STEM Careers Booklet
STEM Careers Booklet ii
Foreword
Skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) are crucial to our current and future economy.
Labour market forecasts continue to show that employer demand for higher level skills in STEM will grow in the short, medium and long term. It is broadly recognised, by Government and industry alike, that the future success of the In addition to the STEM jobs profiled, Northern Ireland economy will require an students and their primary influencers increased number of skilled workers with should consider the broad skill base STEM skills. studying STEM will provide. In addition to the technical skills required for work A key part of my Department’s work in the sector, students will acquire has been to engage directly with skills which are highly sought after business in communicating to you - by employers in all fields, such as students, parents and teachers - the problem solving, communication and importance of STEM skills, the breadth analytical thinking skills. As highlighted of opportunities available following STEM later in this booklet, research has study and the transferability of the skills shown that there is significant earnings you will acquire as a STEM graduate. potential attached to STEM skills, with better than average earnings outcomes This booklet draws together profiles than those with other degrees. of people who have studied STEM and gone on to success in the sector. With this in mind, my Department has They demonstrate the breadth of sought to secure the supply of STEM opportunities available through studying skills, despite the increasing pressure STEM subjects, highlighting careers on public sector spending. Since 2011 in each of the four disciplines, with my Department has secured over contributors discussing their career 1400 additional undergraduate and paths and describing the diversity of 234 additional postgraduate places their work. in STEM and economically relevant iii
subject areas. I have also sought to expand the access routes to higher level skills through the introduction of higher level apprenticeships, an integral part of ‘Securing our Success’, the new Apprenticeship Strategy for Northern Ireland.
I would encourage you to follow study in STEM subjects, whatever stage you are at in your education or career pathway. Continued education within the STEM subject areas will equip you with the broadest skill base, keep your career options open and not only enhance your own potential, but will ensure you can play an important role in this exciting and growing area which is crucial to the future success of the Northern Ireland economy.
Dr Stephen Farry MLA Minister for Employment and Learning iv
About the STEM Business subgroup
The ‘Success through STEM’ Since then, with the cooperation and Strategy (2011)1 identified 20 support of STEM businesses and recommendations needed to increase STEM delivery organisations, five STEM the number of young people in supplements have been published in the Northern Ireland who qualify with main daily papers in Northern Ireland: STEM skills, in order to meet the Belfast Telegraph, Irish News and News growing demand for these skills Letter. The supplements have been timed in the economy. Five of these to coincide with the major decision-making recommendations were assigned times in the school year: September for to industry. The STEM Business Year 14 UCAS forms and February for Year Subgroup, chaired by Dr Joanne Stuart 10 and 12 GCSE and A-level choices. OBE, was set up to implement these recommendations, which included This STEM Careers booklet draws on the developing a clear STEM career path. idea of profiling STEM role models, which In November 2012 the Department was developed through the supplements for Employment and Learning funded and is designed to provide a more long the seconded post of STEM Business term resource for parents, teachers and Co-ordinator, to support the subgroup young people. to deliver on the recommendations.
Feedback and Further Information The STEM Business Subgroup would welcome any comments or queries that you may have about any aspect of this booklet.
e-mail: [email protected]
1. https://www.delni.gov.uk/publications/stem-publications v vi
Contents
Introduction 1 Science Careers
Biology Keeva McClelland, Senior Biologist, Almac Discovery Ltd 11 Thomas Delaney, Laboratory, Support Team Leader, Almac Diagnostics 13 Ruth Patterson, Biochip Custom Unit Scientist, Randox Laboratories 15
Chemistry Heather Mawhinney, NI Station Chemist, AES 17 Nadine Murray, Group Leader Analytical Support Department, Almac Pharma Services 19
Physics Debra McNeill, Managing Principal Engineer, Seagate 21 Technology Careers
Information Technology Eamon McMahon, Infrastructure Services Engineer, Kainos 25 Angela Woods, Principal Consultant, Fujitsu 27 Sheree Atcheson, Product Analyst, SR Labs 29 Darren Taggart, Performance Test Consultant, SQS 31 Clare Flynn, Project Manager, Liberty IT 33 Barry McNeill, IT Systems Administrator, Kilwaughter Chemical Company 35
Food Technology Sheena O’Hanlon, Senior Development Technology, Moy Park 37 Mairead McGurk, Brand Product Development Manager, Moy Park 39 Joanne Elliott, Technical Manager, Mash Direct 41 Engineering Careers
Aerospace Engineers Brendan Carey, Aerospace (Stress) Engineer, Nacelle Systems Consultancy Ltd. 47 Suzanne Breslin, Aerospace (Stress) Engineer, Bombardier 49 vii
Chemical Engineer Chris Taylor, Process Engineer, Kilwaughter Chemical 51
Civil Engineers Catherine O’Neill, Civil Engineer, Managing Director, Amelio Utilities Ltd. 53 Julie Templeton, Senior Civil Engineer and Assistant Commercial Manager, Atkins Limited 55
Electrical and Electronic Engineers Joanna Barclay, Electrical Engineering Student, Northern Ireland Electricity 57 Ailish McLaughlin, Scale Generation Planner, Northern Ireland Electricity 59 Steven Baird, Systems Design Team Leader, Sensata Technologies (formerly Schrader Electronics) 61
Mechanical Engineers Clare Johnston, Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer, Terex 65 Fiona Finlay, Project Engineer, Moy Park 67 Gillian Harkness, Quality Engineer, Terex 69 Ronan Harkin, Graduate Project Design Engineer, CDE Global 71 David Elliott, Final Year Apprentice Project Design Engineer, CDE Global 73 Julie Anderson, Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Sensata Technologies (formerly Schrader Electronics Ltd.) 75 Mathematics Careers
Sarah Thompson, Data Analyst, Deloitte 79 Joanna Donaldson, Data Science Stream, First Derivatives 81 Claire Brennan, Financial Analyst, FinTrU 83 Áine Molloy, Process Control Engineer, Seagate 85
STEM Pathways to a professional career 87 Where to find more information - how the Careers Service can help 91
Useful websites 93 1
Introduction
World class STEM Opportunities exist across the whole of Northern Ireland
What is STEM and why is it In Northern Ireland some employers, important? who require STEM skills, are already In common with most economies, experiencing difficulty recruiting and Northern Ireland recognises that retaining enough staff with the required it needs an increasing number of level of qualifications and skills. skilled workers with qualifications in Science, Technology, Engineering and Demand for STEM skills Mathematics (STEM). The Northern There is evidence that employers Ireland Executive’s Programme for across the UK cannot get the skills Government for 2011/152 identified that they need. According to the UK as an economic priority the need to Commission’s Employer Skills Survey increase the uptake in economically 2013,5 which also surveyed in Northern relevant STEM places. In 2011, Ireland, 43 per cent of vacancies the Skills Strategy for Northern for professionals working in science, Ireland, ‘Success through Skills - research, engineering and technology Transforming Futures’,3 said ‘There are hard to fill due to skills shortages. will be an increased need for people This is almost twice the average for all with qualifications in STEM (excluding occupations, which is 22 per cent. subjects allied to medicine) at all levels. More recently, in 2012, ‘the need to A more recent report by the UK increase skills in subject areas important Commission for Employment and to the NI economy such as STEM’ was Skills entitled ‘Reviewing the reiterated in the Northern Ireland’s requirement for high level STEM skills’6, Executive Economic Strategy.4 published in July 2015, said there are
2 http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/pfg-2011-2015-final-report.pdf 3 https://www.delni.gov.uk/publications/success-through-skills-transforming-futures 4 http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/ni-economic-strategy-revised-130312.pdf 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/327492/evidence report-81-ukces-employer-skills-survey-13-full-report-final.pdf 6 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/444052/stem_ review_evidence_report_final.pdf 2
2.8 million high level STEM jobs in the • a degree in a STEM subject gives UK. Of these, there are close to one graduates a clear advantage in the million IT professionals, with the next jobs market, with two in five employers biggest grouping being engineering (40%) reporting that they prefer STEM professionals, then managers, STEM qualified graduates, and businesses technicians, IT technicians and want to see a boost to both the number scientists. With IT and engineering of STEM graduates (38%) and their professionals making up the majority quality (29%). of those employed in STEM posts, the demand for those skills is high too. The 2015 UKCES’ Review report (ibid) also states that the demand for STEM skills The demand for STEM qualified is widespread, extending to occupations candidates has also been highlighted and sectors not traditionally viewed as by the CBI/Pearson Education and Skills being STEM-based. The foundation survey: Inspiring growth7 from July 2015 competencies that underlie STEM skills are which states that: marketable. The report gives as an example the way in which STEM skills (specifically • businesses report that there are mathematics) are required to support widespread difficulties in recruiting innovations in financial modelling in the people with STEM skills at every finance sector. level, from new entrants to train as apprentices (20%) to people with Locally, the Department for Employment more than five years’ experience of and Learning has commissioned the Ulster STEM related work (32%); University to develop the Northern Ireland Skills Barometer, which has highlighted the • if those business expecting difficulties shortage of STEM skills at degree level and in three years’ time are added also at Foundation Degree or HNC/HND to those currently experiencing Level. The subject areas which have the problems, over half of businesses greatest shortfalls for degree levels skills (52%) see a shortfall in experienced are Engineering and Technology and Maths STEM-skilled staff; and and Computer Science.
It is recognised that STEM skills are, and will continue to be, very much in demand.
7 http://news.cbi.org.uk/reports/education-and-skills-survey-2015/education-and-skills survey-2015/ 3
How is Northern Ireland World class in STEM?
Did you know that...... ? Aerospace, B/E Aerospace, Caterpillar, Allstate Northern Ireland, Liberty IT, • 1 in 5 computer drives has a part Microsoft, HCL Technologies Abbey, Citi, created in Northern Ireland by DuPont and Allen & Overy. Seagate, Londonderry;8 We are fortunate in having many • 1 in 3 London buses is made in world class indigenous companies Northern Ireland by Wrightbus, such as Almac, Randox, Norbrook, Ballymena; First Derivatives, Creative Composites, • 1 in 3 of the world’s aircraft seats Kainos, Asidua, Kelvatek, Andor and are made in Northern Ireland by B/E HeartSine. Aerospace, Kilkeel; • 40% of the world’s mobile stone Why are not enough people studying crushing and gravel screening STEM courses? equipment is made in Northern Recent research released by Nestlé UK Ireland, mainly in County Tyrone; & Ireland in 20149, from a small study, • 50% of the worldwide market for revealed a stark gap between 14 to 16 tyre pressure monitoring sensors is year olds’ enthusiasm for science and produced by Sensata Technologies maths and UK businesses’ ability to hire (formerly Schrader Electronics), the STEM employees they need. mostly from their factories in Antrim and Carrickfergus; Of those surveyed, nearly two-thirds of • 1 in 4 of the world’s full scale STEM-related businesses (62%) said marine energy prototypes have been they do not believe there are enough developed, tested or manufactured in young people studying STEM subjects Northern Ireland; and to meet future demand. Yet, Nestlé’s • Belfast is Europe’s leading destination research, conducted by Populus, showed city for software development and that nearly four out of five (78%) 14 to technical support investment. 16 year olds say they would consider a career in a STEM-related industry, with Some of the world leading global brands over half (57%) citing a good salary as which have located in Northern Ireland the main motivation. However, more include Seagate Technology, Bombardier than half (51%) say they know little or
8 https://www.investni.com/index.html 9 http://www.nestle.co.uk/media/pressreleases/stem-career-opportunities 4
nothing about the types of jobs that Locally, the CBI published a report are on offer, with fewer females (41%) in 2014 entitled an ‘Evaluation of aware of career opportunities in a STEM- Education and Employer Partnerships related field than males (58%). in Northern Ireland11, which notes that many companies do support STEM Populus surveyed 100 science and activities in schools and encourages maths teachers and tutors at UK businesses to engage with education secondary schools and colleges, and in a more structured way, to found that over half (52%) of those support a ‘Teachers into industry’ surveyed said that they did not know programme and to provide what STEM-related businesses are work experience of longer looking for in new recruits. than one week’s duration. In Northern Ireland, the Careers Review 201410 emphasised the importance of This document is Continuous Professional Development designed to provide for careers teachers and careers information about advisers to maintain their awareness of STEM careers from staff labour market needs. With the support working in STEM businesses of business, the Education Authority ran for parents, teachers and young a series of ‘STEM in Action’ events for people. STEM teachers and careers teachers to improve their knowledge of opportunities Family Role in STEM Career Choice in local STEM companies. In a large longitudinal study of younger children aged 10-14, the 'Aspires' Nestlé’s research also showed how report12 from King’s College London said businesses in the UK are taking on that family ‘science capital’ is key. They responsibility for the promotion of STEM- found that families exert a considerable related careers amongst young people influence on students’ aspirations. This in the UK. Over a third (37%) are taking influence operates in many ways, but an active role in promoting STEM skills, a key factor affecting the likelihood while nearly a third of those (29%) of a student aspiring to a science- are opting for school and college visits related career by the age of 14 is the as a way of engaging with the future amount of ‘science capital’ a family workforce. has. Science capital refers to science
10 https://www.delni.gov.uk/publications/review-careers 11 http://www.cbi.org.uk/media/2588820/item_5_-_cbi_business-education_report-final.pdf 12 http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/education/research/aspires/ASPIRES-final-report December-2013.pdf 5
related qualifications, understanding, • communication knowledge (about science and ‘how it and interpersonal works’), interest and social contacts skills; (e.g. knowing someone who works in • problem solving skills; a science-related job). Longitudinal • using your initiative and tracking showed that students with low being self-motivated; science capital, who do not express • working under pressure STEM related aspirations at age 10, are and to deadlines; unlikely to develop STEM aspirations by • organisational skills; the age of 14. • team working; • ability to learn and adapt; The report recommended that is • numeracy; important to build science capital with • valuing diversity and difference; and students and families, as it is thought • negotiation skills. to be beneficial for encouraging more young people to continue with science Many of the skills identified by STEMNET post-16. The report stated that it is can be acquired through a STEM course important for students and families to and are thus going to make STEM understand that studying science ‘keeps trained people more employable, as was your options open’ and that STEM confirmed by the 2015 CBI/ Pearson qualifications have high transferable report (ibid). value and can be a springboard to numerous possible careers. Science This report also emphasised the is part of our everyday lives and is importance of relevant work experience therefore of importance to everyone. and attitudes to work to the employability of young people. Many businesses have How does having a STEM recognised this issue and offer work qualification increase employability? experience, internships, project work STEMNET13 worked with a range of and placement opportunities to increase STEM employers to identify their Top engagement with young people and 10 employability skills. These are the improve their employability. skills which they look for in potential employees, in addition to good technical Locally, the Northern Ireland Skills understanding and subject knowledge. Barometer has underlined the need They are: for job applicants to have generic employability skills.
