Junior Cycle runs for three years and finishes with the Junior Certificate examination. In these years you will be offered a broad general education that will provide the foundations for your future education and career.
During this time you will have to make choices about what subjects you would like to study and at what level - pass or honours. You will make better choices if you allow yourself to follow your interests and are realistic about your study abilities.
You also need to know what you will be studying, and what you might expect to learn after your years of work and effort. Most subjects build up your general knowledge and provide valuable learning for all careers. Some subjects are more specific and prepare you for similar subjects in your Leaving Cert.
Most students must study seven core subjects and can make choices on 2-3 additional courses (called 'electives') offered by the school. Not all options are available from all schools.
Featured Subject
Irish
The aim of Junior Certificate Irish is to improve your ability to communicate through Irish. You will focus on improving your language skills through concentrating on four areas; your spoken language through speaking; your listening skills through listening to others, CDs and tapes; your written skills through writing in Irish, and your reading skills through reading passages, poems and stories written in Irish.
More details here...
The subjects you study can be placed together into six 'Subject Groups' based on what is studied. For most students, choosing subjects from each group is a good idea, as you will get a good rounded education as a result. However, if you particularly dislike a subject at this stage, you should look to find one that would be of greater interest to you.
As you continue your studies from Junior Cycle onwards, you will learn how the subject groups, and choice of subjects within them, continue to grow and expand. By the time you leave school you will be able to choose what to study from a selection of hundreds of courses.
What are your Career Interests?
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their best operating under supervisors who give clear guidelines, and performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
