deiseanna gairme in institiúide an AE

Employer Insights Getting the job When I was in College, I spoke to a Musgrave representative at a careers fair. They spoke about the benefits of the programme and told me about the history of the business. From that conversation I decided to apply for the Graduate Programme. Ross McKeoghMusgrave Retail Graduate Programme Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs My current job arose from a restructuring of the Quality Function within IVAX. I was a QA (Quality Assurance) analyst in the Inhalations business for three years when I applied for a Senior QA Officer role. I was interviewed and offered a role in the Solid Dose business. One of the key questions in the interview was 'what would you change'. The company was looking for new ideas. My manager called me into his office and told the company wanted to offer me a position telling me that my work ethic and ability to make hard decisions played a big part in their decision. Fergus O'ConnellQuality Officer Drive, determination and confidence. It was a tough application process but by using these three qualities I suceeded. Steven KilgannonGarda Trainee

It was simple google search! I few friends of mine had begun working with AIB’s call team and I was hoping to follow suit. I sent my CV to [email protected] and was brought through their Graduate selection process. This included an aptitude test, along with an interview. I put a huge amount of work in preparing for the interview, and really wanted to demonstrate how much I had researched AIB and what it would mean to join an organisation like it.

Receiving the call to say I was selected was a big day – I still remember exactly where I was at the time, and who I ran to to share the big news.

My progression within AIB has been as a result of a number of internal interviews. The application process can feel tedious at times but putting in that extra effort to completing the submission and update the CV always prove worthwhile. I try to review my CV at least twice a year, just to remind myself of what I’ve achieved and where I want to go.

During my time in AIB, I’ve been promoted every two years to a new role. This progression has kept me motivated over the years and I enjoy reaching for that next goal. Shaping a career path can at times prove difficult, but understanding the various opportunities presented by an organisation like AIB can bring a new slant to the job. Lara MulveySenior Product Manager AIB

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 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 I set up my own workshop in 1997. I am continually upgrading the workshop and developing work and teaching programmes. Glenn LucasWoodturner

I worked in the child law area in the private sector for many years and then an opportunity came up to work in Tusla.

Diego GallagherSenior Solicitor 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 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 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 When the position was advertised, I submitted my application. From there I was successful in obtaining an interview, resulting in the position being offered to me which I accepted. Hugh Heraghty Fish Farm Manager Firstly I used the services of Solas who were great , they told me all the steps I needed to take to attain an apprenticeship.

For the next couple of weeks I searched job websites, newspapers, solas offices and applied for electrical apprenticeships.

I got a reply from a few companys who would like to interview me. From there I started to research the companies and put them in order of preference. I completed the interviews and I was happy to have been offered a position from the company I had as my top preference. Mark MaguireApprentice Electrician I worked with children and families for almost 19 years, and whereas I loved my managing role within child protection services, following the Covid-19 Pandemic and many changes personally and professionally, I felt that I needed a new challenge. I applied for the position of Principal Social Worker in November 2022, and used my years of practice and management to prepare as best I could for the interview. I was successful in getting the role and commenced the new year with a new position. Jonathan O’ReillyPrincipal Social Worker By accident! The date for applying for the application form has already passed, but not the deadline for sending the completed version. I got and completed it, sent it back, completed selection tests and progressed to interviews, almost a year had passed. The message here is be patient – all things come to those who wait. Notification of success was by mail. Fergal DonnellyEuropean Commission I was actively looking for a new job in Scotland or Ireland at the time. My current job was advertised on the HSE careers website: www.careersinhealthcare.ie. It appealed to me because as part of the job you got to complete a Masters in Clinical Pharmacy and depending on where you were placed in interview, choose which hospital you worked in (the scheme involved the major teaching hospitals in HSE West and South).

I applied online and was shortlisted for an interview which assessed the candidates suitability for the job itself and the Masters. I got a phone call a few days later to say I had been successful. Rachel BerryPharmacist 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 applied through publicjobs.ie and was guided through the process. Mark Spain Garda Trainee 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 Main challenges I think it is extremely difficult to keep abreast of the new types of crimes such as cyber crime. It is also difficult to investigate such incidents. Nan Hu Garda 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 Shift work! This can be difficult especially when you have a family, the shifts are 12 hours long which is a long time to be away from home, and because of the nature of the work sometimes you get called out just when you’re getting set to go home.

Sometimes its difficult and challenging to remain compassionate and courteous when you respond to tragic situations that may overwhelm you, such as a drunk driver who has crashed and killed somebody and is now abusing you while you treat his/her injuries.