13 http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/dl/37a3db873d39b3e0d8875bdd7c26f3f05a4577 0d/3058-Employability_skills_guide.pdf 6
The report emphasised On behalf of the Department for the importance of the Education, London Economics role that businesses have to conducted a longitudinal study15 of a play in providing internships and cohort of people born in a single week placements, so that these skills can in 1970 in England, Scotland and be developed. Several of the people Wales. The study analysed that while profiled in this document mention the studying STEM subjects benefits people benefit of these types of opportunities. across the board, women’s wages are disproportionately boosted by gaining Are STEM Jobs well paid? qualifications in these subjects. The UKCES report ’Reviewing the requirement for high level STEM skills’ The landmark research by London (ibid) states that ’those working in Economics shows that achieving two STE (science, technology, engineering) or more A levels in STEM subjects occupations earn a great deal more than adds 7.8% to a man’s earnings, when those who are not in STE occupations compared with gaining only GCSE-level (an estimated 19 per cent), although qualifications. The returns for women this is less so for science and more so are much higher, with earnings being for technology and engineering.’ boosted by 33.1%.
The ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers’ website echoes this and states that people who graduate from university with engineering and technology degrees earn approximately 20% more per year than the average salary14 for all graduates and can expect to earn significantly more over their lifetime than graduates from most other subjects. Those who do an apprenticeship in engineering and become engineering technicians also have the potential to earn considerably more than the average technician.
14 https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/Engineering_facts/ 15 http://londoneconomics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/London-Economics Report-Returns-to-GCE-A-Levels-Final-12-02-2015.pdf 7
The Knowledge Economy Index Report Over the last two years, we have 201516 published in September 2015, published a series of profiles of local provides a barometer on the health of people, who are working in various the Knowledge Economy in NI, which STEM industries, in STEM supplements includes the STEM Industries. The report with the main local papers. confirmed NI as the second fastest growing Knowledge Economy across the In this guide we have listed the posts UK, with Knowledge workers earning that people occupy under the chapter salaries 50% higher than the NI average. headings of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. In these difficult economic times, it Following the advice of careers is perhaps all the more important to teachers, we have tried to place the get value from one’s investment in posts within the chapter alphabetically, education and it may be of interest to to make it as accessible as possible. parents and students alike to note that Whilst Mathematics underpins some businesses will help to support many of the jobs in STEM, we have students through their STEM course, chosen to profile several people who with a scholarship or bursary and have qualifications specifically in perhaps summer employment. Some Mathematics. of the people profiled in this document have benefitted from business support It is important to remember that STEM whilst studying. jobs also exist in the public sector, the health service, academia and teaching, What sort of jobs are there in but in this booklet we are concentrating STEM Businesses? on those in industry. It can difficult for young people and their parents to understand what sort of opportunities there are in STEM, especially if they do not have family members working in the area.
16 http://nispconnect.org/wp-content/uploads / 2015/09/NI-KEI-Report-2015Final.pdf 8 Science
Careers 10
Introduction We are familiar with the three main school science subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, but at college and university level these subjects can become more and more specialised into different aspects of the main subject and so, too, can the careers that they lead on to.
For example, Physics can be combined with astrophysics, computing or medical applications. Chemistry can be studied in combination with Biology to become Biochemistry and with Engineering to become Chemical Engineering, which is covered in the Engineering section of this booklet. Biology can be further specialised into Human or Marine Biology, Microbiology or Biomedical Science, for instance. The courses can thus become specialised to match the careers that they help prepare people for, but sometimes individuals specialise in certain areas after they take up employment.
Employment can be at graduate level or technician level and further study, whilst in employment, can support career progression. Science Careers
11
Biology Biologist Keeva McClelland PhD Senior Biologist drug discovery / oncology, Almac Discovery Ltd
Describe the balance of office and What has been your route to this post? laboratory work A-Levels: Biology, Chemistry, Computer I am a senior biologist working in drug Science discovery research & development Undergraduate: First class (Hons) at Almac Discovery Ltd. My role is to Applied Biochemical Sciences use biological techniques to evaluate (University of Ulster) potential anti-cancer drugs, developed Postgraduate: PhD Molecular Biology by medicinal chemists within the (QUB) department. A typical week will begin Postdoctoral Fellowship: Research with a group discussion of day to day fellow at the Centre for Cancer plans, setting new objectives and Research and Cell Biology (QUB) reviewing recent publications related Senior Biologist: Drug discovery to projects. My time is then divided biologist (Almac Discovery, Craigavon between the lab and the office. In the and Centre for Cancer Research and lab, I carry out a variety of biochemical, Cell Biology QUB) cellular and molecular experiments, which can take a matter of hours to Would you say that being a Research several days to complete. I will then and Development (R&D) Biologist analyse results and present findings, represents a good career? so the team can evaluate the projects Research and development in any field progression. Throughout each week, is an interesting career, but it is also highly there will also be opportunities to attend competitive and requires self motivation. talks by colleagues, clinicians and visiting Salaries in STEM posts are comparable researchers to hear about their latest to other fields with similar educational research. I am also a STEM ambassador criteria. Companies will generally offer and may be involved in an outreach structured career paths, for example, programme, such as setting progression to technical leadership, or up a classroom experiment in a local senior management positions and support school, or attending a careers event. any requirements for further training. 12
How does being an R&D Biologist Can you say anything about make the world a better place and do the future job prospects in you find your job satisfying? your industry? As in most experimental research, there The manner in which we approach are high and low points to the daily the challenges of treating diseases tasks we undertake, if we knew the is undergoing a lot of changes. hypothesis was right every time, there Multidisciplinary teams combining would be no need to do the experiments! chemistry, biology and computational Job satisfaction comes from completing skills play leading roles in new projects. a project to the best of my ability, not A wider variety of scientific disciplines being deterred by negative results and are becoming involved in the research enjoying the successful moments. This is and development process, offering not an easy field, as many drugs will not new techniques and flexible solutions. proceed past clinical trial phases. In particular, methods to handle and If I can contribute to the development interpret the vast amount of data of even one product that makes it being generated in the industry have to the clinic, that will be an amazing given significant rise to the need for achievement. computational biologists.
What do you really like about Would you recommend what you your job? do as a drug discovery biologist I like the variety that this jobs offers. to other young people? One day is never the same as the next Drug discovery / oncology research is and each project is different again. I am an ever evolving field. The drive to continually developing my knowledge and advance our knowledge and technologies skills, whether through new techniques provides great opportunities and I would in the lab, or in the office mastering highly recommend it to other young various computer programmes. As part people. In general, a STEM background of a new collaboration, we now have develops transferable skills that can be the opportunity to work within Queen’s applied to a range of future careers, with University, which allows us to interact opportunities in industry, or academia, with other researchers and medical staff, or a combination, as is becoming the combining skills and expertise to create preferred model for drug discovery. new opportunities in drug discovery. And as often is mentioned, we need more entrepreneurs and STEM subjects provide a great base for starting your own spin out company! Science Careers
13
Biology Almac Laboratory Team Leader Thomas Delaney Laboratory Support Team Leader in the Almac Diagnostics Business Unit
How did your career start out? to secure my placement within Almac I have 15 years laboratory experience Diagnostics, where I was placed into to date and in this time I have had the very busy sequencing team for quite a varied career. After completing six weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed my A-levels, I initially started out as my placement time and as a result, a technician within the Belfast City I decided that a career in this field was Hospitals Medical Genetics department. something that I wanted to focus on. The work here inspired me to embark In 2008, I took up a technical role within upon an Open University Degree in Life Almac Diagnostics and since then my Sciences, which I completed in 2005. career has progressed from technician, Whist progressing through my degree, I to laboratory supervisor, to my current changed jobs to pursue a career in the position of Laboratory Support Team education sector. I took up a role as Leader. a science technician with the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education Can you tell us a little about (now the Belfast Metropolitan College). your postgraduate education? After completion of my Honours degree, While working within Almac Diagnostics, I was able to take up the role of part I was able to take up a part time post time lecturer, teaching various modules graduate masters course through the on the HND in Applied Sciences. During University of Greenwich, London. This my time as a lecturer, I was able to course is an MSc in Biomedical Sciences take a secondment, facilitated by the and I am due to complete this course Learning Skills and Development Agency in the summer of 2015. The modules of Northern Ireland which allowed me I have been able to study during this to enter into an industrial field, with the course have very closely matched my goal of bringing back valuable industrial current role and the work that is done experiences that can then influence the within Diagnostics. There was a good teaching curricula. I was lucky enough mix of molecular biology, equipment 14
and laboratory management and quality current role is the coordination and systems management. Because the management of stock control, ordering modules I have chosen to study match and receipting goods. This is a very my day to day work so closely, I feel this important role for the smooth running has made me a much more effective of an efficient laboratory setup. I have employee and I have been able to work also taken on the role of Health and with all aspects of the company, from Safety representative and I have project- business development through managed major infrastructure projects to project management, validation, for the benefit of the laboratory function. quality, finance and, of course, molecular biology research. Would you recommend a career in this area? What does your current role involve? Absolutely, it has been the best career I am now the Team Leader for Laboratory move I have made. The sector has so Support, which is an integral team within much to offer a potential employee. the wider Operations department. Within The future looks very bright for this role, I have the opportunity to work biomarker discovery and test delivery with many different teams and platforms, and I hope to be able to develop my such as DNA Microarrays, qPCR, career as the business grows. Immunohistochemistry, Sanger and Next Generation Sequencing. I also have the opportunity to work with human mammalian cancer cell lines and tissue histological processing. In this role, I am responsible for the management of a team of laboratory assistants and I am also responsible for the general day to day running of the laboratories. The team’s main responsibilities are the maintenance and calibration off all of the laboratory equipment and technologies. I am also responsible for sourcing and implementing new technology platforms within our laboratories and I see this right through from purchase to delivery, implementation and validation release. Another main priority for me in my Science Careers
15
Biology Geneticist Ruth Patterson Biochip Custom Unit Scientist, Randox Laboratories Ltd.
