Students from The King’s Hospital School recently enjoyed another insightful KH Connected event, this time exploring career opportunities in Applied Healthcare. Hosted by Portobello Institute, the event brought together past pupils, industry professionals and members of the KH community to share their experiences and offer valuable career advice.
As part of the school’s ongoing KH Connected career exploration series, the session provided students with an opportunity to discover the diverse pathways available within healthcare, sport, rehabilitation and performance, while gaining a greater understanding of the qualifications, skills and experiences required to pursue careers in these fields.
The event featured an excellent panel of guest speakers, including KH alumni and current sports coaches, who shared their individual career journeys and professional insights.
- Aoife Quinn (Class of 2013) discussed her career in nutrition and dietetics, drawing on her experience across hospitals, education and sports nutrition. Currently working as a Clinical Nutritionist at Orla Walsh Nutrition, Aoife offered students an insight into the role of nutrition in supporting health and wellbeing.
- Cora O’Toole, a current KH Sports Coach, shared her experiences as a CORU-registered Physiotherapist, highlighting the importance of rehabilitation, patient-centred care and helping individuals return to the activities they enjoy.
- Graham Reynolds (Class of 2013), also a current KH Sports Coach, spoke about his career in sport management and his work with Leinster Rugby, offering perspectives on player development, community engagement and the opportunities available within the sporting sector.
- Fiachra Tuckey provided an insight into occupational therapy and his work as part of the Psychiatric Team at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. His career journey highlighted the range of pathways into healthcare and the importance of supporting individuals in different clinical settings.
- Sean Miller (Class of 2012) shared his experience in high-performance sport, working across Basketball Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland. He discussed athlete development, coaching support and the role of evidence-based practice in achieving long-term sporting success.
Throughout the event, students gained valuable insights into the realities of working in healthcare and related professions, while exploring the many different educational and career pathways available to them.
The session highlighted the importance of combining academic learning with practical experience and demonstrated how interests in science, health and sport can develop into rewarding professional careers.
The King’s Hospital School extends its sincere thanks to Portobello Institute for hosting the event and to all our guest speakers for generously sharing their time, knowledge and expertise.
Through initiatives such as KH Connected, the school continues to strengthen connections between students, alumni and industry professionals, helping young people make informed decisions about their futures and discover the opportunities available beyond the classroom.
