deiseanna gairme in institiúide an AE

Employer Insights Getting the job I studied Law and Business and qualified as a Solicitor before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs. Edith DelaneyThird Secretary Desk Officer I applied to Intel after leaving college through their online jobs applications. I applied to an unspecified Process Engineer position and was called for an interview for the planar department a few months later. Rebecca TigheProcess Engineer

I was working in the Energy Sector for another organisation and recruitment agency contacted me about a role working at Fidelity International. At the time I had never considered working in Financial Services so I had to do quite a bit of research to work out how the role would be different from my current role and how I could address that in an interview. I attended four interviews, with my potential manager, her manager and also with people I would be working with.

There was also a personality questionnaire and an aptitude test. It sounds daunting but everyone was really nice and friendly, it also made me realise that working in Financial Services wasn't going to be all that different from working in the Energy sector! There were more similarities than differences.

Kathryn ReevesLearning and Development Lead I went about getting this job by becoming an intern in Jim Higgins’ MEP office after spending a while pestering him. Then, after I developed experience, I was able to apply for this post as Parliamentary Assistant.

I had a series of interviews with the prior staff of the MEP and also with the MEP himself, where I was questioned on my knowledge of European Union law and also my work ethic. Kevin KearyParliamentary Assistant At the moment I am self employed. This is always what I wanted and over the years I have built up a big enough client base to enable me to do this. Luke DreaEvent Rider I started in Intel as a graduate process engineer. My manager asked me during my regular one-on-one meetings, where I envision myself in the group for the upcoming new technology. It was here that I was able to express my interest in the ‘tool install’ area.

It wasn’t until many months later, after I had completed an assignment in the US, that I was asked to move to the Install-Qual group. It was great to evidence the personal interest that my manager had in my career progression to encourage this opportunity and this seems to be a value that Intel actively encourages in management. Darryl DayIQ Engineer I applied for the role having gained experience in Corporate Finance role. I completed my professional Accountancy Exams with BDO and worked in a number of areas within the practice. I applied, successfully completed my interview and secured my first job in Banking. Madonna DalyBusiness Manager Applied for Principalship when the Religious Order running the school decided that lay people should be given a greater role in the management and leadership of the school. Paul MeanySchool Principal It was advertised in a job section on newspaper. I went for a formal interview and received a letter stating my success in getting the position. Within the HSE, a panel of successful applicants is formed after the interviews and this panel usually remains ‘active’ for a year in that there is a chance you may be offered a position within that timeframe. Mary Ita HeffernanSocial Worker I took over my fathers business in 2008, the worst possible time for those in the construction business. We originally had a staff of eight men which was cut back to two, we now have four men employed and we can see further prospects for employment in the near future. Fergal FeehelyApprentice Painter Decorator

I am currently seconded to the National Project Office as an Acting Grade VIII - Operations Manager. The job itself was advertised both by circular and on the internet.

Application for the job was in the form of detailed application form with career history, educational achievements, reasons why you think you are suitable for the job and then the completion of competencies which are essential to the position.

After shortlisting took place, i was invited for interview. The interview itself was structured in format requiring "live" examples of where I met the competencies required for the job. I was informed by letter of my success at interview.

Frank MorrisonRecruitment Manager I had completed an internship in the summer of second year and I was lucky enough to be offered a job at the end of my internship! This can save you a lot of valuable time during your final year as you don’t have to fill out applications forms / attend interviews.

The recruitment and selection process gives you an opportunity to meet people from the various firms at career fairs, opening evenings etc. I found that this gave me a sense of what each firm is like and what a career in tax would entail. When I was lucky enough to get called for interviews and ultimately get job offers, I felt I was able to make a much more informed decision. Sinead LewSenior Tax Manager I was offered this job when the previous incumbent moved on. By coincidence, I was looking for a change from the job I had at that time so it was opportune. Karen O'FlahertyScience Communicator

I worked “front line” as a Care Assistant at the beginning of my “route” to becoming a Clinical Psychologist. One of the organisations I worked in was St Michael’s House. Right from the beginning I had huge respect for the way this service was run. I felt the staff interacted with people in a way which was very dignified and enabling.

I learnt so much about the area and myself. I decided then that I would really try to become part of the organisation when I’d qualified as a Clinical Psychologist. Then an opportunity arose to involve St Michael’s House in some research I did as part of my training. This gave me more links with the organisation, and at this time I also heard that the organisation was going to be recruiting Clinical Psychologists at my grade.

I applied for the post following a newspaper advertisement, and also on the organisation’s web site. I was interviewed by a panel and was delighted to be offered the post of Clinical Psychologist in the organisation.

Elaine MacDonaldPsychologist - Clinical There are a couple of ways that singers are hired for work, one is via auditions. Typically at an audition, you are invited to sing for an opera house or casting director, you bring 5 pieces with you, and they provide a pianist (sometimes there is no time allowed to rehearse with the pianist beforehand!) and you sing 2-3 pieces from your list, and based on what they hear, if they like you and have something suitable to cast, then you're in luck!

More often than not though, singers will be cast because a director or conductor has worked with them before and knows they would be suitable, or they'll have seen them on stage or in concert and want to work with them based on that. So it's really important that when you're performing, it's to the best of your ability. You never know who's in the audience! Sharon CartyOpera Singer It was a career I was always interested in. I submitted a written application form which I was then selected from and called for interview. On completion of this interview I was then selected and called for a second interview, psychometric testing, medicals and a fitness test. The offer arrived the same day as the CAO offers. David FlemingSub Lieutenant - Navy Fishing is the family business so I grew up with it. Alan O'NeillFisherman My current job became an opportunity when the last person in that role left to get a bigger job. I spoke to people in the bank who would be making the decisions and positioned myself to get that role. I went through lots of interviews and had to do a lot of work to be prepared for that. The key part though is the importance of building your network and getting to know people all along your career journey as you will always need people to try and help you along the way. Brian DelahuntyHead of Corporate Banking

My current job was advertised in the national newspapers. Before applying for the job I phoned the Occupational Therapy Manager in St. Michael's House to get some additional information on the post. Then I sent in my CV and was called for interview.

