deiseanna gairme in institiúide an AE

Employer Insights Getting the job 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

When I moved to Ireland I sent out a few CVs to various companies to see if there were any opportunities.

I was asked to complete a formal application form, I was interviewed by the Engineering Manager and then after this my peers met with me to make sure I would click with the team and finally completion of a medical exam secured my job.

I was asked back in and told face to face of the offer by Masonite Ireland.

Jonathan PugsleyEnergy Manager I applied for my job when I saw it advertised on the HSE careers in healthcare website and in a Sunday newspaper. I attended an interview where I was interviewed by two speech and language therapy managers and a representative form the HSE Human Resources department. The interview lasted approximately 30 minutes. I received a letter shortly afterwards to let me know that I had been successful in the interview. Lisa KellySpeech and Language My husband saw a gap in the market for selling fish in Wicklow and after two years of looking for premises, we finally found one and just went for it! Nicola O'HigginsFishmonger

I had won a scholarship from Intel in 1997 which subsidised my remaining university years, so after finishing in there in 1999 it was a pretty quick migration to the corporation here.

As I recall, I finished my last university exam on a Thursday and started work here on the following Monday. There were interviews naturally and the standard process was adhered to, I just scheduled them neatly. After passing the entrance interviews etc. the next step was to find a particular role which best suited my skills, which led to a system administrator role: managing an array of computers which controlled a respective set of tools in the factory. The position in my current job is the result of a number of smaller transitions/promotions from there.

Jason RuaneComputer Programmer I rang the army and requested an application form which was sent out to me. I submitted the application and in time was called for an interview.

The interview board consisted of three soldiers, an officer and two sergeants. They asked me questions about myself, my background, and what knowledge I had of the Defence Forces. I was sent a letter to tell me that I had been successful in my interview. 

I then had to complete a medical and a fitness test. I got a letter about one month letter telling me I was successful and when I was to start my training. Louise Mc DonaldPrivate (Line) 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 have a background in Agriculture. I grew up working on various farm machinery. I had a part time job in Combilift while I was studying at University. Combilift are great for accommodating summer work opportunities across various departments. I gained hands-on experience on assembly lines where I seen the process come together. I got to see a truck go from a bare chassis right through to a truck ready for delivery. It helped me to gain knowledge on building a truck through Combilift standards. Kevin O'HaganDesign Engineer I applied through publicjobs.ie. Aishling ButlerGarda Trainee I had been an External Relations assistant at the 2016 Space Studies Program helping to promote the exciting day to day activities of it, and with it being held in Ireland in 2017 I managed to join the host organisation team at the Cork Institute of Technology to bring my social media and communications expertise to the team. Jonathan FaullSpace Social Media and Communications I applied online, was interviewed twice and was offered the position. Liam McCaulR&D Engineer 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 applied for a traineeship by way of a detailed application form. I was then selected for an interview and called back for a second round interview and then offered a traineeship to become a solicitor. I was phoned by one of the partners who interviewed me to tell me I had been successful. Niamh CacciatoSolicitor My current job was a leap of faith as I switched to the sell side after 18 years on the buy side. It is a challenge to set up a new business line from scratch, but also a learning opportunity. But of course, the first challenge was to convince my new boss and my new company to hire me and provide me with resources to set up inflation trading. Luckily our visions were similar, and I convinced them. I'm happy that we beat our targets three years in a row now. Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader I applied for my job the usual way. I had worked with the company for two summers as a student so I knew exactly what I was letting myself in for and what would be expected of me. I went through the normal interview process and was successful. Lynsey GarganManufacturing Engineer I applied with CV and got in when a sudden vacancy occurred. Dr Jan SteinerAnaesthetist I was offered the job by the director of the company and promoted in house. I did not actively seek my current position. I had always been involved and had opinions on the direction the company should take with regard to Health & safety, and became safety rep as a result.

As Duty manager and later Deputy GM, recruitment and selection was part of my role. As the company grew to 4 hotels, there was a need for HR department, and I was offered the position of HR manager & H&S co-ordinator the group RCOI. Laura DevlinHR Manager - Hotel I went straight from school into the professional rugby system so it was merely based on how you were performing and what potential you could have in the future. Ian McKinleyRugby Player

As I have previously mentioned, the year I graduated was a great one for electronic engineering students. All of my graduating class had at least two offers before we had sat our final exams. At the time I had the offer of either taking up a Process Engineering, Software, Test or Hardware Design Engineering position with four different companies.

I picked hardware because that was what I most interested after completing my Electronics degree. I chose a multi-national company, and my advice to any graduate would be to start your career with an international company. Many of these companies will have formal graduate training programs in place, with pre defined career opportunities in place. Learning in a well established, and well structured environment will be crucial to any engineer entering the workforce for the first time.

