Smart Futures start here!

Smart Futures is a national campaign for second-level students in Ireland, highlighting career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in sectors such as medical devices, information and communications technology (ICT) and energy.

Check out our STEM Careers Week which runs from 29 April to 3 May 2013. Students have been submitting their career questions to panels of experts working across diverse areas of STEM, such as food science, sport and health, software engineering, energy, chemical manufacturing, nanotechnology, bioinformatics and much more. Each evening during the Week we will be releasing a new set of panel session videos and on Friday we will announce the winner of the best student career question we have received!

The Week’s schedule runs as follows:

  • Monday 29th April: ‘An introduction to working in science‘ panel video, 7pm – videos now live!
  • Tuesday 30th April: Launch of the Smart Futures STEM Careers video series (see preview here)
  • Wednesday 1st May: ‘An introduction to working in technology’ panel video, 7pm – videos now live!
  • Thursday 2nd May: ‘An introduction to working in engineering’ panel video, 7pm – videos now live!
  • Friday 3rd May: Launch of the STEM Factor Summer Tech Competition and announcing winner of the Dr Beats Headphones

Read more about our new student technology competition ‘The Smart Futures STEM Factor‘ with amazing prizes (including work experience placement opportunities!)

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Meet food scientist Seamus O’Mahony

The Friday interview: Science Ambassador Seamus O’Mahony is lecturer in the School of Food and Nutritional Science at University College Cork. Here he talks about food science, how he chose his career, what his job is like, the cool things in his work, and his tips on work experience in the sector.

Our Science Ambassadors include newly qualified and well established Irish scientists. They work in science and technology, love their work and want to help others learn about what it’s really like working in their particular areas of research and innovation.

What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far?

Food scientist Seamus O'MahonyEntering fifth year I was sure I wanted to do science in college but still had some work to do in terms of identifying the specific course I wanted to do. I chose to do Chemistry and Biology in fifth year in school as a foundation for a science-based degree.

It is important to have goals (while they sometimes move) at that stage so that you are making informed choices about subjects etc. Work experience in the milk processing industry (Dawn Dairies and Glanbia) during college summer holidays provided me with first-hand exposure to the products, processing equipment, packaging technology, quality and distribution systems covered in lectures.

Work experience greatly helps to link the theory with the practical and makes it much easier and interesting to learn the theory. Foreign travel (I spent a year of my PhD in a food science laboratory at the University of Wisconsin in the US) also helps to broaden your horizons and is a source of new learning opportunities.

Who were the biggest influences on your career direction?

My parents are dairy farmers and the farm-based environment growing up provided me with early, ongoing exposure to the food industry. They also taught me the value of hard work and the sacrifices that have to be made in making a success of what you do – it takes a lifetime to become an overnight success.

My lecturers in college also had a clear passion for the material they were teaching us – that helped to provide me with interest, curiosity and passion for my area of study.

What are the main tasks and responsibilities in your job?

They can be broken down into three main areas:

  • Teaching and learning – developing and delivering lectures and laboratory sessions
  • Research – establishing and running a research programme
  • Administration – funding proposals, reports, meetings, committees etc

They are all really interesting and each area helps to complement the others.

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

Interest in life-long learning. I’m sure that I will never know everything and that I will be learning every day. Patience and respect for people are very important in all jobs.

Collaboration and teamwork are also very important in making the most of the resources available. Working in industry for four or five years before taking up lecturing has provided me with a very good understanding of the needs and expectations of industry in terms of research activities and graduate skills and so on.

What is your education to date?

  • Leaving Certificate: I took two science subjects, Chemistry and Biology. These provided me with a good foundation for Food Science in college. I did not have Physics for my Leaving Certificate but this was not an issue as it was taught from a relatively basic level in first year and there were good support structures such as small-group tutorials and so on
  • Degree in Food Science (specialised in Food Chemistry)
  • PhD in Food Science and Technology (cheese ripening and new ingredient development)

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Work experience in the food industry would be really beneficial. If that is not possible then experience of working in other similar industries (e.g. pharmaceutical industry) would also be helpful.

It is important to remember too that the skills associated with self-development (e.g. people management, time management, teamwork etc) can be learned in any industry, so all opportunities for work placement are beneficial.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

You need to have a genuine interest in and respect for people (students, researchers, collaborators etc). You need to be a self-starter and well motivated.

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Meet GIS researcher Rory Scarrott

The Friday interview: Science Ambassador Rory Scarrott specialises in geographic information systems and modelling our environment. Here he talks about how he chose his career, what his job is like, the cool things in his work, and his tips on work experience and what to study.