I was interviewed by the OT Manager, one of the Senior OTs and someone from Human Resources. The interview lasted about 30 minutes. A few days after the interview I was contacted to inform me that I was successful in the interview and I was being offered the job dependant on a medical exam. The medical was completed the following week and I was then sent a contract to sign, to formally accept the post.

Tomas FlanaganOccupational Therapist I got my current job when I bought my own boat; it is my own business. Liz O'TooleSkipper Main challenges Funnily enough I don’t like doing paperwork, in fact I rather despise it! Oz IlbrahmiManufacturing Specialist My main challenge in my current role in the ISIF was joining the team remotely. I was the first member in the ISIF to join in a work-from-home environment. It took a good bit of work and effort on my part to learn different tasks on the job virtually. A bigger challenge that I still face while working from home is developing strong working relationships with everyone on the team, especially those that I may not work with on a regular basis. I have always found it a lot easier to build rapport through in person interaction. However, it has been a year of working remotely for me and I am always learning ways to make it work. Madhuvratha VasudevanSenior Investment Analyst The main challenges are ones that effect society as a whole today, poverty, homelessness and trying to police the increasing rate of crime. Niamh BriggsGarda

The fields of medicine and pharmacy are constantly developing: new clinical trials are published, new drugs developed and new ways of using medicines are introduced. It is a challenge to keep up to date with all this new information and it can appear quite daunting at first. I've recently started studying for a Master's in Clinical Pharmacy and have found it to be a great help as my learning has become more focused, manageable and "real" (I can relate it to actual patients).

On a day to day basis there is always something new or unexpected. These things could be interpreted as a challange but I like to think they keep me alert and interested in the job. In terms of the pharmacy department as a whole I think the main challenge is addressing how best we can meet patients needs and provide a quality service in the face of limited resources.

Rachel BerryPharmacist As JET Programme Coordinator there is a lot of work to be done, and you really hit the ground running, as promotion usually begins soon after the new Coordinator begins. It's also really important to stick to deadlines, and make sure that the applicants are doing the same! This means that it's really important to prioritise your tasks, and to be prepared for travelling and long days. Edel CarletonJET Coordinator - Japanese Embassy The harsh windy conditions, all the different species you get in the sea that can harm salmon i.e. Jellyfish, Zooplankton. Hugh Heraghty Fish Farm Manager Amy O’DwyerAssociate Sustainability Advisor 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 Troubleshooting excursions in order to understand them and prevent them in the future is challenging. Training into a new environment is always a challenge. Adapting from a college environment to a working environment is a huge change and a challenge I am still overcoming. Rebecca TigheProcess Engineer Some of the main challenges include:

• When clients present with unusual and complicated difficulties. This requires resourceful, flexible thinking and the ability to research new therapy ideas.
  
• Long waiting lists.
• Balancing seeing clients with managing other aspects of work including attending meetings, keeping paperwork up to date, attending courses etc.
• Keeping up to date with new developments in therapy and assessment and expanding my skill base.

Lisa KellySpeech and Language Construction Projects are very competitively priced these days. There are challenges with completing most projects within the budgets set out. While it is not easy to achieve sometimes it is a good challenge to work with the construction team and see if we can look at new ways to complete the project differently in order to make it more cost efficient. Eileen FahertyElectrician / Quantity Surveyor It is getting more and more difficult to stay up to date with all the latest research published in my field. It is not unusual for several people to be working on the same problem at the same time and it is important to keep up to date so that you don't waste time repeating the same experiment. Nuala CaffreyResearch Fellow in Computational Physics The early starts & the variety of practical & technical skills needed to run a large intensive dairy farm provide an on-going challenge Denis ReidyFarmer - Dairy As a family’s social worker, we continue to assess the family’s situations and apply interventions accordingly. One has to continue to keep ‘their eye on the ball’ within this profession as many of the family’s difficulties can be very much underlying and covert or ‘hidden’ to an extent. Our job is to continually investigate the child’s circumstances.

Also it can be challenging when continuing to working with parents when Court proceedings are involved. You must be able to handle this confrontation as well as maintaining your role as a ‘support’ to the family while attempting to effect positive change in family circumstances.

It’s important to remember that when working with a family you should always be ’firm but fair’ as you may have to be appropriately confrontational when addressing issues and concerns while also remaining fair and understanding some people’s life circumstances. Mary Ita HeffernanSocial Worker Like in any company there are always targets and deadlines to meet but to be honest I like that because if you don’t have a challenge you don’t have a future. Donal Og CusackAutomation/Energy Engineer Managing my time during the school day is the biggest challenge. For example, timing practical work to be finished before the pupils have to be off to their next class is always a challenge! Cian O'MahonyScience Teacher 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 To try to accommodate all walks of people, as the products I work on could potentially be in every home. Liam McCaulR&D Engineer It’s important to understand what the political priorities of the Commission are and to try and deliver them while keeping the machine running reasonably smoothly at the same time. It’s a constant challenge to make sure you have the right information before you make decisions. Catherine DaySecretary General The challenges for me are dealing with suppliers. I am used to controlling what I do and having a strict goal, and when dealing with third parties who have their own challenges and company goals, it can become difficult to work as a team. Elaine KellyMechanical Design Engineer Typical day I start at 8.45 a.m sharp. I put on my uniform which entails boots, overalls, hairnet, gloves and apron. I then prepare my area of work - I wash the work top, table, etc., I then sharpen my knife, get the fish into the factory floor, fillet from bin and then put the fillets into a tray. From there the fish are weighed. Brendan WhiteFish Filleter The first task is usually to reply to emails that have come in since the end of the previous working day. Sometimes I can do this on my phone on my way into work on the luas if short responses are required. I may also have a number of calls scheduled with clients or barristers throughout the day. I may have to read documents or emails in advance in preparation for the calls.

