Your education questions answered by Brian Mooney
When I was making my CAO choices in January, I originally thought about choosing something related to the high-tech industry, as I am really interested in IT and love computer games. I was discouraged from choosing such courses by stories about the difficulties of finding jobs in the industry. Lately, however, all I seem to hear about the high-tech industry are good news stories, for example Amazon and Yahoo both moving to Dublin. Now that the CAO change-of-mind option is available, I am wondering whether I should reconsider my options or whether the news is overly optimistic? Also, which courses could I choose that might lead to a career in high-tech?
The high-tech, or information and communication technology (ICT) sector is a key contributor to the Irish economy. The growth of the sector during the 1990s was little short of astonishing as the numbers employed grew from 19,000 in 1990 to almost 91,000 today. While there were some job losses during the global economic downturn, the Irish ICT sector weathered the storm far better than other locations.
Indeed, the indications are that, rather than a shortage of jobs, there may soon be a shortage of qualified graduates to fill the jobs available. Kathryn Raleigh, director of ICT Ireland, which represents the ICT industry, says: "While one of Ireland's attractions for the multinational ICT industry is its well-educated workforce, we are beginning to hear concerns that if the number of students entering ICT courses continues to decline, we may be looking at hiring difficulties in the near future." It is therefore likely that jobs will not be difficult to secure for graduates.
The ICT sector is vast and varied, with application software, hardware and systems, and telecommunications being three of the largest areas of employment. A large number of graduates in these areas would have studied either computing (software development, computer science), physics, or engineering (electronic, electrical and computer engineering).
Courses in computer science, computing and software development are offered in universities and institutes of technology across the country. It is also possible to combine computer science with languages in several institutions, and computer science with business in a few. More specialised computer courses are also available, such as multimedia computing and computer integrated design. You could even consider computer games as a career, with a new course in computer games development in the Carlow Institute of Technology.
Courses in physics are available in several institutions nationwide, and it is possible in some courses to combine physics with computing. Electronic, electrical and computer engineering are also widely offered. Your guidance counsellor will be able to give you information on where you can study any of the course areas mentioned above. You might also research any individual course on www.qualifax.ie.
ICT students will very often have the opportunity to work and gain experience with a company while still at college, either on summer placements or on internship schemes. A new ICT Ireland internship programme will allow students to work two days a week in an ICT company throughout their last two years in college. So far the programme is limited to a few colleges, but more institutions are expected to sign up for the programme next year. If you would like further information, you should contact ICT Ireland through their website www.ictireland.ie or on tel: 01-6051527.
Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish-times.ie
