How to use this list
Every career here is tagged with the interest types it suits, the industry it sits in, the lowest NFQ level you can enter at, and the CAO course codes that lead to it. Open any career to see the full picture, including a short description of the kind of person who tends to thrive in it and the courses grouped by level.
The interest types come from the RIASEC framework, the same six types used in the Career DNA quiz, so a strong result there points you at the same careers here. A career usually shows two or three strong types rather than one. The search box reads the kind-of-person text too, so you can type a trait such as "calm", "outdoors" or "persuasive" and see which careers ask for it.
Questions students ask
Do I have to go to Level 8 to get into these careers?
No. The entry level shown is the lowest NFQ level that gets you started, and for a lot of careers that is a Level 5 PLC, a Level 6 apprenticeship or a Level 7 ordinary degree. Many students move up the levels afterwards rather than starting at the top. A few careers, such as clinical psychologist or art therapist, need a Level 9 master's on top of a degree, and a few need no third level course at all.
What do the interest types mean?
Realistic is hands on and practical, Investigative is analytical and research driven, Artistic is creative and expressive, Social is people focused, Enterprising is persuasive and leadership focused, and Conventional is organised and detail driven. Most people are a blend of two or three. Pick more than one type above and the list narrows to careers that suit all of them.
Are these course codes current?
They are grouped by NFQ level as listed on MyCareerVerse, but codes and entry routes change from year to year. Always check the current CAO handbook and the college's own page before you apply.
How do I save careers I like?
Tap the heart on any card. With a free account your saved careers follow you to your dashboard on any device, and you can filter this page down to just the ones you have saved.
Where to go next
- Work out your CAO points
- Find courses that match your points
- See your saved careers on your dashboard
Course codes are grouped by NFQ level as listed on MyCareerVerse. Always check the current CAO handbook and the college's own page before applying, because course codes and entry routes change year to year.