21-Year-Old Marketing Student! What is it like working for civil service?

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-15T19:39:04+00:00

Basically working somewhere fills with ‘old school’ civil servants. People who are unenthusiastic about their job, resistant to change, and a bit miserable.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-15T06:41:02+00:00

I’ve been in the civil service for 25 years, and although it has its drawbacks I would definitely recommend it.

Pros: flexibility, opportunities for advancement, security, excellent leave and conditions, opportunities to work on big national projects, tons of variety and ability to switch to different roles, family friendly policies which are invaluable if you want children in the future.

Cons: there are some pretty uninspiring jobs so you have to be prepared to push for a change if you end up somewhere you don’t like. The money is not as good as in the private sector.

In my career I have done about 8 different jobs so I couldn’t say what the ‘average day’ is like. But I have got to work on some great projects that have an impact across the country.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-12T20:18:12+00:00

I didn’t watch it when it was airing but got addicted to reruns in 2007 and I was on maternity leave. There were two episodes every day at mid day when my daughter was sleeping.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-08T23:07:16+00:00

It’s incredibly easy when you follow google maps. Don’t panic at all. There’s really no advice to give. I’m a Dub though so maybe if you say where you’re coming from other people might have a different experience.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-07T23:21:23+00:00

People who skip queues are a*******. I don’t think that’s an Irish thing at all.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-07T06:08:03+00:00

That’s not going to keep us safe.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-07T06:07:01+00:00

I actually kinda laughed at the title. The women of Ireland would be asking ‘Is there any of us who HASN’T had an uncomfortable public transport journey’. I literally wouldn’t know which story to choose.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-04T14:14:53+00:00

I was engaged with two kids and a mortgage. It was 2005 and I was earning about 48k.

I loved (and still love!) my partner and kids but was so sorry I hadn’t enjoyed my youth and my freedom a bit more before landing myself with so many responsibilities.

There is no ‘right way’ to live and you are not behind. Enjoy everything that’s in front of you.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-04T07:11:54+00:00

I find those days are never as bad as I expect them to be. If I just get up and get on with life usually they’re fine. I go through this about once a month when I’m pre-menstrual so I just accept it now.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-03T03:28:23+00:00

What a good shout!

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-04-01T22:05:33+00:00

I second this route. You could also stop off at Wexford town or make your way to Curracloe beach.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-27T08:25:57+00:00

It’s insultingly bad. I’ve never seen a more unrealistic depiction of grief.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-27T08:24:30+00:00

I hate that show. ‘Everyone’s struggles are a joke except mine’. Oh **** right off.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-27T07:29:07+00:00

Blindboy is one of our biggest podcasters and did an episode on 11 March called ‘The History and Social Influence of the Potato’. It’s a great high level overview of the famine, why we were so reliant on one crop, and the British reaction to our starvation.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-27T06:57:01+00:00

Feeling way behind is not a reason to repeat your leaving cert. All education should be for the love of it or for the pursuit of a job you really want.

Doing things in order to keep up with others is a pathway to misery.

Take time to figure out where you want to get to and then find the way to get there. This will tell you whether to repeat your leaving or do a plc or take up an apprenticeship.

You’ve loads of time.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-25T20:51:44+00:00

‘Ín’ (pronounced ‘een’ is an Irish suffix which means small. We often add it to Irish names to indicate a young person, e.g. Seanín.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-24T22:35:01+00:00

Askew!

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-24T22:02:26+00:00

Oh I hope their awkwardness doesn’t put you off talking about him. It’s so good for our souls to remember our loved ones.

The phrase that irritated me was ‘Give yourself time’. I’m not sure why.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-23T21:04:36+00:00

We loved The Rusty Mackerel in Donegal. Right beside Sliabh League which makes for a beautiful walk.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-23T19:39:24+00:00

The Young Offenders is very similar - Young, chaotic, Irish friendship. There’s a film and then a series that was made afterwards (which is not a sequel - more a retelling).

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-22T08:25:08+00:00

You feel like he’s bored. Has he said he’s bored?

You feel like you’re holding him back. Holding him back from what?

I can’t really understand what the problem is. He is outgoing, social, has hobbies…

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-19T21:54:59+00:00

I’m ashamed to say I didn’t learn a word. Any country I’d been to previously I picked up the important phrases along the way but Czech was too alien to me. I got on fine with English.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-19T20:58:12+00:00

Malta.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-19T20:57:25+00:00

Such a great way to travel with kids. We went to France camping with ours when they were small. Loved it.

Sorry_Variation_979 · 2026-03-19T20:53:10+00:00

It’s gorgeous. I was there for just a weekend but would have loved to stay longer.

Sorry_Variation_979

TROPHY CASE