Public event on how to switch to careers to Science, Engineering and Technology

An Open Evening on how to change your career to one in science, technology and engineering will be hosted by GMIT, in partnership with the Information Technology Association of Galway (ITAG) in GMIT’s main Galway campus on Wednesday 12 December, from 7 to 9pm.

There is currently great demand from industry for science, technology and engineering graduates, with many employers experiencing difficulty recruiting from these disciplines. The technology sector is particularly strong, with an increasing demand for graduates with robust programming and software development skills.

The free event will take place in Theatre 1000 in the Dublin Road (Galway) campus from 7 to 9pm with the keynote address by John Gleeson, EG IT Operations Manager of HP Ireland. He will speak about the ITAG Skillnet/Hewlett Packard Job Seekers Support Initiative and the job opportunities available in industry for graduates from technology conversion programmes.

The evening will also feature a series of short talks and presentations by academics from the Schools of Science and Engineering in GMIT. Lecturers will outline the pathways to careers in disciplines such as software development, electronics, biotechnology, medical device technology and energy engineering.

A particular emphasis will be placed on providing information on flexible learning options and national initiatives for job seekers, such as the Springboard and Jobs-bridge programmes.

John Healy, lecturer in software development, GMIT School of Science, says now is the time to change careers: “The market for technology graduates is extremely buoyant at the present time, with a large demand for people with software development and IT skills. There is ample opportunity for graduates from disciplines such as Civil Engineering, Arts and Commerce to undertake a 12-month conversion programme and re-train for a career in technology.”

“Current Government initiatives, such as the Springboard and Jobs-bridge programmes, coupled with graduate placement and a close collaboration with industry provide a smooth pathway to a career in technology for jobseekers and graduates from other disciplines.”