What does a typical day in your theory and practical job involve? skills makes the Day to day work as a research and job feel very hands on development scientist is extremely and the feeding of results diverse and can be mainly structured back for analysis makes your into practical laboratory work and daily work feel purposeful. As interpretation of results. Here at I design custom biochips, I carry Randox, I work in the Custom Biochip out extensive amounts of lab work department, so my role focuses on the every day and also analyse and interpret development of new tests for medical results. Randox is a global company and diagnosis and research. The platform we as such the opportunity is available to use for this is our unique Biochip Array travel internationally. This past year, I Technology, which uses specific antibody was able to travel to Boston and Denver or DNA to detect proteins or antigens in in the USA to work with customers there blood, urine and saliva samples. in universities and research institutions. The work is satisfying, as we are at the The tests developed are used both forefront of revolutionising healthcare clinically for the direct diagnosis of and diagnostics, which has a direct disease such as heart attacks, diabetes impact on people’s lives. and bone disorders and also are used by research institutions to aid in the I view my job as a great career prospect, development of new treatments. as no two days are the same; the work is extremely diverse and can very What do you like most about challenging, but also rewarding. The your job? opportunities presented for personal and Projects begin with experiment design career development are not seen across and move into the lab to gather the many other career pathways, which can required data. This balance of applied be quite restrictive, once qualified. 16
Did you always know you wanted What do you feel about the future to work in Science? job prospects available in the Life When choosing my career, even as far Sciences industry? back as choosing subjects for my GCSEs, The potential of the science industry I had a clear view of where I wanted to and the prospects for future job get to and I chose subjects which would opportunities within it are vast. The lead me to that destination. Science was diagnostics industry in particular is always my strength academically, but in recession-proof and the global market addition to that it was also something continues to expand exponentially. There I was personally enthusiastic about. will always be a position for research and This greatly influenced all my choices, development, healthcare can always be as I felt it was important to pursue a improved and increasing knowledge and job which I would enjoy. However, it is ability in the sector means work will always important to allow for flexibility continue to advance. Pursuing a and a degree in science and the skills job in science would provide you develop are well respected by excellent opportunities for employers, so it is easy to slide in to a a young person and a position which is perhaps more business rewarding career. orientated, or even into science interface subjects with IT or maths.
What are the skills needed for Research and Development and what is your own academic background? The skills required to work successfully in a research environment are initiative, organisation and to be a logical thinker. As well as these attributes, the academic requirements are well defined; I personally studied triple award science at GCSE level and Biology, Chemistry and Physics for A-level. This led me to my BSc (Hons.) degree in Biological Sciences at Queen’s University, Belfast, in which I focused on genetics. A life sciences degree is essential for this career choice. Science Careers
17
Chemistry Chemist Heather Mawhinney NI Station Chemist, AES - Kilroot and Ballylumford Power Stations
Can you describe a typical working What has been day? your educational/ There is no such thing as a typical day professional route to this post? – every day is different. I manage the After completing my A- levels in laboratory and water treatment plant Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics, teams at Kilroot and Ballylumford Power I went to study at Queen’s University, Stations. In my role, I am responsible Belfast, where I completed a BSc (1st for the production of ultra pure water class honours) and PhD in Physical on both sites and the process water Chemistry. I also have an MSSc in chemistry in the CCGT (combined circuit Occupational Safety and Health, gas turbine) and conventional fossil fired which I gained whilst in employment. power plants. I carry out atmospheric I worked in a research and development testing and provide advice and role at Queen’s University, Belfast and in information on chemical safety-related a technical position in Invest NI, before issues. I am also heavily involved in joining AES Kilroot Power Station as an environmental monitoring, as required by Industrial Chemist in 2008. Over time, our permits. The laboratory provides a my role has developed and I have been technical support service function across in my current position for just over one both sites, performing routine and ad year now. hoc analysis, such as fuel and lubrication oil testing. Additionally, I get to spend How does your work as Station time working on outage, commissioning Chemist make the world a and project development work. better place? I play my part in keeping the lights on in Northern Ireland! 18
What do you really like about How do you balance your career your job? with your personal life? I love the variety of my job and the fact The 24-7 nature of the power industry that it pushes me and challenges me. means that my job is not a typical I am continually learning and have 9-5 one and you need to be flexible. been given the opportunity to progress. However, I realise time is precious and I like the fact that my job is not solely try to successfully balance work and office based, as I spend time in the my personal life. laboratory and on the plant. I also get the chance to work alongside a wide Do you belong to any professional variety of people. body and what benefits does that offer you? Can you say something about your I’m a member of the Royal Society of perception of future prospects in Chemistry and the British Occupational the power industry? Hygiene Society. Membership of RSC The energy industry is an essential and BOHS helps to keep me up to part of our economic and day to day date with the chemical sciences and future. The industry is experiencing occupational hygiene; they provide significant change, as legislation professional subject support and and customer preference moves us promote professional development towards greater use of renewable and via their Continuous Professional decentralised energy as part of an Development (CPD) programmes. integrated energy system. There are great prospects for people coming into Would you recommend your area the industry, as the mix of generation of work to other young people? required to support security of supply, Yes – it’s both a challenging and decarbonisation and affordable energy rewarding career and is particularly will create and sustain jobs. suited to anyone with a STEM background. Science Careers
19
Chemistry Analytical Chemist Nadine Murray Group Leader Analytical Support Department, Almac Pharma Services
What does a typical day in your job Other parts of my day may involve? involve mentoring and advising I work as a Group Leader in the staff on certain projects, quoting Analytical Support Department within for potential business, updating and the Almac Pharma Services division implementing improvements to current of the Almac Group. working processes and procedures and often conducting interviews, as our The Analytical Support Department’s department is continually expanding, function is to support the formulation which is great. and development of mainly tablets and capsules, by analysing these products What do you really like about your job? for other pharmaceutical or Bio-tech I really like the problem solving challenges companies based around the globe. with my job. These may be technical challenges, or timeline driven obstacles. Over the last 12 years, my role has I also enjoy the fact that no two days are developed and I now manage a number the same and I am constantly faced with of analytical teams that form one of different experiments and problems to solve. two groups in our department of This helps keep me motivated and focused approximately 80 people. on my role.
As I am now office based rather than in the I also like that fact that other than the laboratory, my day begins with following up analytical side of my role, there are on e-mails that have come in from clients business aspects, ensuring we are on target the previous evening. There will also be and all costs have been accounted for whilst a number of meetings to prepare for and ensuring team members are performing attend throughout the day. The meetings and are happy in their roles. As I have are mainly focused on ongoing projects, progressed in my career, the business and providing and interpreting data, then human resource management elements deciding on the best way forward for the have become a larger part of my role. project with the rest of the project team. 20
This ensures that I am continually I studied ‘A’ level Biology, Chemistry and developing my knowledge and skills to Geography. This led onto studying for a BSc become a better leader and manager. (Hons.) in Applied Biochemical Sciences at the University of Ulster, where I focused Did you always know you wanted to a lot on the Analytical Chemistry and work in Science? Biochemistry aspects of the course. Yes, from an early age at school I was always interested in the natural world and What do you feel about the future job my surroundings. I did not know which prospects in the Analytical Services area of Science I wanted to progress Group within the Pharmaceutical in. However, as I was strong in Science Industry? subjects and was interested in them, I There will always be opportunities in this therefore found Science easier to learn. area as drug products will continue to be developed and manufactured. These What are the skills needed for working products need to be assessed for safety and within the Analytical field and what is efficacy before they reach the marketplace, your own academic background? so laboratory testing is required on every To work in this area, you do as it batch of material that is made. suggests, need to be analytically minded: logically approaching problems and not Even though this is one small part in the being despondent when things don’t work drug development pipeline, it is satisfying out! It’s Science after all, so things often to know that the work being performed is don’t go as expected. However, this in helping come up with new medicines that itself keeps me interested. will help to cure many diseases.
I think that being practically minded has Would you recommend Analytical also helped me in my role; often in the Chemistry to other young people? beginning, work involved troubleshooting I would certainly recommend this to young problems with equipment and mastering people that enjoy Science, as I thoroughly certain software programs to ensure enjoy my job. Even if it is not in the analysis was conducted in the required analytical arena, there are a wide range of timeframe. Often, there are conflicting disciplines that make up a pharmaceutical priorities, so being able to multi-task, company like Almac. Therefore, there will also work on your own and in a team always be the requirement for scientists that environment are very important, as well are keen problem solvers and are enthused as being organised. by a fast paced working environment, focused on reaching goals and targets. With respect to my academic background, This type of work is a rewarding career path I attended Portadown College, where for dedicated individuals. Science Careers
21
Physics Physicist Dr Debra McNeill Managing Principal Engineer, Seagate
Can you describe a typical working to be competitive in the market, so there is day? always a timing consideration to decisions. I work as Product Design Manager for Seagate’s Notebook products, which Communication and systemisation is involves ensuring successful integration of critical in this role. We sit in an open plan office, so there is always a lot of informal transducers (read-write heads) into hard technical discussion going on at any one disc drives to meet product requirements. time. I try to leave the office by 6pm every I usually start work around 8:00 am. This day. Given the cross-functional nature of allows me to catch up on emails that I my role, I am required to travel to face-to will have received overnight. Northern face meetings with customers and other Ireland is ideally located from a time-zone sites. Currently, the primary destination is perspective—all Seagate component South Korea, although in the last few years test factories, drive factories and design I have touched down in Thailand, Malaysia, centres with which the Springtown Singapore and the US several times. facility deals directly, are located in the Far East, so we have overlap with them Would you say that product design first thing in the morning. This allows engineering represents a good career? us to set up conference calls and video Yes, Seagate has a performance-related conferences, as opposed to relying on pay structure and offers a very competitive e-mail communication. Then, during our salary with opportunity for bonuses, as well afternoon, we can communicate directly as a comprehensive benefits package that with other Seagate partners in the US. includes private health care and a Seagate share purchase scheme. Each day will be peppered with set meetings, which invariably involves sharing How does product design engineering and discussing recent data, planning make the world a better place? next course of action, or providing status It’s exciting to work in a job where I can updates. We will have set timelines for physically see the results of my efforts, qualification of particular products in order in the form of technology advances in 22
each generation of computer hard drives. spending my tea breaks with friends Seagate is the largest volume supplier of I have studied with since school! hard drives in the world and I’m very proud to be a part of that. It is also important Can you say anything about the to remember that development of this future job prospects in your industry? hardware (specifically Notebooks in my Seagate offers opportunities across a case) enables many other professions wide range of disciplines, from product across the world to work more efficiently design, process engineering, modelling and effectively ‘on the move’. to computing. Given the high tech nature of the industry, it is absolutely critical for What has been your educational route success that we continue to attract engineers to this post? who demonstrate a logical and methodical I attended Thornhill College, Derry, where approach to problem solving, who are strong I studied A-level Maths, Physics and communicators and who are willing to work Geography. I then did a Physics degree on challenging problems at the forefront of at Queen’s University Belfast, followed development on a global scale. by a Masters in Optoelectronics and Optical Information Processing, and a PhD Would you recommend product design in Condensed Matter Physics (Surface engineering to other young people? Plasmons Enhanced Laser Ablation of If a young person is interested in solving Metallic Thin Films). problems, enjoys a challenge and would like to feel that their efforts are making a tangible Did you have a role model in mind when impact in a global market, then yes, I would you chose your degree? recommend product design. There weren’t many role models for women in science at the time I was making my How do you balance your career subject choices, but I chose Physics as it with your personal life? was always the subject that represented As well as being an extremely busy product the biggest challenge. I was also confident design manager, I’m also the mother of that having a background in Physics would four young children aged 5, 9, 10 and 12. open doors for me for a choice of career The fact that Seagate is a family-friendly later on. employer helps me maintain a good work- life balance—for example, if necessary, I can What do you really like about your job? work from home, or work flexible hours. My I really like the diversity. Every day is advice to other working mothers is to be as different and working at the leading edge organised as possible—from good childcare of technology there are always issues to establishing and sticking to a structured requiring resolution. I also like the fact that routine. And Skype is a great invention when my job offers me the opportunity to work travelling, as it enables me to keep in touch in a multi-cultural environment, while still with my family. Technology