I might also have to attend meetings with clients to discuss the progress of their court cases or get information from them on their case. Sometimes barristers would also attend these meetings to advice on strategy for the litigation. I would also have to spend time on preparing letters of advice to clients or letters on behalf of our clients to other solicitors who act for parties involved in legal disputes with our clients.

I might also have to research a particular legal issue or look up case law or precedent on a particular point that might help our client's case. [Irish lawyers can be barristers or solicitors. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation but they are not instructed directly by clients. Solicitors deal with clients and prepare the case with the client and then engage a barrister to present the case to Court and advocate in front of the Judge.

Most solicitors are employed by a law firm or company as an in-house solicitor. As an employee, solicitors are likely to have job security with a regular income, whereas barristers tend to be self-employed. Being self-employed can lead to uncertainty regarding income particularly at the beginning of their careers. This is less of an issue as barristers become more established in their careers and more experienced. Niamh CacciatoSolicitor A typical day could involve many different processes, including production of hardware, some programming, inspection of finished parts and paperwork. Owen HughesManufacturing Technician As we work in a number of areas within space, it is hard to describe a typical day as it depends on the design phase we are in. Currently, a typical day for me involves drafting of project documents, checking in with suppliers on progress and lead times, and completing detailed design work. Elaine KellyMechanical Design Engineer No two days are the same. See below for the range of tasks and activities involved! Shane SargeantDepartment of Foreign Affairs My day has no set structure. I am currently managing a very tightly scheduled reentry project and this takes a lot of my time. For this we in the project team have a telecom every Wednesday to discuss progress but I am in contact with team members daily (if not hourly). Since this experiment will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) I have frequent safety discussions with colleagues here in ESA and I am responsible for ensuring that the experiment is safe for the ISS and its crew. In parallel to this I am managing activities related to launcher staging, plumes and high speed computational tools. Neil MurreyAerothermodynamics and Propulsion Design Engineer My day would usually start at 8am arriving on site. My duties include arranging materials and the days schedule for myself and the men, meeting clients, placing orders and ensuring everything is on site and ready to go for the next day. I usually finish work around 6pm. Fergal FeehelyApprentice Painter Decorator The average day starts with distributing the sales information for the previous day. That is usually followed by a catch up with team members to discuss that day’s priorities and divide workload as required. This work can be individual projects or group assignments. Ross McKeoghMusgrave Retail Graduate Programme

My typical day starts with checking in on any projects currently ongoing (a lot can change since the previous day). Everyday is different in so far as each day will present different challenges or issues which require immediate attention.

My current role is overseeing the process validation group of the solid dose business. Project timelines can be anywhere from a few days to several months. Each one has key milestones which must be delivered on time or the whole project will be delayed.

A big challenge is to ensure I always know what needs to be done today in order to be able to do what needs to be done tomorrow. I am constantly looking out days, weeks and months ahead planning activities for the group.

Rewards don't happen every day but they do come. The pressures of the job are often high as projects deadlines don't move but that can sometimes work to your advantage. It helps focus the mind. Is it enjoyable? - on the whole yes. As one project ends you are already heavily involved in others so there is little time to relax. Most days involve a lot of meetings between which actions from those meetings need to be done.

Fergus O'ConnellQuality Officer

A typical day varies depending on the client groups that the therapist is working with. Speech and language therapists work with children and adults with speech difficulties and with language difficulties including understanding and using language. Possible client groups include clients with learning disability, physical difficulties such as cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes including down syndrome, delayed language development, stammering, stroke, head injury, autism, attention deficit disorder, cleft lip and palate, dyslexia, hearing impairment, voice difficulties, swallowing difficulties.

My typical day involves: I spend four mornings a week in a local primary school where there are two language units. These are small classes for children with specific language impairment. This means that they have average intellectual abilities but have severe speech or language difficulties. They receive their speech and language therapy during school hours several times every week.

In the afternoons and on Fridays I see children in two centres; the local health centre and an outpatient centre for children with physical and sensory difficulties. These children come to the clinic with their parents for assessment and therapy. The therapy I provide varies greatly depending on the client's individual needs. It may include: speech work, oro-motor exercises (these target the muscles involved in speech production), listening skills, play skills, following instructions, grammar, sentence production, conversational skills, and understanding of concepts.

This timetable can change as I sometimes visit schools to liaise with teachers regarding a child's speech and language programme. I also attend meetings to discuss and develop our service and I sometimes attend courses to learn new assessment and therapy skills. Working from a variety of locations every week requires organisation and forward planning. I have to plan ahead what I will need in each location and the children I will be working with.

Lisa KellySpeech and Language

The good thing about working in Creganna is that the job has a lot of variety to it. Unlike working in a R&D department of a large company, Creganna provides the service of device design to many different companies. Hence you could be working on a device for a cardiovascular application, like a stent delivery system one day & on a biomedical cement delivery device the next.

A project is usually kicked off with brainstorming sessions, which may involve 8 – 10 engineer discussing a possible device design & subsequently coming up with possible solutions. We will then try to construct prototypes in the lab. The next step involves testing these devices in conditions which simulate those experienced during application. Some projects may require additional research, for example, we often travel to NUIG hospital to view various procedures. This enables us to understand the conditions the device will be exposed to during surgery & the requirements of the surgeon.

