'Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life' - Confucius
client testimonials
Feedback can now be left via Google Reviews: https://g.page/r/Ca-b3JfO6YKKEB0/review
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Google Reviews
Conor McTiernan, Donegal (parent, in-person appointment), 2025
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"Very happy with the service. Pre-meeting there are a number of tests to complete which allows Liam to understand what motivates and drives a person. What we found really beneficial was that Liam doesn't just short list specific courses, he got our son to think about the sectors that excite him and his needs in terms of a future career and only then does he find courses that meet these requirements."
Louise Coen, Sligo (parent, online appointment), 2025
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"Liam did a comprehensive analysis of options for our son who is entering 5th year in September. He provided guidance on Leaving Cert subjects that would suit best and the various course options available to him based on his identified areas of interest and aptitude. I cannot recommend Liam`s service enough in providing objective analysis and reassurance to students and parents alike in making very important decisions for the future."
Maureen Rowan, Donegal (parent, online appointment), 2025
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"Liam provides an excellent service and I have been recommending him to anyone that I think may benefit from his career guidance. He sent questionnaires and several personality tests that my son did in the weeks leading up to our appointment. We sent these to Liam in time for him to analyse and build his report. The overall results for career choices and courses that Liam thought would be a good match for my son would be perfect for him. Liam gave us a list of Universities/ Colleges that provide these courses and listed the amount of points that are needed for them. This has been such a positive experience for my son at a time that he has been undecided at which career path/ course he should be choosing. It was a very simple process, assessments sent via email, payment via Revolut / bank transfer and Google meet for the meeting. We were then sent the very detailed 45 page report afterwards. I can wholeheartedly recommend Liam and his fantastic service to anyone who needs advice in this area. Thank you Liam."
Gareth O'Neill, Donegal (parent, online appointment), 2025
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"Dr. Liam Harkin's Career Guidance service, Future Options Career Guidance, is highly recommended. Overall, Dr. Liam Harkin's Career Guidance service is an excellent resource his expertise and supsubject guidance for the leaving cert."
Joan McCrea, Donegal (parent, online appointment), 2025
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"My son & I both had a very positive experience with Liam Harkin, Future Options Career Guidance. Liam kindly outlined his services offered to leaving cert students, his fee and payment method and how to engage on a one to one. He also told me the slots available to my son at short notice. The student got a very in-depth questionnaire to complete before his one to one. All timelines were very clear and very good instructions were given on how to engage and complete the paperwork and how to log into the system for the allocated interview time slot. Liam also was flexible in his timetable for this as the student was working.
There was also a positive extensive analysis of all answers to the questionnaire and the top areas that the analysis pointed to for the student to pursue. I highly recommend the service and was very pleased that my son found it a positive help in his third level and career journey. Thank you Liam for your valuable help and reassurance and encouragement."
Bini Pelouse, Donegal (parent, online appointment), 2025
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"Liam was super helpful. Really helped my daughter with any questions she had about her future, to believe in herself and choose the course she loves. I totally recommend it !!"
Anna Daly, Sligo (sixth year student, online appointment), 2025
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"Really thorough analysis , taking in to account personal interests as well as careers I should be considering. Really friendly and welcoming, couldn’t recommend more."
Rachel Quinn, Sligo (parent, online appointment), 2024
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"Liam was a great help to my son. Doing tests with him to narrow down his interests. He gave us a very comprehensive report which was great to look over afterwards . I needed some advice a year latter and Liam couldn't have been more helpful ."
Polly Hayes, Birmingham, UK (recent graduate, online appointment), 2024
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"Liam is thoughtful, intuitive and decisive. I'm a recent graduate, and Liam helped guide me through my options when making a difficult decision between applying for further study or pursuing my career. Liam's advice and guidance has given me the perspective I need to make an informed decision as to what will benefit me most in both the short and long-term, and has calmed my anxieties about making the 'wrong' choice. I really couldn't recommend the Future Options Career Guidance service enough - thank you so much Liam! "
Sienna Koentopp, Donegal (fifth year student, online appointment), 2024
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"Great instruction and comprehensive report."
Fiona Keane, Dublin (parent, online appointment), 2024
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"Liam was extremely helpful and knowledgable in the careers space. Offering options that we would have struggled to find/consider independently. Highly recommend his service."
Emma Wright, Northern Ireland (adult client, online appointment), 2023
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"Liam was very informative and gave me a vast range of very detailed options, aiding me towards a new career change of my choice. Highly recommended for anyone needing guidance and direction on getting onto their desired career path or getting a new career started."
Rachel Ward, Donegal (parent, online appointment), 2023
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"Liam was very professional and thorough with his career guidance. My daughter was completely confused about what college course she should be working towards, until she got to talk to Liam. Now she has a plan of what she needs to do and what college she wants to go to. I would highly recommend this service to any person, especially one who is struggling with the question what career path is for me?"
Keith McManus, Sligo, (parent, online appointment), 2023
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"Liam was a great help to our daughter in helping her to figure out careers that might suit her and also in exploring paths to those careers. I would highly recommend him for helping leaving cert students with the difficult choices they have to make in what is a stressful year. Liam certainly removed some of that stress and our daughter is happier for it. Thanks".
