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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Triona McGrath
Chemical Oceanographer - Triona McGrath
Discover STEM with Smart Futures
Discover STEM - Discover STEM with Smart Futures
Padraig Parle
Teacher - Special Needs - Padraig Parle
Dublin Airport Police Dog Unit
Dublin Airport Police - Dublin Airport Police Dog Unit
HSE Webinar – Speech and Language Therapists
Speech and Language Therapists - HSE Webinar – Speech and Language Therapists

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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Ray Power
Ray Power, Potter

Ray Power works as a potter and manager for Castle Arch Pottery in Kilkenny. After his Leaving Cert, he went on to complete a degree in Ceramic Design at Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork. He later moved to Kilkenny and on completing a business course run by the Crafts Council, he set up his own workshop.

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Career Articles

UCD Graduate Testimonials: Agriculture, Food & Nutrition
UCD Graduate Testimonials: Agriculture, Food & Nutrition
Posted by University College Dublin - UCD
Animal Geneticist - Teagasc
Animal Geneticist - Teagasc
Posted by Research Ireland (Taighde Eireann)
Ian Comerford – Civil Engineer
Ian Comerford – Civil Engineer
Posted by ESB
My Job as a Subject Inspector for Chemistry
My Job as a Subject Inspector for Chemistry
Posted by CareersPortal
Ruairí O’Kane - Research Scientist
Ruairí O’Kane - Research Scientist
Posted by CareersPortal
Career Profile: Veterinary Nurse
Career Profile: Veterinary Nurse
Posted by CareersPortal
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