Apprenticeships options sought for CPC Careers Fair

Local employers seeking to hire apprentices are invited to attend a Careers Fair in Cross and Passion College, writes Brian Byrne. The event will be on Tuesday, 23 September.

The fair will run from 6.30pm to 8pm, and interested employers can contact elainemcdonnell@cpckilcullen.com or grainneduffy@cpckilcullen.com from the college Guidance Department.

Any employers who would like to build a link with the school but cannot attend on the night can also email either member of the Guidance Department with their details, which will be added to an Apprenticeship Employer Database.

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What a week for CPC students with the Air Corps

Following up on our story yesterday of the helicopter trip back to school for two CPC students on a week-long careers course with the Irish Air Corps, these pictures provided by CPC show some of what they experienced. 

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Former CPC student now in New York's high spaces

Megan with her concept of a childcare campus for UL.

Showing that an interest in architecture can take you to dizzying heights, a former CPC student is now working as an assistant project manager with a New York construction company that provides bespoke build solutions for prestige clients in the city that never sleeps, writes Brian Byrne.

Megan Carey was in the Class of 2017 at Cross and Passion College and subsequently took an Architecture course at the University of Limerick. In the middle of her studies she took time out to work full time with Karen Brownlee Architects in Grangebeg, maintaining that association when she went back to complete the degree course from which she graduated last August. "Having 18 months full time and 12 months part time with Karen gave me incredible hands-on professional experience in the field," Megan told the Diary. 

Subsequent to graduating, Megan was chosen to showcase her thesis work on Built Childcare Environments at the RIAI Student Awards in the RDS in October 2023. Her proposal envisaged a new interpretation for childcare in the University of Limerick, providing childcare space in a tree nursery nature environment, with an associated work hub for parents. "This provided insights into the design features that promote children’s learning and well-being," she says, "including the importance of developing a relationship with the natural landscape." 

Megan's RIAI Exhibition Board.

Chosen for its sustainability qualities, her overall thesis questioned the level of progression for working parents, especially mothers, and how former societal issues have affected the welfare of children in built childcare environments. "A sustainable and healthy approach to building our childcare is expressed through the use of natural materials such as Irish timber and hempcrete," she said in her proposition.

Shortly after that, Megan decided to move to the USA, heading to the famous ski resort of Killington in Vermont last December. Working as a graduate architect with construction company New World Developments, she helped with the design of a ski house which is slated for construction next year. "After spending the winter in Vermont, enjoying learning about the different building techniques due to climatic and topographic differences, I decided to make a change, and went to New York." 

She's now working with Highline Construction Group, a very successful full-service construction management and general contracting firm with projects in Manhattan’s most desirable landmark buildings as well as some of its most stunning modern towers. These include Central Park Tower at 217 West Street where apartments can cost in excess of $19 million. "I am very fortunate to be working on very beautiful high-end residential projects," Megan says. "I have gained exceptional experience, both on site and in the office. My time studying Architecture has opened up so many wonderful opportunities for me."

Even at this early stage of her career, her experiences are likely to be an inspiration to current students at CPC, to whom she will be making a presentation in the coming year for Eoghan O'Toole's Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) class. For pupils at her first Scoil Bhride school, Megan is also an example of there being no limits to successful futures.

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Choosing the right career path

Pic: Startup Stock Photos.

With Higher Options in the near past, the near future of the CAO deadlines is beginning, writes Eoin Houlihan of Right Choice Careers. So too is the closing date for UCAS, which is the UK's version of the CAO.

Those wanting to study at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or for most courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry must do so by the 15th October at 18:00, according to the UCAS website. There are other deadlines after this date but the majority of colleges and courses have the deadline of 15th January 2019 at 18:00.

On the 29th of September the ISH Young Breeders Programme Training Event will be taking place in Kildalton Agriculture College. To find out more information log onto Qualifax.ie and search the above event. This is a fantastic opportunity for any young budding breeder.

Kildalton will also have its first open day on the 5th October. Open tours start at 10am and 11am. Further information on their website.

Any student wishing to become a primary school teacher should be aware that Mary Immaculate College will run its open day on the 18th of October. Check website for details.