As the work of a Paramedic and Advanced Paramedic is very dynamic it can be hard to keep up your studies while trying to balance everything else, learning ‘just enough’ is never good enough as the more you learn the more the patient you treat will benefit. Keith HayesAmbulance / Paramedic The main challenge for me is time management. I have a large number of responsibilities to carry out and due to the varied nature of any given project it can be hard to stick to a plan on a daily basis.

Once you deviate from a plan you must try and catch up some other time which tends to lead to additional hours. I don’t mind this because I prefer to be on top of things rather than lagging behind. Aidan MaherSite Manager - Grad Entry Keeping abreast of all the changes is a major challenge. There are so many bright people all working away on their topics and changing the game so often that it is essential to keep abreast of your peers work. Go on holidays for two weeks and it could take another week just to catch up with everything. The technical challenges I experience here are often involved with the intricacies of minor details in operating systems, networking protocols or programming. Staying on top of the game involves continually keeping track of what are the trends and technologies outside the corporation too. e.g. subscribing to blogs to stay informed of trends in the processor industry. Jason RuaneComputer Programmer 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 You can get stuck on certain problems which becomes frustrating quite quickly because you don’t have a big team to help you. And if you’re like me solving the problem is the fun part, writing up your results not so much although it is probably the most important bit. It can take some time and requires a lot of focus. Shane McDonaghRenewable Energy Engineer

Waiting lists for services and supports for example, play therapy, mental health services etc.

Fiona O'SullivanChild Protection and Welfare Social Worker 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 It was certainly a challenge to balance studying for a professional qualification and work full time, however, the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) programme offered by the Irish Tax Institute caters for this challenge by providing weekend lectures and electronic access to materials. In particular, the professional skills workshop offered the opportunity to discuss and solve real-life tax problems that I could then apply in my day to day work. Caroline AustinSenior Associate Solicitor Every day presents different challenges, some more challenging than others. For example Barrack Guard presents its own challenges, patrolling , monitoring and remaining alert for the duration of your duty. Everyday in my office job there are different challenges which also have to be met. Louise Mc DonaldPrivate (Line) 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 Each child is different and has his or her own difficulties. In a class of nine their may be as many as nine dramatically different levels of reading/ writing/ spelling ability. Knowing at what level to pitch a lesson can be challenging. This is why we practice a lot of group work/ games and learning activities in this school to meet the needs of the children, and ensure they are working within their own abilities while still being challenged and motivated Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs The demands of the new technologies has meant that fabrication tools are ever increasing in size and complexity. These tools have thousands and thousands of metres of required facilities that all have to be modelled in increasingly smaller footprints, while still maintaining strict safety standards, functionality and ever stricter cost budgets. Its proving to be a tougher and tougher challenge to manage such a large scoped project with these constraints. Darryl DayIQ Engineer A huge challenge for me at the start was speaking German to native Germans on the phone. It was quite daunting at the start, but you get used to it after a while. Another challenge of mine was presenting in team meetings. Again, it's one of those things that become second nature to you the more you do. You need to remember that everyone is in the same boat when doing these things! Laura GlendonMultilingual Software Support SAP 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 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 Negative stereotyping towards Gardaí can be challenging, however if treated fairly people more often than not respond very positively. Emilia GilroyGarda The financial markets always move on to the next theme once the current outlook is priced in, so one always needs to be ahead of the market, keep an eye on potential risks and anticipate how the market would react to them. I guess this explains the long hours on the desk. Semin Soher PowerSenior Inflation Trader 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 Typical day Arriving on site early, planning what trades are required and where. I would be ordering materials and tracking work progression across the site to see if deadlines will be met. Colin ButterlySite Manager - Trade Entry A typical day would begin with prayer and roll call. Then we would go through the timetable for the day beginning with Irish then Maths, English, Religion, History or Geography, Drama, Music, or PE -  just a sample of the many subjects we get through in a day. 

Most classes are of half an hour duration during which time you are trying to keep all levels of ability engaged and also two classes working as I teach in a multiclass situation. The timetable can be completely altered by visitors, dramas, choir practice and preparation for first holy communion to name just a few! Deirdre SayersPrimary School Teacher 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 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

I typically work a regular weekday, however I like the flexibility that my job as Clinical Psychologist allows. Sometimes I might arrive in earlier, for example, to prepare for a Memory Clinic for older people with dementia. Other days I might stay a bit later if we’re running a Parenting Skills Group, for example.

On a usual day I come into my clinic-based office and check phone or email messages and respond to them. Then I might have a Clinic Team Meeting which is where members of the multi-disciplinary team (e.g. Social Worker, Psychiatrist, Occupational Therapist) meet to discuss referrals or ongoing clinical work. Then I might have an appointment with someone either for assessment (e.g. a cognitive assessment or IQ test) or therapy (e.g. psychotherapy).

