You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out: A Career Guide for Leaving Cert Students
The Leaving Certificate exams kick off this Wednesday and across Ireland, thousands of students are sitting with a feeling that doesn't get talked about enough, not just exam nerves, but a deeper, quieter anxiety: What if I don't know what I want to do with my life?
Here's the truth: most people don't. And that's not a problem to be solved before results day in August it's a normal starting point for a career that will likely span 40+ years, evolve through multiple industries and look nothing like what you planned at 17 or 18.
The pressure to pick the "right" course can feel enormous. But the students who build truly fulfilling careers aren't necessarily the ones who had it all mapped out at the CAO deadline. They're the ones who stayed curious, said yes to opportunities and kept learning about themselves along the way.
So if you're feeling uncertain right now, this article is for you.
Choosing Your Course When You're Not Sure
The CAO points system can make it feel like your course choice is a definitive, once-in-a-lifetime decision. It isn't. But it is worth approaching thoughtfully.
Start with your interests, not just your points. It sounds obvious, but it's easy to be swayed by what sounds impressive, what your parents suggest or what your friends are doing. Take a step back. What subjects have you actually enjoyed? What topics do you find yourself reading about outside of school? What problems do you care about in the world? These are early signals worth listening to.
Broaden before you narrow. If you genuinely don't know what career you want, consider courses that give you breadth, Business, Arts, Science, Social Science, Communications. These degrees develop transferable skills and often allow you to specialise in later years once you've had time to explore. They also open doors into a wide range of graduate programmes and careers.
Research the career, not just the course. Many students choose a college course without fully understanding where it leads. If you're considering Law, talk to solicitors and barristers. If you're thinking about Psychology, look into what postgraduate study is required. If it's Tech, explore what roles actually exist beyond "working in computers." The more grounded your understanding of the destination, the better equipped you'll be to choose a path toward it.
Don't panic about changing your mind. Many of Ireland's most successful professionals are not working in the field their degree is in. College opens doors it doesn't close them. There is a true value to every course. No matter what course you choose it will equip you with transferable skills and experience that will enable you to pivot when you are further down the line if necessary.
Think Long-Term, Even From Day One
Early career decisions matter, not because they lock you in, but because they shape the foundations you build on. Here are a few habits worth developing from the very beginning.
Know your transferable skills. Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, resilience, initiative these are the skills that travel with you across every role and industry. Start developing them consciously and be able to articulate them. They matter more than most people realise, especially in your early career.
Understand what the job market values. Industries evolve fast. Some of the most in-demand roles today didn't exist ten years ago. Stay curious about emerging fields (e.g sustainability, AI, health technology, digital marketing) and think about how your interests might intersect with where the world is heading.
Build a career mindset, not just a job mindset. There's a difference between taking whatever comes and actively building toward something. You don't need a five-year plan (in fact, being too rigid can work against you), but it helps to have a general direction and to make decisions with at least one eye on your longer-term growth.
Your Education Is More Than Your Degree
College is a remarkable opportunity to build skills, networks and experiences that go far beyond a qualification, if you approach it that way.
Get involved. Join societies, student unions, clubs. Leadership roles in student life develop the exact skills employers look for. They also expand your network in ways that matter more than you'd expect.
Take every module seriously, even the ones you didn't choose. You never know which subject will spark something unexpected. Some of the most powerful career pivots start with an elective module taken on a whim.
Seek out internships and placements early. Don't wait until final year. Many courses offer placement years; take them. Apply for summer internships from first year if you can. Real-world experience not only strengthens your CV; it gives you vital information about what you actually enjoy (and what you don't).
Use the career services office. Most students don't and it's a genuinely underused resource. They can help with CVs, interview prep, career planning and connecting you with alumni in your field of interest.
The Power of Part-Time Work
Part-time work while studying is often seen as purely a financial necessity. But it's far more than that, it's one of the most valuable career development opportunities available to you.
Every role you hold, no matter how seemingly unrelated to your ambitions, teaches you something. Working in retail develops customer-facing communication and conflict resolution. Hospitality builds resilience, teamwork and pace. Admin work develops organisation and professionalism. Bar work grows interpersonal skills faster than almost anything else.
When you're in a part-time job, don't just show up, be curious about the business. Understand how it operates. Ask questions. Volunteer for tasks outside your remit. The people who stand out early in their careers are the ones who show genuine interest and initiative, and that habit can start in your first part-time role.
These experiences also give you stories to tell, real examples of skills in action that you'll draw on in interviews and conversations for years to come.
You Are Allowed to Ask for Help
One of the most overlooked resources for young people starting their careers is professional career guidance. Many people think of career coaching as something for mid-career professionals navigating a transition and while that's certainly part of what we do at Clarico, supporting early career professionals is something we feel genuinely passionate about.
The decisions you make in these early years about courses, opportunities, skills to build, career directions to explore, have a long runway. Getting clarity on your values, strengths and goals at this stage means you can make more intentional decisions from the very start, rather than spending years in roles that don't fit before finally getting support to change course.
At Clarico, our career coaching is built around you as an individual. We don't hand out generic advice we ask the right questions, help you discover what you actually want and support you in building a realistic, energising plan to get there.
Whether you're deciding between two CAO choices, feeling overwhelmed about what direction to take, or just want someone in your corner as you navigate this next chapter a career coaching session could be one of the most valuable things you invest in right now.
Book a free discovery call with Clarico no pressure, just a conversation to explore whether we're the right support for where you are right now.
A Final Word for Every Student Starting This Week
You are beginning something, not finishing it. The Leaving Cert is a milestone, not a verdict. Whatever results you get in August, they are the start of a very exciting life chapter!
The most important thing is to keep going, keep learning about yourself and stay open. The career that fits you best might not be the one you can name today. But with curiosity, intention and the right support, you'll find your way there.
Good luck this week. You've got this.
Clarico is an EMCC-accredited career coaching practice based in Dublin and Limerick, offering 1:1 coaching, workshops and corporate partnerships. We work with professionals at every stage, including those just starting out. To find out more or book a free discovery call, visit www.claricocoaching.com.