Careers Introduction Information technology and Food Technology are two STEM industries that are not dealt with elsewhere in this booklet. They are already hugely important for the Northern Ireland economy and are growing in importance. The shortage of skilled personnel in both the Food and IT industries has meant that the Department for Employment and Learning has funded conversion courses for people who have qualified in other disciplines to enable them to work in these areas. Whilst some of the people profiled in this section have studied qualifications in IT or Food Technology, others have attended those conversion courses and obtained employment within the STEM companies. One of these profiles also demonstrates that there is a demand for IT skills in non-IT businesses. Technology Careers
25
Information Technology Eamon McMahon
Infrastructure Services Engineer, Kainos
Can you describe a typical day? Would you say that an Infrastructure I am an Infrastructure Services Engineer, Services Engineer role represents a working at Kainos in Belfast. Kainos has good career? been running for more than 26 years and It is a great career for anyone interested has offices across the UK, Ireland and in IT hardware, networks and the latest Poland. We provide solutions to clients technology. An Infrastructure Services all across the Public, Healthcare and Engineer role is never dull! There are Financial Services Sector. opportunities to travel and indeed, we have engineers who have worked in My role involves designing and places from London, to Canada and implementing the infrastructure even Nigeria. components required for Kainos projects. Can you say anything about the I am the primary Infrastructure Services future job prospects in your Engineer for Electronic Document industry? and Records Management projects Computer system technologies are within our Support Services Unit. This continuously changing. Whether a requires a fair amount of travel to client system is implemented on premises, in offices throughout the UK, performing the cloud, or as a hybrid solution, an application upgrades/installs, or meeting Infrastructure Services Engineer provides customers to discuss the future plans and the technical expertise to ensure it requirements for their EDRM solutions. is implemented securely, on time and within budget to the customers’ As an Infrastructure Services Engineer satisfaction. Businesses are more your role is certainly varied, which offers dependent on their computer systems great opportunities to be involved with than ever before, requiring their systems many different projects and clients from to run around the clock. This creates a various business sectors and get bigger demand for IT engineers. hands-on with the latest technologies. 26
What has been your educational route dad. He studied Computer Science at to this post? Queen’s and runs his own successful IT I was at Rathmore Grammar School from firm, Nitec Solutions. I have always been 1995 to 2002 and did A-Levels: Maths, around computers from a very early age, my Physics and Business Studies. I then first computer being a Dragon32, which ran studied Computer Science (BEng Hons) programs from cassettes! I have always had at Queen’s University Belfast from 2002 a keen interest in how computers work and to-2006. However, in IT your learning like anyone involved in IT, I spent many hours never stops! I have done a number of fixing the PCs and laptops of friends and courses to develop my technical and family. This early exposure has grown into my soft-skills, for example, Microsoft Certified career as an Infrastructure Services Engineer Systems Engineer (MCSE), Prince2 at Kainos. In the future I plan to move my (project management), ITIL (IT Service career into client management, managing management) and ILM (Management). the client relationship across projects, as well as resourcing, finance and reporting. Which professional institute do you It is certainly a change in direction from an belong to and what benefits does that Infrastructure Services Engineer role, but it offer you? goes to prove a career in IT doesn’t have to I am a member of the British Computer be linear, or follow a strict pathway; there Society. It organises local events to share are many career opportunities available ideas and offer advice about IT topics. through a wide range of roles. A lot of the events run are open to members and non-members alike and are Would you recommend your career to really are worth checking out for anyone young people? interested in a career in IT. Talks vary Definitely! My career has developed out of from Curriculum Vitae (CV) and interview my early interest in IT and it certainly helps advice to talks on the latest IT trends like make for a great career when you really Cloud Computing, or Big Data. enjoy what you do. The IT industry is growing strongly and with everyday life becoming more They also run social events throughout and more dependent on IT, I can’t see that the year, with 7-a-side football slowing down anytime soon! It is a great tournament and an annual golf outing career that can offer many different career which are always great craic. paths and many opportunities to travel and be involved in new and exciting technologies. If Who or what most influenced your you have a strong work ethic, can-do attitude choice of degree/career? and a real desire to continually learn new and The biggest influence for me when exciting things, then this is definitely the right choosing my career was probably my career to be involved in. Technology Careers
27
Information Technology Angela Woods
Principal Consultant, Fujitsu
Can you describe a typical working Mathematics, day? I completed my I suppose what is most interesting Chartered Accountancy about my current role is that there is no qualification with a leading typical day. accountancy firm in Belfast. I followed the typical pattern I am currently working in a Pre-Sales of working in the audit department, team in the Oracle Practice within the before taking a secondment to the leading Japanese IT company, Fujitsu, Health Service, where I was involved in with particular focus on providing the implementation of new systems and customers with ongoing support service. processes, as the various Trusts were created. This secondment really sparked Typically, that will require liaising with an interest in accountancy systems. the technical and functional design teams to understand the various From there, I moved to European Car elements included in the customer Components, a manufacturing company, solution, then designing and costing where I worked as the management the support service required for the accountant, responsible for the bid. At any point, there could be three production of the monthly accounts. to four bids at various stages of the Whilst there, we undertook process and each bid will be addressing the replacement of the various different client needs and sectors. accountancy systems into the Oracle eBusiness Suite. What has been your educational route to this post? The implementation process inspired I’ve taken a circuitous route to this me to move to Fujitsu and continue current role. Following completion work on implementation of the Oracle of my degree in Physics and Applied eBusiness Suite. 28
I’ve now been with Fujitsu for over Can you say anything about the 16 years and during this time, I have future job prospects in IT? worked in various roles. From initial Fujitsu’s global reach and vision for a implementation work, upgrades, support, Human Centric Intelligent Society where managing the support team and now in a ICT has the power to transform business pre-sales function. and society for everyone’s benefit suggests the possibilities are infinite in Your route to this post has been this space. unusual, can you tell me has your training and work developed the The huge advances in IT in the past same core skills? decade mean organisations can now I suppose it may appear unusual, but use IT on an unprecedented scale. when I look around the team there are Due to the way that technology has many of us who have backgrounds in evolved and the scale the digital world either broader science or accountancy, can handle, we now have the means to who are now involved in IT in various do extraordinary things — to manage roles, from service delivery, consultancy city infrastructures and traffic flow, and the more technical roles. to manage our energy resources, to manage water and agriculture Regardless of route into the job, there production. There is no industry which are some common skills, including does not rely on ICT in some way. being analytical and good at problem solving. Another common thing is that we The recent technology megatrends have all been able to use our previous of cloud, mobility, big data and the experiences in other avenues to the ‘Internet of Things’ together present advantage of this job. transformational opportunities for NI and our wider society. The What do you really like about implications are so far- your job? reaching, meaning it is a In the current role, the best bit of course very exciting time to is winning a particular bid you may have be involved in the been working on! But the real attraction industry. is the variety and the fact that I work for a company which has innovation at its core means there is always something new to learn and apply each day. Technology Careers
29
Information Technology Sheree Atcheson
Product Analyst, SR Labs and UK Expansion Director of Women Who Code
Tell us a little about yourself My main goal is to strengthen all of I’m Sheree Atcheson. I’m a Product our UK branches and ensure they are Analyst at SR Labs and alongside this, able to work to the best of their ability. I am the UK Expansion Director of Women Who Code (WWCode). How do you see your role making a difference in today’s computer Women Who Code is a worldwide San industry? Franciscan born organisation with over I find my job hugely satisfying, in 30,000 members worldwide. My aim that I am actively working every day of founding WWCode in the UK is to to bring more females into IT. There eradicate the gender bias in the IT has only been a 3% rise of women industry, through free monthly hack in tech in the past 20 years and this nights, tech talks and career trainings. is something I want to fight against. It’s a well-known fact that in order What does this involve on a typical for any software house to flourish, it day? needs a diverse range of perspectives In my everyday life, I have a lot of on any given problem. So it will only different roles. As a Product Analyst, I benefit the industry and the women work in Client Services, supporting the involved to have a place like Women feed handler products that SR Labs Who Code, which allows them to grow provide and answering any questions their confidence, nurture their digital that the customer might have. And as skills and prepare them for any IT the UK Expansion Director of Women related job. I’m putting in this work Who Code, I am constantly networking, now, so that the future generation of speaking at conferences, organising women will know that there is, and will events and meeting industry leaders continue to be, a place for them in who are interested in helping WWCode technology. reach its highest potential in the UK. 30
Did you always have an interest in Who Code in the UK and because of computing? that, I have had some really amazing I have always had a huge interest in things come my way. In January 2014, programming, even when I was younger. Women Who Code Belfast was listed This led me to choose A-Level Computing as one of the Leading Belfast Start Ups and eventually, Computer Science at by the Guardian. I have also appeared Queen’s University, Belfast (from where I in Wired, Computer Weekly and Marie graduated in 2013). Claire and spoken at conferences/ panels such as techUK, Inspirefest Who or what influenced you when and many more. Being a part choosing your career path? of WWCode has brought a My A-Level computing teacher influenced great sense of fulfilment me the most with my career path. I to me and I look always knew I wanted to do something in forward to taking it technology, but didn’t know exactly what forward with even until I did A-Level Computing. more passion than the previous two years. His passion and excitement for Computing (even after teaching the Would you recommend course for over 15 years) was infectious. Software Engineering And after a few short weeks, I knew I as a career? wanted to be a software engineer. Even I would wholly recommend software to this day he inspires me. Having talked engineering to the younger generation. to current teachers at my secondary The point needs to be made that school, they have told me that he is still there are hundreds of different jobs as passionate as he was when he taught in IT, not just coding or “being stuck me six years ago. These are the kind of behind a computer”. I am a Product people that drive me, the people that Analyst (with three years behind me never forget why they got into tech in as a Software Engineer), but I am the first place and continue to strive to also now an Expansion Director of an bring something awesome to the next organisation which benefits thousands generation. of people. There’s no limit to what you can do. Focus on what you want to do, What do you love most about and go for it. Always remember that your job? regardless of who you are, in order to I love my job because what you put in be in technology, you do not need is what you get out. I have put a lot of to be a man, a “geek” or a “nerd”. effort into starting and expanding Women All you need is to be interested. Technology Careers
31
Information Technology Darren Taggart
Performance Test Consultant, SQS, Belfast
What does your job entail? What has been The SQS Group (SQS) is the world’s your educational/ leading specialist in software quality. professional route SQS’ position and expertise as the to this post? market leader are the result of over 30 I graduated from University of years of successful consultancy. We Ulster, Jordanstown in 2008, offer a range of software testing services with a BSc Hons in Building throughout the software development Surveying. After a period of travel, lifecycle to include, but not limited, I returned home and found that due to Quality and Risk management, to the economic downturn there were test management, Function and non very few openings within the construction functional testing, On-demand testing industry. I then trained as a retail and development quality. manager and worked in this field for As a performance testing specialist, no many years. However, I had always had two days are ever the same. I have had an interest in IT and enrolled on the the opportunity to work with a variety of Software Testers Academy, funded by testing tools and methodologies across the Department for Employment and many industries such as legal, insurance, Learning, which included a placement retail and utilities. Currently, I am working with an IT firm for non-IT graduates. for a Government body, testing their My placement was with SQS where, on online application. completion, I was extremely fortunate to be offered a position in a top consultancy firm, where strong emphasis on personal development is a core value. 32
What do you like about your job? Would you recommend Software I love the variety. During the past Testing to other young people? year, following an induction period of Absolutely, if a young person has three weeks in South Africa, I have an interest in IT, has a logical way been involved in numerous projects in of thinking, likes to be challenged, various capacities, which have allowed have the opportunity to travel, me to work not only in Belfast, but meet new people, develop not also in London and Dublin. I have only personally, but also gained a vast amount of experience professionally, then this is and knowledge. SQS have an excellent career for them. extended graduate programme, which facilitated the development of my skills. As part of this scheme, I have completed a development course in Java and become a performance testing specialist, as well as attending several company events, where I have networked extensively with clients and colleagues and have been actively involved with the company’s charity, the NSPCC.
