Seamus Hennessy Housemaster and dean of junior students, Cistercian College Roscrea: Before I came to work in the Cistercian College, I was a journalist in Limerick. Both jobs are very intense, but in different ways. I left journalism to take a break from that life and concentrate on studying for my Master's in the quiet, academic atmosphere of this 100-year-old monastic college. I have had to defer my studies twice; it is anything but quiet

My day starts when the boys get up at 7.15 a.m. and I am totally involved in their day until they go to bed at 10.30 p.m. All the staff at the school are working at this level - many of our housemasters are also teachers, some are qualified coaches, child psychologists or sports managers. It's a job that requires a wide range of skills.

Looking after 300 adolescent boys can be very challenging. They have their own stresses to deal with and we must keep a close eye on them to make sure that they are not homesick or upset in any way. Sport is a great outlet, and they spend hours a day playing various games.

At the moment, 80 of the students are preparing the school musical - you won't find many groups of 80 young fellas concentrating all their efforts on a song-and-dance spectacle. We have to keep them busy or else they would get bored. Even though they get plenty of free time, we try to offer organised activity all the time so they are never at a loose end. You know what they say about idle hands.

It's an exhausting job, but it keeps me alive and sharpens my sense of humour. I collect antiques and I have plenty of space here to store them. I am also involved in John Kerry's election campaign at the moment, and I am flying to LA to help out. The holidays are good.

This is a very intense job and not one I could imagine anyone doing for life. For now, however, I love being involved in the high- energy world of young people trying to become themselves.