Each week we explain the ins and outs of a job. Today, engineering
What are my options? Job options in engineering are excellent at the moment. Engineering graduates are in very high demand. There are a huge number of areas that somebody who is interested in engineering can go into.
Aeronautical engineering deals with designing and building machines that can fly, while biomedical engineers use engineering to improve medical devices and healthcare.
Biosystems, agriculture and food engineers create foodstuffs and technologies aimed at solving problems that arise with global environmental and resource problems. Building-services engineers are responsible for the installation, operation and monitoring of mechanical and electrical systems required in modern buildings.
Chemical engineers produce chemicals that we use in everyday life and develop the best methods to manufacture everyday products. Civil engineers design, construct and maintain essential infrastructure and facilities.
Computer and software engineering involves designing and developing computer hardware, software and information systems. Electronic engineers develop the way electricity is used to control equipment. Mechanical engineering, a very broad form of engineering, designs and creates machines and technology.
What sort of talents and qualities will I need? As an engineer you need to have an aptitude for maths, science and technology. Solving problems is important, and you need to be able to think both logically and creatively.
Teamwork is important in engineering, and, believe it or not, presentation skills can also be very useful. Being a people person helps, and engineers must be very organised.
What Leaving Cert subjects should I be thinking about? Maths is required for engineering courses, and if you are doing higher level, all the better. Certificate and ordinary-degree programmes require a pass mark in ordinary-level maths. The honours degree programmes require an honours mark in higher-level maths. You should also choose science subjects. Physics is particularly useful.
What courses are available? A number of engineering degrees are available to Irish students; the institutes of technology offer courses as well. A general engineering degree is a good idea, as students can specialise after the first year. Specialised degrees are also available, however; students can choose aeronautical, civil, mechanical, electronic or chemical engineering, to name but a few.
Courses available at the institutes of technology range from avionics, at Carlow IT, to structural engineering, at Cork IT.
You need between 280 and 500 points to start a degree course. Last year civil and environmental engineering at UCC, for example, required 500 points with random selection. Computer engineering at DIT required 310.
Are any other routes available? Engineering courses at the institutes of technology require slightly lower points but still lead to a degree if the student fulfils the academic requirements.
How can I find out more? The website of Engineers Ireland, the country's largest umbrella organisation for engineers, has an excellent bank of information for students, located at www.iei.ie/steps.
Week of Wonder, a five-day series of nationwide events dedicated to explaining engineering and technology to young people, starts on February 19th. For more information see www.weekofwonder.ie.
Transition Times welcomes suggestions from students, so if you would like to see a particular career area covered in this section, e-mail gfaller@irish-times.ie