Once a prototype has been refined & there is confidence in its performance against a defined set of specifications, animal trials will be carried out, which is a very important step. During these trials we can test the device to the extreme & ensure that once it is used in patients it will perform as expected & not cause any injury to the patient or physician.

Sinead KennyDesign Engineer There is no typical day in a researcher’s life. Some days you might be in the lab doing experiments, on another day you may be outside sampling or abroad at a conference. It is a challenging job, but very rewarding. Cecilia FenechEnvironmental Scientist In secondary teaching, our day is more or less determined by the ringing of a bell every 35-40 minutes. I have 33 periods of class a week and teach both Junior and Leaving Cert. PE and Geography.

A typical day will see me meet over 150 pupils. All PE classes are double periods and Geography mainly single, except for one double at senior cycle.

During each lesson you are expected to correct homework and deliver new content. In PE you have to include a warm-up, the main body of the lesson and a cool-down. Some days time constraints or interruptions won’t allow you to complete what you have planned for so you have to adapt your lesson accordingly.

Time also has to be set aside to assess pupils in both subjects, more so in geography. At lunch or small break, I may have supervision and after school I have teams to train or study to supervise. Don’t be fooled - a teachers job does not end at 4pm!! Mary JoyceSecondary School Teacher Each working day is very different and that keeps the role interesting and challenging.
8 30 am: Arrive to the office and catch up on any emails I may have received the previous evening.
9 30 am – 10 30 am: Conference call with our legal director and Pernod Ricard USA on the US tax consequences of a new project.
10 30 - 11 am: Assist the financial accountant with the tax accounting for a group company’s financial statements.
11 am – Midday: Meeting with Financial Controller and CFO on the liquidation of a group company and the tax implications.
Midday – 1pm: Call with our professional VAT advisers in preparation for an upcoming VAT audit.
2 pm – 4 pm: Working on Corporate Tax computations and researching a VAT query I received from a colleague in the marketing department.
4 – 5 pm: Call with the Paris tax team on the Irish Tax implications of a group restructuring project and prepare slides for the next morning’s month end meeting.
So you see the day varies between desk based work / research and calls, meetings etc. Lorcan KellyTax Consultant My typical day involves ensuring that my staff have sufficient work to keep them busy so they’re not idle. I feel it’s crucial to have plenty of interesting and challenging work to keep you occupied. Oz IlbrahmiManufacturing Specialist

The day starts at 6am when I get up - the first job is going for the cows and doing the morning milking. Then I generally set up the work for the day.

The good thing about farming is that every day is different, this allows me to be my own boss and work to my own scheduele. Mornings are usually for checking stock and afternoons are generally for other farm work needed. I try to start the evening milking at 4pm so I can finish up the days work in the early evening.

Bryan DanielsFarmer - Dairy

My timescales vary depending on weather, tides, etc. My boat is small so generally you get ashore at night. I can work from 5am to 6pm or from 10am to 11pm. You only work when work is to be done i.e. when you are fishing, but the more work you do and the more fish you catch then the better the money.

The pressure on me personally is high as I am responsible for finding and catching the fish. The crew have to sort, clean and stow the fish in boxes with ice. Teamwork is vital, when you have a good team the work is done far quicker, easier and the quality of the product is higher which in turn commands better prices. The biggest reward every day is the number of full boxes of fish stowed for sale. The job is never routine or boring and it changes every day.

Liz O'TooleSkipper My day varies from day-to-day. It depends what kind of experiment that I am running on that day itself. Normally I will start doing experiments in the morning, so that I have plenty of time to do write ups or read some journal papers in the afternoon. My experiments involve analysing mouse brain tissue, RNA samples and sometimes we do studies on paediatric brain samples too! Before heading back home, I will plan the experiment for the following day and prepare the necessary chemicals required for that experiment. This is so that my following day will be more organized and I don’t have to worry about rushing and preparing the chemicals in the next morning. Kelvin E Lau HowPHD Student RCSI

Everyday is completely different in the world of a Process Engineer in Intel. As part of the worlds largest Computer Chip manufacturer it is my responsibility that the machines that I take care of as part of making a computer chip, are able to maintain this status of excellence on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis.

The machines which I am responsible for are located in what we call ' A Cleanroom'. We are clothed from head to toe in white suits that we call 'Bunny Suits' as the environment is 10000 times cleaner than a hospital theatre. First thing each morning we analyse the previous 24 hours performance from a productivity, performance and maintenance point of view.

All machines status and plans for any maintenance or experiments are planned for the next 24hrs. All plans need to be carefully communicated to all those involved. There are weekly/monthly goals and challenges that are set for each machine and when we achieve these targets there is usually a recognition or reward received which is always a great motivator.

Within this area it is my job to sustain and improve equipment performance for the manufacturing process on my machines. It is important to ensure that my machine operates in a safe manner, and to ensure that operationally the machine is available for production and has the capability to produce great computer chips with minimal defects. Equipment issues continuously arise that need disposition and this aspect of problem solving is part of my job which motivates me and I really enjoy. Cost analysis as well as training are also an integral part of my daily job.

Kerrie HoranEngineer - Process From 9:00 to 5:00 I am involved in manufacturing, sending out orders, and dealing with customers in the shop. I do the accounts at home after hours. Ray PowerPotter Further training... I have gone on several public speaking and media training courses. Also, because my job requires a reasonably high level of computer programming skill, I am always learning on the job.