How would you rate the future job prospects in your industry? The job prospects are fantastic. The IT sector is constantly growing and SQS has an impressive career development process. Software quality is increasingly becoming a key factor when it comes to competitiveness in the marketplace. Reliable and flexible systems with low fixed costs have become an absolute “must”. Major challenges are constantly being created by the ever-changing world of business and growing pressures, in terms of costs, time and quality. Technology Careers
33
Information Technology Clare Flynn
Project Manager, Liberty IT
I am a Project Manager working in Liberty IT. Liberty IT is a professional IT company, based in Belfast. Our parent company, Liberty Mutual Insurance, is one of the world’s largest property and casualty insurance companies. While the majority of their business is in the Is it 9-5? US, a very significant portion is also The average worldwide. working day lasts eight hours, however My role involves managing a team of there are times when software engineers, working on large there is a requirement scale software development projects to work extra hours to using cutting edge technologies. My meet project commitments, day-to-day activities can range quite or to attend customer meetings. significantly, depending on the stage This is balanced out by the work life of the project. This can be anything balance initiatives that Liberty IT offer, from meeting with key stakeholders for example, I can work from home if to helping identify project objectives, I need to, or leave for an hour in the to project planning and budgeting afternoon to attend an appointment. activities. I currently manage a project I also have the option of starting work which is focussed on enhancing at any time between 8am and 10am. the user interface of a commercial insurance application to improve user How did you get into this line of work? experience. I have had a passion for technology since receiving my first computer, a ZX Spectrum, at the age of seven. Learning the basics of programming while studying 34
computer science at A-Level confirmed tech lead on a number of projects in Liberty that this was the profession for me. I was IT and this has aided me in moving into further inspired when a group of software project management in the past three years. engineers from a local company called Apion came to my school to talk about Tell us about your qualifications/training. what it was like to work as a software I went to St Dominic’s, Belfast from1992 professional. When I successfully secured to 1999 and studied A-levels in Computer one of two places in their scholarship Science, Biology and Mathematics. scheme, which promised to fund me I then attended the University of Ulster through University, the die was well and (Jordanstown) from 2000 to 2003 and truly cast. obtained a First Class Honours B(Eng) in Software Engineering. Can you outline your career to date? I gained industrial software engineering Over the years in Liberty IT I have had on the experience at a very early stage in job training and attended numerous training my career, due to being awarded the courses and conferences to develop both my Apion Scholarship while studying for technical and soft skills. my A-Levels. The scholarship involved a post A-level gap year spent in full time What qualities are required for your job - employment with Apion and subsequent personal and professional? summer placements while at university. The software engineering industry is an I graduated from the University of Ulster in exciting and dynamic industry ,where the 2003 and took a graduate position with qualities required to be successful in any role Liberty IT. My first eight years in Liberty include not only technical ability, but equally IT were spent working as a software important are strong communication skills developer. I have held various technical and the ability to work both independently roles from associate software engineer and as part of a team. In my current right through to senior software engineer. role, it is important to have excellent The work over the years has been wide leadership, organisational and varied and I have had the opportunity and customer relationship to work on various projects with exposure management skills. to a variety of technologies. I have also travelled to numerous customer sites in What is the best advice the U.S, including Boston, Seattle and you ever received? San Diego. From a career perspective, Create your own destiny. I have always been interested in IT project management. I gained leadership and management experience while acting as Technology Careers
35
Information Technology Barry McNeill
IT Systems Administrator, Kilwaughter Chemical Company
Can you describe a typical working day? An average day in the life of a system administrator involves balancing a number of routine maintenance tasks with diagnosing problems reported by network users.
The system administrator will update I am responsible for setting up the systems, applications and maintain database back-ups at the end of the databases on a regular basis. I spend working day; this is a safety measure in some time responding to e-mails or calls the event of server or hard drive failure, from network users looking for technical the data can be restored and it doesn’t assistance, for a range of issues from interrupt the company’s operations. accessing the internet to the company database. Often I find myself visiting the Would you say that IT represents a network user’s workstation to diagnose good career? the problem and determine if the Systems Administrator is a great career cause is an issue with the database, an to get into, as you face a different application or the network. When new challenge every day. As technologies employees join the company, the system develop, so does my knowledge, so you administrator is responsible for assigning find yourself constantly adapting and network and database privileges to learning new things. the individual, setting up their login information and delivering training on user best practice. 36
How does IT make the world a Can you say anything about the better place? future job prospects in your IT is always operating behind the industry? scenes in every department, ensuring The IT industry is one of the biggest Kilwaughter deliver the high level of and fastest growing industries. service they are renowned for in the Northern Ireland is attracting business marketplace. Without a well maintained from the major IT organisations, due IT system, the company would not be to its high calibre of IT graduates. able to manufacture efficiently. Many businesses like Kilwaughter are willing to invest in their IT resources, What has been your educational/ recognising that efficient IT systems professional route to this post? can create a competitive edge in the My educational route to this post marketplace. started with a BTEC IT Practitioners course at Northern Regional College Would you recommend IT to young Newtownabbey. This course helped people starting out on their me to get into University of Ulster, career? Jordanstown to complete an Honours I would definitely recommend degree in Computer Science. IT to young people that are starting out on their What do you really like about your career, as Northern job? Ireland has one of The best thing about being a Systems the most thriving Administrator is the variety of projects. IT industries. The role carries a greater level of responsibility and the experiences I have been exposed to at Kilwaughter have been second to none. On a day when you solve a major system issue, or diagnose a system fault, you feel a sense of achievement with a job well done. Technology Careers
37
Food Technology Sheena O’Hanlon
Senior Development Technologist, Moy Park Ltd.
Describe your job company, As a Senior Development Technologist where I worked for Moy Park, I develop new products for four years on in line with the latest food trends for the salads’ account. major retailers. I manage the process I then got my current from the initial concept, to working post with Moy Park. with the development team and our chefs on flavours and ingredients, as Did you have a role well as considering packaging, costs model in mind when you and profit margins. I work on the Agri- chose your degree? Or who Fresh Account, which takes in new or what most influenced your product development for both chicken choice of degree/career? and turkey – currently we are working First and foremost, I’m a foodie at on products for Christmas. heart and have always had an interest in food. In fact, I originally wanted to What has been your educational become a chef - however, the reality route to this post? of anti-social hours and working in I studied A-level Home Economics, a hot kitchen swiftly changed my which was one of my favourite mind! I then began to think about subjects and then did a degree in how food ends up on our supermarket Consumer Studies at the University shelves, which triggered an interest of Ulster. As part of my degree, in food development. Another great I completed a placement year at inspiration for me was one of my Dunbia, where I got my first taste of lecturers at the University of Ulster food development and also earned – Dessie Hill, he was a fantastic a Diploma in Industrial Studies. speaker. His passion for food was Following graduation, I secured a job contagious and he really inspired me with Bakkavor, which is an Icelandic to follow my current career path. 38
What do you really like about Would you recommend food your job? development to other young people? One of the main things I love about my Food development is an exciting and job is the opportunity to be creative. I creative industry with a host of have my finger on the pulse of current opportunities. If you enjoy food trends and have to be ahead of the a fast-paced, but most of curve in product development. I take my all interesting career, inspiration from chefs and restaurants then food development and see how I can apply this to new is for you! products. In essence, I endeavour to make Moy Park the trend-setter! I also love seeing the end result – it’s fantastic when friends or family see something on supermarket shelves which I’ve worked on, or I see an ad on TV – it really is the most satisfying feeling.
Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry? I believe there is a great future for the food and drink industry in Northern Ireland and excellent opportunities exist for young people to develop skills and careers in the sector. Moy Park is a fantastic local employer and there are a range of opportunities for young graduates with the right attitude and an interest in the industry. Many of my colleagues started their careers at Moy Park and have grown with the company, developing their skills to progress within the business. Technology Careers
39
Food Technology Mairead McGurk
Brand Product Development Manager, Moy Park Ltd
Can you describe a typical career in the food working day? industry. It truly gave No two days are ever the same for me an insight into the Moy Park’s Product Development team. food sector and the In a typical day, I may travel to another opportunities that might be site to carry out trial work on a new open to me if I worked hard and concept, work on new products in the remained dedicated. Loughry College development kitchen with our team of CAFRE was key in the educational side chefs, or take part in a ‘Food Safari’ day. of the programme and gave me the I really enjoy the variety my job offers - knowledge I needed to succeed. there is never a dull moment - and we are always working on something new How does your work as a Product and exciting to bring to the market. Development Manager make the world a better place? What has been you educational As a Product Development Manager, route to this post? we take the hard work out of grocery I graduated from Queen’s University shopping for the consumer. By completing Belfast in 2007 with a BA Hons in the market research and development Politics. I really wanted to get into the work, we provide shoppers with the added world of work after I graduated and value and convenience they want from I had a keen interest in food. I products, which means shoppers don’t discovered the Parity ‘Premier Plus’ have to buy ingredients they would not Programme, funded by the Department normally purchase, to make the meal for Employment and Learning, which from scratch. As we are all getting busier gave non-food graduates an avenue into with less time in the evenings to cook, the food industry and I didn’t hesitate it is essential that there are healthy, to apply. This was the most influential tasty options for the consumer on the course I completed and kick-started my supermarket shelves.
40
What do you really like about your job? The variety, the team of colleagues I work with and of course, all the amazing food I get to taste!
Can you say something about your perception of future prospects in the agri-food industry? The future is bright in product development - we are constantly looking at new food trends, technologies and process improvements. Constant evolution means we are always busy.
How do balance your career with your personal life? I really do try to balance work and my personal life - I am a keen cyclist so this helps me to relax!
Would you recommend your area of work to other young people? Most definitely! Until I discovered food manufacturing as a career path, I was unaware of the opportunities that existed within the sector. I did not take the most traditional pathway into the food industry, but through time and hard work I managed to forge a career that I am happy with and can safely say is rewarding and challenging. Technology Careers
41
Food Technology Joanne Elliott
Technical Manager, Mash Direct
Describe your typical working day. What has been As Technical Manager at Mash Direct, your career path no two days are ever the same, so it to this post? is difficult to describe a typical working My career path has day, although this variety is what I not been straightforward, enjoy most about my role. On average, as I actually studied a joint I spend approximately 70% of my time honours in English and Spanish on the factory floor, completing checks at Queen’s University. However, to ensure everything is up to standard I embarked on a Fast Track Post- in terms of product quality and safety, Graduate Programme with Parity Training whilst making sure procedures are in Belfast, funded by the Department being adhered to. At Mash Direct, we for Employment and Learning, which have had a BRC A+ rating for food was designed to introduce non-science/ safety for several years, which we are food technology students into the food very proud of and these checks play industry. I would certainly recommend an integral role in maintaining it. I also such a Programme, as it enabled me deal with customer queries, assist with to undertake a placement as a Quality New Product Development Projects and Assistant, an area of food manufacture am continuously conducting tastings, I particularly enjoyed, which then led sampling products and trialling new to me being offered my first role as a recipes. There is daily interaction Quality Assistant, after just three months with like minded customers and placement. I later took on a Quality suppliers and we are always aiming to Manager post in a high risk environment improve on and create new customer and then moved into a Quality Manager specifications and expectations. role in fresh produce, before joining 42
Mash Direct as Technical Manager in What do you really like about January of this year. I have been very your job? fortunate to work for companies and, I love the fact that each day at Mash in particular, Mash Direct that offer full Direct is totally different and the job support behind their Technical Team. itself is very diverse. I am constantly They have always encouraged my learning new things and I have had development and provided for the lots of opportunities for personal needs of the team. development through training. I also particularly enjoy working in a What would you say about the future dedicated team where everyone is job prospects in your industry? encouraged to bring forward new The food and drink industry is one of ideas for product development and Northern Ireland’s biggest successes, production methods. It is this team as vibrant companies like Mash Direct work which has contributed to Mash continue to hit the headlines with Direct’s award winning success, positive news stories of expansion recently securing a further three Great and growth. This opens up a host of Taste Awards to add to our product exciting career opportunities for young portfolio, which is hugely rewarding people in all aspects of the industry. In for all of us. There’s never a dull particular, there are always jobs and moment working in this fast paced career opportunities within Technical environment, as ultimately we provide Departments, which were once described the end consumer with confidence in to me as ‘the heartbeat of the business’. the quality and safety of the product Mash Direct is a fantastic local employer they are buying. and as the business continues to evolve, new roles are developing all the time for Would you recommend food enthusiastic, forward thinking individuals. technology to young people starting out on their career? Definitely! Engineering
Careers Introduction Sometimes it is difficult to explain to a young person what an engineer does, but put simply, an engineer is someone who has specific scientific training and who designs, builds, improves, or maintains complicated products, machines, systems, or structures. Engineers will often say that their chief skill is solving problems in their particular field. But just how many fields of engineering are there? Some sources list up to 200 types of engineering, however, the main types of engineering covered in the profiles in this booklet are aerospace, chemical, civil, electronic and electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.
