BackStudents in Ireland are increasingly turning to engineering, computing and science subjects in the hopes of securing stable careers.
The results were released by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in an analysis of higher education applications.
The new trend marks the re-emergence of scientific subjects after a lengthy period of relative unpopularity during the economic boom, as major employers in key industries have indicated that such skills will be in high demand in the coming years.
The CAO, Ireland’s centralised college admissions service, is currently handling a record high number of 77,126 higher education applications, an increase of more than 17% when compared to figures from 2007.
Science subjects are currently the first preference for 7% of applicants, up from 5.4% in 2007. Also in 2007, only 1,835 students listed computing as their first preference; this year, however, that figure has jumped to 4.7%.
Other subjects, however, have seen a decline in interest; in areas such as nursing, education, architecture and law there have been fewer first preference applications, though these remain popular subjects.
Commenting on the increased interest in the areas of science, engineering and computing a HEA spokesperson said: “These are the areas where we need more people. Career opportunities are and will be available in the future.”
For further information on studying science, engineering and computing subjects in Ireland read the latest i-SECT guide from i-studentadvisor, containing a special Irish supplement: http://www.i-studentadvisor.com/isa/2010/isect/isect-2010.html
Students are reacting to what they see in the papers and hear daily in the news. The whole area of career advice and guidance though has been practically overlooked in many schools due to lack of funding.
Students are not being advised on where the future opportunities lie as in bio-engineering, green technologies etc. Some will get there eventually perhaps depending on their course of study, but they are not being encouraged & enlightened when they are supposed to be selecting further education options.