Helping Every Student Find Their Pathway
At RCS, we aim to provide comprehensive Career Guidance to every student throughout their time in school. We believe that choosing subjects, exploring careers and planning for life after school are important steps in helping young people build a happy, fulfilling and successful future.
There is no single pathway to success. Every student is different, with their own interests, strengths, ambitions and circumstances. Our aim is to help each student discover a pathway that suits them as an individual.
Our Career Guidance programme combines formal Career Guidance classes, one-to-one appointments, subject and programme choice guidance, college and career research, workplace experiences, educational visits, employer engagement and careers events.
We support students at each stage of their school journey, from their first subject choices in First Year through to their decisions about life after RCS.
Whether a student's next step is university, further education, an apprenticeship, employment or another pathway, our goal is to ensure that they leave RCS informed, confident and ready to take their next step.
SUBJECT CHOICE
Making Informed Choices
Choosing subjects is an important part of a student's journey through secondary school. We work with students and families to help them understand their options and make informed decisions based on their interests, strengths, abilities and future aspirations.
Students receive guidance through formal classes and individual support when making both Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate subject choices.
First Year – Junior Cycle Subject Choice
When students begin First Year, they start to explore the wide range of subjects available to them.
All students study:
- Maths
- Irish
- English
- History
- Geography
- Non-exam Religion
- CSPE
- SPHE
- Physical Education (PE)
Students then choose three additional subjects from:
- Science
- Business
- Music
- Home Economics
- Technical Graphics
- Wood Technology
- Engineering
- Art
- French
- German
Our guidance helps students understand what each subject involves and consider how their choices may connect with future study and career opportunities.
We encourage students to choose subjects because they enjoy them, are interested in them and have the ability to succeed in them, rather than simply choosing subjects because they believe they are required for a particular career.
Junior Cycle Subject Information →
SENIOR CYCLE PATHWAYS
Choosing the Right Programme
In Third Year, students begin to look ahead to Senior Cycle and consider which programme best suits their individual needs, interests and future plans.
At RCS, students can choose between:
Transition Year
Transition Year provides students with an opportunity to develop personally, academically and socially while exploring new experiences, skills and career possibilities.
TY Information from NCCA →
Leaving Certificate
Students can progress to the traditional Leaving Certificate programme, with a broad range of subjects available. See below.
Leaving Certificate Applied
The Leaving Certificate Applied programme is a practical, student-centred programme designed to prepare students for further education, training and employment.
Leaving Certificate Applied – NCCA →
Our Career Guidance team works with students to help them understand each option and consider which programme is the best fit for them.
LEAVING CERTIFICATE SUBJECT CHOICE
Students studying for the Leaving Certificate study the three core subjects:
They also study non-exam:
- Physical Education
- Religion
- SPHE
Students then choose four optional subjects from:
- History
- Geography
- French
- German
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Agricultural Science
- Computer Science
- General Business
- Home Economics
- Music
- Art
- DCG – Design Communication Graphics
- Construction
- Engineering
- Physical Education – exam subject
- Drama, Theatre and Film Studies – new subject
Students also study Applied Maths or Living, Community and Work (LCW).
Our guidance at this stage focuses on helping students understand the subjects available and, where appropriate, how different subject combinations may support their future choices.
We also encourage students to recognise that their Leaving Certificate subjects do not necessarily determine their entire future. There are often multiple routes into the same career, and many opportunities exist to change direction later.
CareersPortal – Guide to Subjects →
Senior Cycle Subjects →
LIFE AFTER RCS
Your Future. Your Pathway.
There are more opportunities available to school leavers today than ever before.
Our role is to help students understand these opportunities and identify the pathway that is right for them.
There is no single definition of success and no single route to a fulfilling career.
Students may choose to progress to:
- Third-Level Education – University, college and higher education
- Apprenticeships – Earn while you learn and train for a wide range of skilled careers
- Further Education – PLC courses, the National Tertiary Office and other training opportunities
- Employment – Entering the world of work directly after school
THIRD-LEVEL EDUCATION
Exploring College & University
For students considering third-level education, we provide guidance throughout the college and CAO process.
Students are supported with researching:
- University and college courses
- Entry requirements
- CAO points
- Course choices
- Subject requirements
- Application procedures
- Fees
- Student grants
- Accommodation
- Scholarships
- Alternative routes into courses
We encourage students to look beyond simply choosing a course. We help them consider the bigger picture: What interests me? What am I good at? What type of environment would I like to work in? What qualifications might I need? And what route will help me get there?
Students are also encouraged to attend college Open Days and other events so that they can experience campuses and speak directly with students, lecturers and admissions teams. See links to websites that may be of use below.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Learn. Earn. Qualify.
An apprenticeship can be an excellent pathway for students who want to combine practical learning with classroom-based education and gain a recognised qualification while working.
We help students explore apprenticeship opportunities and learn about the wide range of trades and careers available.
Our Apprenticeship Database
We maintain an Apprenticeship Database to help connect students interested in apprenticeships with local businesses and employers seeking apprentices.
We aim to build strong links between our students and the local community, helping young people discover opportunities that may lead to long-term careers.
We also organise an annual visit to the Waterford Training Centre, where students can see first-hand where apprentices train and learn more about the apprenticeship experience.
Generation Apprenticeship – Current & Future Training Programmes →
Apprenticeship Database – Fill Out Employer Form →
FURTHER EDUCATION
Another Route to Your Future
For some students, further education is the ideal next step after school.
We support students in exploring PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) courses, as well as other further education and training opportunities.
