Your education questions answeredBrian Mooney is president of the Institute of GuidanceCounsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie
I am a fifth-year student, studying for my Leaving Cert in 2005. I have recently taken a series of aptitude and interests tests in school, which show a strong interest in and aptitude for engineering. Having started to explore my options, I was surprised at the range of fields of engineering available. I know that I can play safe and apply for a general engineering course, leaving my choice of eventual qualification open. But if I could make the right choice now, I would prefer to do so. Can you help me with my dilemma, by throwing some light on the range of options open to me?
Engineering is offered at the majority of Institutes of Technology and universities in Ireland. However, the wide range of courses available is sometimes confusing, so students interested in studying engineering at third level stick to the more traditional engineering courses, such as civil engineering as they are more familiar to them. The diversity of the engineering profession is huge, from designing space rockets to the manufacture of life-saving drugs. Chemical engineering is a relatively new discipline and the career opportunities in this area are lucrative. Sixteen of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world have established facilities in Ireland. Employment in the Irish pharmachem industry has increased by over 56 per cent in the last 10 years to 20,000 people. Over half of those who work in the sector are third-level graduates.
One can study for a degree in chemical (or process) engineering at Queen's University, Belfast, UCD, IT Cork and UCC.
Biomedical engineering (or medical mechanical) is a new type of engineering. A biomedical engineer uses traditional engineering expertise to analyse and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of healthcare. Thirteen of the world's top 25 medical device companies have operations here.
The industry grew rapidly in the 1990s, with a succession of new projects and expansions of existing companies. According to a recent report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, the outlook for the medical devices sector is good. "In future, Ireland is most likely to be successful in attracting higher value-added medical devices activities. There is likely to be a significant growth in research and development, requiring a mix of high level skills in areas including engineering, material science, chemistry physiology, computing and a range of disciplines related to biotechnology," the report concluded.
Chemical and biomedical are just two examples of the various engineering courses offered at third level. A graduate of mechanical or electrical engineering may find himself or herself working in the chemical or biomedical industry after college. An engineering qualification is a passport to the world. It opens up many doors and opportunities. Employers want engineers because they recognise that their skills are good for business and for the national economy. Economic research demonstrates that the employment of well-qualified engineers and scientists pays off in terms of national competitiveness and company profitability.
More information on engineering can be found on www.steps.ie or e-mail: steps@iei.ie