In the afternoon I might have appointments out in the community, for example, with a teacher in a special school about a particular student, or in a residential home with a Social Care Worker about someone living there. A regular part of my work throughout the week involves reviewing research studies and programmes as part of my planning clinical interventions for individual people or situations.

Once a week I have a meeting with my Head of Department where we review the people and cases on my ‘caseload’ and I find this meeting very useful. At the end of the day I spend some time writing up my clinical notes, scoring up any assessments I did that day, liaising with my colleagues around any tasks that came out of my work that day, and finally planning my work schedule for the next day. Then I leave the Clinic to enjoy my evening!

Elaine MacDonaldPsychologist - Clinical 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 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 Start @ 6:30 milking, feeding calves, checking cattle & complete all feeding & routine tasks by 11.

Non routine work varies with the seasons & is completed each day between 11am & 4pm.

The current spring tasks include calving cows, ploughing, slurry & fertiliser application, fencing & straw bedding cattle.

Updating the paperwork end of the business also takes quiet a while.

The evening routine replicates the morning routine & is completed between 4-6pm. Denis ReidyFarmer - Dairy My day starts at 8:30am. I am part of the System Admin team. We are responsible for providing robust cloud infrastructure to engineering teams, automating processes, configuring hardware and troubleshooting infrastructure related issues. During my day, I assign myself tasks from our backlog. The highest priority tasks are issues and I would troubleshoot these issues first. In the afternoon, my team meets for our scrum call and we provide an update on our tasks and discuss any open items. My day ends at 5:30pm. Lynda O'LearySystems Engineer My 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 7.30 Set up workshop for day’s work. Prepare wood for or finish work for an order or exhibition. Prepare workshop for a class – one-to-one or group. Update my website with recent press and new dates for classes. Make and return calls/emails to buyers, suppliers and potential students. Keep my machines in good working order. Glenn LucasWoodturner 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 After being paraded by my supervisor at 7 am I would usually head out on the mountain bike patrolling around the district. I would inspect shops, post offices, off licences, and public houses and interact with the public and local community dealing with any issues they may have.

I would investigate crimes, taking statements and collecting CCTV footages. I would respond to calls such as public misconduct and theft incidents.

During my meal break sometimes I would go to the gym in my station to keep fit. After the meal break I would patrol the district again. At the end of the tour I would record the incidents which I responded to on our computer system. I would do a report in relation to any issues highlighted by the community. Nan Hu Garda Written interview unavailable... Mary McCaugheyHead of Communications Our team does a lot of computer simulations. We make mathematical models and draw 3D models that represent a rocket. We can simulate an entire launch from Earth to orbit. David McKeownSpace Scientist Every day starts the same…I look at two things: 1. Bloomberg’s “5 things you need to know to start your day” and 2. my “to-do” list in Excel. Everything in my to-do list is colour-coded, depending on how urgent it is. I have a plan for every day but I rarely complete the tasks I had intended to as you’ll get an “urgent” email / call / Teams message from a colleague or client that interrupts your plan and it goes from there! I find prioritising is a major part of every day, with the most “urgent” task on my list changing as the day goes on.

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

I find my days busy and I have to be flexible and willing to adapt when unexpected issues arise during the day. While sometimes, I do crave 2 uninterrupted hours to focus on a particular task, I really enjoy regularly interacting with colleagues and clients alike. If I have a client meeting on a particular day, I’ll set aside some time to prep for that. Deadlines are a key feature of every day. You need lots of energy to stay on top of everything, monitor deadlines and ensure tasks are progressing well. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant My typical day is a busy mix of lectures and laboratories with undergraduate students. I also make sure to catch-up with my graduate (PhD) students working in the lab on our research. We chat about results, and try to understand what they mean by plotting graphs, applying theories and comparing them with what other scientists have reported. Recently, I started working with the School of Education here in Trinity on new methods to teach physics lab-classes to our undergrads.

Collaborations with colleagues from different schools and departments in the university is really fruitful. Some days I get to chat with visiting children from primary or secondary schools about science – it’s important to get beyond the ‘can you blow something up’ attitude to science lectures. I also get to talk on the radio or at the Science Gallery in TCD about scientific topics. Clichéd and all as it sounds, I love my job. I’m always keen to share this with others. Shane BerginPhysics Lecturer The most typical thing about my days is the fact that they all tend to be busy!

Days vary quite significantly in and out of term. Out of term days will be focused on course development, lecture preparation and research. In term, I generally try to have one day a week where I try to focus on research activity - at the moment I'm preparing two papers, one to present at a conference of researchers, and the other I'm preparing to submit for publication in a journal.

