It’s exciting to be a part of your child’s life as they move into adolescence and adulthood, supporting them as they make decisions and set goals that will guide them into an independent, productive and fulfilling life. There are also challenges, obstacles and anxieties along the way. You will have a coaching, counselling and mentoring role, but it’s useful to know where you can go for good careers advice, assessment and support. 

Parents sometimes contact school principals and year heads as a preliminary point of contact on general career and educational progression queries. They may then be referred on to the school guidance counsellor. In this section, we look at the various options available to help young people make the best career and life decisions. 

Where to go for help? 

For many students the support and guidance from their families, teachers, principal and guidance counsellor is more than enough to help them through the various stages of their career and educational journey. However, additional help is sometimes needed. In this case your options are:

• Private Career Guidance Practitioner [Contact Bernadette Walsh, CareersPortal [email protected] or phone: 01-2090797]
• Online Careers Support e.g. www.CareersPortal.ie [this section] / www.qualifax.ie [see Parents Section]
• College Open Days, College websites, Admissions Offices
• Other 
• Career Coach
• Family and social networks, professional associations and organisations