Look into your crystal ball: How today’s 18-year-olds see their futures

Dylan Varian, Cork
Where do you see yourself in five years? Finishing a degree in computing in CIT and starting to move country or travelling.
And in 20 years? Dublin.
Do you think you'll buy a property or rent? Rent. I studied economics for my Leaving Cert – I know how much trouble people are in who bought houses.
Do you plan to live in Ireland or would you like to move abroad? I'd like to move to America or possibly Canada.
Do you see yourself having children? I do.
How much will you be earning in 10 years? €50,000-€100,000 a year. People in IT are in high demand right now and are paid very well. I'll have enough to put my mother in a good nursing home, anyway.

Darren Hughes,
Longford
Where do you see yourself in five years? Coming out of university and making the decision to try and find work or do a further two years' study to become a barrister or solicitor.
And in 20 years? I'd like to say Dáil Éireann.
Do you think you'll buy a property or rent? Buy. Renting is fine for students, but I'd prefer to own my home in the future.
Do you plan to live in Ireland or would you like to move abroad? It depends. If I go further in politics, which is my dream, I'd see myself still in Ireland. If not, the US.
Do you see yourself having children? Very difficult to say. More than likely it will happen at some stage.
How much will you be earning in 10 years? I'll more than likely be just finished studying to be a barrister or solicitor and so won't be making a big wage at that stage. Money has never been that important to me, though.

Sian Conway, Dublin
Where do you see yourself in five years? With a journalism degree, mourning the end of my time at college. I'd like to have at least had some kind of work experience for a newspaper, or any form of media.
And in 20 years? Hopefully with a steady income, and rooted firmly in a journalistic career.
Do you think you'll buy a property or rent? With the way things are, it seems like renting is the more plausible of the two.
Do you plan to live in Ireland or would you like to move abroad? If money isn't an issue, I'd like to move abroad – preferably to a city like London. I feel like there are more opportunities abroad, particularly for young people.
Do you see yourself having children? No. There are too many things I'd like to achieve that I feel would only be hindered by starting a family.
How much will you be earning in 10 years? I'd like to be earning enough so that I'm not scrounging off my parents!

Laura Gaynor, Sligo
Where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully working and finished college. I'd like to think things will have improved by then.
And in 20 years? 2033? That's a long time away – no idea. I haven't thought that far ahead yet.
Do you think you'll buy a property or rent? I might rent. I don't see the point of being tied to a house that goes up and down in value.
Do you plan to live in Ireland or would you like to move abroad? Ireland or the UK. I'd never move to Australia – it's too far away.
Do you see yourself having children? I'd say so.
How much will you be earning in 10 years? €1 million. No compromise. If Pat Kenny can almost do it without breaking the law, why can't I?

Róisín Hunt, Wicklow
Where do you see yourself in five years? Finished college with a degree in journalism (or something similar), happy, healthy with my own home and hopefully around the people I love most and a good job that I enjoy.
And in 20 years? I would like to think I'll be married to a person I love, maybe with children, still in contact with the friends I have now and new ones that I make along the way.
Do you think you'll buy a property or rent? Rent.
Do you plan to live in Ireland or would you like to move abroad? With the times we're in I do see myself living abroad at some stage. The top two on my list would be London and Canada. Later down the line, probably when I'm retired, I would like to come back and live in Ireland.
Do you see yourself having children? Yes, I would love children. I don't know how many, or if I want boys or girls, but I'd like to think I have a secure job and am in a happy and loving relationship before I have any.
How much will you be earning in 10 years? Honestly, I don't know, but just enough to keep a roof over my head and maybe a spare €50 for some nice shoes.