Research Careers on YouTube
Career Research Toolkit

Use YouTube to Research Your Dream Career

YouTube is one of the most powerful free tools for exploring careers. Learn how to subscribe to high-quality creators and build a personalised feed that shows you what careers really look like from the inside.

Get Started

Career Search Tool

Type any job title. We build the five searches that actually work, and open them on YouTube.

Quick picks

Type a career above to turn these into live YouTube searches.

Why YouTube?

Your Career Research Superpower

Forget outdated career brochures. YouTube gives you a front-row seat to real people in real jobs — every single day.

  • See the Real Day-to-Day

    Vlogs and “day in my life” videos show you what a job actually looks like — the tasks, the workspace, the pace — not just a glossy description.

  • Learn the Pathway

    Creators share their education journey, the courses they took, mistakes they made, and advice they wish they’d had — saving you time and money.

  • Stay Current & Inspired

    Subscribe once and your feed becomes a living career resource. New videos keep you updated on industry trends and opportunities as they evolve.

How To Do It

Your 5-Step YouTube Research Plan

Follow these steps to turn YouTube into a powerful career research tool.

  1. Pick a Career to Explore

    Start with a career that interests you. It doesn’t have to be “the one” — you’re just exploring. Think about subjects you enjoy, skills you have, or industries that fascinate you.

    Use your MyCareerVerse career quiz results as a starting point — pick one of your top matches to research first.

  2. Search Smart on YouTube

    Use targeted search terms to find the best content. Type a career below and open each search straight on YouTube:

    Career Search Tool

    Quick picks

    Type a career above to turn these into live YouTube searches.

    Use YouTube’s filters — click “Filter” and select “This year” to find the most recent, relevant content. The Past year only switch above does the same thing for you.

  3. Evaluate the Creator’s Quality

    Not all content is created equal. Look for creators who actually work in the field (not just commentators), have a consistent upload schedule, present balanced views (pros AND cons), and have genuine engagement in their comments section.

    Check the creator’s “About” section for their credentials. Are they a practising professional, or a student sharing their journey? Both are valuable — just know the difference.

  4. Subscribe & Build Your Feed

    When you find a quality creator, hit Subscribe and tap the bell for notifications. Over time, your YouTube homepage becomes a personalised career research dashboard. Aim for 3–5 creators per career area.

    Create a YouTube playlist called “Career Research” and save the best videos there for easy reference when writing your CAO application.

  5. Take Notes & Reflect

    Watching is only half the work. Jot down what excites you, what surprises you, and what concerns you. Compare across multiple creators and careers. These notes will be invaluable for personal statements, interviews, and career conversations with your Guidance Counsellor.

    Use the MyCareerVerse Course Investigation Worksheet alongside your YouTube research to capture insights in a structured way.

Not sure which career to research first?

Take a MyCareerVerse quiz, get your top matches, then come back and research them here.

Find your career matches

Your Action Plan

YouTube Career Research Checklist

Track your progress as you complete each step of your research.

My Research Progress

Tick each item as you complete it

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Creator Spotlight

Channels Worth Subscribing To

These creators are real professionals sharing genuine career insight — including Irish creators you can relate to. Each one is a gold-standard example of the kind of content you should look for. Tap a name to find the channel on YouTube.

Filter by field

Showing 6 of 10 creators

  • Featured

    DamiLee — search this channel on YouTube

    Licensed Architect · YouTuber

    A practising architect who creates beautifully produced videos about architecture, design, and what it’s really like to work in the profession. She covers everything from famous buildings to honest career advice.

    Why Subscribe?

    Real professional sharing genuine workplace experiences, education pathway insights, and balanced pros & cons of the career.

    • Architecture
    • Design Process
    • Day in the Life
  • Irish Creator

    Real Engineering — search this channel on YouTube

    Brian McManus · Engineer from Galway

    Galway native Brian McManus studied Biomedical Engineering at NUI Galway and Aeronautical Engineering at UL before leaving his 9-to-5 to create one of the world’s biggest engineering channels. With over 5 million subscribers, he explains complex engineering and technology in an accessible, visually stunning way.

    Why Subscribe?

    An Irish success story — proof that world-class STEM careers can start right here. His content on aerospace, energy, and technology has inspired countless students to pursue engineering.

    • Engineering
    • Aerospace
    • Technology
    • NUI Galway
  • Ali Abdaal — search this channel on YouTube

    Doctor turned Entrepreneur · Cambridge Graduate

    A Cambridge-trained doctor who started vlogging his medical school journey and now shares study techniques, productivity strategies, and career insights. His earlier content is a goldmine for anyone considering medicine.