After 12 months I left this company to work as a test engineer. At the time I didn’t want to commit my career to hardware design. I left on very good terms with the promise that if it didn’t work out I should make contact again. After 12 months I decided that my initial choice was what I wanted to pursue, and I was soon working again at my first company. I was promoted to team leader for a small engineering team, and the opportunity presented itself to pursue a career in management, but I wanted to stick with an engineering role. Eventually I was promoted to a senior design engineering position where I continued to design power supplies up until 2006. This was a very exciting time for me, and professionally my career really advanced.

In 2006 an opportunity arose to join a small Irish company that was moving its headquarters from Dublin to Cork. This company was Excelsys Technologies. The role was to head up the Applications Engineering group. I met with the Managing Director, who had previously headed up European Operations for the first company I had worked for. I also knew some of the other staff, again having previously worked with them. We now have a concentrated group of very experienced engineers, designing some of the highest power density power supplies in our chosen market.

Shane CallananElectronic Engineer

It was a simple process, I applied through the graduate campaign, attended online information sessions, completed the interview process and received an offer soon after, it was very straight forward.

Fiona O'SullivanChild Protection and Welfare Social Worker Main challenges 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 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 constant striving to achieve perfection in all tasks I complete. Working under time constraints and strict deadlines in a disciplined environment. Your interpersonal skills and communication ability must be excellent. Tom TooherLieutenant - Army

Although it’s a positive when working in the digital sector, the ever evolving landscape can be challenging at times to keep up with. Working in AIB, trying to bring together old systems and new systems creates it’s own problems.

On top of that, we cover different brands and jurisdictions. Understanding that you’ll never be an expert in all the various products we have out there can be frustrating at times. But trusting your colleagues is what’s important there. In my role now, I see myself often as a ‘Jack of all Trades’, which could be interpreted as a ‘Master of None’. But there are so many subject matter experts out there too, that when we combine all the skillsets we can achieve almost anything.

All of the above means for a busy day – probably the biggest challenge of all. Time management is testing, and the importance of good prioritisation is something which our team has to put at the fore of our working day. Lara MulveySenior Product Manager AIB I am most challenged by the need to catch fish, i.e. enough to make good wages for the crew and myself. I get fantastic job satisfaction from this. Seeing a good catch of fish coming aboard gives me great motivation, you forget any problems and seem to get energy from no-where. Other aspects of fishing would stress me more; i.e. slack, fishing boat breaking down, bad weather, bad fish prices, and some of the ridiculous rules and regulations which are in force at the moment in Ireland. Liz O'TooleSkipper The main challenge is juggling work, family, friends and trying to find some time-out time amidst it all. The main challenge at work at the moment is the market place and trying to get fairly paid for our produce. Kieran MageeFarm Manager - Dry Stock Funnily enough I don’t like doing paperwork, in fact I rather despise it! Oz IlbrahmiManufacturing Specialist 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 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 Every part has to finished to a very high standard, dimensional and visual non-conformances are not acceptable. Also identifying trends during the machining process which would help contribute towards continuous improvement. Owen HughesManufacturing Technician Amy O’DwyerAssociate Sustainability Advisor AIB is quite new back to the market in the Graduate Space – Playing catch up but we are very fast to do so. Ross O'BrienGraduate Recruitment Team Lead 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 Time management! There is a lot of work to do, especially if you want to keep up with all the developments in the topics that interest you. I am good at maintaining to-do lists, and I spend a lot of time thinking about what is important and what is urgent on these lists and managing my time accordingly. Dr. Patrick CadwellLecturer Travelling week in week out and spending time away from the family can at times be difficult. Ian McKinleyRugby Player Tax law is always changing, so it’s really important that I keep up to speed on these changes! Lorcan KellyTax Consultant

Akin to the housing crisis, it is a challenge to find places for all the separated children entering the country to live. However, the team manages it every time. This is an exhausting part of the work and I’m impressed daily as to how they achieve this. Aside from this, time management will always be a challenge, but over the years I have developed strategies to learn how to prioritise my responsibilities.

Jonathan O’ReillyPrincipal Social Worker There can be challenges for example where a client asks for something immediately and the manager/partner on the client is not in the office. However, I have found that working as part of a large corporate tax group there is always someone willing and available to assist with any problems I have. Anna Holohan Tax Manager I used to really dislike writing, but as I have developed in my career it has become easier, and sometimes even enjoyable. My biggest challenge is presenting to large audiences; I don’t like this. But it is unavoidable and usually once I begin talking it’s fine, however, I hate the nervous feeling before speaking.  Damien HaberlinEcologist (Post-Doctoral Researcher) We work with all different kinds of fish, and every fish has a different bone structure. It is a challenge to have to fillet all these fish in different ways. For me this is all in a days work, but it can be challenging at times. Brendan WhiteFish Filleter Typical day We have class from 9am - 5pm every day where we have very practical classes learning the legal aspect as well as the practical policy elements. There is also a high emphasis on physical fitness for duty. Mark Spain Garda Trainee Over the years I’ve become a morning person so I like to start early and get into the office so I can have a bit of time to organise my day. I start meetings anytime from 8 o’clock onwards and I don’t finish until late in the evening. Sometimes my day is spent on internal meetings. We’re doing a lot of work on climate change at the moment so I’m bringing different departments together and meeting ambassadors. I also go to the European Parliament or meetings of the Prime Ministers so my days can be very varied. Catherine DaySecretary General A Paramedic for the most part doesn’t have a ‘typical’ day, and this I suppose for me and most Paramedics is the attraction to the job. No two calls are the same while they may be similar they’re never the same so there is great variety in the work through the calls and the people you engage with.