There are many ways into the engineering professions as the diagram on the next page illustrates. These include further and higher education, work experience and apprenticeships at different levels.
Engineers are employed in many types of industry in Northern Ireland, including the aerospace, construction, electricity generation and networking, food processing and manufacturing businesses. One of the civil engineers featured here, Catherine O’Neill, demonstrates that engineering can be a route to building your own business. Indeed a recent report in the Telegraph newspaper17 showed that of the 100 wealthiest people in the world, 22% studied engineering at university.
17 www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/11493648/What-degree-should-you-study-to-become-a-billionaire.html Article dated 25/3/15 and Accessed 1/6/15 Engineering Careers
45
Qualification Pathways to Career Success
• Higher Level Apprenticeship • A Levels Level 5 STEM subjects incorporating preferable foundation degree
• Level 3 Diploma • GCSEs A*-C or Level 3 • Level 2 Extended Extended Certificate Diploma
• Level 2 Diploma *From September 2016 Apprenticeships will be *From • Level 3 offered from Level 3 (A Levels) to Level 8 (PhD) Apprenticeship
• GCSE D-G
• Level 2 Apprenticeship
No formal qualifications • Training for Success provide training & skills development to Level 2 *From September 2016 a Youth Training Offer will September 2016 a Youth *From 46
• Doctoral Degree • Chartered (PhD) Engineer • Work-based (CEng) learning
• Professional • Accredited review process Bachelors • Fulfil Degree Engineering (honours) Council • Accredited standards
Masters (UK-SPEC) Degree • Incorporated Engineer • Foundation (IEng) Degree
• Higher • Assessed National training Certificate circumstances In exceptional HNC/HND may be acceptable • Fulfil
(HNC) Qualifications to Level 8 can be earned through a Higher Level Apprenticeship Engineering • Higher Council National standards • Engineering Diploma (HND) (UK-SPEC) Technician (EngTech)
• ICT Technician (ICT Tech) Engineering Careers
47
Aerospace Engineers Brendan Carey
Aerospace (Stress) Engineer, Nacelle Systems Consultancy Ltd, Belfast
Can you explain first what a nacelle is? suppliers, the engine manufacturer and A nacelle is a housing separate from an the air-framer. I am also responsible for aircraft fuselage, that holds engines, fuel, ensuring the structural integrity of the or equipment on the aircraft. In Nacelle engine components and regularly review Systems Consultancy (NSC), we design designs and work closely with our design engine nacelles. engineers to ensure that parts are robust enough for many years of service on the Can you describe a typical day? aircraft. A typical day involves both short and long-term planning of the tasks required Is aerospace engineering a good to achieve certification of the systems career? on aircraft engines. Good planning skills A career in a growing business like NSC are essential, as a typical engine nacelle has an abundance of opportunities and programme lasts about five years and responsibilities available. If you are will encompass design, analysis, testing prepared to seek them out, then it is highly and certification. My main role at the rewarding. The business is committed moment is to manage the integration to supporting its staff to achieve their between component suppliers, the goals through excellent training and airframe manufacturer and the aircraft development and it isn’t restricted by the engine manufacturer. It involves dealing corporate structure typically found in large with complex information, customer- businesses. supplier relationships and ensuring that the high safety standards required by the How does aerospace engineering make certification authorities are maintained. the world a better place? Aircraft programmes tend to involve global Being able to travel safely to all corners of co-operation and this one is no exception. the globe in a few hours is something we Coordinating all of this requires excellent all take for granted, however aerospace communication skills and I am regularly engineers are working hard every day involved in on-line conference calls with to ensure that remains the reality. NSC 48
forms a small part of that, by working on People like James Dyson, who have dogged the latest fuel efficient aircraft engines persistence and attention to detail, have and ensuring that the highest standards changed the world through their talent for of flight safety are maintained. NSC is innovation. However, they know better than committed to the sustainable growth most people that true success is built over of the business, through developing an time and cannot be achieved without the excellent team of people who can face up backing of an excellent team of people. to the challenges of the industry. What do you really like about your job? What has been your educational route The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing to this post? and being part of what can be achieved I graduated with a Masters in Aerospace whenever a team of skilled people pull Engineering from Queen’s University together to achieve something much bigger Belfast in 2009. than what anyone can achieve on their own.
Which professional institute do you Can you say anything about the future job belong to and what benefits does that prospects in your industry? offer you? Since I graduated, I have witnessed the local I am currently working towards becoming aerospace industry grow immensely with a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of unprecedented levels of investment in new Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). I think it factories and Research and Development. demonstrates a commitment to achieving With that investment, the demand for and raising engineering skill levels engineers is very high and I don’t see why within the business to our customers. that will change. I think Northern Ireland This is particularly important for a is being recognised globally as a centre young business like NSC, to compete of excellence in aerospace due to our successfully and become established engineering skills and innovation; within the aerospace industry, which the future looks bright. is strongly focused on achieving high standards. Would you recommend aerospace engineering to other young people? Did you have a role model in mind Now is a fantastic time to join a company when you chose your degree? like NSC. It is a growing business within an My Dad is an engineer, so I think I have industry which is forecast to grow over the inherited his passion for building things next 20 years, due to increase in the global and understanding how machines work. demand for new aircraft. That means that When it came to choosing a career, there will be a huge amount of opportunities engineering seemed to be the obvious available for any young person joining the choice. There are many people at the company in the near future. With the top of their industries whom I admire. opportunities also come the rewards! Engineering Careers
49
Aerospace Engineers Suzanne Breslin
Aerospace, Stress Engineer, Bombardier Belfast
Can you describe a typical working Stress engineers day? are primarily I am employed by Bombardier as a employed to ensure the structure Senior Stress Engineer and I work in of an aircraft is as light as possible, the Damage Tolerance Group within whilst still being able to carry the the Stress Office. My working day structural design loads and satisfy the begins with checking and answering in-service durability and maintenance any technical queries I have received, requirements of the aircraft. The followed by prioritising and planning my Stress Department is responsible for tasks for the day. I gather and request the structural integrity of an aeroplane, any information that I am likely to need, ensuring it complies with the standards make contact with suppliers to ensure set by the regulatory authorities. The nothing is holding them back and discuss principal means of compliance include plans and issues with my team. A lot of different analyses and testing, such our suppliers work in different time zones as static analysis, fatigue analysis, and so a certain level of time planning and durability and damage tolerance is essential: for example, we work with analysis, along with full scale and people in Montreal, who are five hours component testing. A stress engineer behind us and in Bangalore in India, needs a good understanding of how a who are four and a half hours ahead. structure will react and behave under In addition, there can be language particular conditions, material properties and cultural differences to negotiate. and characteristics and fabrication and Throughout the day, I may be required assembly methods. to attend meetings, have telephone conferences and participate in various technical discussions. 50
What has been your educational continue to be strong, as manufacturers route to this post? recognise the need for increased I studied Maths, Physics and Chemistry investment in research and development for A level and then I completed a degree and customers seek more cost efficient in Aeronautical Engineering at Queen’s aircraft, with reduced environmental University, Belfast, graduating in 1988. footprints, to meet exacting regulatory standards. What do you really like about your job? How do you balance your career My job is never boring; it is a constant with your personal life? challenge to keep up with advancing Bombardier has flexible working analytical techniques. Although the arrangements available for employees, basic principles of structural engineering like me, who have caring responsibilities, remain unchanged, the means by which so I have mostly been able to achieve we complete our analysis and the tools a work/life balance that suits my family which we use are constantly changing needs and is also satisfactory to my and that means personal development employer. is a permanent requirement. There is an increasing need to work with a Would you recommend your area range of global suppliers and so for of work to young people? some employees there are a lot of Yes, I would. I have always enjoyed opportunities to travel. working in Bombardier and have found my career challenging and interesting. Can you say something about your Some aircraft programmes have been perception of future prospects for more demanding than others, but that the aerospace industry/ aerospace adds to the variety! And I have been engineers? fortunate enough to work with a group I think there are definitely positive of people who have always behaved prospects for the aerospace engineers professionally, treated each other of the future, both locally in Northern with respect and behaved Ireland and in the wider UK and global with complete integrity. markets. It is estimated there is a global requirement for over 60,000 new civil aircraft over the next 20 years. So the demand for design and manufacture of aerospace components should Engineering Careers
51
Chemical Engineers Chris Taylor
Process engineer, Kilwaughter Chemical, Larne
What has been your educational/ daunting, professional route to this post? because I was From an early age and even throughout still uncertain on school, my Technology and Science my career direction. teacher told me that I should study I was delighted to Engineering. At that point I wanted to secure the Process go into Chemistry. While studying for my Engineer opportunity at A-levels, I knew that I wanted to go down Kilwaughter Chemical the Chemistry route. I applied to do Company Ltd and have found Chemistry at Queen’s University. During my role both challenging and rewarding. my first semester, I completed modules It’s great being able to put my studies in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering into practice. I am learning every day and Maths. It was at this stage I and receive coaching and mentoring switched my career focus to Chemical from experienced engineers onsite. Engineering, as I found the module really interesting. Can you describe a typical working day? Would you say that Chemical I am currently working on a large project Engineering represents a good to install a major piece of operational career? plant onsite. With the installation phase, Absolutely! Chemical Engineering I am dealing with several different types needs a good solid background in of contractors, in order to progress the chemistry to understand the nature of work to the next stage. As part of the the chemical process and the movement company’s three year vision, Kilwaughter of materials. After graduating, I began is constantly investing in new plant and looking for work opportunities and with machinery, so there is always a new my degree there were a variety of options project of interest on the horizon. open to me. The choice was initially 52
My role involves project management Would you recommend your type of and co-ordination skills to ensure engineering to young people starting everything is running to schedule and will out on their career? meet deadlines. It’s a great project to Personally, if someone had an interest be involved with. in Chemistry and working with plant, I would highly recommend they consider My days generally involve meeting with a degree in Chemical Engineering, the contractors and sourcing materials. as it takes parts from both sides and When I am not with contractors I am opens up a whole new way of thinking specifying details for new pieces of and looking at things. After all, it was equipment and their requirements, or a chemical engineer that invented the looking at plans to see how we can post-it note by accident! improve the process before we finalise completion times.