I may at some point do some further training, but I’m less than two years out of my PhD, so I think I need a little bit of a break from exams! Caitriona JackmanPlanetary Scientist I am continually learning from master turners and learning excellence in teaching and instruction from practitioners. Glenn LucasWoodturner I only plan to keep up with developments in International Standards relating to trams. Ciaran MacSamhrainEngineer - Transport Infrastructure Ireland Absolutely I am open to any courses which will improve my performance and effectiveness within the organisation. Steven KilgannonGarda Trainee Plan to possibly look at project management. Madonna DalyBusiness Manager Yes I am currently undertaking further training as I am studying a masters degree in Automation Engineering at UCC. Donal Og CusackAutomation/Energy Engineer 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 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 Yes I plan to go back this year and finish off my engineering exams for the class one engineer. Brendan CavanaghShips Engineer The QP course was undertaken through distance study while working in a previous role. I intend to study for an MBA within the next two years. The course will enable me to understand the business needs of the company and meet these requirements. Michael BohaneQA Manager I would definitely consider further studies in the future. I finished my undergraduate degree in May. At the minute, I am enjoying work life and using the skills I have developed through my honour’s degree in Engineering. Kevin O'HaganDesign Engineer Yes it’s always necessary to keep up to date with best practice in special education. I have completed a Cert. in Dyslexia which is DES (Department of Education and Science) approved. In the future I intend to study for a Masters degree. I also read books and publications on special education and teaching methodology. Paul GalvanResource Teacher 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 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 Management training is a constant over the past twenty years This is necessary both for good practice and for keeping abreast of developments in the management skills area and in the area of legislation.

Most recently I attended a four days course on Leadership in Catholic Schools. Paul MeanySchool Principal I try to get training as much as possible - ideally weekly, but at the very least once a month. I also hope in the near future to work towards taking the next level of the BHS teaching qualification, the BHS II. Luke DreaEvent Rider Not at the moment Denis ReidyFarmer - Dairy I had no teaching experience before going on the JET Programme so I took an online TEFL course while I was over there. I also continued to study Japanese and took the Japanese Language Proficiency Test while I was there. Edel CarletonJET Coordinator - Japanese Embassy I plan to complete a masters in Employee Relations. I have done a year already but have taken some time out due to family circumstances. Another thing I would love to do is to do a course in employment law. Ejiro O'Hare StrattonClinical Nurse Manager 2 In the Defence Forces you are constantly furthering your career by undertaking military and educational courses. Tom TooherLieutenant - Army Advice if considering this job I would advise them to give it a go - it doesn’t mean you have to work there long term. You must know how to speak a language other than your mother tongue reasonably well, as a good proficiency is essential. It’s also important to know and understand the cultural diversity that makes up the European Union.

Our internships are a great chance to come for a short period to determine where your interests lie and taste the experiences. Starting out your career path with the EU gives you a really good foundation of insider knowledge of how the EU works and is so useful professionally, even if you don’t plan on working there forever.

It is also important for young Irish people to consider moving to countries that are not English speaking and working for the EU would be very useful to your long term career. Catherine DaySecretary General Perfect your skills while working for others. Know your market. Ray PowerPotter 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 My advice would be that if you are not afraid of hard work that construction can be a very rewarding industry. It is a constantly changing industry which is interesting to work in.

To be a QS the main values would be to be interested in dealing with financial data and be happy to work as part of a team. Having an interest in construction generally outside of the commercials will also help as it keeps you interested in the projects you are working on apart from what they cost. Eileen FahertyElectrician / Quantity Surveyor Science research and lecturing needs people who are curious, creative, stubborn (they like problems that take ages to solve). You need to like communication – you’ll be teaching, writing, debating and discussing science all day, everyday. If you like to be challenged intellectually, are creative about ways to solve problems, like working with teams people from the four corners of the world, then science is for you. It’s more David Attenborough than Sheldon Cooper. Shane BerginPhysics Lecturer It helps to have a logical mind and to be fond of puzzles and problem solving. I spend a lot of time trouble shooting and this can be a stressful task if you are not motivated by challenges. Neil MurreyAerothermodynamics and Propulsion Design Engineer Ignore the stereotypes, or even better, use them as motivation! Gillian MorganManufacturing Process Specialist

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 With regard to education I say don't worry if you think you have the wrong subjects in school. I certainly didn't have the subjects you would typically expect.

There are a number of courses that cater to different backgrounds. The most important thing is to do your research. Go to open days, talk to the colleges and generally just find out what exactly you would be getting in to.

Don't just take for granted you know what a certain course or career is all about. Think about what you like to do, and not just necessarily in school, if you find yourself being curious about how things work or how thing are made, it's a good indication that you could like something like engineering.

One of the best things about engineering is that it really can be your passport to the world. There are great travel opportunities within the industry and chances to be involved in the next big thing.

Practically every man-made product around you came from a manufacturing plant, it's a huge industry with a lot of different avenues to take. Innovation is a really big part of what engineers do. The desire to be creative and improve production and processes is an important attribute for a manufacturing engineer. Lynsey GarganManufacturing Engineer 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 Finding what you’d like to do day to day, working in a big team, at a desk, on a site, is as important as the area you want to work in. Just because you like maths in school that doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy accounting, and likewise just because you don’t like physics that doesn’t mean you won’t make a great engineer. Shane McDonaghRenewable Energy Engineer It is important to be a hard-worker, confident, have a "thick skin" and to be ready to push yourself and learn as much as you can as a trainee solicitor. The process of obtaining a traineeship is very competitive and results and your "CV" matters in this respect to be selected but often in the early years as a trainee the most important thing is to show ambition and drive and an ability to get the job done despite obstacles and pressures.

It is also important, as in every walk of life, to show compassion and form personal bonds with colleagues and clients. I believe that people work their best and reach their potential when encouraged in a friendly and positive environment. Niamh CacciatoSolicitor

Think about your strengths – what is engaging and exciting for you and how can you pivot and continue learning throughout your career. Don’t try to fit a particular mould. I fell into HR – it was never my plan but over 20 years later I still learn something new every day.

