Subjects & Career Choice
Another perspective worth considering when making subject choices is their relationship to career areas and college courses. As a guideline, here are some pointers that you may find useful for a range of popular career areas:
Please note: These are guidlines based on popular choices, and do not indicate essential subject requirements!
Primary School Teaching
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Biology
- History/Geography
- Religion
- Your favourite subject
Architecture
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Physics
- Art
- Design & Communication Graphics
Business
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Business/Accountancy
- Economics
- Your favourite subject
Nursing
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Biology
- Chemistry/Agricultural Science
- Home Economics - Scientific and Social
- Your favourite subject
Physiotherapy
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Biology
- Physics/Chemistry
- Your favourite subject
Science
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Biology/Chemistry
- Physics/Agricultural Science
- Geography
- Your favourite subject
Medicine
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Chemistry
- Biology/Physics/Agricultural Science
- Your favourite subject
Psychology
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Biology
- Business/Economics
- Your favourite subject
Engineering
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Physics
- Chemistry/Engineering
- Design & Communication Graphics
- Applied Maths
Law
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Business
- History/Classical Studies
- Your favourite subject
Agricultural Science
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Agricultural Science
- Business/Agricultural Economics
- Biology
- Your favourite subject
Veterinary
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Chemistry
- Biology/Agricultural Science
- Your favourite subject
Computer Science
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Physics
- Design & Communication Graphics
- Your favourite subject
Dentistry
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Chemistry
- Biology/Physics
- Your favourite subject
Social Science
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Geography
- Religion
- Your favourite subject
Hotel Management
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Business
- Home Economics - Scientific and Social
- Your favourite subject
Pharmacy
- English
- Irish
- Maths
- Language
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Your favourite subject
Karen O'Flaherty, Science Communicator
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In secondary school I studied mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, as well as English, Irish, French, and History. I planned to study science at University with a view to going into the chemical industry. It just happened that I was better at physics and found myself drawn towards a degree in that subject.
Sinead Kenny, Design Engineer
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
I wasn’t 100% sure that I would end up in the science/engineering sector when I was at school. I found doing transition year really helped me to explore the various options that were available. This helped me to decide the subjects for my leaving certificate. I chose physics, chemistry & accounting, again keeping my options open. At the moment I am doing a masters for which I have to do aspects of accounting & economics so the accounting I did for my leaving has come in handy!
Deirdre Kelleghan, Amateur Astronomer
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
When I was young, going on to third-level education was not something everyone did or could do – I had to go straight to work when I finished secondary school. This was difficult as I wanted to go to art college but could not. However, as I was working (in graphic design) I paid for myself to go to college at night and did a Diploma in Art in Industry and Commerce. To fulfill my needs I also did courses in life drawing at night in the National College of Art and Design which I totally loved. There is no hindsight worth pursuing, as what happened is in the past and I got on with my life in my own way, with my own drive.