Students urged to think about STEM choices

Science Foundation Ireland is calling on Galway students to explore a career in STEM by visiting its Smart Futures website (SmartFutures.ie) for careers information in the lead up to the CAO change of mind deadline.

The change of mind facility opened on May 4 and will see thousands of students make final changes to their college choices after their Leaving Cert and ahead of the deadline on July 1.

Since the February CAO application closing date, most students and their parents have set aside consideration of third level course choices to focus on preparation for the Leaving Certificate.

For those struggling to know where to start, Smart Futures is a collaborative government-industry-education programme which provides easy to access information on these careers, focusing on the people working in these areas.

Recent research by Science Foundation Ireland has shown that many students and their parents will find themselves lost in a sea of information when it comes to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related courses, particularly when it comes to careers in these areas.

Keeping up-to-date on the many career paths available in STEM isn’t always straightforward – from designing video games or medical devices, to improving food science and sport, and even saving lives through cancer research, students need real insights into the many exciting and diverse STEM career opportunities in Ireland.

For more,  read this week’s Connacht Tribune.