Education wise, I would say do something you love starting out – I loved French, wanted to live in France and so picked a degree that gave me maximum exposure to that! I only speak French on holidays now but I loved every second of my degree. Oonagh KellyHead of HR Work hard, push your boundaries, have belief in your abilities, set personal goals and seek feedback. For those who have not completed a college degree or third level education – seek a career path that will give you the opportunity to further your education and learning. Sarah TenantyFinance Operations Ideally, try and get a job in the industry for a summer, or get a bit of experience before you go into it. You have to be happy with working outside, and doing physical work. If you are not prepared to work hard or are looking for a soft job, don't go into Landscaping. Design is very sexy at the moment, everyone wants to be a designer, a Landscape Designer. It's different on the ground, you have to be out there on sites in all weather and you have to make sure projects are managed well and you're able to muck in with everyone else. Biology is most important for anyone going into Horticulture or Landscaping as it covers propagation and helps with the identification of plant names, species and families through the universal use of Latin. Chemistry is also helpful as the use of various chemicals is a constant in horticulture. The chemical content and dangers of fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides in use in Amenity Horticulture needs to be understood anyone going into this business. Geography would be a relevant subject as well. Also, the simple things like having a full, clean driving licence, which can make you a lot more employable if you are trying for a job with a Landscape Conractor. This indicates that you are more mobile and can also drive a company van if needed. Be sure you're happy with the outdoor life. Having taken a Horticulture course will give you an advantage. However, it's possible to take a job first and study later, e.g. in IT Blanchardstown it is possible to study at night. I think you cannot beat doing the Diploma Course in the National Botanic Gardens because it is a good practical course which also covers all the theory and is invaluable for gaining plant knowledge. Paul DowlingHorticulturist 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

• You will need a genuine interest in people, ie good customer skills.
• You must have good communication skills and a knowledge and liking of books.
• Organising and putting yourself forward for projects is something you will need to do.
• Enthusiasm is essential.

Jonathan SmythLibrary Assistant Try gain experience in some area of construction if possible to see if it’s for you. If you’re interested in a 9-5 job this is not for you!

If you like meeting with new people each day and dealing with issues which they may have regarding the project this is a good job for you. If you like to take charge of situations then this is also a good role for you to take on. Aidan MaherSite Manager - Grad Entry You would have to be a people person with good communication skills, problem solving skills. Be able to spin several plates at the same time. Mary Jo SheridanTourism Manager - Dublinia If you enjoy business and are interested in how businesses operate working as a Business Bank manager provides variety - 'No two days are the same'. Work to achieve the subject qualifications and as much experiences along the way. You need to work hard and be determined! Madonna DalyBusiness Manager The lifestyle Yes, my job fits in with my life perfectly. Although, we are very busy, the role is flexible to allow for appointments. After working in residential centres for many years, a Monday-Friday working week is very much enjoyable! Fiona O'SullivanChild Protection and Welfare Social Worker Getting the work life balance is difficult, made even more so by the current economic climate. However the crossover between work and home is something I am comfortable with. Liz ChristyTextile Design/Handweaver

My current role allows me to maintain a healthy work / life balance. I have a family with four children which takes up a large amount of time. I am active in a number of sports especially rugby and triathlon, also time consuming. I have progressed in my career satisfactorily so far but I would still have ambitions to progress further.

The company I currently work with encourages such ambition and allows people to seek responsibility and develop. It is important for a company to reward good / excellent performance and I am fortunate to work for such a company. Financial reward, while not being the most important aspect, is still important. My current role within the pharmaceutical industry pays well especially since I gained the Qualified Person qualification in 2001.

Michael BohaneQA 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 Being an Anaethetist is a well paid job providing a very good income.  However with the long working hours it can be difficult to balance work, training and family life, never mind hobbies! Dr Jan SteinerAnaesthetist Yes and no. I live and work in the centre of Dublin, which I think is amazing. My work has taken me to places all around the world including three years in London. I loved every bit of that aspect (others don’t). Job security is really poor. Most young scientists are on fixed-term contracts hoping to be given a permanent position. It’s very, very competitive. Then again, most jobs at that level (in law, business, etc.) are too. Far more needs to be done to help research scientists move from the lab to the non-academic world. Recent initiatives by government and industry have started to make positive changes here. Shane BerginPhysics Lecturer Yes it does. ESA is a family friendly organization. There are many perks such as home leave, generous paternity and child benefits. Also the wages are very good so we can have a comfortable life. Neil MurreyAerothermodynamics and Propulsion Design Engineer

Where I live is very important to me as I love out door activities, working in Letrim is pretty much ideal for all I want to.

I have to say that being an Energy Manager/Plant Optimisation Engineer allows me more freedom than certain other career choices would have. For example I am lucky to be able to solve problems that will allow other employees to make a better contribution, not only to the business but also for themselves.

I have a good work balance in that I am in the office and out about roughly 50/50 split and its never boring as different opportunities come my way all the time.

Jonathan PugsleyEnergy Manager I get to travel a lot which is fantastic and also my days are not always structed the same which I like. Ian McKinleyRugby Player

The role involves working in the office/work from home and also in other venues such as in the Courts. The truth is that your time is not always your own as the demands of protecting children may not fit neatly with a 9-5 job.

Diego GallagherSenior Solicitor

My current job as a Senior Quality Officer affords me the ability to enjoy a reasonably high standard of living. I earn a good wage which allows me to live in a nice area, pay my mortgage, run my car etc while still leaving enough financial freedom to enjoy a nice social life and other activities. That said I'm not off on several holidays a year by any means. One a year is good going but with financial discipline, money can be put aside for it.

My job is reasonably flexible around my lifestyle as I no longer work shift. As a QA analyst (the job I held before I became a senior QA Officer) I was on four and three shift rotations. In such a role you're taking over from the previous shift and handing over to the next so the hours you are present on site are strictly controlled. On day shift as a senior QA officer if for some reason I need to leave a few minutes early on a given day I can come in early (with managements approval of course). I should mention that shift work can be very difficult at times and nobody I've ever met has had an easy time with it (especially night shifts).

