The first of the day’s sessions included specialists from the Irish Farmers Journal discussing their own career backgrounds, how they got to where they are today and advice on career progression.

Agri-business editor Eoin Lowry said one thing that has run throughout his career is relationships: “The most important thing is building relationships and having a network.”

Working as a managing director of a fertiliser company took him all around the world, something Eoin deems important: “I’m not a believer of office jobs. I’m just back from Brazil. I’m a big believer in getting your hands dirty, getting your feet on the ground and getting into the market.”

Eoin’s advice is to always keep networking and building relationships: “I never got the job I applied for, but I always got a job. If someone asks you for a cup of coffee, go for it – you never know where it will lead you.”

Talking about interview preparation, Irish Farmers Journal editor Justin McCarthy said having the correct knowledge is vital and once you have the work ethic, there are huge opportunities in the agricultural industry. “Your job is 9 to 5 – your career is the hours you put in after that,” he said.

Irish Country Living editor Mairead Lavery spoke of the challenges women face in the workplace.

Drawing on her own experience of being deemed “too old” for jobs, Mairead said women shouldn’t take no for an answer.

“You will get turned down the first time and turned down the second time, but keep going, keep trying. Don’t die at the first fence – there is an opening there.”

Mairead also added that internships are so beneficial because they can work for both sides.

A sentiment echoed by both dairy editor Jack Kennedy, who said initiative has to come from people themselves, as well as news editor Patrick Donohoe: “Internships are a long-term interview – come in, work hard and the rewards are there.”

On managing other people as your career develops, Jack Kennedy said that it is important to be able to communicate effectively with the people you are working with.

“You have to relate to the people you are working with on a day to today basis, to get them to do it themselves but in a fashion that you want it done,” he said.

Concluding this session, machinery editor James Maloney’s advice was not to be afraid of a career change: “If you love something, you will always come back to it.”

If you’re looking for a job, pick up a copy of the Irish Farmers Journal this Thursday! There were 1,120 jobs on offer at the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair last week. The jobs wall on display at the event is replicated over seven pages in this week's Irish Country Living supplement.

Not all of these roles have been filled yet so make sure you get in touch with employers straight away: contact details are included in the jobs wall for each.

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Full coverage: Agri Careers