However, in reality this time tends to be distributed throughout the week. I have a network of people with whom I am developing my research. They are predominantly based in Ireland and the UK, but I am also developing some projects with European academics. So there may be e-mails or phone calls about something!

Otherwise, my days consist of a mix of teaching, an open office-hour where students can come to discuss their courses, assignments or concerns and administration. Aoife Mc DermottLecturer There is no such thing as a typical day in a life of a Guard. Each day is different as we are faced with different tasks, meet different people and given different responsibilities. Some days are very busy, while other are more relaxed. It’s a varied job and definitely not a boring one. Emilia GilroyGarda A typical day would consist of :

- All apprentices and electricians getting together in the site office to discuss what had to be done that day with the site foreman.

- Gathering up all the materials you were going to need for the day from the stores

- You would then be teamed up with qualified electricians and go and do the job required, they would be helping you as the day went on with showing you how to read technical drawings and how to do the job.

- At the end of the day we would have a quick run through of everything we had done and what had to be done the following day. Mark MaguireApprentice Electrician Further training... Currently working with a Business Psychologist, Johanna Fullerton on Leadership Development. Richard KinsellaManaging Director Yes I plan to go back this year and finish off my engineering exams for the class one engineer. Brendan CavanaghShips Engineer I have taken various courses and certifications to learn more and improve my skills, and I plan to continue training in areas relevant to me. Megan WalshMechanical Engineer

In the Air Corps, training is on going. We are involved in courses on a regular basis. These courses vary from flying courses to computer courses to activity/adventure training courses.

As we have a range of aircraft in the Air Corps, pilots will be trained on a number of different aircraft throughout their careers. As a result further training within the Air Corps is inevitable!

Oisin McGrathLieutenant - Pilot - Air Corp I am always open to upskilling; I regularly attend webinars so that I am up to date on current matters. Jenny DonnellyAsset Manager

Continuous professional development is something that I feel passionate about, society is always changing, and new evidence-based approaches are being published.

 

 

Fiona O'SullivanChild Protection and Welfare Social Worker 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 Yes, I would like to get an Anaesthetic Fellowship, Pain Diploma, MBA Health Care Management and maybe a diploma in computer networking & database control. Dr Jan SteinerAnaesthetist I took the postgraduate diploma in statistics and the PhD after my undergraduate course. For the next year I'm planning to focus on settling in here and learning as much as I can from my teaching experience.

After that I would like to take a formal course to improve my teaching. There is a qualification in Third Level Teaching and Learning offered in Ireland, and an International Teachers Programme abroad. Either of those would be super.

In the meantime DCU offer courses to support lecturers, so I will be taking those from January. I would also like to undertake a professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Professional Development, the body for HR managers. DCU offers courses accredited by the CIPD and a lot of the members of my group have this qualification. It's not essential, but it is something I would like to do. Aoife Mc DermottLecturer I would like to when I find the time! Fergal FeehelyApprentice Painter Decorator I will be doing a fish filleting course very soon. Nicola O'HigginsFishmonger Yes I have and willing to do more. Rasaq FaladeGarda Reserve I always try to keep my knowledge current by constantly doing a variety of courses such as those on languages or IT. It’s very important to keep life- long learning going all the time. Kevin KearyParliamentary Assistant 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 Written interview unavailable... Mary McCaugheyHead of Communications Intel actively promotes training and development as a core part of my job role. I find myself in a classroom almost every week! I currently have plans to complete a project management course to aid in my current role. Darryl DayIQ Engineer

At Intel we are encouraged to continue our training and there are a number of courses available on site whether it is a Time Management course or a statistic source. My job deals with million dollar machines which have hundreds of different mechanical components as well as numerous different types of software so I need to be trained to a high standard so that I am able to fully trouble shoot any of problems that are encountered on this machine.

Training for this takes place in America, so my job also provides a great opportunity to travel and see the world while at the same time learning. I have also lived in USA for 1 year as part of training for our new factory. This gave me the opportunity to train under world class engineers and the experience was amazing. Not only did I really enjoy the experience I came home with a lot of new knowledge and skills that have been applied in my job here on an everyday basis.

Kerrie HoranEngineer - Process As part of St Michael's house we are sent on training in various areas relevant to our job. These include First Aid, Manual Handling, Challenging Behaviour Training, Sexual Abuse Training, Training in Individual Personal Plans (which are each clients individual yearly goals) and Health and Safety training.

