On Friday, 17th January 2025, Kinsale Community School proudly hosted its highly anticipated Career Fair in the New Gym. With over 50 exhibitors in attendance, the event provided students with an exceptional opportunity to explore potential careers, connect with industry professionals, and discover the pathways available to them after secondary school.

The Career Fair highlighted a diverse range of industries and educational providers, showcasing the wealth of opportunities open to students. From apprenticeships to higher education, and from healthcare to engineering, the event was designed to inspire students and equip them to make informed decisions about their futures.

Pathways to Apprenticeships

Students with an interest in apprenticeships had the chance to meet representatives from:

Bishopstown Campus FET

Douglas Street Campus

Kinsale Community College

Life Sciences Centre, Carrigaline

Morrison Island Campus

Tramore Road Campus

Higher Education Opportunities

Leading institutions such as MTU, Teagasc (Darrara College), UCC, and the University of Limerick showcased their programmes, offering students a glimpse into the possibilities of higher education.

Industry Insights

Exhibitors from a variety of industries shared valuable expertise and insights, including:

Life Sciences and Engineering: Pfizer, Stryker (Michael Hayes), Teleflex Medical, Neurobell Ltd (Olive O’Driscoll), Dornan Engineering (Jennifer Ahern), PM Group Engineering (Karen Kemp), Eli Lilly (Bryan Gallway and Carmel Condon), and MTU's Department of Biological Sciences (Vera Barrett).

Construction and Architecture: Clancy Construction, MMD Construction, Graepel’s Engineering, the Construction Federation of Ireland (Joanne Treacy), and Dassault Systems (Caoimhe Kiely). Deborah Ní Riain also delivered a captivating talk on careers in architecture.

Healthcare and Public Services: Acute Hospitals, the HSE Nursing Team (Helen Boyce, Helen Kelly, Karen McCarthy), the National Ambulance Service, UCC Medical School (Catherine Sweeney), and the Garda Síochána (Francis Kelly, Community Guard).

Business and Finance: KPMG (Una O’Sullivan), Ernst & Young (Seamus Downey), and Oliver Coakley on Actuarial Science.

Local Opportunities

Local businesses and organisations such as Actons Hotel, Trident Hotel, Kinsale Dental, Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre, Kinsale Youth Support Services (KYSS), and the Kinsale Youth Community Café showcased the vibrant opportunities within the community.

Guest Speakers

The fair also featured engaging talks from experts in various fields, including:

Cybersecurity: James Sikora from Apostle X shared insights into this rapidly growing sector.

Career Development: Michelle Dinneen from Ardin Career Development provided invaluable guidance on professional growth.

Safe Food: Charmaine McGowan discussed careers in food safety and public health.

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority: Vanessa Wall Coveney explained the critical role of this organisation.

Inspiration from Alumni

Adding a personal touch, past pupils returned to the school to share their own journeys and experiences, offering practical advice and inspiration for life after secondary school.

Principal [Insert Name] expressed heartfelt gratitude to all exhibitors and emphasised the importance of the Career Fair in shaping students’ futures. “This event gives our students the chance to connect directly with professionals and organisations that can help guide their ambitions. It’s a day for exploration, curiosity, and inspiration.”

Acknowledgements

The success of Career Fair 2025 was made possible through the dedication of teachers Fiona Hedderman, Diarmaid Fahey, Jack McGregor, and Lisa Daunt, alongside the support of industry leaders and community organisations.

Kinsale Community School extends a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to this impactful event. Here’s to building bright futures for all our students!