Your shift starts with meticulously checking your vehicle and your equipment ensuring everything is in place and in good working order. You can not assume everything works or is there as someone’s life may depend on it.

Outside the routine calls, such as bringing patients to different hospitals for various procedures, Paramedics must work in all kinds of environments, weather and emergency situations. We attend incidents such as serious Road Traffic Accidents, medical emergencies and social problems. Some times Paramedics are called when people don’t know who else to turn too.

The role of a paramedic is very demanding and it is challenging to ensure the patient receives the best level of care. This may be using specialist medical equipment or through administering any of wide array of medications to keep the patient alive. There are lots of situations or emergency calls when you feel under a lot of pressure, for instance, trying to resuscitate somebody in front of on looking family members or trying to save somebody and free them from a serious car crash - this can be a lot to deal with.

There can also be the harsh reality that despite all your efforts and determination the person may die in front of you. On the other end of the scale however, to directly save a persons life is immeasurable. Keith HayesAmbulance / Paramedic My average day starts at about 7.30am, as does that of my employees. Our workforce is organised in three crews of two or, sometimes, three men. On a Monday, we would normally go on a run of maintenance contracts, maybe seven or eight sites and I would work with one of the crews during that run. On Tuesdays, we tend to concentrate on new landscaping jobs. I would organise the materials for the job and any deliveries of materials. I'd then set out the planting and allocate various tasks to my helpers, make sure that everything is going smoothly and that the job is finished well. Our work days finish at four in the afternoon. On Wednesdays, after allocating the various tasks to the staff and ensuring that everyone is on site, I spend the rest of the day in the office. This is a vitally important part of my work, although the least enjoyable. Accounts and credit control have to examined , bills paid, lodgement of cheques received and wages for the week prepared. There is usually correspondence to be dealt with as well as quotations and tenders for future work prepared. A lot of time is spent on business calls not only on Wednesdays but throughout the week. The other days are taken up in much the same way as Mondays and Tuesdays. Contact has to maintained with the clients on a regular basis to ensure that they are satisfied with the service we are providing. Also regular contact with suppliers, such as Nuserymen, is very important to make sure that we know which plants or other materials can be sourced at any one time. Paul DowlingHorticulturist

Arrive in and check my inbox for any major issues which demand instant attention. Usually there are no surprises but the plant runs 24 hours a day so sometimes issues can crop up at 3am and they would be queued there for me in the morning.

The priorities are set at a number of levels (weekly, and quarterly for example) so I have a reasonably good idea of what to expect for the upcoming day however if issues arise they may become the highest priority and take over for that day. My calendar for the day will contain my day's scheduled meetings so I can see where I am committed to being at certain times (handily synchronised with my mobile phone so I don't miss any of them).

 A sample project that I might be working on in a given day may be a programming project for a middleware application. As part of a larger group my efforts will be in concert with the other programmers so there may be a meeting with these peers. Currently I am working in union with a group of programmers in Israel (where we have another campus) and they are 2 hours ahead of GMT so am more likely to have a voice conference at my desk early in the day with them to discuss the issues of the day (such as requirements definitions or the specifics of a program. Then it might be a period of programming or testing from my cubicle before lunch. Lunch would be at the partially subsidised canteen where there is a broad selection available.

After lunch I may be involved with the installation or configuration of a computer attached to a factory tool so that may require visiting the factory floor for a while. (I work in an area which is not in the bunny-suit arena, so I wouldn't normally don those layers of clothes). At the tool we may install or test out a new suite of software and possible debug issues arising from that. In the evening I may be involved in a meeting with the US teams (who are 8 hours behind GMT) so that would only really start at 4pm. Such a meeting may be to synchronise with that team to confirm that we are running the factory in exactly the same way or discuss future changes) For the programming tasks, the timescales are longer (of the order of 6 months), but the day-to-day sustaining of the Ireland factory is on much shorter timescales and as such priorities can change quicker.

Jason RuaneComputer Programmer Everyday is very different in this job particularly given the variety of our responsibilities and the fact that we work with a variety of different people. Within a normal working day, one can find themselves doing the following;

• administration
• home visits to clients
• direct work with children
• facilitating access for children in care with their birth family
• participating in court proceedings and preparation for same
• report writing
• meetings
• networking with other professionals involved in a case
• and many telephone calls!

