This document outlines the requirements and guidelines for a career investigation portfolio item. It is worth 40 marks out of 240 total marks. Students must research careers related to their interests and aptitudes and selected leaving certificate subjects. The career investigation should include identifying relevant skills and qualifications needed for the career, describing available education pathways, and reflecting on insights gained from the research. The document provides templates and guidance for students to structure their career investigation portfolio item.

1. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Career Investigation
• Compulsory Portfolio Item.
• Worth 40 marks out of 240 marks
• Must be word processed.
© PDST, 2010
1
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

2. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Unit 3 – Career Investigation
• This unit introduces the skills of career
research and planning. Students should be
encouraged and facilitated to actively
investigate careers related to their aptitudes,
interests and choice of Leaving Certificate
subjects, with particular reference to their
selected vocational subjects.
© PDST, 2010
2
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

3. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Specific Learning Outcomes
The student should be able to
3.1 identify personal aptitudes and interests
3.2 investigate a range of careers appropriate to
personal aptitude and interests
3.3 identify and analyse the aptitude and skills
required to pursue a specific career
3.4 describe relevant qualifications and training
required for entry to the selected career
© PDST, 2010
3
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

4. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Specific Learning Outcomes
3.5 identify available opportunities to pursue a selected
career locally, nationally, and where possible, at
international level
3.6 plan and set up an opportunity to interview and/or
work shadow a person in a selected career
3.7 integrate information from a variety of sources to
prepare a final report on a career investigation
3.8 reflect on and evaluate the experience of
undertaking a career investigation
3.9 link the activities in this unit to learning in relevant
Leaving Certificate subjects
© PDST, 2010
4
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

5. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Outline for Career Investigation
Title: Career Investigation Of
Investigated by:
Date:
Description of the Career: 3 different
statements
Relevant Skills and Qualities: 3 and 3
© PDST, 2010
5
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

6. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Outline for Career Investigation
Qualification and Training Required:
Pathway 1 Pathway 2
College Name and Location
Points/entry requirements
Course Title
Outline of course…detail
Length
End qualification
(ensure pathways are different or to
alternative careers)
© PDST, 2010
6
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

7. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Outline for Career Investigation
Evaluation of Career in light of
Personal Aptitudes:
Personal Interests:
Choice of Leaving Certificate Subjects:
Insights I gained about the career:
© PDST, 2010
7
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

8. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Outline of Career Investigation
Out of Class Learning Experience:
refer to interaction with an adult other than teachers in
a relevant out of class learning experience e.g. work
shadowing, visit to an enterprise, interview with a
person in the career area, college open day, careers
exhibition or other event organised as part of the
school guidance programme. Be specific here. Give
date of interview, name and position of interviewee
and outcomes of interview
Evaluation of Career Investigation:
The skills developed and insights gained from the
experience of undertaking the career investigation
Sources of Information:
© PDST, 2010
8
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

9. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Interest and Aptitude Tests
Career Interest Inventory (CII) used in
conjunction with DATs Differential Aptitude
Tests
EirQuest and The Cambridge Profile
Free online Interest test and Personality test
available on careers portal.
www.careersportal.ie
© PDST, 2010
9
The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013

10. The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013
Useful Links
www.fas.ie
www.cao.ie
www.qualifax.ie
www.gradireland.com
www.careesportal.ie
www.pdst.ie
© PDST, 2010
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The PDST is funded by the Department of Education and Skills
under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013