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. 

Discover Careers
View All
William Hynes
Senior Economist - William Hynes
Rebecca Tighe
Process Engineer - Rebecca Tighe
Higher Executive Officer Foras na Gaelige
Higher Executive Officer Foras na Gaelige - Higher Executive Officer Foras na Gaelige
Discover STEM with Smart Futures
Discover STEM - Discover STEM with Smart Futures
Student Languages Ambassador - Julia
Why Study Languages? - Polish and Spanish - Student Languages Ambassador - Julia

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...
View All
Liz O'Toole
Liz O'Toole, Skipper

It was a personal choice to follow a career in the fishing industry. I did a NCUA course in fishing in the area of becoming a Deckhand. A Deckhand is someone who accompanies and assists the Skipper and his crew. This course led to a work placement on a boat. Three years later, the Skipper on the boat on which I worked gave me the position of 2nd Skipper so I completed the certificate of competency (skipper 2nd hand).

Ask me a question!

Career Articles

Chartered Accountant - Google
Chartered Accountant - Google
Posted by Chartered Accountants Ireland
Chartered Accountant - SMCG Ltd.
Chartered Accountant - SMCG Ltd.
Posted by Chartered Accountants Ireland
Kate McErlean: Analyst in Financial Services
Kate McErlean: Analyst in Financial Services
Posted by Deloitte
Hear from recent graduate Niamh Walsh about her journey to pursue nursing!
Hear from recent graduate Niamh Walsh about her journey to pursue nursing!
Posted by Dublin City University - DCU
What is an insurance apprenticeship? (And other FAQs)
What is an insurance apprenticeship? (And other FAQs)
Posted by The Insurance Institute
Working as a Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Working as a Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Posted by
Close