Edith Ward-Tucker, Donegal (Leaving Cert student, online appointment), 2023
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"Very good, if you are unsure about what courses to choose that are most suited to you, this is a great way to find out. Liam was extremely helpful and explained everything thoroughly. Definitely recommend."
Kirsty Conlon, Donegal (Leaving Cert student, online appointment), 2023
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"Really helped me guide a path to my career choice. Felt more confident with my choices after."
Mary McNicholas, Donegal (parent, online appointment), 2023
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"Very professional and thorough! My third child in the education system and certainly the best career advice we have had! "
Reviews sent by email
Robert, Sydney, Australia (adult client, online appointment), 2022
“I had been contemplating a career change for some time. Unfortunately, Covid put a long hold on that. This left me somewhat confused when I started searching again. While working with Liam, he helped me see the pattern in my interests and easily explained what career choices would be best suited to me and why. What I most enjoyed was the encouragement to really go for it. Sometimes as an adult, it’s easy to think 'it’s too late to change'. Liam helped me overcome that and got me excited about what lies ahead.”
Oran, Donegal (fifth year student, online appointment), 2022
"I found the session with Liam very interesting, it was comprehensive and gave me a wide variety of career options that now interest me. This has given me a target to work towards in my Leaving Cert. next year".
Neil, Belfast (adult client, online appointment), 2022
"I really enjoyed working with Liam and have come through the process with a clear understanding of my career path and available options. The pre-consultation process was incredibly thoughtful and allowed Liam to connect the dots in relation to career options that best matched my unique circumstances and which aligned with my values and what I want from a career. I highly recommend Liam's service for anyone seeking a career change or even to ensure that they are on the right path".
Siobhán, Donegal (parent of fifth year student, online appointment), 2021
"Many, many thanks for your professional service. My son gained a great deal from going through the tests and surveys. They gave him terrific insight into his strengths and interests. Your report is particularly detailed and something to boost confidence and provide support as my son follows the path to a meaningful and fulfilling career. By going through this process a great sense of clarity and certainty has been provided to a young man at a time when he needed expert guidance."
N & K Kelly, Donegal (parents of TY and fifth year students, online), 2021
"We would highly recommend Dr Liam Harkin for his expertise on guiding our sons aged 16 & 17 years towards their career paths. By completing the career interest tests in advance of our consultation, Liam compiled a very detailed and accurate report showing a true representation of their career interests which they both found very helpful. We met by ZOOM and Liam took ample time to explain their results and discuss their all potential career paths and course options suitable in Ireland the UK & Europe. Liam has an extensive knowledge about all courses and took the time to answer all our questions."
Siobhan, Galway (parent of TY student, online), 2021
"We were very fortunate to be able to avail of the service offered by Liam and grateful for the recommendation. My daughter was very confused and uncertain in terms of what she should choose for her subject choices for Leaving Cert. By completing the various tests in advance of our meeting, Liam was able to develop an insight into her personality and her likes and dislikes and narrow down the list of subjects that would be most suitable and interesting for her to pursue for her Leaving Cert. His advice and analysis was invaluable in helping make the final subject choice decisions. I would definitely recommend the service and will be using it again for my next daughter when her time comes."
Elizabeth, Sligo (parent, in-person and online), 2020
“Dr. Liam Harkin was highly recommended to me, and both my children have availed of his career guidance service. My son was in third level when he sought Liam's advice and guidance on a career change during his first year. On completion of the online assessments, he had a consultation with Liam who navigated him in the right direction. As a result of Liam's professional advice and reassurance, my son hasn't looked back. He would have no hesitation in seeking Liam's advice on any higher level options he may consider in the future. My daughter also attended an online consultation with Liam in October of sixth year, after which she was more confident and reassured of her CAO options. Liam also has a great knowledge of the UCAS system. I consider Liam very professional and I would strongly recommend any student to contact him and invest their future in his career guidance expertise."
Karen and Hervé Rouxel, Sligo (parents, in-person appointment), 2020
“We have been fortunate to avail of Liam's career guidance input for both our children. What we valued most is the preparation that Liam invests in compiling the results from the assessments, and using his vast experience to guide one's child in the right direction of subject choice. Liam is skilled in crystallising one's opinion on their child's subject choice, which is encouraging. Liam is generous with his time and is available for any follow-up questions post-meeting. We would highly recommend Liam as a consultant for career guidance, and have done so in the past. This is an excellent investment for the educational future of anyone's child".
