Senior-cycle subject choices
Thoughtful support to select Leaving Certificate subjects that reflect the student’s abilities and interests while protecting important college and career options.
Personal guidance for the path ahead
Clarity and confidence for life after school.
Professional, one-to-one guidance for students, parents and adults navigating education, courses, careers and change.
12years in guidance
and 17 years in education
Listen
Explore
Decide
How I can help
Guidance that meets you where you are.
Choosing a direction is an important decision: understanding what you want to do and the routes that can take you there. Every session is tailored to the individual, with time to ask questions and clear next steps.
CAO & course pathways
A thorough look at suitable routes, including CAO courses, PLCs, tertiary programmes, HEAR and DARE, apprenticeships and options through UCAS and EUNiCAS.
Career assessments
Career-interest inventories and other assessment tools help identify strengths, interests and motivations. The results support a wider guidance conversation rather than making the decision for the student.
Career exploration
For students who feel uncertain, one-to-one guidance creates space to explore possibilities systematically, compare realistic options and begin shaping a direction that feels right.
Support for parents
A calm, informed space for parents to understand the available pathways and support their young person without adding pressure to an already important decision.
Personalised written report
Following a full consultation, the student receives an individual report bringing together key strengths, areas explored, possible directions and practical next steps.
Advice on
Education and training pathways
- Applying to college
- Leaving Certificate subject choice
- Study skills and exam preparation
- Scholarships
- HEAR, DARE and SUSI applications
- Applying to college abroad
- UCAS and EUNiCAS
- CAO applications
- PLC courses
- Apprenticeships and traineeships
A consultation can include
A personalised guidance process
- Optional psychometric testing
- One-to-one consultation
- Study-skills support where helpful
- Individual research
- A report and feedback
Guidance for adults
Ready for your next chapter?
Whether you are looking for the right job, returning to education or considering a completely new direction, focused guidance can help you turn uncertainty into a practical plan.
CV preparationPresent your experience and strengths clearly.
Interview skillsPrepare, practise and approach interviews confidently.
Career interest inventoryExplore your interests when considering a change.
Psychometric testingGain insight into your strengths and aptitudes.
Course selectionFind a course that supports your goals.
Packages & pricing
Focused guidance, with a clear plan to take away.
Both student packages include an individual appointment, tailored research and a personalised follow-up report.
Subject choice
€150per package
Senior Cycle Subject Choice & Early Career Exploration
For students choosing Leaving Certificate subjects who would benefit from beginning to explore their interests and possible future directions.
- One-to-one guidance appointment
- Exploration of interests and career areas
- Relevant subject requirements
- Course and pathway research
- Personalised follow-up report
- Optional psychometric career assessment: €75
After the Leaving Certificate
€150per package
My Future Plans
For students who want clear, current information about a career area, course or entry route—and support building a well-researched CAO application.
- One-to-one guidance appointment
- Career and course exploration
- CAO choices and order of preference
- Alternative education and training routes
- Personalised follow-up report
- Optional psychometric career assessment: €75
Study support
€10045 minutes
Study Skills
A tailored one-to-one session helping students make their study time more focused, manageable and effective. Strategies are shaped around the individual student’s learning preferences and challenges.
- 45-minute one-to-one session
- Review of current study habits
- Personalised strategies and techniques
- Support with organisation and planning
- Follow-up guide for the student and parents
Optional psychometric career assessment: €75. This includes access to the assessment, professional interpretation of the results, and integration of the findings into the consultation and personalised report.
About me
Hello, I’m Ciara Downey.
I’m a qualified guidance counsellor and business teacher with 17 years’ experience in post-primary education, including 12 years working in guidance and counselling.
In my AP1 leadership role, I have served as a Senior Cycle Year Head for a number of years and I also coordinate my school’s Student Support Team. These roles allow me to work closely with students, families and colleagues, helping young people feel supported and achieve their full potential.
I’m passionate about helping people recognise their strengths, explore their options and achieve their full potential. I understand that decisions about subjects, courses and careers can feel overwhelming—whether you are a student planning life after school, a parent trying to offer support or an adult considering a new direction.
My approach is warm, practical and tailored to the individual. Sessions provide a supportive space to explore interests, abilities, values and goals while considering realistic education and employment pathways. I believe good guidance should leave each person with greater clarity, confidence and a practical plan for moving forward.
Bachelor of Business StudiesGraduate Diploma in Education (Business)MA Guidance & CounsellingMember of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC)AP1 & Senior Cycle Year HeadEducational psychometric testing
Based just outside Limerick City Flexible online and in-person sessions
Featured inHOT PRESS
“Spending time on figuring out what you want to do is really important—as important as studying for your exam.”
Read Ciara’s CAO advice, academic journey and guidance for students.
Read the Hot Press interviewUseful resources
Trusted places to start your research.
These official resources are helpful when exploring careers, courses, entry requirements and the CAO process.
Ready to take the next step?
Let’s start with a conversation.
Tell me briefly what support you’re looking for and whether you would prefer an online or in-person session.
Email Ciaraciaradowney11@gmail.com