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
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Student Languages Ambassador - Julia
Why Study Languages? - Polish and Spanish - Student Languages Ambassador - Julia
Jennifer Bourke
Third Secretary - Press Officer - Jennifer Bourke
Heather De Lacy
Candle Maker - Heather De Lacy
Audrey O'Hara
Senior Solicitor - Audrey O'Hara
We are You
Men and women of the Defence Forces - We are You

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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Catherine Ahearn
Catherine Ahearn, Data Scientist

Catherine Ahearn is a Data Scientist. Her job involves researching various mathematical and machine learning techniques, and writing code to create predictive models using large amounts of data.

Ask me a question!

Career Articles

Tax Manager at KPMG
Tax Manager at KPMG
Posted by Irish Tax Institute
What is an insurance apprenticeship? (And other FAQs)
What is an insurance apprenticeship? (And other FAQs)
Posted by The Insurance Institute
"I chose a different route" FET Graduate Ceara Shaw’s journey after the Leaving Certificate
"I chose a different route" FET Graduate Ceara Shaw’s journey after the Leaving Certificate
Posted by SOLAS
Flying the Flag for Irish Hospitality: My Career as a Butler
Flying the Flag for Irish Hospitality: My Career as a Butler
Posted by CareersPortal
Study Online to be an Accounting Technician
Study Online to be an Accounting Technician
Posted by Accounting Technicians Ireland
Furniture Maker
Furniture Maker
Posted by Design & Crafts Council Ireland
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