Desmond, Leitrim (Leaving Cert. student, in-person appointment), 2019
“After travelling a long way, I can say it was a well worth consultation with Liam to discuss my career, CAO, UCAS and European course options. After completing a number of career interest tests in advance of our consultation we had ample time to discuss all career paths and course options suitable for me. Liam compiled a very accurate and thorough report showing a true representation of my career interests. His impeccable knowledge about all course pathways and career options in Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe is incomparable and of a much higher quality to my own guidance counsellor in school. Liam is a mine of invaluable information”
Emma, Donegal (parent, in-person appointment), 2019
"Choosing subjects for Senior Cycle can be complicated and at times overwhelming and we were delighted to receive a recommendation to visit Liam Harkin of Future Options. The process was clearly explained, and we had no hesitation booking an appointment with Liam. The preparatory work my son had to complete before the career guidance session was very manageable and it allowed Liam to give us a very detailed and comprehensive overview of my son’s interests, motivators and personality traits. Liam guided us through all elements of his report detailing possible future career choices and some courses which would be particularly suited. His advice on subject choices not only took consideration of entry requirements but also included subjects which would complement my son’s possible college courses or future career options. Liam’s presentation of his very thorough report helped us decide on subject choices for senior cycle and I would highly recommend his services to anyone wishing to receive any form of career guidance. Thank you, Liam, for making the experience so straightforward and so worthwhile! "
Aileen, Sligo (parent, in-person appointment), 2018
"Our visit to Liam proved very beneficial to my son, a fifth-year student. Liam carried out a detailed assessment of his interests and priorities and linked this to areas of study and possible careers. He advised on available courses both in Ireland and abroad thus providing realistic options for future study. This has awakened an enthusiasm and awareness which is invaluable to my son as he moves towards the Leaving Cert. We thank Liam for this and would highly recommend his service."
Ann, Sligo (parent, in-person appointment), 2018
"I contacted Liam last year when my son was applying to UCAS and needed help and guidance with writing his personal statement. Firstly, Liam provided him with excellent guidelines on how to write a personal statement, including the 'do's and ' don'ts'. He then reviewed and edited my son's draft statement and gave tips on redrafting. All of this happened quickly and efficiently by email. Liam then reviewed the final draft. It was great to be able to do all this without having to make the long trip to Donegal! My son was successful in getting a place on his chosen course. I would highly recommend Liam's service.”
Kieran, Mayo (third-level graduate, online), 2017
"I went to Liam in 2017 as I was stuck in a rut. I had a degree already and I also did a masters and was in my first job contract. The job was related to my Masters but I was finding it a bit boring and I was not being challenged at all. Liam did some career tests and I found out that I had gone in a slightly different direction than the one I should have gone in. I never did any of these tests at school. He showed me two other possible career directions with my Masters. He showed me several real job possibilities online that were currently looking for employees. He then tailored my CV to these jobs and helped me with answers to interview questions. Most of the interview questions I was asked were ones that Liam had gone through with me. I passed an interview three weeks after meeting Liam and I started my new job 5 weeks after that. I am really grateful for all the help you gave me in getting to this stage, only for you I would still be stuck in my old job."
Ellen, Roscommon (parent, in-person appointment), 2016
"Liam was highly recommended by a friend and last year I brought my 15 year old daughter Katie to see him about her options after the Junior Cert. She wanted to do Transition Year, but I was pushing for her to go ahead with the Leaving Cert. I think the appointment benefited me more than my daughter as Liam explained how he saw TY as being a good fit for what she wanted to do. He explained that the work experience in TY would help her write a good solid personal statement for UCAS. As she may need to go to the UK where the points are lower, I was glad to have got this advice in time. Thank you Liam and we will probably book another appointment when Katie is in Sixth Year."
Elaine, Donegal (parent, in-person appointment), 2015
"Dr. Harkin has a lovely warm way with him and made my daughter who is quite shy very comfortable. We came to him as she was completely confused about her CAO. Liam met both of us for an hour and a half and we left with some realistic suggestions which we would never have thought of ourselves. This gave Ciara a much needed focus for the rest of Sixth Year and helped her concentrate on her study as she now had a real goal. Thanks again Dr. Harkin."
Imelda, Sligo (parent, in-person appointment), 2015
"My daughter was in Transition Year when a friend of mine recommended that we contact Liam about getting some help choosing her subjects for her Leaving Cert. My daughter is not hugely academic but through various paper and online tests, Liam was able to pinpoint the subjects that he felt would be most suitable for her. Unfortunately, one of the subjects he recommended was not available in her school as it is a small one but she was very happy and contented with the other suggestions and has now approached Fifth Year with a new spring in her step. I can only recommend Liam and wish I had heard about him for my two older children."
Caroline, Sligo (parent, in-person appointment), 2013
"Liam met with my son who was interested in applying to UCAS for veterinary studies. Liam talked him through the whole process from start to finish. He helped him narrow down his choices and prepare his personal statement. I can honestly speak for my son when I say that Liam gave him the knowledge, confidence and energy to concentrate on his UCAS application that was not available from the guidance counsellor in his own school. I am delighted to say he was ultimately successful in getting into a veterinary college in the UK. I cannot thank him enough."
Peter, Leitrim (parent, in-person appointment), 2011
"It was a long drive up to see Dr Harkin in his office from where we live in Co. Leitrim, but I have to say it was definitely worth the time and effort. Dr Harkin gave my son excellent feedback on his tests results and pointed him in the right direction for his UCAS application. He went on to study in England and has never looked back."