Mary Ita HeffernanSocial Worker A typical day could involve many different processes, including production of hardware, some programming, inspection of finished parts and paperwork. Owen HughesManufacturing Technician

There is no typical day. For example one day I could be involved in training soldiers, another in unit administration, another I could even be deployed overseas.

I am mainly employed in a leadership/management role with responsibilities for unit training, career development and operations. There is constant pressure being placed in a leadership role but that's just part of the job. The rewards are good, good opportunities to travel and to be promoted.

Tom TooherLieutenant - Army Normally I have meetings and presentations throughout the day with my team where we work through analysis and draw conclusions from the data that is provided. I will then reply to any emails in between these meetings. Denise HarringtonSupply Chain Analyst 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

• 6am - 7am - Emails and Admin
• 7am - First Appointment
• 2pm - End of Clinic
  
  
• 4pm - May start second Clinic
• 9pm - Finish of Clinic
  
  

 

Barry McEnteeChartered Physiotherapist I work on many different projects daily. Some projects are located close to home and others are worldwide. My typical day includes: carrying out detailed design calculations on a structure for large scale projects, regular meetings with people from other disciplines and travelling to site when required. I have done a lot of travelling around Europe recently to carry out visual building inspections for a global client. Shauna HurleyStructural Engineer Arriving in, checking e-mails and going through data from tests I set up previously. Creating new ways to improve the products I am working on by thinking outside the box, and trying to make things as simple as possible. Liam McCaulR&D Engineer One of my favourite things about this job is that there isn't really a typical day! The work of the coordinator goes through different phases throughout the year, so at the beginning of the year there will be a lot of planning and organising of documents and events. There will then be the promotional phase when I travel around the country promoting the JET Programme at universities and careers fairs. Next the applications come in and the coordinator processes them and arranges for the screening and interviews for applicants.

Then there is the selection and orientation of all the new JETs, and finally sending them off to Japan on their own new adventure! Throughout all of this I make sure all of the databases are kept up to date, answer any enquiries to the JET Desk and help out with other Embassy events. There's always something new to learn and enjoy which has kept this job exciting! Edel CarletonJET Coordinator - Japanese Embassy No two days are the same! Matheson’s Tax department is involved in many types of complex transactions, working with international clients to add value to their businesses and as tax law is continually evolving, I am always learning and I am fortunate to be part of a team that encourages me to keep progressing to be the best I can be. Caroline AustinSenior Associate Solicitor

The first thing I do when I go onto the ward is to look at the drugs the nurses have ordered from pharmacy. The nurses will have ordered drugs for new patients and this is one way of spotting any potential problems early on e.g. drug not stocked by the hospital, wrong dose or strength etc. If anything strange does show up I go to those patients first and address the problem.

The next thing on the list is to go and talk to all the new patients and get a list of all the medicines they were on before admission. Most of the time this is relatively straightforward (and quite enjoyable as most of the patients like to have a bit of a chat) but there are occasions when it still isn't clear, even after speaking to the GP, the patient and the community pharmacist.

The list I obtain is compared to the drugs prescribed by the doctor. If the lists don't match I first of all look to see if there is an explanation and if not then let the medical/nursing staff know. Sometimes a patient won't be on a drug that they really should be taking according to their medical history or vice versa and I will highlight this as well.

Once the new admissions are sorted out I try to go round all the other patients and check that the drugs they are prescribed are suitable. I'll also answer any questions they have regarding their medicines and pass anything I'm unable to answer on to the medical/nursing staff. How busy I am depends on how many new patients there are and whether or not they have complicated drug histories. I have other non-clinical commitments which need to be fitted in as well.

Rachel BerryPharmacist Luckily, on this contract we had no day duties which meant that unless we had rehearsals for the shows we were completely free during the day. For that reason when we docked in a city I was free to get off the ship and explore which was really incredible. I knew that straight away after this contract I was going to be choreographing a musical back home though so some days I needed to spend time during the day preparing for that too so that I had it all choreographed and ready to go.

Sometimes in the afternoons we would have rehearsals for the shows just to clean up any problems or change things if one of the dancers was injured. Then I would go back to my cabin and start my make-up for the show. We always warmed up together as a group before the show to make sure we could give it 100%. After the show we would prepare all of our costumes for the next day and see if anything needed fixing, cool down and go to bed to do it all again the next day. Megan McEvoyDancer 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 would be similar enough to any other company following the Agile way of working; stand ups in the morning to track everyone’s progress and give/receive support if needed, perhaps sprint planning or backlog grooming meetings (depending on what day of the sprint it is), and other than that I’d be spending my time coding and working on whatever project or task I’m doing at the time. I liaise with colleagues who may be working on a particular task or project with me throughout the day aswell, it’s an open plan office so this is quite easy to do quickly and efficiently. Claire PurcellSoftware Engineer Because I am self-employed, I have to be very self-motivated and always provide quality and positive Leadership for my team, sometimes this can be challenging as I have to juggle a lot; we have a large working sheep farm coupled with my Husband Jim spending long stints away for work, we also have a 4 and ½ year old wonderful boy. While challenging this juggle is very rewarding, we live in a beautiful place, surrounded by wonderful people and happy Customers. Catherine O'Grady PowersOwner Gleenkeen Farms Further training... Not at the moment Denis ReidyFarmer - Dairy At the moment I’m still training into a new career in Intel, so currently I am busy getting up to standard with the in s and outs of running the process. I hope to advance on to do my masters and PhD in future years and know that Intel will help me to do this. Rebecca TigheProcess Engineer

I have commenced a Level 9 Certificate in Trauma Informed Care, and will obtain this qualification in June 2023. I intend to undertake a Higher Diploma in Mediation and Conflict Resolution in the next 12-18 months.

