LCVP

CAREER INVESTIGATION
G U I D E L I N E S F O R P R E PA R I N G
A C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N

he career investigation is a short summary of the

information gathered and insights gained by a
student during the course of active research into a
chosen career. This portfolio item is an outcome of
Unit 3 of the Link Module, Preparation for the World of
Work. In this unit students are encouraged to
investigate careers related to their aptitudes, interests
and choice of Leaving Certificate subjects.

The career investigation may be presented as a

word-processed document 300 600 words in length,
or a 3 5 minute interview on cassette tape.

L AY O U T O F C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N
(DOCUMENT)

n keeping with all portfolio items the word-processed

document should have a clear title (i.e. career
investigation). The name of the career/career area
being investigated should be displayed prominently.
There is no prescribed order or list of headings for this
portfolio item but students should be encouraged to
present the material in a logical manner, using
headings that enable them to fulfil the assessment
criteria. The career investigation is not a summary
report, so students need not include aims/objectives or
terms of reference in the document. The document may
contain information in tabular form but the inclusion of
appendices is not recommended.

The ability to research and plan a career is an

essential part of the toolkit of today's worker, who
needs to continuously respond and adapt to a rapidly
changing working environment. Students too, in
preparing for life after school, need to know how to
access information about career opportunities and be
able to evaluate the vocational options open to them.
LCVP students who engage in a career investigation, in
conjunction with other guidance and counselling
activities in the school, can learn important skills in
career research and planning, and improve their
communicative and decision-making skills.

Description of career
This should be a short outline (2 or 3 sentences) of the
type of work/duties carried out by a person in the
selected career.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The career investigation will assess the student's

ability to
generate a document with a clear and consistent
layout

Identify and categorise

Students should be encouraged to select relevant
information and categorise (group) it under suitable
headings (e.g. skills and qualities', qualifications and
training). The details could be presented in tabular
form or as a bulleted list.

describe a specific career concisely and accurately

identify and categorise skills, qualities,
qualifications and training relevant to the selected
career

Out of class learning experience

Students should refer to a named and dated activity
(individual or group) which formed part of their career
investigation. A brief summary of the outcomes of the
activity (what they learned about the career) should be
included. Some of the types of activity envisaged are

describe two pathways to the selected career

evaluate the selected career in the light of personal
aptitude, interests and choice of Leaving Certificate
subjects
present clear evidence of interaction with adults
other than teachers in a relevant out of class
learning experience

work shadowing
interview with a person in the career area

evaluate the experience of undertaking a career

investigation.

visit to an enterprise
college open day
careers exhibition or other event organised as part
of the school guidance programme.

38

LCVP

Evaluation
Teachers should indicate to students that the inclusion
of an evaluation of both the career and the
experience of undertaking a career
investigation is required in the document.

Structured Interview - Career Investigation

audio version
1. Would you like to introduce yourself?
Give name and candidate number.
2. You carried out a career investigation as part of
your LCVP. What career did you choose to
investigate?
Name the career.

C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N ( A U D I O )

tudents may opt to submit this portfolio item in the

form of an audio cassette tape on which they are
interviewed for 3 5 minutes about their career
investigation. The assessment criteria for the audio
tape will differ in one respect from the document
version. Instead of being assessed on their ability to
generate a document with a clear and consistent
layout, students will be assessed on their ability to
communicate in a clear and confident manner.

3. Why did you decide to investigate the career of

...............?
Mention aptitude, interest and choice of Leaving
Certificate subjects.
4. What exactly does a ................ do?
Short description of the career.
5. What skills and qualities would you need for a
career in ................?
To be a ................. one should have the ability
to............ (mention at least two skills, e.g. the
ability to operate machinery precisely; the ability
to manage people ); and one should be the type
of person who ...........(mention two qualities, e.g.
is flexible; is interested in people).

The interview should be carefully structured so as to

ensure that students have the opportunity to fulfil all
the assessment criteria for the career investigation.
A possible outline of such an interview is shown
opposite.
Note
Inclusion in the career investigation of
material directly downloaded from
websites, software packages, or copied
directly from careers publications or other
sources is not acceptable.