Any student who is interested in careers in; Animation, Art, Character Make Up Design, Costume Design, Creative Music Production, Cyberpsychology, Broadcast Production for Radio and Television, Photography, and more, should check out the IADT website. There are some fantastic opportunities for potential students to register for the free Taster Days that are on offer during the Halloween break, 30th October to 2nd November.

For all these events please check college websites for further information.

There is a lot happening in the world of careers. If your child is wondering what they should do and not sure how to go about it then let us help them. Enrol your child onto one of our three bespoke workshops, facilitated by two professional Guidance Counsellors. For further information you can get in touch by emailing Eoin and Sandra on rightchoicecareers@yahoo.com


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'Goal Setting' for careers workshop in library

An advice session on 'Goal Setting: Defining and Progressing Your Career or Business Goals' will be held in Kildare Library on Wednesday 10 October, writes Brian Byrne.

Presented by Deirdre O'Shea Consulting, the session will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and is aimed at those who don't set goals, or who do but find them ineffective.

The workshop will detail the core tips and tools relating to goal setting, and will provide exercises to help participants to figure out their goals, develop the steps needed to achieve them, identify obstacles, and devise strategies to keep on track.

The event is part of the 'Work Matters in the Library' programme, and attendance is free but booking is essential. Booking at 054 520235.


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Make an informed career choice

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels.

Confused, uncertain, fearful of the year ahead and the choices that you are facing?

Look no further because now you have the opportunity to participate in a One-to-One or a Group Guidance workshop on your doorstep, here in Kilcullen.

Eoin Houlihan and Sandra Murray are two qualified Guidance Counsellors who have set up Right Choice Careers, and between them they have 18 years guidance experience and can offer a workshop to suit everybody.

Whether it is a job, an apprenticeship, a Post Leaving Certificate Course or a University degree that you are looking to pursue, then it is worth coming and talking to a professional about your options.

This is an opportunity to talk to two experienced guidance counsellors about the myriad of opportunities that are available to you.

Workshops are aimed at senior cycle students with an emphasis on:

• Helping TY students identify their strengths and weaknesses, assess the value of their work experience and make an informed decision regarding subject choice;

• Helping 5th Years set identifiable targets and goals;

• Helping 6th Years with motivation, staying focused, CAO and further educational choices, dealing with transition to third level, staying resilient, and career planning.

Three types of workshops are available:

• One-to-One: An opportunity to speak to us on a one to one basis over a two-hour period;

• Group Guidance Workshop: This will be a workshop with a maximum of four students per workshop over a two-hour period. You will have an opportunity to explore the various options open to you after the Leaving Certificate;

• Group Guidance Programme: This is a 4x2-hour workshop programme that is run over the course of a year. Here students, maximum of eight per workshop, will have the opportunity to explore in a more in-depth way their strengths and weaknesses and begin researching further educational courses as well as career path options available to them.

For more information and to obtain a brochure with details of each programme as well as the price list, please email Sandra and Eoin at rightchoicecareers@yahoo.com

Let us help you make that informed decision.

The world of work is changing at a fast pace. Over the next 12 years, 800 million jobs will be lost to automation. However, this new technology will mean that new types of jobs will come on stream. It is, therefore, important that you choose a course or career that will be adaptable and flexible to this ever changing job market.

Ireland is experiencing a boom once again with many opportunities in the construction industry: apprenticeships, engineering, architecture and quantity surveying to name but a few. The opportunities in the areas of science, law and the humanities are also steadily increasing.

Contact us now.


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Careers evening at CPC

Pupils from 4th and 6th Years in CPC had a Careers Information event in the college Library last night, writes Brian Byrne.

There was a good representation of both pupils and their parents at the event, which was organised by Elaine McDonald.

The careers represented, involving local people, included Hair/Beauty/Makeup by Leanne Leavy, Children's Nursing with Sophie Dooley, General Nursing from Michaela Phelan, and Psychology (Roisin Flanagan).

Those interested in Early Childhood Education were advised by Siobhan Greissel and Georgia Pouch, with other subjects including Social Care from Ger Kelly, Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals by Lorraine Schwer, Nutrition and Dietics (Emma Duggan), Journalism (Brian Byrne), Science and Zoology (Dr Jan Robert Baars), and Law & Human Resources Management with Karen Talbot.