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O'Dwyer Educational Guidance

It's your journey, I can help you explore...

Fully Booked

There are no more slots available for booking in 2025 and no more names will be taken for the cancellation list.

Bookings for February to June 2026 will open on the website on January 1st.

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What I do

I provide educational guidance to young people and their parents from my office in Carton House, Maynooth. I usually work Mondays and Tuesdays and bookings can be made online up to two months in advance. Bookings open online on the first of every month, two months in advance e.g. on September 1st bookings open for appointments in November. I actively involve the students in discovering more about themselves and help them to make informed decisions, showing them how to research their different career options. As part of this process I help parents and students understand the college application process, supplementary access routes and the many options such as PLC's and apprenticeships that are available to students. I also guide them in discovering their strengths and realising their full potential.

My Story

In my private practice I aim to help students explore their many options and encourage them to be part of the guidance journey. In consultations I offer interest profiling, personality testing and aptitude assessments but most of all I aim to actively involve students in discovering more about themselves, making informed decisions and researching their different career options.

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You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust.
You were born with ideals and dreams.
You were born with greatness.
You were born with wings.
You are not meant for crawling, so don't.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and Fly.
- Rumi

Client Testimonials

Testimonials

Having brought three of our children for TY Guidance, and two for College Guidance, I cannot recommend Alex's expertise enough. She has a calm, reassuring presence, putting the students at ease immediately. She is a mine of information and always has the student's best interest at the forefront of her sessions. She gave all three excellent advice as to which subjects they were best suited to, going in to Senior Cycle. This is a complex area, as certain college courses have specific subject requirements. However, each of them chose wisely, under her guidance. When it came to CAO application, one daughter had a clear view of what direction she wished to pursue, and Alex clearly explained the difference between the various courses in that field, which led to an effortless CAO application for us. The next candidate was very undecided and Alex did an interest profile, then delved into course content and modules, which was an eye-opener, and my daughter changed track altogether after that session. She is now doing a course that she would never have originally considered, but loves,  thanks to Alex's guidance. Alex is always available for follow-up advice, even after the guidance sessions, which is a fantastic support when CAO application deadlines are approaching. Guidance sessions with Alex are a must!

Carina

Our daughter was really struggling with her options and choices during her leaving cert year. We asked Alex to meet with her.  It was a fantastic session. Alex went through everything with her and she came away with a clear plan and several options that would work for her. This really helped with her motivation also when it came to studying for her leaving. She has now finished her first year in college, doing a course that she loves that Alex helped her find. I would unreservedly highly recommend Alex O’Dwyers’ services. She was an absolute star for our daughter.

Ted

I have brought both of our children to Alex for help at various stages. She initially helped our eldest when he was picking his subjects for Leaving Cert and again when filling out his CAO. As he was our eldest and I wasn’t familiar with the Irish application system it was great to have someone that we could rely on to help him make informed decisions and help us understand how the system works. Alex also helped our younger daughter in TY and again when she was very unsure of what she wanted to do after school. Alex showed her all the different options that she had for after school and also gave her study management tips, both of which helped reduce her anxiety. Thanks to Alex’s guidance she applied for several courses on Cao and various PLC’s and this meant that she wasn’t as stressed when sitting her exams.

Stephen

Useful Resources

Course Information

Click here for up to date information about all higher education courses in Ireland. http://www.qualifax.ie/
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CAO

Click here for link to CAO website which has very useful student resources, the CAO handbook and information on DARE/HEAR access routes. http://www.cao.ie/
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Career Guidance

Here is a link to my Careers Portal: https://careersportal.ie/myfuture/mfoffice.php?mf_provider_id=230
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Contact Us

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