Smart economy is where all good work is respected — even mine By Maura Adshead

THERE are some jobs that we all understand and appreciate — and others that we do not.

Everybody loves nurses. We all know what they do and we appreciate it. If you know a good mechanic, like the one I am blessed to know, you know that is a relationship to treasure. There are other jobs that nobody really understands, but still we accept that they have to be done.

Human resources is a bit like this. Nobody outside of HR ever really knows what people inside HR do, but still we all appreciate that HR is important work that must be done. Other jobs are less well understood or appreciated: The stereotypes about lawyers, or bankers, or builders suffice to describe these. Then there are the peculiar jobs that few understand and fewer appreciate. Financial risk management, for example, who knows anything about that? (Obviously not many people in Ireland in the last few years).