6. What training and qualifications would you need

for this career?
Outline two pathways into the career (e.g. two
courses you could do; education level/points
required for entry; length of study/training; name
of qualification).
7. What did you do outside the classroom to find out
more about this career?
Describe and give date of work shadowing,
interview with person in career area or visit to
career related open day/exhibition.
8. What do you think you learned from your career
investigation?
Evaluation of career, e.g. I found I'm suited to this
career because; evaluation of experience of
career investigation, e.g. I learned how to
research; I developed communication skills.

39

LCVP

S A M P L E C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N 1

eptionist
N - Hotel Rec
IO
T
A
IG
T
S
E
CAREER INV
e
y: Mary Burk
Submitted b

tel. It
ve with a ho
a
:
h
n
l
o
il
ti
w
p
t
ri
n
ie
sc
De
contact a cl
ns and
t is the first
le reservatio
is
d
n
n
o
a
ti
h
ep
to
t
ec
is
R
ails of local
ption
A Hotel
y of the rece
asked for det
it
il
en
b
ft
si
o
n
o
re
a
sp
They must
ts
is the re
all amenities.
. Receptionis
f
ts
o
will
es
re
a
gu
w
f
a
o
y
n
be full
skills, which
n
st
o
u
registratio
ti
m
a
ic
ey
n
u
th
m
rest, so
cellent com
places of inte
and have ex
ce
n
ra
ea
p
p
a
e telephone.
have a neat
ce and on th
fa
to
ce
fa
th
o
be needed b
quired:
f training
Training re
d
n
a
s
g avenues o
n
in
o
w
ti
o
a
ll
c
fi
fo
li
e
a
u
th
Q
eceptionist,
lified Hotel R
a
u
q
a
e
m
o
To bec
:
are available
nd Athlone.
, Dundalk a
gy
lo
o
n
h
ec
T
of
in Institutes
T raining
bjects to
Certificate su
g
n
.
vi
T
I.
ea
e
L
n
ve
lo
de D3 in fi
College: Ath
uirement: Gra
eq
R
/Ger man.
y
tr
n
E
c
Basi
h and French
is
gl
2001.
n
E
d
n
a
s
oints. AQA in
P
el
ev
include Math
L
d
ir
rocedure: Th
t, awarded
ll-time
Admission P
Managemen
hree years fu
sm
T
ri
:
u
o
on
T
ti
ra
&
u
e
D
Course
Front Offic
: Diploma in
Qualification
.
by H.E.T.A.C
T
through CER
T raining
ave D3
of age and h
ollege
C
rs
T
a
R
ye
E
8
C
1
s
e
b
beg
aths
cants must
College: Killy
nglish and M
ement: Appli
E
ir
g
u
in
eq
d
R
u
y
cl
tr
in
n
Basic E
subjects,
ng Certificate
in five Leavi
iew
rocess: Interv
Admission P
r full-time
a
ye
e
on: On
ti
ra
u
D
e
rs
Cou