I personally have an interest in Bereavement Counselling and plan to undertake the course provided by this organisation when possible. Outside of work I am completing a Foundation Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling as it continues to be an area of special interest for me. Naoise PyeSocial Care Worker I am open to all education opportunities in terms of professional and self development. I have applied to undertake Garda Public Order and advanced driving training. I am also planning to take the Sergeant Exams. Nan Hu Garda 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 Advice if considering this job 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 Written interview unavailable... Mary McCaugheyHead of Communications Learn about the Naval Service – look at the website, visit a ship alongside a port when they are open to the public, talk to any friends/family in the Naval Service, ring the Recruiting Office. David FlemingSub Lieutenant - Navy

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down”  

Damien HaberlinEcologist (Post-Doctoral Researcher) Try and get as much practical experience before entering the job as possible. Dr Jan SteinerAnaesthetist The most important thing is to be passionate about what you’re doing. It can be pretty difficult at times and in those times, the only thing that gets you through it are the little successes you achieve during the week or the month or by solving a problem or getting a new client. Oz IlbrahmiManufacturing Specialist For anyone interested in this role, learning fundamental skills such as financial modelling and valuation would certainly be helpful. In terms of qualifications, I encourage them to pursue the CFA program because the curriculum covers all asset classes in significant detail. Additionally, one could also pursue ACA/ACCA, if their interests are stronger on the Accounting side. Finally, it is also extremely important to stay on top of current affairs and market events as it is a time-sensitive industry. Madhuvratha VasudevanSenior Investment Analyst I would advise those considering the job to be patient and to be good at what you are doing and when the opportunity comes to join An Garda Siochana just take it!.

If you are part of a minority group in Ireland and considering joining An Garda Síochána then my advice to you is to go for it because as a foreign national working in the organisation I promise there is no discrimination in An Garda Síochána. Nan Hu Garda Someone considering this job I feel should work well under pressure as we can get very busy at times and you'll have a lot of tasks to complete. I think it's very beneficial to be social and outgoing as we all work very closely together as a team and its very helpful to have good relationships with your team when you need a helping hand in completing tasks. Abbie RiceAssociate Accountant/IFS Apprentice If it is possible to get some work experience during the summer holidays or weekends, it would be great. Find out if there are any positions (voluntary or otherwise) available in your local IT or University. Get involved in a hobby such as model making, this would be very helpful as it would help with dexterity & impart an understanding of the ways in which different materials interact when assembled together. Sinead KennyDesign Engineer Enjoy the wild ride after you enroll in a course. It is bumpy and challenging, but where is the fun in life if there is no challenge?  Kelvin E Lau HowPHD Student RCSI Don't just go into teaching because you are looking for long holidays. To teach everyday you need to like children, be very patient and understanding. However I feel it is one of the most rewarding jobs out there. Brian CadiganPrimary School Teacher Read a lot – it’s a great way to find new ways to express ideas. Write a lot, even if just for yourself, so that you get used to communicating your ideas on paper. Develop your time management skills – that is crucial when working in an area that has very tight deadlines. Learn more languages – it’s very helpful to have an insight into how people express themselves in different languages. Karen O'FlahertyScience Communicator

I found having education in a number of different areas of engineering to be beneficial to the work I am doing.

There is a whole world of possibilities out there for engineers, and it is difficult to know what subjects are necessary for the industry you will end up in. I was always interested in robotics and environmental issues, but it was not until my Masters that I really knew what I wanted to do.

General entry courses are quite useful, as you get a taste for a few different areas before you have to specialise, a lot of companies offer on the job training, and there is also the possibility of further study.

An engineering qualification teaches you so much more than just the technical subjects, but a way of looking at the world and solving problems in a logical and systematic way.

Engineers are sought after for these skills as much as the technical ones, and it opens up incredible opportunities. Engineering is not an easy route through college, but it is incredibly rewarding.

Elva BannonMechatronic Engineer I would advise to any young person to go to college first and/or travelling and gain some life experience as this will help you deal/cope with situations a lot better. Niamh BriggsGarda

I would recommend a career in banking mainly because of the variety it offers. People have a view of banking as the bank teller taking cash in a branch but there is so much more to offer. We have people like me that deal with customers, do large deals, travel and work as teams. But we also have people that trade shares, that manage risk/finance, that work with charities, that manage the largest mergers in the world, that work in green finance, that come up with all the new products and innovation, that look after the wealth of high net worth individuals and many other areas.

So it's worth looking at further to find an area of the very broad sector of banking to find something that suits your interests most.

Brian DelahuntyHead of Corporate Banking 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 Go for it – it’s a great job. Des LalorWind Engineer

I would advise you to contemplate your motivations for considering a career in social work. Whereas I entered university wanting to change the world, I now understand that if I wanted to do this, I should have followed a career in social policy. Moreover, I have developed an appreciation for the big (and small) changes I have made to children’s and family’s lives, the connections I have made within the communities I have worked in, and the support and guidance I have given and received throughout the course of my career.