Our Science Ambassadors include newly qualified and well established Irish scientists. They work in science and technology, love their work and want to help others learn about what it’s really like working in their particular areas of research and innovation.

What have been your main ‘career decision’ milestones so far?

GIS researcher Rory ScarrottBest “career decision” I made was to go to university as opposed to rejecting study altogether. Honestly, I didn’t like school much. I kept my head down and just did the work, but found the school environment really restrictive. I wasn’t a troublemaker or anything, just didn’t particularly like school.

However, I took to university like a duck to water! I stuck with the courses and modules I enjoyed, and got the best out of both the academic and social sides of university life.

Who influenced your career direction?

My father got me interested in natural sciences from an early age. Dad had a strong interest in the natural world and how it worked, and used to encourage myself and my brothers to question it too.

Secondly, my biology teacher in school (Mr Guiney) was a major influence in my choice of subjects in college, and my enjoyment of them. His passion and joy in studying and teaching biology and life sciences showed me how challenging and interesting the subject was, and I just never looked back really.

Lastly, my BSc final-year-project supervisor, Dr Harrison, convinced me over the course of many fieldwork expeditions (wandering through woodlands near Macroom collecting invertebrates) that working in the environmental science sector was where I wanted to be.

How did you go about getting your current job?

Story and a half! Building a career in the Irish environmental sector isn’t as clear cut as building one in accounting or in medicine. There are no consultancies lining up to take up fresh faced graduates, and you do have to work at it early on, and build yourself into your chosen career. Despite this, I can say for me it was worth it.

When looking for jobs, I noticed that positions in Ireland pretty much all demand a minimum of one year’s work experience. I did go for a few interviews in Ireland and the UK, but my lack of experience was a hindrance.

I had taken out a student loan to help cover my MSc costs, so I couldn’t exactly leave the country, the bank had to be paid back. I opted instead to work in a bar, but contacted companies, consultancies and research institutes looking for voluntary work experience. It was really dispiriting, but with hindsight it also meant that I got a feel for the industry and where I wanted to go.

After a few months, my offer of voluntary work was taken up by the Coastal and Marine Research Centre (CMRC) at University College Cork. I had a sound knowledge in GIS and ecology applications, and the institute’s director forwarded my CV on to some of the PhD students, one of whom contacted me with a few GIS queries to see if I could help out.

I came in once a week for a few weeks, talked him through the process, what he should consider, and in general provided technical advice and a sounding board for him to bounce ideas off. I also got the chance to do some of the basic processing work, and see the area he was working in.

Then his supervisor got in contact with me with a short (nine-week) opportunity to use satellite data to study peatbog extraction in Ireland. From there I’ve been moved from contract to contract, branching from studying peatlands to looking at phenology with satellite imagery, and on to more GIS jobs.

What’s cool about your work?

When people outside start using my conclusions and results. With the peatlands work I first started out in, a group who funded the project called Friends of the Irish Environment began using the maps of identified exposed peat, when engaging and explaining their position to governing authorities.

When this kind of action happens because of the work I’ve done, it really makes it worthwhile.

What’s not so cool?

Some people are good at some aspects of work, but woefully bad at others. I simply am not what I call a “computer person”. I see myself as being good at looking at systems, and putting the pieces together, but translating that into “computer-speak” is a challenge that I just have to grit my teeth and overcome.

What subjects did you do at school and how have these influenced your career path?

English, Gaeilge and Maths, then I took a language (French) and two sciences (Physics and Biology) and Geography.

In the end I had to cover Biology, Physics and Chemistry in first year in UCC, but once in second year I could drop Physics and Chemistry and focus again on Biology.

I don’t know if the subjects I chose really influenced my career path, I always did whatever subjects I found interesting (except in the case of Physics, but I figured I’d be more miserable doing Economics, and I didn’t qualify for Art unfortunately as it was not an option for me as a Junior Cert subject).

What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?

Maths is undoubtedly vital for whatever science career you choose. It just pops up everywhere. I’m no maths-whizz, but I learned the fundamentals, and use them every day.

Obviously, doing a science subject you are interested in is vital. Through the Leaving Certificate Biology and Physics courses, I was exposed to a huge variety of different scientific disciplines. I didn’t like all of them, but I did like a few, and pursued these later in university.

Curiously, English stands out as having been really important for my career. It took me years to realise this, but every day I find myself using skills taught to me in English class to communicate my research clearly.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

Travelling around the Mekong Delta in Vietnam interviewing farmers about their rice crops, and joining their families for the autumn festivals… completely random, totally rewarding, and absolutely brilliant.

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

Having worked with digital media is always a plus when it comes to looking at remote sensing data. I’ve also found teaching kids science is a great way to start off learning how to communicate what you know to others (if you’re not communicating well enough, a child will simply stop paying attention, and will make it obvious!).