40

LCVP

d choice
interests an
,
e
d
tu
ti
p
a
l
t of persona
areer in ligh
C
f
o
n
o
ti
a
Evalu
subjects:
at my
Certificate
indicated th
s
lt
su
re
e
of Leaving
th
ts,
ng with
Aptitude Tes
racy". Deali
f
u
o
cc
y
A
er
d
tt
n
a
a
b
d
artHaving sat a
"Clerical Spee
uch. In my p
m
in
ry
es
li
ve
y
cy
jo
en
ci
ience
h I en
highest profi
endous exper
ething whic
m
em
so
tr
e
is
m
c
li
s
b
pu
graphy and
g which give
the general
e waitressin
studying Geo
m
m
so
a
I
o
d
c.
I
et
rk
jects being
ints
time wo
te, both sub
omer compla
ca
st
fi
ti
cu
er
h
C
it
g
w
n
g
of dealin
for my Leavi
nist.
onours level
h
t
a
h
is
otel Receptio
gl
H
n
f
E
o
er
re
ca
t to the
very relevan
nce:
g so, I
ing experie
rn
a
le
ss
la
ays. In doin
c
d
e
re
th
Out of
r
fo
ist
n be very
ssure but ca
tel Reception
o
re
H
p
f
a
o
l
ed
ea
w
o
d
of the
eat
I work-shad
ency. Some
involves a gr
ci
b
fi
jo
ef
e
r
u
th
t
yo
a
le for shiftcompliments
discovered th
to be availab
a customer
s
d
en
h
ee
er with
w
n
g
e
n
in
o
reward
cial and
volved, togeth
o
in
-s
ti
rk
n
o
a
w
e
f
b
o
n
on.
the variety
hours also ca
such a positi
ally enjoyed
re
in
I
n
,
so
er
er
ev
p
w
o
a
work. H
y afforded
responsibilit
the sense of
igation:
d that it
areer Invest
C
f
o
n
o
ist, I now fin
ti
n
a
o
ti
ep
Evalu
ec
R
l
ote
n in this
e career of H
wing a perso
th
o
d
a
ed
h
sh
rc
t
a
en
se
od and
e sp
Having re
view of the go ient
me. The tim
ss
to
a
cl
ch
tu
rs
m
fi
cure suffic
appeals very
l, as I had a
ould I not se
ost beneficia
sh
m
t
s
a
a
th
w
n
se
o
li
ti
a
, I have the
posi
w re
f Technology
the job. I no
o
f
o
te
sed
u
ts
it
ec
st
sp
In
a
bad
y entry is ba
g in an
eb
in
er
in
h
a
w
tr
.,
.T
to
y
.R
tr
reer
ing with C.E
Points for en
king this Ca
ng my train
ta
ti
er
le
d
p
n
m
U
.
co
f
ts
o
my research
Poin
option
: I developed
ther than on
ce
ra
n
ie
w
ie
er
p
rv
ex
te
e
my future
on an in
r picture of
ry worthwhil
re
ve
ea
a
cl
s
a
a
w
ve
n
a
o
h
Investigati
and I now
ication skills
n
u
m
m
co
d
an
career path.

:
information
Sources of
1"
0
0
2
e
Colleg
tory"
(1) "Going to
Career Direc
&
k
o
o
rb
ea
Y
t
(2) "Studen

d Dunne
By: Raymon
Duddy
By: Keane &

____________

Date: ________

____

____
____________
Signed: ______
Mary Burke

41

LCVP

SAMPLE CAREER INVESTIGATION 1

HOTEL RECEPTIONIST
(496 WORDS)

C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N ( 3 0 0 - 6 0 0 W O R D S )
Assessment criteria

Evidence presented
Full

Partial

Additional comments

Absent

Generate a document with

a clear and consistent
layout.

Clear headings, logical

sequence which matches
the assessment criteria.

Describe a specific career

concisely and accurately

A short, concise description

is acceptable.

Identify and categorise

skills, qualities,

Skills and qualities partially

described in first
paragraph. It would have
been better to list them
under a separate heading.

qualifications and training

relevant to the selected
career.

Details of qualifications and

training well presented.

Describe two pathways to

the selected career.

Comprehensive.

Evaluate the selected career

in the light of personal
aptitude, interests and
choice of Leaving
Certificate subjects.

Comprehensive.

Present clear evidence of

interaction with adults other
than teachers in a relevant
out of class learning
experience.

Work shadowing in an
area related to career is
described and evaluated.

Evaluate the experience of

undertaking a career
investigation.

Student has mentioned

specific skills developed
and insights gained.

42

LCVP

S A M P L E C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N 2

ESTIGATION
V
IN
R
E
E
R
A
C
STRUCTOR
IN
S
S
E
N
IT
F
HEALTH and
hn Twomey
by Jo

g on
um, instructin
si
a
n
ym
g
a
in
nd
d training, a
usually works
n
Description
r
a
o
ct
ts
n
ru
e
st
m
In
ss
Fitness
ected to
ness asse
A Health and
rrying out fit
rs are also exp other
ca
o
ct
,
ru
se
st
u
in
t
n
s,
e
m
In most gym
and help in
correct equip
lated queries.
anging rooms
re
ch
t
ss
u
e
o
n
n
fit
a
e
g
cl
n
answeri
ption desk,
ing at the rece
tt
si
s
rn
tu
ke
ta
.
administration

