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What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?
After Junior Cert subject choice was kept broad - at this point I was gearing towards physiotherapy/engineering so i did my best with subject choices to keep my options open as much as possible. Physics & Chemistry came in useful in First year College having had a good grounding in these areas from secondary school. Having not done biology prior to first semester in college, i found this quite challenging and things moved at quite a fast pace but those who had done biology previously were a good help in bringing everyone along with them, and we returned the favour when it came to physics/chemistry.
My first job was in general medical wards at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, it was great to get straight into the workforce after graduating and I picked up a lot of medical / cardioresp / neuro experience here which continue to stand to me to this day in recognising non-MSK issues that present in clinic.
The first major milestone for me was leaving this job and starting an job on the Orthopaedic Ward in Sports Surgery Clinic. This gave me a great grounding in elective surgery. From there I progressed internally within SSC to general MSK outpatients and from there focusing and specialising more in the area of hip & groin injury management and ACL rehabilitation. While in this role I had an opportunity to work with Meath Minor Footballers in a team physiotherapist capacity which two years later opened doors to become involved with the Senior County team.
During my time with the Seniors I moved to a private practice on the South side where I worked for the best part of a year, but the commute almost daily due to my commitments with Meath became too much and I moved back to Navan to establish McEntee Performance Physio, a physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre based in Club Active Gym, a warehouse-type gym with the latest training equipment. It's a little over four years since we opened our doors and now have a staff of 4 physiotherapists working at this site
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
My respective line managers along the way, all provided encouragement and guidance to explore what it was I wanted to achieve.
A particular friend who has given me some great business advice and principles to live by, this has been a big help to me given that I have no previous background in business or management.
Describe a typical day?
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
What is your education to date?
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
What is your dream job?
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
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.
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?
- Career Development?
- Current Job?
- Education and Training?
- Personal Qualities?
- Advice for Others?