. There are many reports that have to be done and are essential to certain folks but at this time I feel we should improve these systems as there are too many of them.

Time spent fixing problems would be more beneficial to the company -there I go again, trying to improve the system!

Jonathan PugsleyEnergy Manager As a call centre and a developing business, we are always striving to meet the needs of our customers, part of that is that we operate 6 days a week and open late mid week.

Whilst a lot of insurance brokers operate on a 9-5 basis, this represents a challenge in managing and monitoring a call centre with extended hours. When resourcing the department it can also be difficult to find staff that will commit to shift work. Nicole FeigheryCustomer Care Manager When you don’t perform well it’s not a nice feeling. Ian McKinleyRugby Player Because we work in such a regulated industry there is a lot of paperwork required. This involves validation of the design & all the various processes used to make the product. This represents the uncool aspect of the job but is extremely important as it reduces the potential that a patient will be injured or die as a result of a poor design. Sinead KennyDesign Engineer A school is run on tight budgets and limited supports and this makes management difficult at times. Paul MeanySchool Principal Although you have the excitement and action of responding to calls the reality is when you arrive you have to deal with some horrific things, you will sometimes see people in great distress and suffering. On a positive note though once you get to do your job and use your skills you normally improve things. Keith HayesAmbulance / Paramedic I have thought about this question and have asked a number of my colleagues.... None of us could think of anything that is not 'cool' about our jobs. For me, this is a dream job and I would not change a day of the time spent on the Air Corps so far. Oisin McGrathLieutenant - Pilot - Air Corp There's always parts of any job that can get on your nerves but it's important to remember the positives and not to focus of the negatives. I'm very grateful that the positives far outweigh any negatives at work! Michael McDermottAssociate Director, International Corporate Banking For me personally, the long hours sometimes take their toll - I need to constantly remind myself to get the work-life balance correct. Brian KellyScience Entrepreneur Administration tasks!!! Mary Ita HeffernanSocial Worker I don't have the best work-life balance at my current job, but since the pandemic I'm working from home as well as the office and trying to introduce more flexibility around my working hours. Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader IT problems. Des LalorWind Engineer Not taking time to reflect on your achievements Sara Hickey Assistant Trading Manager Gender, racial and sexual biases in the workplace. Sinead O'Sullivan CEO of Fusion Space Technologies It can be dirty sometimes. Fergal FeehelyApprentice Painter Decorator Some aspects of the job can be quite mundane e.g. checking drug orders but at the end of the day the ward needs the drugs and it is an essential service. Rachel BerryPharmacist I tend to structure my work around what I do like and am a specialist in, so for the most part I like all of what I do! Being self-employed, while offering significant benefits, does require quite a bit of work in terms of admin and financial planning. Dr. John Francis LeaderCounselling Psychologist The time away from home is definitely an endurance. It can be hard at times to be away especially if something has happened at home or even missing a family event. But that being said, If it is something very important or an emergency of some kind, relief’s will be made available and time off granted David FlemingSub Lieutenant - Navy One of the first hurdles I faced was creating a smooth flow of information, so I developed a bespoke complaint handling model to improve the handover process. We’re only ever as good as our last guest experience, so for me, having constant information and feedback across the property is crucial to maintaining our customary Offaly warm welcome and exceptional service. It's essential to keep improving and delivering the best possible experience. Maree O’BrienGuest Experience Manager, Sustainability & Innovation Lead So far I can't say I dislike anything. Things are challenging but you grow to like the tasks. Aishling ButlerGarda Trainee