s
ls & Qualitie
Relevant Skil , fitness and stamina

lth
Good hea
rting ability
o
Some sp
and energetic
sues
fitness
Outgoing
and sports is
in health and
lth
a
ts
e
n
h
e
m
in
p
st
lo
re
ve
Inte
nds and de
e of latest tre
Knowledg

ired
Training requ of Health & Fitness Instructor.
&
s
n
o
ti
a
c
fi
li
er
Qua
ays to the care
w
th
a
p
o
tw
e
Tralee I.T.
utlin
I will o

dies in
& Leisure Stu
lth
a
e
H
in
te
rtifica
l Course - Ce
ool, Dublin.
1. Third Leve
ocational Sch
V
re
o
ic
ch
In
Course in
ng Certificate
2. Post-Leavi

him in
xperience
e
n at length to
g
ke
o
in
sp
rn
a
ve
a
le
h
I
s
others achieve
Out of clas
ure Instructor.
Health & Leis
ing it is to help
n is a
how satisfy
a job.
My first cousi
-side of such
ressed on me
n
p
w
im
o
d
s
a
a
h
is
e
y
H
a
that poor p
relation to it.
ver, it appears
e
w
o
H
.
ls
a
o
g
their

cluded in
ation
reer Investig amount of Business Studies in hich does
a
C
f
o
n
o
ti
a
antial
Evalu
bject w
ere is a subst
or. This is a su
realise that th
Having
isure Instruct
rt.
I now
& Le
solely on spo
es for Health
te
a
rs
tr
u
n
co
ce
g
n
in
co
in
a
to
& to look
the tr
I would prefer
rt as a hobby
o
s
a
sp
,
e
p
e
m
ke
to
l
to
a
mewhat
ded
not appe
seem to be so
h, I have deci
s
g
rc
a
in
n
se
e
p
re
o
y
b
m
of career.
a career. Jo
completed
uing this type
ative area for
rs
rn
u
p
lte
a
m
n
o
a
fr
s
t
n
rd
e
towa
r deterr
this is anothe
scarce also &

43

LCVP

SAMPLE CAREER INVESTIGATION 2

H E A LT H A N D F I T N E S S I N S T R U C T O R
(283 WORDS)

C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N ( 3 0 0 - 6 0 0 W O R D S )
Assessment criteria

Evidence presented
Full

Partial

Absent

Generate a document with a

clear and consistent layout.

Additional comments
Clear headings, logical
sequence. Document too short.

Describe a specific career

concisely and accurately

Complete.

Identify and categorise skills,

qualities,

Bulleted list is an acceptable

method of categorising skills
and qualities. Skills and
qualities need not be listed
separately.

qualifications and training

relevant to the selected
career.

Qualifications obtained from

courses listed are not
mentioned.

Describe two pathways to

the selected career.

Duration of courses and entry

requirements not mentioned.

Evaluate the selected career

in the light of personal
aptitude, interests and
choice of Leaving Certificate
subjects.

Student has referred

to personal interest
(sport as a hobby) but has
not mentioned aptitude
(I'm good at...). Only
one Leaving Certificate
subject (Business) is referred
to. Two would be preferable.
It is acceptable for
student to reach a negative
conclusion about career
('it's not for me').

Present clear evidence of

interaction with adults other
than teachers in a relevant
out of class learning
experience.

Student has spoken 'at length'

with a relative in similar
career area. More specific
details of activity are required
(e.g. date of interview, name
and position of interviewee,
outcomes).

Evaluate the experience of

undertaking a career
investigation.

44

Student has evaluated the

career but not his experience
of undertaking a career
investigation. Student should
have recorded what skills he
developed and how the
experience might help him in
the future.

