Career Mentors has been providing career coaching services to our Irish elite professional athletes over recent months. Our service is part of a ” Career Development” Program that is being managed by Daragh Sheridan at the High Performance Unit at the Institute. It aims to allow elite athletes prepare for their careers after sport while still competing.

We have met numerous athletes from the world of rowing, sailing, swimming and sailing. We have provided them with
1. career direction and how the skills they have acquired through sport can be transferred into the workplace

2 Together we have prepared really impactful CVs that will hopefully get them to interview stage

3. They fully prepared as to what to expect at a job interview. We have critiqued their interviewing techniques – most of which improved tenfold over the 2 sessions

4. Finally we have guided them on where to job search and how they need to be proactive to achieve results.

The athletes I have met are truly an inspiration to the average person – those with work experience can work up to 15 hours a day between training and work – typically a 60 hour week.

Another element to the program is the development of Corporate Partnerships. The IOS are actively seeking high performing businesses to partner this program and provide flexible internships for their athletes. There are significant mutual benefits to employers who hire athletes on work experience – such as branding, improved morale and the Director of the High Performance Unit of the IOS will present to organisations people managers on leadership development and managing change. It is really a win win situation for employers. A number of high profile businesses have become partners.

If there are any employers out there who would like more information, just ccontact Mairead Griffin at Career Mentors and she will go through the details – 0876312900.

Otherwise check out the Institute of Sport website www.instituteofsport.ie .

In light of the fact that this weekend has been one of the best ever for Irish Sport, I believe it is time for employersto provide them with a small return for the commitment, hard work and loyalty that goes into representing Ireland.

Thanks
Mairead
Owner, Career mentors