I would further add that through my career I have met some incredible colleagues who I am lucky to now call friends. Social work is a career wherein one relies heavily on their teams/colleagues, and close interpersonal connections are quickly forged.  

Jonathan O’ReillyPrincipal Social Worker 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 The lifestyle 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 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

Fishing is a very unpredictable job. While, financially, it can be in line with other jobs, it can have a negative impact on your home life. You cannot plan holidays etc. because the fishing season is so dependent on the weather.

You could be at home for a week between trips or you could be home a couple of hours. It is hard to peruse any planned leisure activities when you cannot tell anyone when you will be at home or when you will be at sea.

Alan O'NeillFisherman

My job does allow me have a lifestyle I am happy with, although being honest I sometimes struggle with getting the work/life balance right - but I am getting better!

Starting a company can be stressful and frustrating at times but equally at other times it can be exhilarating and rewarding. The stresses arise particularly in the early stages of the company's development when there is no money coming in and you are living from week to week and wondering whether or not you will have enough money to pay yourself and your staff.

Work is often brought home and can constantly be on your mind and there is very little sense of job security. At times you become "married to the job"! Needless to say, this can also be stressful and frustrating for your nearest and dearest.

On the flip-side the rewards come in the shape of satisfaction at seeing something which at one stage was just an idea, becoming a real, tangible and viable company. Also, from the perspective of having studied a scientific discipline I find it enriching to be constantly exposed to a whole range of new experiences and learning a new skillset in the commercial arena.

Brian KellyScience Entrepreneur 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 A very wise colleague of mine put it perfectly being a singer is the best job in the world, it's just not always the best life, and this sums it up for me. It's not for everyone, the time spent preparing things alone, or long periods away from friends and family, and the pressure of having to perform regardless of what's going on in your life can sometimes be very very tough, so what you get out of actually doing the job has to be worth it.

There's no job security, if you get sick and have to cancel, you don't get paid, and no classical musician gets into it for the money! So you have to really want to do this job, but if you do, as my colleague said, it's the best job in the world! Sharon CartyOpera Singer 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 It is reasonably paid. I'm lucky to have a secure job as I am in a permanent post. It is very much a family friendly role in that there is a lot of flexibility for those people who are parents and have childminding responsibilities etc.

There is scope to vary your working hours around such commitments e.g. part time, parental leave etc. Also the hours are 9-5, Monday to Friday which allows you free weekends etc to pursue other interests etc. Mary Ita HeffernanSocial Worker Yes, I enjoy my weekends off and I also get to keep another passion of mine alive in my spare time which is farming. A great work-life balance! Kevin O'HaganDesign Engineer

I am passionate about helping people to bring their whole selves to work, and having their real needs met. I am a mother of three daughters, and am a huge advocate for women returning to work from maternity leave, having seen the barriers that exist in the workplace. That has made me even more committed to progressing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Working in HR has helped me to also have access to resources in work that I can apply outside work and help in community and volunteering organisations, as well as with my family. HR is not just about filling forms and checking boxes – it’s about solving problems, helping people to maximse their potential and I find this hugely fulfilling.

I have been very deliberate in choosing HR roles where I don’t have to travel as my children have grown up – I did a lot of travel when I had babies and made a conscious choice to step back from that because I wanted a different balance and HR is a very portable career where you can do that.

Oonagh KellyHead of HR The job allows me to work regular hours. I rarely work unsocialable hours, which means that I can spend time with my family and friends. I'm out working in the fresh air on most days, which makes for a healthy lifestyle although the work can be physically demanding at times but it helps to keep you reasonably fit as well. Being my own boss, I can take holidays at times that suit me and my family. This occupation has given me security and a reasonably good living. I would say that it's relatively good compared to most jobs. It has given me the opportunity to persue a kind of lifestyle which suits my temperament and outlook. I enjoy owning my own business and setting my own goals in life. Paul DowlingHorticulturist Working with Intel does allow me to maintain a good work/life balance. My boss is quite understanding of my life priorities and allows me to maintain a healthy balance between work and home. Deborah CaffreyElectronic Engineer

While ashore, yes there are very little restrictions on my lifestyle. I am married and play both hurling and football for my local GAA Club Barryroe so therefore I enjoy a good work life balance.

However, while on my Sea Rotation (which ended just over two weeks ago) this obviously becomes more difficult. Being at Sea and away from home for four week periods makes any lifestyle difficult for myself and of course my family. But that’s the career I chose.