My current role involves no shift work which is great for meeting up with friends and family. All said I have a good quality of life. Owing to the demands of my job for meeting my own deadlines and those of the people who report to me, it can be hard to switch off after work. Frequently I find myself thinking over issues from work while at home. As one rises in levels through a company I'm sure this becomes a more frequent thing and possibly even a necessary one at times.

Fergus O'ConnellQuality Officer As a trainee we don't really fully understand the lifestyle yet but hopefully in 16 weeks I will find out what type of lifestyle we will have and I've no doubt I will adjust. Aishling ButlerGarda Trainee Yes Brendan WhiteFish Filleter

Yes, working as a Clinical Psychologist normally allows me to work relatively regular hours. The free time in my working week and weekends allows me to get involved with clubs, sports training sessions, evening classes etc. on a regular basis. For example, I’ve just finished a dressmaking course and, previous to that, I joined a dance class.

Because my job is busy and challenging I think that weekends are really important to totally switch off. As a person I like to be constantly developing, and in this respect I like that the job of Clinical Psychologist provides clear opportunities for career progression.

Elaine MacDonaldPsychologist - Clinical Yes! Ray PowerPotter In work, we are actively encouraged to ensure that we achieve a good career and personal life balance. I just try to ensure that I work as efficiently as I can when I am in the office which enables me to do activities in the evenings and weekends. I am a member of a number of clubs which also helps me to get a good balance. Sinead LewSenior Tax Manager Absolutely. I really enjoy what I do and I also wanted to progress. I knew this would cost hours, so I set terms that would work and that I was comfortable with. Richard KinsellaManaging Director Yes. It is reasonably paid. I'm lucky to have a secure job, although increasingly people can spend relatively significant periods of time doing contract work. It is quite a family-friendly role, in that the working hours have some flexibility and there is scope to vary the time spent on non-teaching related activities, if required.

There are clear criteria for progression - related to teaching, research contribution and personal contribution to the running of the business school. Working in a university provides access to all of the associated leisure facilities - there is a superb sports center here, though I don't make as much use of it as I should. Aoife Mc DermottLecturer Yes, I work 8am to 4:15pm daily, with the exception of staying on a bit later when work is busier, however even staying on later is still allowing plenty of time in the evenings. Abbie RiceAssociate Accountant/IFS Apprentice Aviva offers a great work/ life balance. They understand the importance of family life and wellbeing of their employees. Within Aviva there is a number of communities and wellbeing events also that you can benefit from. Jenny DonnellyAsset Manager Whats cool Space exploration and generally the whole space sector is very cool and exciting! I love the sort of work I get to do with my job. Also, I love the freedom and creativity involved in doing scientific work, which really reminds me of doing art a lot of the time. Michaela MusilovaMission Control Space Services I really like the different activities and duties I engage everyday and I like helping people on daily basis. For example I could be working in the public office or patrolling the district in a patrol car or be on foot patrol and doing my personal favourite; mountain bike patrol. Nan Hu Garda Tax advice is always relevant to companies, whether they are restructuring in a downturn or growing and diversifying in times of expansion. It is an exciting, dynamic and deadline-driven environment that requires you as an adviser to stay up to date on the latest developments. The Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification has been essential in equipping me with the necessary skills to meet the needs of my clients and to help me to succeed in my career. Caroline AustinSenior Associate Solicitor It’s very interesting because no two days are the same so that’s good. You get a sense that you’re representing your own country and also you have the opportunity to develop a broader outlook on the world.

You also gain friendships with people from all over Europe that all have interesting things to say and as a result, have a very active social life. You’re never stuck for too long behind your desk either. Kevin KearyParliamentary Assistant Cool is not a word I would really use in relation to my work, but what I like about my job is working within a team, having a say in how my work is done.

We have a good partnership committee at work and this allows us to have an input into the changes that are taking place and how they affect us in our working lives. As one of the union shop stewards I have always had some input, but partnership gives more of my colleagues a chance to have their say. This is a very good development because for years our group of workers have felt that they had no input into the work of the hospital and partnership has given a real sense of having some ownership regarding our work. Lydia PeppardCare Assistant

Before I worked for an Investment company, I thought that investing was something that only wealthy people did, I didn't realise that it's possible for everyone. When I first started in the role, I had a project where I had to help non experts in the organisation learn more about investment and I ended up learning so much for myself! It's a great feeling being able to understand the basics of investment and know that you have the confidence to manage your own money for your future.

Yes definitely, my role allows me to help others to learn and develop and that is really rewarding, when people tell you that you helped them realise something that is going to help them in their life or career it's really satisfying. One of things I most enjoy about my current role is getting to work with people all over the world, it was brilliant when I got to travel and see people in person in some of our offices in India, Germany, Luxembourg for example.

Kathryn ReevesLearning and Development Lead 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 Getting problems solved and corrective actions implemented so I am confident I will never see the issue again. Managing a group of people and seeing the group succeed in achieving its objective Michael BohaneQA Manager The rewards of helping students to learn, and developing a positive relationship with them is definitely cool. The feeling that you are making a difference to their education and experience of school is also rewarding. Another cool part of the job is the long holidays! Paul GalvanResource Teacher

The ability to get things done – I’m generally the go to person if something is needed to be fixed, Knowledge – it’s nice to be the go to person if someone has a problem /difficulty, even though I don’t know all the answers, I’ll do my best to find out.

