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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Irish Defence Forces - Naval Service Diving
Naval Diver - Irish Defence Forces - Naval Service Diving
Áine Crotty
Trainee Accountant - Áine Crotty
Lucy Maher
Changing Careers to Accountancy - Lucy Maher
ES Graduate Programme
Graduate Programme - ES Graduate Programme
Brendan Cavanagh
Ships Engineer - Brendan Cavanagh

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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Keith Hayes
Keith Hayes, Ambulance / Paramedic

Keith works as an Advanced Paramedic with the National Ambulance Service and is based in Dublin. He pursued this career directly from leaving school and has gone on to complete a Higher Diploma in Emergency Medicine. Despite the sometimes horrific incidents he is called to attend he remains upbeat and rewarded by the unique and influential role he plays in life and death situations.

Ask me a question!

Career Articles

Aoife Lynch of the Irish Naval Service: "No two days are the same"
Aoife Lynch of the Irish Naval Service: "No two days are the same"
Posted by Irish Defence Forces
How your degree can lead to a career in Tax
How your degree can lead to a career in Tax
Posted by Irish Tax Institute
Carlow College Graduate Launches Children's Residential Care Service
Carlow College Graduate Launches Children's Residential Care Service
Posted by Carlow College
Genetics student & Co-Director at Germinaid Innovations
Genetics student & Co-Director at Germinaid Innovations
Posted by Research Ireland (Taighde Eireann)
Career Story: Software Developer
Career Story: Software Developer
Posted by CareersPortal
Working as a Scientific Fellow with Science Foundation Ireland
Working as a Scientific Fellow with Science Foundation Ireland
Posted by SFI - Science Foundation Ireland 3
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