Your education questions answered by Brian Mooney
I have been interested in applying for a higher degree in engineering but have now dropped back to ordinary level maths, and therefore did not list engineering in my CAO application. A family friend, who is an engineer, told me recently that there are great opportunities for students taking ordinary level maths, at Leaving Certificate level, in engineering. Could you tell me whether you believe this and what those opportunities might be?
Engineers design the products and processes that we use every day. Engineers are problem solvers, people who search for quicker, better, less expensive ways to use the forces and materials of nature to meet tough challenges. Clean water, light and heat in our homes, worldwide transport and technological advances are the result of engineers' achievements. Engineers have improved our quality of life and saved lives by designing and building artificial limbs, heart pacemakers and dialysis machines.
An engineering qualification offers many career possibilities. Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Carter and Alfred Hitchcock all chose different careers - one as an astronaut, one as a US president and one as a film-maker - but they all started with an engineering education. Other engineers who have found fame and fortune include James Dyson, who invented the Dyson vacuum cleaner, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and the dance music sensation Basement Jaxx.
Just because you're taking ordinary level maths in the Leaving Certificate does not mean that you cannot consider a career in engineering at third level. Fear not: there is an alternative route into the engineering profession, and you can list up to 10 level six and seven courses when your change of mind option becomes available in May.
Institutes of technology offer a wide range of engineering certificates at level six and ordinary bachelor of engineering degree courses at level seven. Such courses give students a solid foundation in understanding the basic principles of engineering.
The Ordinary Bachelor of Engineering degree replaces the National Diploma in Engineering and is located at level seven in the National Qualifications Framework. It focuses on engineering technology and will satisfy the educational standard for the title of Associate Engineer of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland (IEI).
The National Diploma in Engineering has international recognition as an engineering technology qualification through an IEI international agreement known as the Sydney Accord. The new ordinary bachelor of engineering degree will have the same level of international recognition.
The educational standard required to be a professional or chartered engineer is an IEI accredited honours bachelor of engineering degree and this is located at level eight in the National Qualifications Framework. These degrees are normally at least four years in duration, are offered in all universities and some institutes of technology, and have international recognition as professional engineering degrees through an agreement entered into by the IEI and known as the Washington Accord.
One can, however, transfer into an accredited honours degree in engineering on successful completion of the ordinary degree. Depending on the level of their final exam results, he/she would be admitted into the third year of a four-year programme in a university or institute of technology or the first year of a two-year "add-on" programme in an institute of technology.
Students who choose the progression route are very employable, as they have shown dedication and ambition by furthering their education until they graduate with a degree. The majority of engineering disciplines are offered at cert and diploma level at the various ITs around the country.
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.
For more information on careers in engineering, check out www.steps.ie
Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie
