Description: Physical Education (PE) is considered to suffer low status worldwide and this can be argued to affect the career path negatively of those teach it. This research studied the graduate class of 1983 at Thomond College, Limerick. The study looks at their career paths and occupations to date, as well as their work experiences to establish if the low status of PE influenced the direction in which their career had taken. I embarked on this study because as a member of the group I believed that most were currently not teaching PE. It was ascertained if there were any patterns within the career paths of those who remained versus those who did not as PE teachers. The experiences of those who remained such as the effect of teacher status, promotion and postgraduate qualifications were investigated. The aims and benefits of PE were examined as well as how it is provided for in the predominantly examination oriented post-primary education system. It can be argued that the subject status of a teacher can affect the promotion pathways and access to resources for the provision of that subject. This was examined in the research. The second subject of the PE teacher (all of the graduates were also qualified to teach a second subject) also appears to have a very important influence on the career of the PE teacher. Methodology: The research strategy used was case study. Data was generated using questionnaire and interview. The findings of the research were set out in the context of the status of PE and the PE teacher, the role of extracurricular activities and the second subject for the PE teacher as well as the professional behaviour of the PE teacher. Patterns were established within the group, comparisons were drawn with the literature and then commented on. The relationship of these issues was also set in context over the career span of the PE teacher. The class of 1983 outlined the conditions needed for a satisfactory career as a PE teacher, which also have implications for any teacher over a career span. Conclusions: The conclusions of the study were that although PE suffers low status in Ireland, the PE teacher does not. The reasons for this status would appear to have little to do with PE. Other factors seem to play an important role such as the second subject and postgraduate qualifications. Recommendations are proposed in the final chapter for those who study teacher retention or teacher education. The study gives information on satisfactory career needs for PE teaching or indeed in teaching in general. The study also identified some of the experiences that caused teachers to want to leave teaching and their strategies to do so. Those engaged in the professional development of teachers should find this information useful.