Imagine going from nurse to horticulturist, banker to make up artist, office worker to house parent. Three "lane changers" talk to Olive Keogh about carving out completely new careers for themselves and being delighted with the results

By OLIVE KEOGH

LORETTO MOONEY very much enjoyed her nine year career in the medical profession. A nurse and more recently a specialist in theatre care, she was also an avid gardener even in the depths of winter when most sensible gardeners were safely indoors sipping cocoa and perusing next year's seed catalogues.

"When I left school the possibility of a career in horticulture had never been mentioned, and I went for something which would give me a good, solid job," she says. "But in fairness, I had never really considered horticulture as a possibility at that time.

"I loved nature and I really enjoyed my garden, but it took me a little while to put the two together and to decide that I was going to do something about changing my career's he says.

Loretto took up the challenge to change with absolute determination. She continued to work as a nurse and saved up money for fees and living expenses three years ago she was accepted on the diploma course in amenity horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. Now facing her final exams, she has been commuting from Wicklow each day over this period.

"I decided I had to be very focused about what I wanted to achieve," she says. "I felt I had to make a complete break with nursing and concentrate single mindedly on my course and not try straddling the two. It would have been a help financially to have nursed part time, but I decided not to and I think that was the right decision.

"I really enjoyed theatre nursing and initially I missed the people and the work. But I could never go back to it. I have a passion for what I'm doing now.

"I enjoy all aspects of it, from floristry to plantscaping and garden design, and I really feel I've found my niche and that life is just starting for me."

ANNIE GRIBBIN started her working life in a "very sensible job in the bank" and only fixed on a career in make up when she won a place to study at a make up school in Paris.

Upon returning to Dublin Gribbin began working as a freelance make up artist and gained a wide range of experience in film and TV as well as preparing models for photo shoots and fashion shows.

"I work wherever make up is being used, so this is a very wide brief. One day it could involve getting someone ready for a photographic session and on another day I could be doing the make up for someone going on stage," she says.

In addition to her freelance work, Annie has opened a make up shop in Dublin which employs two makeup artists doing make overs for special occasions and teaching both men and women how to use make up products professionally.

"There is a growing interest in skin care among men and we will also help them with make up for covering blemishes," she says. "But our clientele is mainly female, and our role is to pass on professional tips and to help people make the best of their features in a natural way."

Later this month, Annie is running a three day course in make up artistry at her shop premises, Make Up For Ever, in Clarendon Street private lessons in self make up are also available.

"I find my work very enjoyable and very challenging and I have really enjoyed building up the business," she says. "I am moving on to a new phase now as I've been developing a range of make up products specifically for Irish skin tones, 59 I am looking forward to that coming to fruition."

FOR SEAN O'DOHERTY this is an important week he is starting a new job as manager of a day activity centre at Dublin's Central Remedial Clinic.

A "late convert" to the caring profession, he had been a long time employee of Dublin County Council before deciding to give it all up to go to college and study social science at the age of 29.

"I enjoyed the environment I worked in and the people, but I felt the job itself was a dead end which would never challenge me," he says. "My decision to look for something more challenging to do came as the result of my wife and myself becoming involved with St Michael's House.

"I found I had a talent for working with people with learning difficulties and I decided to see if there was any way for me into this as acting on best advice, Sean embarked on a three year course in applied social studies at the Dublin Institute of Technology, which he describes as "the best of times, the worst of times. I loved the learning side of things, the gaining of knowledge and getting a second chance at an education. But as one of the older students in the class I felt a bit isolated and it was difficult to get into the swing of studying and doing assignments."

Sean used his pension money from the council to live on, and while the three years were tough, he has no regrets about giving up his permanent and pensionable position. "I just took off as a person when I started doing the course and I haven't looked hack since," he says.

"My motivation is really good and I have a very high level of job satisfaction. Basically, I feel I was made for this kind of work."