Seek out as many opportunities as you can to go on fieldwork surveys. And not just out in the mountains, but in urban environments too. Fieldwork is physically tough sometimes, but it’s great craic, and even now I jump at the opportunity to leave my comfy desk and go do fieldwork.

Voluntary work experience was crucial in my case. It proved to me I would like what I studied as a career, showed employers I was willing and able to do the work, and allowed me to build up a network of contacts to work with in the future.

What is your dream job?

Sir David Attenborough’s job: travel the world, go to remote exciting places, and get to see in person the incredible variety of life on this planet.

What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?

  • A sense of wonder at the world around you
  • A willingness to question, enquire, and learn as you go
  • An ability to see things not working as a result – “If it didn’t work, why didn’t it work?”

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A career in… chemistry

A chemist is a scientist who specialises in the field of chemistry.

Chemistry is concerned with the physical and chemical properties, composition and structure of all living and non-living materials, and how we synthesise materials and modify them for their safe and beneficial use. Continue reading

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Competition: Do you have the STEM Factor?

Smart Futures is about introducing young people to the world of working in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). We want more students to learn about these exciting jobs and we need your help to do it!

We are inviting students across the country to create a project that investigates the life of someone working in STEM. It could be a short project on the life of an astronaut, a food scientist or a games developer! It could be a famous inventor or someone you know that works in STEM. You decide!

So, what do you have to do?

Simply choose the STEM career you want to research and pick the digital tools that you will use to present this information. You could make a webpage, an animation – even a slideshow or PowerPoint presentation. The competition is open to primary and secondary school students in Ireland and is will run until the end of August – so no excuses to be bored over the summer holidays!

Visit our terms and conditions page for all the details. You can also download a poster for your school from this page as well.

“But what’s in it for me?”

We have some great prizes on offer:

  • Senior Cycle category (4th-6th year) - Win a Mircosoft Surface Tablet + a work experience opportunity with Microsoft
  • Junior Cycle category (1st-3rd year) - Win a Microsoft Surface Tablet + a work experience opportunity with SAP
  • Primary school category - A netbook + a science or technology speaker to come to your school

Need some inspiration to help you choose what STEM career to research? Check out our STEM Careers videos to see lots of different people talking about their jobs and what it’s like to work in science, technology and engineering.

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Meet researcher Nikita Burke

The Friday interview: Science Ambassador Nikita Burke talks about how she chose her career, her work in postgraduate research in physiology and neuroscience, and her tips on work experience and what to study.

Our Science Ambassadors include newly qualified and well established Irish scientists. They work in science and technology, love their work and want to help others learn about what it’s really like working in their particular areas of research and innovation.

What have been your main ‘career decision’ milestones so far?

Scientist Nikita BurkeI was always fascinated with the human body. In school, biology was my favourite subject and I studied it with passion. I chose Undenominated Science at NUI Galway for my undergraduate degree, studying physiology in second year. I immediately loved it, and studied it with fervour.

In my final year I had the opportunity to work with my current supervisor, Dr Roche, in a research project into depression and pain co-morbidity. This provided a taste for neuroscience research while looking at the bigger picture, and thus, my interest in undertaking a PhD was sparked.

Who most influenced your career direction?

My family is hugely supportive and encouraging of my studies and always backed me on every decision. My older cousins both studied at NUI Galway and their experiences influenced my desire to complete my degree in Galway.

Working with Dr Roche for my undergraduate project I became motivated to pursue a PhD by her passion for and research in the field of neuroscience, particularly in pain and depression.

In addition, Dr David Finn, co-supervisor of my project, has an excellent track record in the area of pain research and is co-director of Ireland’s Centre for Pain Research. Both lectured me at an undergraduate level and inspired my quest for knowledge.

Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?

Overall, yes. Work-life balance can be difficult at times, but I love what I am doing and am dedicated to working hard. In the current economic climate, jobs in Ireland may be harder to come by when I finish, but I look forward to working in international laboratories and further developing my career.

Ultimately, I would like to work in research and academia, furthering knowledge and inspiring young students.

How did you go about getting your current job?

During my final year, I expressed my interest in pursuing a PhD to Dr Roche. We discussed a research proposal which expanded on the question I investigated in my undergraduate project.

I applied for a postgraduate scholarship which was kindly granted by the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at NUI Galway.

Describe a typical day

There is rarely a typical day. Work can involve running experiments, data analysis, reading, writing, compiling reports, demonstrating practical labs, preparing presentations – sometimes all of these in one day! Frequently, there are deadlines to adhere to, so organising and prioritising tasks are critical.

