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
Martin Deegan - Yard Manager
Yard Manager - Martin Deegan - Yard Manager
Executive Officer - Civil Service
Executive Officer - Executive Officer - Civil Service
Tourism Careers - This is My Office
Tourism Careers - Tourism Careers - This is My Office
Clodagh Moore
Process Engineering Lecturer - Clodagh Moore
Freelance Editor/Translator (Irish)
Freelance Editor/Translator (Irish) - Freelance Editor/Translator (Irish)

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

ESB Engineer: Majella Henchion
ESB Engineer: Majella Henchion
Posted by
The Education Pathway of a Deputy Principal at an All-Irish speaking school
The Education Pathway of a Deputy Principal at an All-Irish speaking school
Posted by Carlow College
Theology Graduate St. Patrick's College, Maynooth
Theology Graduate St. Patrick's College, Maynooth
Posted by St. Patrick's Pontifical University
James Corcoran - Pharmacologist and Writer
James Corcoran - Pharmacologist and Writer
Posted by CareersPortal
PLC - Breaking with the traditional and Following your passion
PLC - Breaking with the traditional and Following your passion
Posted by CareersPortal
A Day in the Life of a Biosciences Lecturer
A Day in the Life of a Biosciences Lecturer
Posted by CareersPortal
Close