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.
New practice introductory offer€125 for either main student package when booked by 31 January 2027.
Subject choice€150€125introductory rate
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€150€125introductory rate
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
€8545 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.
Not sure which option is right?Arrange a free 15-minute parent call to discuss what would be most helpful for your son or daughter.
Arrange a free call 
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 interviewWhat students and parents say
Guidance that makes a lasting difference.
I have used Ciara's guidance counselling services for three of my children, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. On each occasion, Ciara provided professional, informative and practical guidance.
She connects directly with young people and takes the time to listen to their interests, strengths, likes and dislikes, helping them explore courses and career paths that genuinely suit their abilities and aspirations. Her approachable and personable manner immediately puts students at ease and encourages open and honest conversations.
My eldest child recently graduated from the University of Limerick, having pursued a course that Ciara recommended during the guidance process.
Ciara's knowledge, professionalism and genuine interest in helping students make informed decisions are invaluable. I would strongly recommend her guidance counselling services to any student and parent navigating subject choices, CAO applications or future career pathways.
SuzanneParent
Before I went to college, I'd say I changed my mind about what course I wanted to do eight times. Ciara was recommended to me, and I found her very professional and friendly.
She sat down with me, went through what I liked and didn't really like about school, and recommended a course I'd never heard of. I'm now getting ready to return for my final year of that course and I couldn't be happier.
If you're struggling with college choices, a chat with Ciara is the way to go.
DavidPast student
We heard of Ciara's services through a friend. Our son was in Sixth Year and feeling overwhelmed by career choices and college applications. While his school was very supportive, we felt he would benefit from an outside perspective.
Ciara went through his strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and offered practical advice on study skills and managing his time more effectively. Together, they found a course that suited him and felt achievable.
We're happy to report that he is thriving at university and very content with the course he chose. We would have no hesitation in recommending Ciara.
P & JParents
As the parent of a Sixth Year student, I found bringing my daughter to Ciara extremely beneficial and worthwhile.
Ciara is very knowledgeable and was so generous with her time. She was genuinely dedicated to helping my daughter achieve her goal—so much so that she is now studying her dream course.
I would highly recommend Ciara to any student or parent seeking career guidance advice.
TrishaParent
Useful 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.