We have particularly strong links with Waterford College of Further Education, our most local PLC provider, and visit the college to give students the opportunity to learn about the courses available. WWETB also offer a range of courses, often at no cost.
We also introduce students to opportunities through the National Tertiary Office (NTO) and other education and training providers.
Further education can provide students with practical qualifications, valuable experience and, in many cases, progression opportunities into higher education or employment.
FETCH.ie →
National Tertiary Office →
Wexford Waterford Training Board →
EMPLOYMENT & THE WORLD OF WORK
Preparing Students for the Workplace
For students who are considering entering employment after school, we provide opportunities to explore the world of work and develop an understanding of what employers are looking for.
Through workplace visits, employer engagement, careers fairs, guest speakers and work experience, students can gain insight into different industries and professions.
We encourage students to consider:
- What type of work interests me?
- What skills do I have?
- What skills do I need to develop?
- What qualifications are required?
- What opportunities are available locally?
- How can I gain experience?
- What does an employer look for in a young person?
Our aim is to help students develop the confidence and skills they need to make the transition from school to employment successfully.
School Leavers Guide from Citizens Advice →
TRANSITION YEAR
A Year of Exploration
Transition Year provides our students with fantastic opportunities to explore careers, develop new skills and experience life beyond the classroom.
Throughout the year, TY students are encouraged to explore different career areas through work experience, placements, programmes, visits, guest speakers and enrichment opportunities.
A number of our students have completed the RCSI Mini Medical Programme in both Dublin and Waterford, gaining valuable insight into careers in medicine and healthcare.
Our TY students have also completed placements and experiences with organisations including:
- Dublin Zoo
- NASA
- Organisations in Germany and the UK
- Wexford GAA
- St Vincent's Hospital
- Beat 102–103
- Dáil Éireann
- The European Parliament
- The Irish Defence Forces
- Dublin Airport
These experiences allow students to step outside the traditional classroom environment, meet professionals and gain first-hand insight into different careers and workplaces.
For many students, TY is a time when they discover a career or area of study that they had never previously considered.
Forms for TY Work experience are available through the TY section on our website.
VISITS & CAREER EXPLORATION
Taking Learning Beyond the Classroom
We believe that students benefit enormously from experiencing education, training and workplaces first-hand.
Each year, we organise a wide range of visits and trips designed to expose students to different educational and career pathways.
Our programme includes, but is not limited to:
Higher Education & College Visits
- Higher Options & The WorldSkills Expo – RDS
- Kildalton Agricultural College, Kilkenny
- SETU Carlow & Waterford Campus’
- University of Limerick
- Maynooth University
- Dublin City University
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- Trinity College Dublin
- Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
Our visits to UCC, UCD and Trinity/RCSI take place every second year.
Training & Employment
Students also visit:
- Waterford Training Centre
- Waterford College of Further Education
- Wexford Job Fest, organised by the Wexford Chamber of Commerce
These visits give students the opportunity to meet people working and studying in different environments and ask questions about their experiences.
Guest Speakers
Throughout the year, we also welcome guests from universities, colleges, businesses, workplaces and professional organisations into RCS.
These speakers give students first-hand insight into different careers, qualifications, industries and pathways.
CAREERS EVENTS AT RCS
Bringing Careers Into the School
As well as bringing our students out into the wider community, we also bring the world of work into RCS.
Careers in Emergency Services
Students had the opportunity to meet representatives from the emergency services and learn about the wide range of careers available within this sector.
The event allowed students to ask questions and gain a realistic understanding of the qualifications, skills and pathways associated with emergency services careers.
RCS Careers Fair – 2026
In 2026, we hosted our first RCS Careers Fair, welcoming a wide range of employers and organisations into the school.
Students had the opportunity to meet employers, ask questions, explore different industries and discover careers they may not previously have considered.
The success of our first Careers Fair has encouraged us to make it a regular feature of our Career Guidance programme, with the aim of hosting the event every second year.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Celebrating Career Skills & Success
We are extremely proud of our students and the achievements they have made through our Career Guidance programme.
AIB Career Skills Awards
Our students have enjoyed considerable success in the AIB Careersportal Career Skills Awards in recent years.
- 2022: Aoife O'Connor – Highly Commended Project
- 2023: Conor Whelan – Bronze Award
- 2025: Valeriia Stepanenko – Overall Winner
- 2025: Colleen Waters – Highly Commended Project
These achievements recognise the hard work, creativity, initiative and career-focused skills demonstrated by our students.
Trinity College Schools of Distinction
2023–2025
RCS was recognised as a Trinity College Schools of Distinction school from 2023–2025.
This award recognised the significant work carried out by the Career Guidance Department at RCS and the opportunities provided to our students as they explore education, training and career pathways. We are extremely proud that the work of our students and Career Guidance Department has received this recognition.
OUR CAREER GUIDANCE PHILOSOPHY
Your Future. Your Choices.
Career Guidance is about much more than choosing subjects or completing a CAO application.
It is about helping young people understand who they are, what they enjoy, what they are good at and what possibilities exist for their future.
The world of education, training and employment is constantly changing. There are more pathways available to young people today than ever before, and we want our students to be aware of these opportunities.
We encourage our students to keep an open mind, ask questions, explore possibilities and recognise that their first choice does not have to define their entire future.
Our aim is to appropriately place each student after school on a pathway that suits them.
For one student, that may be university. For another, it may be an apprenticeship. For someone else, it may be a PLC, further training, employment or a completely different route.
There is no one right pathway.
There is only the pathway that is right for each individual student.
At RCS, we are proud to support our students as they discover that pathway and take their next step into the world beyond school.