Castlebar Rotary’s Careers Connect programme reaches 1,000 student milestone
Programme expands to five Mayo secondary schools as 1,000 Senior Cycle students benefit from real-world career insights
Castlebar Rotary's Careers Connect Programme has reached a significant milestone, with 1,000 Senior Cycle secondary school students now having attended a Careers Connect talk since the initiative was launched in October 2025.
The programme brings experienced professionals and industry leaders directly into the classroom to share their career journeys, personal experiences and insights with students as they consider their future education and career options.
Initially launched in Castlebar, Careers Connect has expanded its reach across County Mayo, with five secondary schools now participating:
- St Gerald's College, Castlebar
- Davitt College, Castlebar
- St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh
- St Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford
- Balla Secondary School
Careers Connect is designed to complement the excellent career guidance already provided by schools, offering students the opportunity to hear first-hand from people working across a diverse range of professions and industries.
Each session consists of a concise 25-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute question-and-answer session, allowing students to engage directly with speakers and gain a better understanding of the opportunities, challenges and decisions that shape different career paths.
Importantly, the programme focuses not simply on what professionals do, but on how they got there — including the choices, setbacks, opportunities and experiences that influenced their journeys.
Commenting on the milestone, Shane Bourke, Castlebar Rotarian and Careers Connect Programme Sponsor, expressed his delight at the milestone.
“Reaching 1,000 students is a significant milestone for Careers Connect and reflects the enthusiasm with which the programme has been embraced by participating schools.
“Our objective is straightforward: to broaden students' horizons by giving them access to people who can share genuine, first-hand experiences of their working lives. We are particularly pleased to see the programme expanding beyond Castlebar and look forward to bringing Careers Connect to more schools across Mayo,” he said
With five schools now participating and 1,000 students reached, Castlebar Rotary intends to continue the staged expansion of Careers Connect to additional secondary schools throughout County Mayo.
The programme is supported by professionals who volunteer their time to share their career experiences, together with the principals, teachers and guidance counsellors who facilitate the sessions.
Schools interested in participating in Careers Connect are encouraged to contact Castlebar Rotary to discuss how the programme can be introduced to their students.