David FlemingSub Lieutenant - Navy 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

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 Being honest, to a degree yes, but not fully. The nature and reality of private practice is that we are busiest outside of everyone else's 9-5 schedule. This means early mornings, which are great, and I enjoy. Late evenings however impact on family life, social life, and sporting endeavours.

I haven't been as involved in my chosen sport of Gaelic football as I'd like to have been this past few years as its quite the challenge to juggle work and making training, especially when GAA fixtures change so frequently and at such short notice.

I have a comfortable lifestyle thanks to putting in long hours and working hard, this is something that I enjoy so it's never an issue for me aside from the aforementioned clash with my own sporting interests. Barry McEnteeChartered Physiotherapist 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 My job is very demanding whilst I'm present but generally I only need to be there for the standard 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. There is also flexibility when required due to a good relationship with my manager and his recognition of my commitment generally. Ciaran MacSamhrainEngineer - Transport Infrastructure Ireland Yes. The time off is very substantial. After working for six days straight you get four days off in a row.

As a family man it means I can spend time with my children and do any jobs I need to during these four days. Peter CliffordProbationer Garda Yes, my job allows me the flexibility I desire and also provides good travel opportunities. This is very important to me. Karl CurranAssociate Director Whats cool I love lots of things about my job, the friendly/laid-back environment, the people, the place, but most of all I love what I do! Writing code and having something to demo is such a satisfying feeling Claire PurcellSoftware Engineer

I don’t know about cool, but there is a buzz – even after 25 plus years in the profession – when you do something that changes someone’s viewpoint on health and safety and they start to do things the right way in order to protect themselves.

There’s loads of cool stuff with astronomy. I’ve been fortunate enough to do some work with RTÉ – both live and recorded. I even got to do a film review on the Moon landings. As well as meeting the RTÉ folks like Dave Fanning and Derek Mooney, it’s great to communicate the message that astronomy is interesting, fun and very accessible to everyone.

The coolest astronomy thing, though, has to be having an asteroid bearing my name. With all my achievements, one very kind colleague put my name forward to the International Astronomical Union and they named asteroid number 21782 after me. So asteroid Davemcdonald will be whizzing around the solar system for a few billion years after I’m well gone. Now that’s cool!

Dave McDonaldAstronomer

Working with people from all over the globe is really great. You get to see how different people can solve the same problem in many different ways. It’s also a fantastic way to experience different cultures when you get the opportunity to travel to these locations.

Over the last few years I've been lucky enough to travel extensively throughout the States, Europe, Israel, China and Korea, and work with engineers from all of these places. You also get to realise that beneath it all, engineers are the same all over the world. There are technical problems to solve, and we love to solve them!!!

Shane CallananElectronic Engineer

I’m genuinely blown away by the energy in the department! Everyone who works there, regardless of their job, brings their all to the workplace daily. There is a consistent hum of productivity and collegiality, and it is inspiring.

Jonathan O’ReillyPrincipal Social Worker There are a number of cool aspects of my job some of which perhaps only I find cool. I enjoy the fact that I can use my engineering experience to work on topics directly related to putting vehicles and people in space. I enjoy the fast paced projects that I am involved with and even though I do spend some sleepless nights worrying, the buzz when you find a solution is fantastic. In the past six months I have managed a project to put a reentry capsule in space, built hardware for astronaut training, taken part in a space debris study and more. Neil MurreyAerothermodynamics and Propulsion Design Engineer

I don't know what is cool about fish but the creative side of the counter and cooking suggestions give me a buzz.

My husband used to be a Chef and the ideas he comes up with are great and the customers love that.

Nicola O'HigginsFishmonger Written interview unavailable... Mary McCaugheyHead of Communications 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 Responding to Emergency calls is pretty ‘cool’, all the action and the excitement. This can get your adrenaline going, having to think on your feet and getting to use your skills, medications and equipment.

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

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

I’ve always strived to add value in whatever I do and my main objectives are always align to my personal values and I want to work for a company where that is embraced. Some of the work I’m doing is in relation to our workforce strategies and how we can make an impact to the life’s of our people it’s a really great opportunity to bring change and I am passionate about.

Sabrina StauntonDesign & Strategy Development Manager AIB Creating programmes to support people to reach their potential is really exciting. I've devised programmes to support grads, interns, people with disabilities, women returning from maternity leave. A lot of new HR technology is available now so you can do really cool things to understand colleagues and their preferences the way we try to understand our customers. Oonagh KellyHead of HR 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

Anything with a bit of adrenalin attached is cool. Whether it is boarding a trawler in very bad weather, a gunnery shoot, exercising ships gunners. Approaching a port with a large concentration of traffic, anything that is challenging really.

