If there was method to the madness of 140 stalls offering a bewildering range of careers and courses at Opportunities '98, it was the "Career Decisions" enclosure which offered to make the choice for you. Offering aptitude, personality and occupational interest tests, the Limerick-based company was on to a good thing as fresh-faced school-goers hovered around anticipating an end to their search for the holy grail of a satisfying livelihood. But it did not detract from the general air of festivity associated with a day off classes. Coaches descended on Ballsbridge from far and wide for what is officially regarded as a career guidance day. In the FAS skills section, the bricklayers appealed to Pink Floyd fans. "Put another brick in the wall", said the sign, and the apparent simplicity of the craft encouraged a few bystanders to have a go.

"Mum's little horror", said the badge on one of the aspirants. The bricks thought so too. "I just said I would have a go for the craic," she said.

Across the way, one FAS trainee demonstrated his use of a swan's feather as he delicately drew lines in oil paint on a wooden panel, producing a marble-like finish. Mr Eddie Hand, from Carlow, said he would qualify as a senior tradesman - painting and decorating. "Then you can go anywhere in the world. There is good money in Australia."

The giant nitrogen gas-filled tyres of the Boeing 707 also attracted attention. Mr Brian Hehir, from Youghal, Co Cork, doing his aircraft engineering apprenticeship with Shannon Aerospace, explained the strict procedures involved in changing wheels and brakes. The plumbing stand used an optical illusion tap to attract onlookers where Mr Peter Hinch of FAS said that the profession was seeing more applications from girls. One had qualified in order to work with a plumbing company which had a contract with a maternity hospital.

"If you are going to do something for the rest of your life or the foreseeable future, make sure you are happy with it," he advised.