LCVP

S A M P L E C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N 3

Photographer
N
IO
T
A
IG
T
ES
CAREER INV d by: Denise Gardiner
Compile

Description:

raphy. Most
Social photog
&
l
ia
rc
e
m
m
o
start, not
C
areas: Press,
rea, but at the
a
in
r
a
la
m
u
oto.
e
ic
rt
re
a
th
p
e
e from one ph
e in on
d
There are
lis
a
a
m
ci
e
e
b
sp
n
,
e
ca
, in tim
h even
t of money
photographers
graphy, thoug
wn a job. A lo
o
to
d
o
h
rn
p
tu
ss
to
re
p
rd
m per
d in
many can affo
ers & pay the
s to be gaine
h
b
p
jo
ra
e
g
to
tim
o
llh
p
fu
e
freelance
There are som
prefer to use
rs
e
p
a
sp
w
e
n
the biggest
r by the day.
photograph o
g:
s and Trainin
n
o
ti
a
c
fi
li
a
u
Q
lified
ith a fully qua
w
b
jo
a
re
cu
osely
way up. Se
ht. Observe cl
ig
n
y
b
s
e
Work your
ss
a
and take cl
photographer
mployer.
ions of your e
aoghaire IT.
and ask quest
urse at Dun L
co
y
h
p
ra
g
to
course.
Take a pho
ar certificate
e
-y
o
tw
a
is
This
oice of
terests & ch
in
,
e
d
tu
ti
p
a
of personal
reer in light
a
c
f
o
n
o
ti
a
Evalu
cts:
ificate subje
buy the
Leaving Cert
Each week I
s.
h
p
ra
g
to
o
h
n on camera
gp
ith informatio
& enjoy takin
w
rt
e
A
t
m
a
s
d
e
d
te
level
n
vi
pro
I am very tale
Art at honours
g
photo", which
n
t
ki
a
ta
th
d
h
n
tc
te
ca
in
t's
in effect. I
l's musical
magazine "Le
obtain a certa
for the schoo
r
to
r
ve
e
co
rd
o
e
th
in
d
s,
e
n,
gn
technique
on" competitio
te. I have desi
si
ca
u
F
ifi
rt
d
e
n
a
C
g
n
rm
d the "Fo
for my Leavi
". I also entere
se
a
re
"G
n
io
ct
produ
Coca-Cola.
sponsored by
gation:
areer Investi
C
f
ensive
o
n
o
ti
a
lu
Eva
y is a very exp
h
p
ra
g
to
o
h
p
t
n told
tha
ile. I have bee
I now realise
.
h
is
w
th
a
r
g
e
in
ft
o
a
d
it
t from
ar for
e bored with
I learned a lo
ations each ye
lic
I may becom
p
k
p
in
a
th
ty
I
fif
p.
d
u
n
t
a
arching
career to se
four hundred
e. Since rese
ly
ir
a
te
h
a
g
o
m
a
xi
L
ro
n
p
u
p
a
to be
Course in D
that there are
Photography
s a long time
e
ke
th
ta
n
it
o
s
lly
a
ce
tic
la
twenty p
took.
red that realis
last photo you
have discove
e
I
th
r,
s
e
a
re
d
ca
o
o
is
g
th
ly as
nd you are on
established a
_
___________
Date: ______
_________
___________
_
_
_
_
_
:
d
e
n
Sig
er
Denise Gardin

45

LCVP

SAMPLE CAREER INVESTIGATION 3

PHOTOGRAPHER
(302 WORDS)

C A R E E R I N V E S T I G AT I O N ( 3 0 0 - 6 0 0 W O R D S )
Assessment criteria

Evidence presented
Full

Absent

Generate a document with a

clear and consistent layout.

Describe a specific career

concisely and accurately

Partial

Additional comments
Clear headings, logical
sequence. The heading
'Qualifications & Training'
should not be indented.

Complete

Identify and categorise skills,

qualities,

No skills or qualities
presented.

qualifications and training

relevant to the selected
career.

Qualifications obtained from

courses listed are not
mentioned.

Describe two pathways to

the selected career.

Entry requirements for

course in Institute of
Technology not listed.

Evaluate the selected career

in the light of personal
aptitude, interests and
choice of Leaving Certificate
subjects.

Student has mentioned

aptitude ('very talented at
Art'; designed cover for
musical) and interest (buys
magazine and entered
competition). Evaluation
reads more like a CV than a
career investigation. Art is
mentioned, but should have
referred to a supporting
subject (e.g. Business,
English).

Present clear evidence of

interaction with adults other
than teachers in a relevant
out of class learning
experience.

No evidence presented.

Evaluate the experience of

undertaking a career
investigation.

Apart from saying 'I learned

a lot', student has evaluated
the career rather than the
experience of undertaking a
career investigation.

46