Prior to becoming president in 1997, McAleese had also held the following positions: Channel 4 Television, Director, Northern Ireland Electricity, Director, Royal Group of Hospitals Trust and Founding member of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas.
Sebelum menjadi presiden pada 1997, McAleese juga menduduki jabatan-jabatan berikut ini: Direktur Channel 4 Televisi, Direktur pada Perusahaan Listrik Irlandia Utara, Direktur di Royal Group of Hospital Trust, dan anggota pendiri Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas (Komisi Irlandia bagi Tahanan di Luar Negeri).