    Why Subscribe?

    Brilliant study advice backed by real medical school experience. His early videos on becoming a doctor in the UK are especially relevant for Irish students.

    • Medicine
    • Study Tips
    • Productivity
  • LegalEagle — search this channel on YouTube

    Trial Attorney · Legal Educator

    Practising trial attorney Devin Stone breaks down complex legal concepts in an engaging, accessible way. From reacting to legal scenes in movies to explaining landmark cases and the realities of law school.

    Why Subscribe?

    Makes the legal profession feel real and exciting. Great for understanding what lawyers actually do and whether law school is right for you.

    • Law
    • Legal Analysis
    • Case Breakdowns
  • Joma Tech — search this channel on YouTube

    Software Engineer · Data Scientist

    A software engineer and data scientist sharing entertaining and honest content about working in Silicon Valley. His videos cover the path to software engineering, interviews, salary insights, and day-to-day life in tech.

    Why Subscribe?

    Breaks down the tech industry with humour and honesty. Perfect if you’re curious about software engineering, data science, or big tech companies.

    • Software Engineering
    • Data Science
    • Tech Careers
  • Zach Star — search this channel on YouTube

    Engineer · Applied Maths Communicator

    An engineer who creates brilliant videos explaining what different types of engineers actually do in the real world, and where maths and science subjects from school are genuinely used in professional careers.

    Why Subscribe?

    Answers the question every student asks: “When will I ever use this?” Shows how school subjects connect to real engineering careers.

    • Engineering
    • Applied Maths
    • STEM Careers
  • The Futur — search this channel on YouTube

    Design Education · Creative Careers

    Founded by designer and entrepreneur Chris Do, The Futur covers careers in graphic design, branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Real-world advice on building a creative career and the business side of design.

    Why Subscribe?

    Essential viewing for creative careers. Shows that design is a serious profession with real business skills — not just “being artistic.”

    • Graphic Design
    • Branding
    • Entrepreneurship
  • Irish Creator

    Burke’s Garage — search this channel on YouTube

    Gerard Burke · Motor Technician, Co. Galway

    A qualified motor technician based in Co. Galway with over 16 years of hands-on experience. Gerard shares detailed, informative videos covering diagnostics, repairs, and the day-to-day reality of running an Irish garage across a wide range of makes and models.

    Why Subscribe?

    Brilliant for anyone considering a motor mechanic apprenticeship in Ireland. See a real Irish tradesperson at work — practical skills, problem-solving, and what the job actually involves day-to-day.

    • Motor Mechanic
    • Apprenticeship
    • Trades
    • Irish Garage
  • Irish Creator

    Underwater Ireland — search this channel on YouTube

    Ken O’Sullivan · Wildlife Filmmaker, Co. Clare

    Multi-award-winning underwater cameraman and documentary filmmaker from Co. Clare. Ken has spent over 20 years documenting Ireland’s Atlantic marine life — from basking sharks off Kerry to blue whales at the continental shelf. His documentaries air on RTÉ and BBC worldwide.

    Why Subscribe?

    Shows a remarkable career path built around marine science, conservation, and filmmaking — right here in Ireland. Proof that passion for nature can become a world-class profession.

    • Marine Science
    • Wildlife Film
    • Conservation
    • Atlantic Ocean
  • Doctor Mike — search this channel on YouTube

    Dr. Mikhail Varshavski · Board-Certified Physician

    A practising board-certified family medicine physician who creates accessible, entertaining health and medical career content. From reacting to medical TV shows to explaining complex health topics and sharing the realities of residency and life as a doctor.

    Why Subscribe?

    An active, practising doctor who gives an honest look at the medical profession — the long hours, the emotional highs, and the genuine rewards of helping patients every day.

    • Medicine
    • Healthcare
    • Hospital Life

Explore by Category

YouTube Channels by Career Area

Search YouTube for creators in the career areas that interest you. Tap any search below to open it.

Pro Tips

Get the Most Out of Your Research

Smart habits that will make your YouTube career research more effective.

  • Use a Separate Account

    Consider a dedicated YouTube account for career research so your recommendations stay focused — not mixed with entertainment.

  • Read the Comments

    Comment sections often contain valuable follow-up questions and answers from both the creator and other professionals in the field.

  • Set a Research Timer

    It’s easy to fall down the YouTube rabbit hole! Set a 30-minute research session and stay focused on your goals.

Ready to Explore More Careers?

Head back to MyCareerVerse to discover careers that match your personality, interests, and strengths.

Explore MyCareerVerse