Jonathan O’ReillyPrincipal Social Worker

Training and upskilling is always part of working within the HSE. Numerous courses are available within the HSE and I will certainly start a new course in the near future. However I don't think I will take on something as big as the Masters for another few years (family time is prime time!).

Frank MorrisonRecruitment Manager I think continuous upskilling is very important as the industry is constantly changing and you need to adapt. Elaine KellyMechanical Design Engineer One of the best things I like about my job is that every day I learn something new. As engineers we are continuously having our skill set ‘upgraded’, so ongoing training is almost a requirement. When I was employed by a multi-national corporation we had many engineers world wide who were experts in various fields, and we used in-house training sessions to improve our knowledge. Over the years I have also attended numerous international seminars, and industry gatherings. Each project that we work on always involves a research stage where we have to acquire a new piece of knowledge as we continue to develop cutting edge products. Shane CallananElectronic Engineer Yes, I am passionate about learning, I actively encourage my team to commit to their studies by highlighting the benefits of continuous professional development. I will complete the MDI qualification which contributes towards credit for ACII. Nicole FeigheryCustomer Care Manager Not immediately as I’ve just finished my Higher Diploma within the last year and that was very intense, with a massive commitment needed from me and my family. However there is compulsory refresher training and clinical up skilling on an ongoing basis that I’ll need to do. As you can see from above there is never a shortage of courses or further education open to Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics and no doubt in the near future there will be a course or position that I fancy advertised on the notice board. Keith HayesAmbulance / Paramedic The Army encourages continual development and advancement in training. I intend on doing an NCO's course, advanced weapon training and more computer courses. There are plenty of courses that I intend on doing but most of all I plan for promotion. Louise Mc DonaldPrivate (Line)

Yes of course as technology is constantly changing especially in global positioning systems and communications equipment constant training is needed.

Also, courses in health and safety, risk management and human resourses are very important these days.

David FlemingSub Lieutenant - Navy Yes I am currently undertaking further training as I am studying a masters degree in Automation Engineering at UCC. Donal Og CusackAutomation/Energy Engineer Most definitely. It’s important to upskill yourself at every opportunity, even if you’re happy with your current role. It can be a challenge at times, as day-to-day work can get in the way and you can end up putting training to the bottom of the priority list. For this, I set reminders in my calendar do something small every week to up-skill myself. Laura GlendonMultilingual Software Support SAP I would like to study something more about business as it’s a rapidly expanding sector within the global space economy and it would be really useful to have. Jonathan FaullSpace Social Media and Communications I am currently studying Project Management. Sinead KennyDesign Engineer I have undertaken courses in Professional Development every summer since I began teaching and I have recently applied for a Masters in Visual Arts Practices in Dun Laoighaire - which is a two year part time course. Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs 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 You never stop learning. Training and coursework are vital aspects of my job. Technology changes quickly, so you always have to be prepared to learn something new. Owen HughesManufacturing Technician I am continually learning from master turners and learning excellence in teaching and instruction from practitioners. Glenn LucasWoodturner I'm planning to undertake a coaching qualification Kathryn ReevesLearning and Development Lead Plan to possibly look at project management. Madonna DalyBusiness Manager Advice if considering this job

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

Whilst in secondary school, I changed my mind many a time regarding the career path I wanted to pursue! I always knew that I wanted to work with people but was unsure about the profession which would most suit my interests and skills in this regard.

While in school, I definitely found that being unsure about the type or area of work you want to pursue is a very difficult and confusing position to be in, especially given the array of career choices now available and the pressure one feels in trying to make one’s mind up.

To this end, I would strongly advise anybody in this position to research courses and job descriptions well in order to make the most informed decision possible at that time in your life. 

I recommend one tries to gain as much work experience as possible as it will provide you with valuable insight into your skills, ability, likes/dislikes for certain areas of employment!!!!

Also I would research the courses and job areas as much as possible so that you can make an informed decision regarding your choices. If you can't gain enough information in school, contact the college directly or arrange to talk to somebody who facilitates the course. In particular, it would be really valuable to talk to somebody in the profession to gain a realistic and practical insight into the job.