What do you really like about your job? I love the diverse range of tasks in my working day. Every day is different due to the nature of my job. Working mostly on a construction project, I have to always be mindful of the projects in the pipeline and co-ordinate all the onsite contractors to ensure the operations run smoothly. So I have had a great deal of responsibility early in my career. Engineering Careers
53
Civil Engineers Catherine O’Neill
Civil Engineer, Managing Director, Amelio Utilities Limited
Catherine, what do you do a living? What age were you when you I am the managing Director of Amelio decided to become an engineer? Utilities Limited. At school, my strengths were in science and maths rather than in the arts. In I founded Amelio whilst studying at lower sixth, I made the decision to study Queen’s University, Belfast. I graduated civil engineering at university. At that from Queen’s in 2012, with a first class stage, engineering appeared to be an Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. excellent career option, as there were Amelio Utilities Ltd is an engineering lots of job opportunities and prospects firm with particular emphasis on for engineering students. Drainage and Civil Engineering. Amelio I went to Queen’s University Belfast. focus on giving clients the optimum I loved studying Civil Engineering service, based on solid advice and there and this confirmed to me that expertise - and on utilising the most engineering was the correct career path advanced and innovative technology for me. and equipment available. We provide services such as CCTV drainage During my final years at Queen’s, it was inspection surveys, sewer cleansing becoming more apparent that there were services, drain repair utilising no dig fewer employment opportunities in civil technology, to name but a few. engineering within Ireland and the UK, We currently have offices in Belfast, owing to the economic downturn. A lot of Dublin & Gloucester and we aim my peers travelled to Canada, Australia to increase our market share of and the Middle East, where it appeared the civil engineering and drainage there were still plenty of opportunities. industry throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom over the coming I decided, however, that I wanted to months/years. continue my career in Ireland or the UK. I had noted that there appeared to still 54
be opportunities within specialist areas of gained greatly from the wisdom and engineering. I decided to set up my own knowledge of mentors and have also engineering firm offering new and better benefitted greatly from advice and services. I was determined to place guidance provided by a variety of Amelio in the industry as a knowledge- entrepreneurs / business people, based company, with a mission to be to whom I am indebted for their constantly innovative. guidance and encouragement.
What would you say were the How many people do you employ now? deciding influences in you becoming Amelio currently employs approximately an engineer? 50 members of staff throughout the UK & On the basis of my subject choices, my Ireland. I hope that as the company grows parents were keen that I should study and expands that this number will increase accountancy. significantly over the coming years.
However, one thing which had stuck in What reactions do you get from young my mind was watching a programme, people, in particular young women, some years earlier, about business in when you tell your story? Northern Ireland. Orla Corr, one of I find that most people are very interested. the Directors of the McAvoy group, was featured. I remember being impressed I do stress to them however, that I am still that she appeared to be a very strong at a very early stage in the development woman, working in what would have of my company and I continue to benefit been perceived as a male dominated from the knowledge and experience of all environment. It made me think that the mentors introduced to me. perhaps I could also work within All in all, I am still on a very steep learning engineering. I saw Orla Corr as a role curve as I strive to become adept at the model; someone that I could emulate. many wide and varied aspects of running How important has a good role model a business, such as expertise in Human been for your career choices? Resources, Finance, Marketing, working Orla Corr was important to me as a with the banks and so on. role model and therefore in my view, a What are your plans for the future of visible female role model is absolutely essential if girls are to be encouraged to your company? consider a career in science, technology, At the moment my 10 year plan/goal is engineering or mathematics. for Amelio to become the most advanced, customer- focused and successful I also believe that mentors are drainage utilities company throughout the invaluable. I have worked with and UK and Ireland. Engineering Careers
55
Civil Engineers Julie Templeton
Senior Civil Engineer & Assistant Commercial Manager, Atkins Limited, Belfast
What has been your educational interest. This makes it possible to work route to this post? easily all across the world and have I studied Maths, Science and Technology the pay and benefits to go along with at GCSE and A-Level, before taking it. Working locally, Civil Engineering still a Masters of Engineering degree in offers good salary packages and career Environmental and Civil Engineering at advancement. I have progressed from Queen’s University, Belfast. I joined summer student to senior civil engineer Atkins for a summer work placement with Atkins and have had the opportunity and then again after graduation on their to work in various locations across graduate programme and have been with the UK. them ever since. Also, given the significant projects and Who or what most influenced your contracts that civil engineers work choice of degree/career? on, the ability to become a contract My school teachers were very passionate specialist exists. In a contracting about science and this led me to environment, this would be as a consider a career in science/engineering Contracts Manager. In the consulting early in my school life. I chose Civil world, it would be in a role similar to Engineering, as I was able to make a mine as a Commercial Manager. tangible difference to the world around me. I love nothing more than pointing How does Civil Engineering make the out my work in the real world. world a better place? What do you really like about your job? Would you say that Civil Engineering My projects aim to improve the quality represents a good career? of rivers and plan for flooding – this has Civil Engineering is a great career; a wider impact of improving the local there are an infinite number of routes environment and educating people on to specialise within your particular managing flood risk. I am immensely 56
proud of the river restoration I was Since gaining Chartership, I have involved in designing and constructing progressed into more senior roles in my – fish have now been spotted using company and recently was appointed sections of the river they hadn’t used Assistant Commercial Manager for my in decades. division, Water, Ground & Environment. In this role, I review bids, assist project Having tangible objects and results from teams on any problems with projects your job makes Civil Engineering unique; and interact with the senior staff in my this is the thing I like best about my organisation on commercial matters for job. My work in Civil Engineering also the business. I undertook the ICE’s Law satisfies my own personal interest and Contract Procedure training and in the environment and sustainability. examinations to further support my new role. Which professional institute do you belong to and what benefits does Can you say anything about the future that offer you? job prospects in your industry? Getting a degree in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering is still very much a male- is the first step to becoming a dominated industry, though more and professional engineer with an more girls enter the profession every year. engineering institution such as the I think it is a great career and more girls Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). should consider it. There is always need I became an ICE student member for civil engineers, especially with aging while at university to connect to infrastructure and the recent flooding other civil engineers and attend local experienced across the UK. The future training events. After graduation, job prospects are strong and given the I changed to graduate membership number of positions reportedly needing and signed up to a training agreement. filled across the UK, it looks like there will This agreement, between the graduate be a shortage of graduates over the next and their employer, means you agree few years. to work together to achieve the ICE Development Objectives for professional Also, I have found that there are qualifications. I continued to attend significant opportunities for career training and social events with other ICE advancement in the Civil Engineering members to help meet my objectives. profession. The type of work and projects I took my professional review with the that you do can make you an expert in a ICE in 2010 and earned my Chartership. particular area, or allow you to become a I am a full member of the Institution Project Manager, Commercial Manager or and considered a professionally Business Manager. qualified engineer. Engineering Careers
57
Electrical and Electronic Engineers Joanna Barclay
Electrical Engineering Student, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE)
What is your role? I was an NIE apprentice, but I’m now an electrical engineering student.
What has been your educational What is the route to this post? Apprentice to I studied for a BTEC in Electrical & Graduate scheme? Electronic Engineering in Belfast The Apprentice to Metropolitan College and completed Graduate programme my HND in Electrical & Electronic is a new scheme that Engineering. I then applied for the opened in 2013, where NIE NIE apprenticeship programme sponsors successful apprentices and completed my three year to undertake an electrical and apprenticeship as an overhead lines engineering degree with Queen’s person. In 2013, my career path took University. The scheme not only helps a new direction when NIE offered the me get a step closer to achieving my Apprentice to Graduate programme. ambitions, but it is a good way for NIE I applied and was the first to be to build on the practical knowledge accepted onto the programme and am apprentices have gained to fulfil a now a full time electrical engineering skills shortage. student at Queen’s University. 58
Do you enjoy the electrical What do you really like about engineering course? electrical engineering? It’s a very interesting course. At first, it I am a very determined person who loves was hard to adjust from a practical job a challenge, therefore I love the problem where I was working outside to studying solving involved within the course. I love in the classroom, but I’m really enjoying that it’s so versatile and there is so much the mix of academic and practical to learn, it’s very difficult to get bored. learning from the course so far. Would you recommend this career to How does electrical engineering others? make the world a better place? I would highly recommend a career Electrical engineering is incorporated in engineering, as it opens up a lot of into every bit of our modern day lives. It opportunities such a working in other can be seen in everything that we use countries. There’s lots of variety and if and do. From the light you switch on you enjoy Science and Maths subjects, in the morning, to the phone you use it’s the perfect job field. throughout the day, to the car that gets you home at night. There is a great level of satisfaction that comes from having an idea and being able to create a design that is going to benefit people.
Who or what most influenced your choice of degree/career? From a very young age, I have always had a keen interest in electricity. I think this interest may have come from my father working as a cable jointer on the underground cables. I have always wanted to pursue a career in the electricity industry and I believe that undertaking the degree will help me achieve this. Engineering Careers
59
Electrical and Electronic Engineers Ailish McLaughlin
Small Scale Generation Planner at Northern Ireland Electricity
A Typical Day Salary A day in my job can vary. and Benefits I deal with customers who are planning NIE offers a very how renewable generators, such as wind generous salary on turbines or solar panels can be connected the graduate programme to the grid. Landowners and homeowners starting at £26,500 producing their own electricity (and selling (as of 2015), increasing by the excess) has become really popular approximately £2,000 each over the last number of years, so my year in the two year programme. department is extremely busy. How do you find meaning in your I work with customers across Northern career? Ireland, planning and quoting the When working for a company such as NIE, connection. I am mostly office- based, you are essentially working to ensure the but part of the role also requires visits to people of NI are provided with electricity customers’ properties. When on site, 24/7. This is done through day to day I meet the customer to discuss where the work, but also when storms strike, it is renewable generator is to be located and important to assist colleagues in order the best way to design the layout of the to return customer supplies as soon as NIE equipment and overhead line. possible. Northern Ireland’s electricity grid was designed many years ago, with three Also, by working within the Small Scale power stations feeding electricity out Generation department, I am connecting to all homes and businesses. Today, Renewable sources of generation and this we have thousands of small generators is beneficial in terms of helping the global producing electricity, which requires energy crisis and ensuring NI meets the considerable planning – essentially we’re 40% of electricity generated to come from re-engineering the grid to facilitate this. renewable resources by 2020 target. 60
Educational Route What do you like about your job? I studied Maths, Physics, History and In my job, I get to work with a great bunch Politics for A-Level and decided to of people, who are really helpful and go to Queen’s University and study never find any question too stupid! an MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I carried out a placement What are the future prospects in in NIE between my second and third Electricity Utilities? year at university and really enjoyed With a rise in new technologies within the it, so and decided to try and get a electricity sector, there is a huge demand graduate position after graduation. for engineers, but particularly electrical engineers. Within NIE, many people are Professional Institute and benefits due to retire in the next few years and I am a member of the Institute of this leaves many vacancies that need to Engineering and Technology and this be filled, but there is a shortage of people provides access to many engineering studying engineering. events and activities, which can allow you to meet new people within the Would you recommend electrical sector. The IET also offers guidance to engineering to young people? new graduate engineers, who are only I would highly recommend young starting out in their careers. students to consider studying electrical engineering, because it has given me Did you have a role model and who some great opportunities so far in my influenced your career? life. I got to meet some great friends at My uncle Liam was an engineer and university and it led to a job straight out he always encouraged me to try my of university, which many other degrees hardest at whatever I chose to do. He cannot offer in the current economic always enjoyed speaking to me about climate. The salaries on offer with many my degree and the different topics I engineering companies, particularly NIE, was studying and how this related to are also substantial and this is a bonus his job. This was good, as it allowed when repaying the student loan! me to see how it applied in real life work.
