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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Martin Deegan - Yard Manager
Yard Manager - Martin Deegan - Yard Manager
HSE Webinar - Working on Children’s Disability Network Teams
Children’s Disability Network Teams - HSE Webinar - Working on Children’s Disability Network Teams
Irish Defence Forces Use of Force
Defence Forces - Irish Defence Forces Use of Force
Sinead Kenny
Design Engineer - Sinead Kenny
Career Sector Overview: Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy
Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy - Career Sector Overview: Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy

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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Shane Sargeant
Shane Sargeant, Department of Foreign Affairs

Shane is originally from Dublin but is now working in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the European Union in Brussels. Shane studied languages at university as part of his undergraduate degree and uses French and Spanish to communicate on day to day basis in work.

Ask me a question!

Career Articles

Nicola McManus - Quality Controller
Nicola McManus - Quality Controller
Posted by CareersPortal
Paramedic Science at UU: Why I was 'Lucan' North for University
Paramedic Science at UU: Why I was 'Lucan' North for University
Posted by Ulster University - Derry Campus
A Day in the Life of an Environmental Advisor
A Day in the Life of an Environmental Advisor
Posted by Wind Energy Ireland
Genetics student & Co-Director at Germinaid Innovations
Genetics student & Co-Director at Germinaid Innovations
Posted by Research Ireland (Taighde Eireann)
From PLC to Bachelor of Arts
From PLC to Bachelor of Arts
Posted by SETU - Waterford Campus
How STEM can save the planet
How STEM can save the planet
Posted by Dublin City University - DCU
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