Mary Ita HeffernanSocial Worker Work hard, it is important to have a good work ethic and to always be open to facing new challenges. An open mind is very important as the financial services industry is one that has undergone and will continue to undergo many changes. An appetite for learning is also very important as the need to broaden ones knowledge is paramount. Kevin MoranInsurance Administrator 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 Take every opportunity available, don't be afraid to do voluntary work and get involved in communities. Aishling ButlerGarda Trainee Engineering in general is an extremely broad career and can lead to you many different applications and many different parts of the world. It’s also a career which can give you a set of skills highly adaptable to other careers. In Intel the same applies. Day to day the job changes so being able to change with the job is important. Make sure you are adaptable and can apply your skills in many different situations. Rebecca TigheProcess Engineer Perfect your skills while working for others. Know your market. Ray PowerPotter 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 To get physically fit for the entrance tests and also for the demanding physical nature of the job. Also I would tell people to enjoy themselves before they join as it’s a job for at least 30 years.

I would also informl people about the variety of avenues people can get into when they have completed their training. There really is a career for every person regardless of where their interests lie. There is so many specialised units and prospects. Peter CliffordProbationer Garda You don't know until you try it! It's hard to imagine what any job will be like until you're in it so don't let that put you off. It is so important to take the time to consider if the job is right for you too and do not underestimate this. We all spend many hours each day at work so choose wisely. Michael McDermottAssociate Director, International Corporate Banking Consider your options carefully. It is likely that you are expecting top grades in your Leaving Certificate if you are considering pharmacy as a career so there will be plenty of doors open to you. Make sure you do plenty of work experience in different areas of pharmacy and if it is healthcare you are interested in then consider getting some work experience in medicine etc. I know quite a few people who have completed a pharmacy degree only to realise they actually want to do medicine! Rachel BerryPharmacist 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 Anything is possible. Take chances. Don’t be afraid of failure. Lynda O'LearySystems Engineer 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 Being an Engineer is a great career choice. It offers so many opportunities both in Ireland and world-wide. Most positions will have terrific travel opportunities after a few years experience under your belt, and if you choose you course carefully your qualification will be recognised by employers all over the globe. Also an engineering qualification will open doors into management roles if that is your preferred career choice, but the reverse is not the case (if you do a course outside of engineering, you will probably not be able to branch off into engineering a few years after graduating). Shane CallananElectronic Engineer For those of you interested in becoming astrobiologists, then I would advise you to study multidisciplinary subjects relevant to astrobiology (everything from astrophysics, geology to biochemistry). Get as much experience doing research in this field as possible, for instance by doing internships during your studies, doing extracurricular projects, attending international conferences and reading a lot about what in particular interests you the most in astrobiology.

Finally, don't hesitate to approach people experienced in the field, like myself, to ask for advice. In terms of becoming a senior research advisor/consultant or even a chair/vice-chair of an organisation, this will take a lot of determination and hard work. On top of being very skilled researchers, you will need to acquire managerial, teamwork and leadership skills (described in more detail above). For this, you will need to take part in interdisciplinary and ideally international projects, work with people from varied backgrounds and learn how to become a good and fair leader through these experiences. Michaela MusilovaMission Control Space Services It needs to be something that you really love to do. When you have to train during winter it can be difficult so you have to be mentally strong. Ian McKinleyRugby Player A common misconception about a career in tax is that it is just about numbers, however, tax law has a strong basis in legislation and case law. Therefore, it is really suitable for graduates from a legal background, or for qualified solicitors and barristers. Caroline AustinSenior Associate Solicitor It can be challenging, but very rewarding. Choose subjects and coursework carefully. Owen HughesManufacturing Technician 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 The lifestyle 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 Yes certainly, the hours can sometimes be long but also very rewarding. It's what I love and it's what I know so I'll be sticking to it. Fergal FeehelyApprentice Painter Decorator My job allows me a good lifestyle with regard to owing our own home, providing for my children's education and leisure activities. It also allows me to indulge in my hobby of showing dogs. Deirdre LavelleCare Assistant 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 My job is very flexible time-wise, which is good as I would definitely not describe myself as a morning person! It is also quite self-directed.

When I have deadlines, or when I’m feeling extra inspired/motivated, I work long hours, some evenings and weekends. In contrast, there are quieter periods where the working hours are not so rigid.

