Sharing stories, shaping futures: Reflections from a careers workshop at ISHF

As part of the 2025 International Social Housing Festival, CIH Ireland, in partnership with The Housing Agency, were proud to host a careers workshop designed to spotlight the experiences and voices of housing professionals worldwide. This year’s festival theme ‘storytelling’ provided a powerful lens through which to explore the motivations, challenges, and aspirations of those working in the sector.

The goal of our workshop was simple but meaningful: to give space to the people behind the policies and projects, those whose stories too often go unheard. Through open discussion, we uncovered a shared narrative of purpose, resilience, and unexpected career journeys.

One of the most striking insights was how many attendees described their route into housing as unintentional. Many found themselves in the sector by chance rather than design yet chose to stay. The reason? Social value.

Time and again, participants emphasised that their continued commitment to housing was driven by the tangible impact they saw in their day-to-day work, whether that was providing a home to someone in crisis, or helping shape inclusive, sustainable communities.

When asked what they found most rewarding in their roles, delegates spoke passionately about:

• Delivering affordable homes
• Supporting the most vulnerable individuals and families
• Seeing the real-world difference their work makes

These aren’t abstract ambitions, they are daily realities for housing professionals. The stories shared reminded us that the housing sector is more than bricks and mortar. It’s about people, dignity, stability, and hope.

We closed the workshop by asking participants what advice they would offer to those just starting their careers in housing. The consensus was clear: ‘Embrace the diversity of opportunities.’

Housing is a wide-ranging field that spans development, policy, customer services, community engagement, sustainability, digital innovation, and much more. With such variety, there is room for many skillsets and career paths, and ample opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

Our workshop reinforced the importance of creating spaces where professionals can share their stories, not only to inspire future talent, but to remind ourselves of the shared purpose that connects us across roles and organisations.

As the housing sector continues to evolve, these stories will be essential. They humanise our work, deepen our understanding, and help us build a stronger, more inclusive housing movement.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to such an honest, uplifting session. Your stories matter, and they are shaping the future of housing.