Also the opportunity to travel the world, though my career to date I have been lucky enough to have been to many different places, from Singapore to L.A. Argentina, Hong Kong, India and Egypt.

David FlemingSub Lieutenant - Navy I love people management and I love building a rapport with my busiest clients who I’m in frequent contact with. The ability to build strong relationships with clients is important in this job and it’s something I enjoy. Orla AherneInvestment Consultant 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 The children in this school enjoy a small teacher pupil ratio of 9:1. As a result teachers get to know the pupils a lot better and see progress a lot more clearly. Also, with small numbers, you don't have to be so strict and can have quite a relaxed classroom atmosphere. It is also cool to know you are making a real difference in peoples lives. Padraig ParleTeacher - Special Needs 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 love problem-solving and also the inventing process. Oz IlbrahmiManufacturing Specialist 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 Being outside! Getting out in the boat to take samples is great and I really enjoy going to sea in the larger research vessels, and heading offshore for days/weeks at a time. I enjoy meeting other scientists, and meeting people within other industries. Damien HaberlinEcologist (Post-Doctoral Researcher) Not so cool

The things I like least in my job would be:

• Personal care! - its an area that no-one likes to do but you have to do it and be respectful and professional, knowing that they probably don't like it also but its necessary for their health and over-all well being too!
• Challenging behaviour - if your client does get upset and displays aggresive or anti social behaviour it is very stressful and sometimes dangerous to ourselves so this is not a highlight!
• Weekend work - you usually work every 2nd weekend and though I enjoy the weekends as you can do lots of activities with the clients and the house is more relaxed than during the weeks, its hard sometimes to be in work when your friends are out partying!

Naoise PyeSocial Care Worker I'm sure there are, but nothing springs to mind. Richard KinsellaManaging Director The unpredictable nature of the job has its benefits but on occasions can affect pre-made plans with family or friends. Niamh BriggsGarda Sometimes, I found at times it was difficult to balance work and studying for the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) qualification, especially when work was busy. However, I was lucky enough to be working in a company which allowed for study leave and so I had sufficient leave to allow me to adequately prepare for the exams. Edel ButlerAdministrative Officer Burying animals or having to put them down. Being so busy some days that you don't have time to eat - starving in the evenings. Not getting home as often as maybe I should. Kieran MageeFarm Manager - Dry Stock People constantly asking if you can get them cheaper car insurance! Karl CurranAssociate Director Occasionally there can be an important deadline to meet that requires extra hours in the office but this is the exception rather than the norm. Anna Holohan Tax Manager 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 Sometimes tight deadlines mean that it can be very fast paced and challenging, but working as part of a team really helps here! Sinead LewSenior Tax Manager Because we work in such a regulated industry there is a lot of paperwork required. This involves validation of the design & all the various processes used to make the product. This represents the uncool aspect of the job but is extremely important as it reduces the potential that a patient will be injured or die as a result of a poor design. Sinead KennyDesign Engineer The downside would be when you get bad, wet days, and you have still got to get on with the job. You have to keep it moving, you've got to get out there in all weathers. Also, when suppliers let you down with late deliveries, and you have staff hanging around, waiting for deliveries with consequent loss of productivity. It doesn't happen that often, there is normally plenty to do on the sites before deliveries get there but it can hold you up. When you're running a business, you have to do the bookwork as well as the things you enjoy doing, you have to do the nitty gritty things. Tax returns, VAT, PRSI, PAYE, etc. It's not all the glamour stuff like planting or designing new gardens! You have got to be a Multi Tasker. Paul DowlingHorticulturist The problems that we face can be very unique and need tailored solutions, so the work can be meticulous at times (but interesting too)! Megan WalshMechanical Engineer

The long working hours - some weeks you can work as much as 100 hours although the average is nearer to 60 hours per week.

Dr Jan SteinerAnaesthetist Nothing so far. Liam McCaulR&D Engineer Having to tie the vessel up because of no quotas! Brendan CavanaghShips Engineer Not really. We have to do some administration-type work that isn't the most exciting thing but is really important to supporting our clients. Brian DelahuntyHead of Corporate Banking Tearing the net and mending it. Getting no fish and therefore getting no money. Alan O'NeillFisherman I do not like billing but it is a very necessary part of working in a commercial firm! We need to record the time spent on client files and account for every minute while in the office and this can be difficult. Niamh CacciatoSolicitor People management. I hate it, it's one of the things that I despise doing, but it's a key part of the job, something I have to do and it's something I'm not good at, i'ts not my natural instinct. Rory Fitzpatrick CEO of the National Space Centre 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