The travel to international conferences is also a great perk. I feel very lucky to do my job. Caitriona JackmanPlanetary Scientist Yes, because of the fact that I am into sport, teaching allows me the time to ensure I can attend training sessions and games all the time. In relation to progression there is always plenty of areas that you can explore from a background in education. It is a very secure job. However, It would be impossible for me at the moment to buy a house in Dublin on my salary. Brian CadiganPrimary School Teacher Written interview unavailable... Mary McCaugheyHead of Communications 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 Under normal circumstances the job does allow a reasonable work-life balance. But science communication, and especially working in news, is not a 9-to-5 job. There are times when personal plans have to take second place to work. Karen O'FlahertyScience Communicator I always knew I’d prefer a “Monday to Friday” type job with regular hours where you can plan ahead more easily and have two consecutive days off each week. Since I’ve had kids, it works well to be off at weekends. I feel I’ve got job security in my current role and I like that there’s a clear progression path, with ample opportunities to progress for those who wish to avail of them. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant If I was to think about it honestly, it does and it doesn’t. I do really enjoy what I’m doing so I could be considered a workaholic – but I love my work. I would nearly go as far as to consider my work one of the main aspects of my lifestyle. Oz IlbrahmiManufacturing Specialist Yes, definitely. The flexible working hours in BD allow me to start my job early and finish early. This is really valuable to me as it allows me to spend more time in the evening with my 14-month-old child. In BD, we are always encouraged to continue learning new skills which is very important for the R&D medical device industry. Xiaona HouProduct Engineer Yes – fully. Mark MeehanSTEM Learning Head Yes, right now I’m focused on learning and progressing my career and thankfully that is encouraged in my job and industry. Job security and work-life balance are also valued. And there are opportunities to travel and meet colleagues from across the global organization. Gillian MorganManufacturing Process Specialist Yes. My job is varied, interesting and can present different challanges every day. It offers me security and I am continually learning new administration skills in my current appointment. I still have plenty of leisure time to spend with my friends and my family. The Army offers me the chance for promotion and overseas service. Louise Mc DonaldPrivate (Line) It does, I’m lucky enough to be able to work remotely for 50% of my week. Allowing me some flexibility to do things outside of work, like fit in a run around the lovely countryside and spend time at home rather than on a commute. Sam FranklinEarth Observation Specialist Unlike some of the other health professions, Occupational Therapists tend to work from 9-5 Monday to Friday. This leaves both the evenings and weekends free to pursue other interests. OTs also get 25-27 annual leave days a year. These tend to get used up with holidays etc.

The caring professions aren't generally renowned as high income jobs. On qualifying from College Basic Grade OTs start on lower salary scales with salary increments each year. After working for 3 years as a Basic Grade, therapists are eligible to apply for Senior OT positions, which start on a higher salary scale. Tomas FlanaganOccupational Therapist When I was younger, one of the most important factors for me was to earn a really good salary as I wanted to be comfortable (my parents struggled financially so I didn't want to have the same struggles). However, I realised in my late twenties that although I wanted a good salary to be financially comfortable it was equally important for me to be as happy in my professional life as I was in my personal life.

I was working as a tax consultant and my job was well paid with great benefits. I was getting bored and frustrated with the lack of excitement. Overtime, I transitioned to work for myself in the food industry using all the knowledge and key skills I gained in all my previous jobs e.g. I've financial and tax awareness from my previous job. Fiona UyemaChef Yes, it is part-time with relatively flexible hours so it gives me the opportunity to do other jobs and study as well as spend quality time with my family. Rasaq FaladeGarda Reserve It does. I can balance work, family life and my social life very well. Liam McCaulR&D Engineer Whats cool I love the variety my job presents. I love to meet different customers and hear how they started in business and what their future ambitions are and how I can help them get there. Madonna DalyBusiness Manager 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 really enjoy the design process and using my creativity to create a modern and unique product that is specifically customised to every single customer. I also enjoy using the program Solid works in my daily work routine – overall design is my passion and my favourite aspect of the job is seeing your finished product in action. Kevin O'HaganDesign Engineer Space. For me, this is absolutely so much fun. When you look at where we are right now, there are a couple of majors points in human history: we came from the jungle and stepped out onto the plains was one, we crossed the ocean (number two), and number three is we move into space and become an interplanetary species, and we're right there at the start of that. This is, for me, the most exciting thing of the whole lot, everything we're doing now; and you can see that the general public are buying into this, with all of the movies at the moment. In the sixties you had a bit of this, when people saw what was possible.

And then, we went to the moon, and it was massive, and everyone was cheering, and ticker tape and all the rest of it. And then, it settled down, because we realised what we couldn't do; we got to the moon, but in the process we realised all of the things that we couldn't do, so science backed off and focused on what we need to do to move to the next step, now that we understood what it was like being in space. Since then, we've been gently gently probing, but now we're on the edge of a move to Mars, and I reckon in my lifetime, I'll see a Martian born, which is really exciting. Rory Fitzpatrick CEO of the National Space Centre

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 Working with a team whom you know and get on well with makes the tasks so much easier. We also socialise together, so that it is not all work and no play. Ejiro O'Hare StrattonClinical Nurse Manager 2 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 Team comradery. Ian McKinleyRugby Player I like the fact that my job gets me involved with all aspects of the business - planning, purchasing, finance, engineering, human resources etc. It is this diversity of contacts which ensures that each day is different and interesting. I also like the pressure in my job. I'm never short of something to do. Fergus O'ConnellQuality 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 The coolest thing is working with such a fantastic, hard-working, enthusiastic, energetic and intelligent team. We are a small company, based in Ireland and we are performing truly world-class research which will have a significant positive impact on the bottom line of many of the major pharmaceutical companies who we list as our customers.