What are the main tasks and responsibilities?

The main tasks are carrying out the experiments and compiling results, and keeping up to date with current research in your field.

What are the main challenges?

Overcoming problems and difficulties such as experiments that aren’t working out, and getting all the work done in time can be challenging and slightly stressful.

What’s cool?

I love working in a lab and I feel so lucky to have this opportunity. It’s very important to enjoy your PhD research. Getting interesting results is what keeps me going. I love reading and the continuous learning. It’s great fun to interact and work with undergraduate students.

What’s not so cool?

Statistics.

What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?

I am dedicated, have a good work ethic, and a passion for physiology and neuroscience.

What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?

Biology was by far the most significant subject choice for my career. I loved it and had a passion for learning. In addition, having a good base in English is crucial due to the importance of writing and communication in science.

Maths is a bonus for statistics, logic and problem-solving skills. I would recommend that students consider taking a foreign language, as many travel opportunities exist in research and this can confer an advantage to pursue a career in an international laboratory.

What is your education to date?

  • Second Level– Biology, Physics-Chemistry, and European Computer Driving Licence.
  • Third Level – Science Year 1 (Biology, Maths, Physics, Chemistry
  • Year 2 – Physiology, Microbiology, Biochemistry
  • Year 3 – Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology
  • Degree – Physiology
  • PhD – Physiology

What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?

The neurophysiology module I studied as part of my physiology degree was my favourite module and led me to choose a neuroscience based project as my final-year project.

What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?

The work in my undergraduate project was recently published in an international peer-reviewed journal. In addition, Dr Roche and Dr Finn have collaborated with an internationally renowned lab, providing me the opportunity to carry out invaluable research in Madrid.

Also, I won Poster Presentation prizes at local and national conferences – it’s a great feeling to see your hard work being rewarded.

What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?

Persistence, enthusiasm and dedication.

What is your dream job?

To be a leading academic research scientist in a vibrant exciting lab in Ireland.

What advice would you give to someone considering this job?

A love and deep interest in your subject is the main factor. A life science degree is essential for a PhD in physiology. Dedication, a good work ethic and self-motivation are fundamental.

What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?

A huge advantage would be securing a summer placement in a lab. A limited amount of internships and bursaries exist, but even a week’s work shadowing in a department can provide invaluable insight into daily life in research.

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Smart Futures STEM careers videos go live!

The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week kicked off last night with the release of our first STEM Careers panel session, answering student questions, about what it’s like to work in science.

Tonight, we’re delighted to introduce our four-part STEM Careers video series, exploring the world of work in the areas of science, technology and engineering, as well as looking at the role of maths in these careers.

The videos are designed to support Leaving Cert students making final CAO choices and Junior Cert students making subject choices, as well as being a useful resource for parents, teachers and guidance counsellors.  We hope you enjoy them! Don’t forget to join in the conversation on Twitter using #smartfutures.

Smart Futures, which is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, is an initiative designed to promote the uptake of STEM subjects and highlight the variety of career opportunities to second level students, teachers and parents. The week, coordinated by Discover Science & Engineering (DSE) – Science Foundation Ireland (SFI)’s educational outreach programme – highlights the opportunities available in these sectors and gives students access to industry representatives in an online forum.

Commenting on the launch of the Smart Futures STEM Careers Week, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General, SFI said: “The opportunities available to students in STEM Careers are second-to-none. In the last month alone we have seen medical devices company Nypro Healthcare announce 200 new jobs for Waterford. Indeed, Ireland is the largest MedTech employer in the EU, with almost 25,000 employed in the sector. Other major employers of STEM graduates include ICT, software, pharma, social media and gaming companies – for example four technology companies announced up to 100 new jobs last week. STEM careers are thriving in Ireland and it is vital that our young students are in a position to avail of these exciting opportunities.”

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Seán Sherlock, T.D. Minister for Research and Innovation said: “New technologies and innovation will be central to Ireland’s economic recovery and will shape the future for the next generation of our students. It is critical that students embrace all of the necessary skills that will be needed for them to avail of the wide range of exciting job opportunities that are available in sectors such as ICT, medical devices and energy.”

Susan Moran, Director of the Global Customer Interaction Centre of SAP, one of the participating companies, said: “At SAP we invest heavily in students and approximately 80% of the graduates who come in on work placements end up staying on and working with us. Attracting high-quality graduates is a priority for us as they bring fresh and innovative thinking, which is crucial for the development and success of our company. Smart Futures allows us the opportunity to talk to second level students that might be considering a career in science, technology, engineering or maths, to inform them about what a career in the industry is really like and to help advise them on how they can get started.”

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