Junior Cycle

Have you ever thought about what you would like to do when you leave school? The Junior Cycle is a good time to start thinking about different career options and considering what subjects you might choose for Leaving Cert. We have lots of useful tools to help you start exploring yourself and the thousands of exciting career paths that lie ahead.

Explore different Career Sectors - for example, business, medicine, or beauty to get a picture of the types of skills and jobs involved in working in that particular area. 

Search hundreds of occupations in our Career Explorer to find out what the job involves, the type of person it would suit, what you might earn and the qualifications you would need.

You can also watch lots of career videos or read career stories with people employed in a variety of jobs across the country to get an insight into different sectors and industries. 

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Caroline Cusack
Biological Oceanographer - Caroline Cusack
Fiona Devlin
Third Secretary - Fiona Devlin
Paddy Power
Insurance Practitioner Apprentice - Paddy Power
Social Work Apprenticeship UCC
Social Worker Apprenticeship - Social Work Apprenticeship UCC
Gillian Cagney
Mechanical Engineer - Gillian Cagney

Join our complete Guidance programme designed for Irish Junior Cycle students (purchase required).

Build you own unique Career Portfolio through exploring our fun Island of Discovery as the programme takes you through a series of explorations about yourself, your motivations, and your dreams and ambitions.

What Career Type are you?

Realist?

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Explore Career Interests...
Career Chat...
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Brenda O Loughlin
Brenda O Loughlin, Franchisee

Brenda O'Loughlin is a McDonald's Franchisee.  When she finished her Leaving Certificate, she went on to do the Accounting Technicians course in Rathmines. During her last year in college she was offered a temporary job in Citibank, which she instantly loved and she remained there for the next 18 years. Her Banking experience gave her the skills she needed to start working for herself.

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Career Articles

A Career in Scientific Research
A Career in Scientific Research
Posted by CareersPortal
Careeer Stories: From Nutritional Sciences to Purchasing
Careeer Stories: From Nutritional Sciences to Purchasing
Posted by CareersPortal
Niamh Hennessy: Forestry Inspector
Niamh Hennessy: Forestry Inspector
Posted by Forestry Careers Ireland
A career in Food Science
A career in Food Science
Posted by CareersPortal
What does an engineer really do?
What does an engineer really do?
Posted by ESB
All You need to know about Becoming a Solicitor
All You need to know about Becoming a Solicitor
Posted by CareersPortal
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