Another cool thing is the nature of the work we do constantly changes in that we are always working on new projects with new customers which keep us challenged and excited. Brian KellyScience Entrepreneur Being responsible for modern equipment like weapon systems, armoured vehicles and night vision equipment. Travelling overseas to see different cultures. Getting to operate and fire sophisticated weapons systems. Meeting and working with new people everyday. Tom TooherLieutenant - Army You will get to know all the latest book releases and may have opportunities to meet a visiting author. Librarians will have an input in creating and organising library events.

The Library is a place where you are working within a team, and we are people who enjoy working among the public. I think you also need to have a liking for knowledge and learning, a good general knowledge is an asset.

It can be very satisfying to successfully assist people find what they want, whether this may be on, (for example), building a garden shed or screen writing. Each morning I look forward to my days work, that to me is cool. Jonathan SmythLibrary Assistant

Building relationships with the families that I work with, sometimes once I am first allocated to the case, it can be difficult for the family to open up and trust the service. It is important that we meet the families where they are at and be very mindful of any power dynamics in the relationship.

Fiona O'SullivanChild Protection and Welfare Social Worker

• Getting to fly a huge range of missions in a military helicopter everyday..
• Lots of free time for training/sport activities.  
• Loads of annual leave.
• A solid and very well paid job

Oisin McGrathLieutenant - Pilot - Air Corp Job satisfaction is the best thing for me. It is very rewarding to see a client progress and do well based on your work with them. Also the working hours and annual leave allows me to enjoy other aspects of life including hobbies and traveling.

There is also a great deal of variety in this career. Every client we meet is different and a day's work is rarely dull. I also get the opportunity to liaise with and meet a variety of other professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, teachers. I'm also lucky in that my work colleagues have also become friends. Lisa KellySpeech and Language Seeing the service users happy and growing in confidence. Enjoying new experiences. Working with the service users and getting to know them. Working with nice people Deirdre LavelleCare Assistant Working at the Harwell Space Cluster in the UK. It’s an inspiring location with lots of activity and enthusiasm for innovation. Dealing with space data. That is COOL! Sam FranklinEarth Observation Specialist The comradery with my classmates. We all bonded very quickly and there is a good atmosphere in class all the time. Mark Spain Garda Trainee The job is exceptionally rewarding. The Irish citizen lies at the heart of all we do and that makes the work important. The opportunity to travel to and live in so many different cities around the world is also one of the most appealing aspects of the job for me! Shane SargeantDepartment of Foreign Affairs Not so cool Oisín:
Having to delay your work to wait for a person to help you with a particular job or tool.

Oisin MurphyApprentice Carpenter Gender, racial and sexual biases in the workplace. Sinead O'Sullivan CEO of Fusion Space Technologies It is always a challenge to manage ever-changing requirements within the business. It ultimately means you have to always compromise a bit in terms of the scope of what you are doing with the time available. However, you get used to it! Sam FranklinEarth Observation Specialist Doing my VAT returns! Glenn LucasWoodturner Spending so much time away from family and friends and missing important events. Kate WalshBeauty Therapist Some days working from home can be difficult as something simple like asking someone a quick question becomes a task in itself, trying to find time between online meetings. Denise HarringtonSupply Chain Analyst A school is run on tight budgets and limited supports and this makes management difficult at times. Paul MeanySchool Principal Definitely drafting meeting minutes. I don’t think anyone enjoys that. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant It was a challenge to balance studying and working at times, but I managed very well as the Irish Tax Institute really supports you through the qualification by offering a flexible study and learning approach that makes work life balance very manageable. Caroline AustinSenior Associate Solicitor 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 Budget control. In the pharmaceutical industry the financial aspect of running the dept is very important and all spend has to be controlled.  Budget compliance is reviewed monthly with the finance group and this can be quite tiring having to justify spend to non-science people whose sole focus is bottom line (which they need to be of course). Michael BohaneQA Manager I'm sure there are, but nothing springs to mind. Richard KinsellaManaging Director There is very little I do not like about my job but if I had to select one it would have to be the the lack of control I have over my day-to-day activities as my day is timetabled by others. However generally I find this a minor annoyance. Keith LynchPrivate (Line) I wouldn't say there's anything I don't like, however things can get extremely busy at times which can sometimes be daunting, but there's always someone there willing to give a hand. Abbie RiceAssociate Accountant/IFS Apprentice I'm not a fan of having to memorise music! Sharon CartyOpera Singer Time management! It is a busy job and I don't always have time to do as good a job as I want to on some tasks because other things are more important or urgent. For example, sometimes you want to spend more time working on a piece of research but you can't because you need to respect a deadline given to you by a publisher. Dr. Patrick CadwellLecturer 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 Special Needs teaching can be enjoyable and rewarding. However there is a lot of paperwork. Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs 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) People complaining about the free food! Laura GlendonMultilingual Software Support SAP