The ability to help /fix things is very fulfilling. I don’t know though if I could be perceived as cool! Laura DevlinHR Manager - Hotel Every day is different! I never have time to get bored, and there’s always something to learn; new equipment, unfamiliar processes, technical challenges.  Great for a curious mind!  I also get to work with most departments on a daily basis: Lab, Quality, Technical Operations, Site Services, IT, Engineering, so get a good awareness of what is happening around the site. Rachel BennettIndustrial Pharmacist I enjoy working on new and exciting products that have not yet been used by customers. Patricia ClearySenior Systems Verification & Validation Scientist My job gives me new things to learn: new techniques to master, new knowledge to know, new challenges to face, and a new horizon of research to explore. Often, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I managed to troubleshoot and solve scientific questions. Kelvin E Lau HowPHD Student RCSI Working with individuals with learning difficulties is very rewarding-this is my favourite part of the job. Tomas FlanaganOccupational Therapist Reward and Recognition play a big part in the culture of our organisation where success is celebrated and high performance is recognised.

Several initiatives have been introduced such as Employee of the Month, Silver/Gold awards etc. which instils a culture of high achievement across all areas. Sarah TenantyFinance Operations The Revenue Commissioners offers great opportunities to its staff. There is huge scope for movement within the organisation both in terms of lateral movements and promotions. Revenue has a great mobility policy which ensures that staff do not stay in the one section / area for long periods of time. As a result staff are regularly rotated around to ensure they gain experience in numerous sectors and areas of tax.
The nature of tax is extremely diverse. Tax is changing all the time and as a tax consultant you must stay up to date. After every Finance Bill / Finance Act it is necessary to review any changes brought in or new taxes introduced. It is a challenging and rewarding career. Edel ButlerAdministrative Officer

I’m part of a team inventing something new that has the potential to provide clean renewable energy.

It is incredible to think that the work we are doing can really make a difference. As it is completely new, there are no instructions to follow. We have to develop new methods for much of what we do, or adapt methods used by other industries.

Some of the tank tests we have carried out are a great breakthrough. I have also been able to contribute to large international projects and international standards for wave energy. To view a video: click here

Elva BannonMechatronic Engineer There are lots of cool things about this job. One of my favourite is the brilliant facilities for teaching in the Business School. I have a lot of fun with them!

There are big screens which my power-point slides are projected onto, and I can use them to show videos or DVD's. I can even link to the internet to show things during class.

Coming a close second is getting to travel abroad to present my research at conferences. I was subsidised to do this as a student too, but now it's funded by DCU because making a research contribution is part of my role.

Another major benefit is the flexibility and autonomy associated with the job. While I work hard, I do so in my own office, organise my own time, and am free to do so once I do my job well.

I also have huge flexibility around my working hours and some flexibility to work on my research at home, if I'm not teaching or meeting students. While I don't get summer-long holidays, it's really wonderful to have block of time over the summer to develop my research. Essentially having research time is being paid to explore ideas and issues that I have an interest in.

I really value having a job where I have the freedom to choose the direction of my work - and to change it if I want. At the moment I don't see myself moving away from conducting research in healthcare service-delivery - this is a really rewarding growth area - but it is great to have the choice. Aoife Mc DermottLecturer I like the diverse nature of the role, its very exciting as no two days are the same. We regularly get out to inspect properties also which is great. Jenny DonnellyAsset Manager I love the variety the job offers. It sounds like a cliché but no two days are the same. I also like the satisfaction of knowing I am helping people.

People sometimes see the Gardaí as disciplinarians but in a lot of situations we help people who are very emotional and vulnerable such as victims of crime. Peter CliffordProbationer Garda Not so cool For me it is the repetitious work in wintertime such as bedding cattle & preparing cow cubicles twice daily. Denis ReidyFarmer - Dairy The clean up after my events (TV cooking slots, cookery demonstrations etc). Yes I do a lot of the cleaning, packing up and carrying luggage. Fiona UyemaChef Gender, racial and sexual biases in the workplace. Sinead O'Sullivan CEO of Fusion Space Technologies IT problems. Des LalorWind Engineer 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 The mood swings of a 16 year old!! And the corrections....... Mary JoyceSecondary School Teacher The pay at the moment. Coming from a full time job it was very hard to adapt to the allowance paid during training. Mark Spain Garda Trainee The hours are quite long and you’re also not close to your family. Kevin KearyParliamentary Assistant Sometimes people can be seasick, which they don't boast about and thats not cool. The anti-social aspect of the job is not cool; having to work weekends and during holidays. Sometimes cramped living/working conditions on board a boat are not great. Government rules and regulations which are making the job very hard and are forcing a lot of fishermen to go to sea in very bad weather. Liz O'TooleSkipper Doing my VAT returns! Glenn LucasWoodturner Some days can be very challenging and stressful when things aren’t working out or constant setbacks start creeping in making it hard to switch off.

As you get more experienced you tend to find different ways as a person to deal with these situations. Colin ButterlySite Manager - Trade Entry A school is run on tight budgets and limited supports and this makes management difficult at times. Paul MeanySchool Principal 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 Lots of challenges come with working with big data. Performance and scaling problems can be tough, and finding bugs can be frustrating at times, but it is very rewarding when all of the work finally comes together. Catherine AhearnData Scientist Nothing really as every job comes with its own hazard. Rasaq FaladeGarda Reserve Some exercises can be very long and demanding. Sometimes you can be wet, hungry and tired and you just feel sorry for yourself.  But when it is all over I look back on it and realise the laugh that I had. Louise Mc DonaldPrivate (Line) There are times where the pressure is turned up and additional effort and work is required this only happens a couple of times a year, but you need to be mentally prepared to put in the work that is needed. Ross McKeoghMusgrave Retail Graduate Programme It can be difficult working on legacy applications. It is important to upskill and to learn new technologies. Lynda O'LearySystems Engineer Heavy administration process. Ross O'BrienGraduate Recruitment Team Lead I'm sure there are, but nothing springs to mind. Richard KinsellaManaging Director