My A-Level Physics teacher, Mr Laverty, encouraged me to follow a career in Electrical Engineering, because of the job opportunities available within the sector. Engineering Careers
61
Electrical and Electronic Engineers Steven Baird
Systems Design Team Leader, Sensata Technologies (formerly Schrader Electronics), Antrim
Can you give us an outline of your Ireland to join Schrader Electronics career to date? (now Sensata Technologies) in 2008. On completion of my degree in 2004, The opportunities I’ve had in Schrader I moved to Brussels, Belgium as a to experience the business from many Graduate Wiring Harness engineer viewpoints has been fantastic. An in Toyota Motor Europe’s Electronics engineering degree has provided me department. The Graduate programme with the flexibility to work in Schrader’s was designed to provide a practical Manufacturing department, the foundation in the famous “Toyota Purchasing department’s Supplier Quality Way”, which has made Toyota a leading team and my current role as Systems vehicle manufacturer. One of the Design Team leader in the research and many Graduate experiences I enjoyed development department. was working for eight weeks in the Burnastone plant’s weld shop, where the What was your educational route? Corolla and Avensis vehicles were built. Limavady Grammar: GCSEs This was a very hands-on experience North West Regional College, Limavady: of the Toyota production system and BTEC Engineering a lesson that the decisions I make as University of Ulster, Magee: BEng a Design engineer have an impact on Electronics and Computing the efficiency of a production plant. On completion of the Graduate scheme, I Who or what most influenced your had earned the respect of my Japanese choice of degree and then your mentors and was asked to relocate to Career choice? Nagoya, Japan to work alongside and While studying for my GCSEs, I knew I learn from the top designers in Toyota’s was interested in engineering but wasn’t Technical Centre. In total, I spent sure which area. Instead of continuing two years in Belgium and two years to A-Levels, I decided to do an in Japan, before returning to Northern Engineering BTEC because I would have 62
the opportunity to experience various What do you really enjoy about your engineering disciplines. I enjoyed all the role? subjects and was very close to choosing At Schrader Electronics, I really an Agricultural Engineering course at enjoy being part of our Research and Harper Adams University, but finally Development team’s relentless drive decided on Electronics and Computing to stay ahead of our competition and at University of Ulster, Magee, because I remain the leading global supplier of was so impressed with the number of job Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems, by opportunities for the course graduates at continually improving our features, that time. products and service. There is a real satisfaction going head-to-head with Tell us what a typical day involves? competitors for new business, knowing Thanks to our global customer base a that we have done those extra miles on working day contains a lot of variety. the test track and put the extra thought I find the unique working styles and into our designs. Being involved in the expectations of each customer very winning of multi-million pound contracts interesting. My engineering role has is routine for us. presented me with opportunities to travel all over the world, carrying out What advice would you give to young various test activities, presenting new people considering a career in the concepts and troubleshooting concerns. STEM arena? The diversity definitely keeps the job Go for it. Following a STEM path interesting, whether it is testing a new will provide so many choices and system feature at a customer’s high opportunities to many different and speed track hidden deep in a Japanese exciting areas of work. When I chose forest, or on a crowded Bangalore Engineering, I never imagined that highway, validating a receiver location I would have had the opportunity to on an electric vehicle, to ensure robust experience the thrill of working at the system performance. world’s number one car manufacturer, Toyota and the world’s number one tyre pressure monitoring company, Schrader Electronics. Engineering Careers
63 Mechanical
Engineers 64
Introduction There are many different types of roles performed by Mechanical Engineers. In this section, we have quality and continuous improvement engineers, design engineers, project engineers and production engineers and these are only a few of the posts filled by people with mechanical engineering skills. Another important message to note is that there are different pathways into engineering. Several of the engineers featured have gone through the apprenticeship route and some others have studied for a university degree. Engineering Careers
65
Mechanical Engineers Clare Johnston
Senior Continuous Improvement Engineer, Terex, Omagh
Can you describe a typical working day? Lean thinking is crucial for any company’s Not really! My role comprises continued growth and profitability and Lean implementation of the Terex Business Manufacturing Engineers will always be System through Continuous Improvement sought after. and the application of Lean Manufacturing Principles, which means that every day for Do you think your type of engineering me is highly varied. makes a positive contribution to the wider world? I facilitate training sessions in Lean Lean Manufacturing Principles ensure that Principles, Problem Solving Techniques, unnecessary waste and therefore costs are Behavioural Based Safety and in eliminated or reduced. Supervisory Skills. I organise and run team Kaizen events, as well as coaching other The equipment we produce and the services team members. we provide to our customers are increasingly efficient, productive and competitively priced Spending time on the shop floor increases for the wide variety of applications in which my awareness of day to day production they are used. activities and allows the chance to communicate with other team members. Terex Omagh crushers are used during construction of infrastructure around the Would you say that you have a good world, including some well-known projects, career? such as the Rio de Janeiro World Cup 2014 Lean Manufacturing as a whole is an and Olympic 2016 stadia. They are used excellent career path to choose, as it can in all sorts of demolition recycling, such be applied so readily to any aspect of any as in the aftermath of natural disasters for business. For example, lean principles are clean-up operations and have even been notably being adapted into NHS thinking used to destroy illegal ivory, seized by the for eliminating and streamlining wasteful U.S. government, increasing awareness of activities and processes. conservation efforts. 66
What has been your educational/ What do you really like about your job? professional route to this post? My job is so varied, it allows me the I enrolled in the University of Ulster, to opportunity to get involved in numerous study BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Systems aspects of the business. This means it is Management with a Diploma in Industrial always really interesting and I am always Studies, to be gained through a placement learning new things. I am not tied to a desk year in Industry. and often get to work with diverse teams of people, motivating them in driving change The placement year was incredibly and helping them solve problems, which I find beneficial for gaining an insight to life in enjoyable and fulfilling. employment and for making future career decisions. I can’t recommend placement I have also been fortunate enough to travel to enough to future undergraduates. various other Terex sites in Europe and in North America, which has been very inspiring and As I was placed with a small manufacturing worthwhile for my own development personally company producing heavy machinery, the and within the company. range of experience I gained in Production, Manufacturing, Facilities and Supply Can you say anything about the future job Chain, was invaluable and I was offered a prospects in your industry? permanent position with the company upon The Manufacturing / Engineering industry is a graduation. key foundation for any strong economy. After commencing employment as Assistant In 2012/2013, £16.9billion was generated Production Manager, I quickly progressed to for the N. Ireland economy through total Production Manager, primarily responsible manufacturing sales (detini.gov.uk). for scheduling, assigning labour, shop floor This is all really promising for an exciting and supervision, quality checks and human profitable future in this industry and I would resource management. Being the female encourage any job seeker to consider the manager of an all-male workforce had numerous opportunities on offer. the potential to present a few challenges, but was actually a very successful and Would you recommend engineering to rewarding role, which I thoroughly enjoyed. young people starting out on their career? Absolutely! After working abroad for a time, I applied for a Manufacturing Engineer position in Terex. Forget any traditional notion you have of what I started on the Omagh site in October an Engineer is and recognise the incredible 2010, progressed to Senior Manufacturing diversity of people and roles accessible to you. Engineer in 2011 and then to my current position as Senior Continuous Improvement The beauty of our industry is that there are (CI) Engineer in 2013, after finding that I countless paths available to choose from when had an affinity for Lean Manufacturing. you do join the workforce. Engineering Careers
67
Mechanical Engineers Fiona Finlay
Project Engineer – Moy Park, Craigavon
Can you describe a typical day? What has been No day in the life of a Project Engineer your educational is ever the same! My day to day route to this post? responsibilities range from installing I studied A-level Physics, Maths and equipment, such as a new oven or Chemistry at school and then went belt in the factory, to overseeing on to complete a Master’s degree in redevelopment work on site. I manage Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering projects from the drawing board (so to at Queen’s University Belfast. speak) to completion - for example, we are currently working on an office What most influenced your choice redevelopment at our Craigavon site. I of career? dealt with the initial design concepts I always knew I wanted to train for a and drawing up specifications – as vocational job and I had a passion for well as keeping track of project costs Maths and Physics. I had a friend who throughout. I monitor the project every was a Mechanical Engineer and once I step of the way, dealing with whatever had spoken with them about a career in challenges crop up and ensuring engineering, I knew it was for me. everything runs smoothly. The nature of my job means I can be involved in any aspect of the project, from initial preparations for installation of equipment, to dealing with scheduling builders, plumbers and electricians – time management is key! 68
What do you really like about Would you recommend Project your job? engineering to other young people? For me it’s the completion of a project My role as a Project Engineer is - I love taking a piece of work from the constantly changing, with new initial concept and making it happen! challenges everyday - so it would have With new equipment installation, I to be a resounding yes! have to factor in factory layout, supply of services, drainage, safety and time scales, whilst ensuring any work I carry out is in line with the day-to-day running of the factory. I have to think of all possibilities to avoid any surprises – even basic things like checking the equipment fits through the doorways! I really enjoy being part of a team. My colleagues are great, they make my job fun and interesting and I get great support from all of them.
Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry? The engineering industry has a wide range of opportunities for anyone who has the right attitude – namely a bit of gumption and common sense! Moy Park is a great example of a local company with a range of opportunities for graduates with engineering qualifications. Engineering Careers
69
Mechanical Engineers Gillian Harkness
Quality Engineer, Terex, Dungannon
Terex manufactures equipment used in engineering field. the construction, quarrying and mining As a quality engineer industries and has facilities all over the I have the opportunity to world including Dungannon and Omagh. work with all areas of the business including the design, Describe your typical working day supply chain, production and As a Quality Engineer, I have manufacturing teams. There is a responsibility for improving customer wealth of opportunity available to satisfaction across the product range. those who have studied STEM subjects. I work as part of a cross-functional team, Terex have also launched a Women@ to support production and approximately Terex Initiative, which aims to increase 80% of my day is spent on the shop the attraction, development and floor. I am required to assure our retention of women, particularly in products meet quality criteria, while leadership positions and line positions liaising with production to continuously like Engineering, Sales and Operations. improve quality standards within our operations. We use lean manufacturing How does your work impact on tools to monitor and deliver on our people’s lives? zero defects target. We also liaise with At Terex you contribute to producing the suppliers to optimise the quality of equipment that builds roads, bridges, component parts. hospitals, schools and other structures that help improve the lives of people Would you say your type of throughout the world. As an example, engineering represents a good our machines were used in preparation career? for London 2012, as well as to assist I think it is a good career, which with clean up operations in countries offers many opportunities within the after natural disasters. 70
What has been your educational/ What are the future job prospects in professional route to this post? your industry? I attended Omagh Academy Grammar There are many job prospects available School, where I studied Maths, Physics within the manufacturing industry. Here and Geography for A-Level. I then went at Terex, the company is committed to on to study Mechanical Engineering at promoting internally and support career Heriot-Watt University. My first job was at development through formal training Copeland Ltd, as an Industrial Engineer. programs. Terex also offers engineering Over the course of 10 years, I had the secondment opportunities to our facilities opportunity to work and travel in the US in the US, Asia and Australia. and to Germany and also completed my MBA at the University of Ulster. I Would you recommend your line of joined Terex Omagh in 2008 as a quality work to young people starting out on engineer to gain further manufacturing their career? experience and in 2011, transferred into Entry level roles in engineering provide a similar role at the Terex Dungannon a fantastic grounding. Almost half the facility. world’s crushing and screening industry is based in the Tyrone area, as is the What do you enjoy about your job? supply base that feeds it. Terex is I like that fact that no two days are the continuing to expand its operations in same and I am continually growing and Northern Ireland, which will create many developing my experience. In my time in opportunities for those studying STEM Dungannon, I’ve been placed in different subjects. areas, so there’s always plenty to learn. With the continuous development and introduction of new machines, there’s always something new. I get to work with a diverse group of products and people, which exposes me to many different cultures and backgrounds and allows me to grow both individually and professionally Engineering Careers
71
Mechanical Engineers Ronan Harkin
Graduate Project Design Engineer, CDE Global, Cookstown
Can you describe a typical How does working day? mechanical A typical day as a Project Design engineering Engineer can involve ordering parts/ make the world components for the manufacture of a better place? standard machinery and also designing I am evolved in designing any non-standard parts for on-going machinery that will be used projects. to wash raw aggregate material. By designing more efficient machinery, I am responsible for developing we can reduce the amount of the world’s standard products, by implementing raw material that is lost/wasted during improved designs and processes. I the washing process. At CDE, we also also provide technical assistance to provide a range of recycling equipment fabrication and assembly teams during that can be used to reduce the amount the manufacture of any machines that of waste aggregate material being sent I was involved in during the design to landfill sites. process.
Would you say that mechanical engineering represents a good career? I would say that mechanical engineering is a very good career choice. There is a wide range of applications where this career can be applied, providing endless opportunities for development as an engineer. 72
What has been your educational/ Can you say anything about the professional route to this post? future job prospects in your industry? After completing my Leaving Certificate From my experience of work in a Exams at school level, I studied mechanical engineering field, I see Mechanical Engineering at the University continual growth in the industry which of Ulster at BEng Level. I later transferred is, in turn, leading to a high demand onto the MEng Mechanical Engineering for qualified mechanical engineers Degree, where I studied at both the worldwide. University of Ulster and the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences. Would you recommend mechanical After completing that degree, I was engineering to young people starting offered employment at CDE Global out on their career? as a Graduate Project Design Engineer. I would highly recommend mechanical engineering to anyone starting out What do you really like about your on a new career path. Mechanical job? engineering can be applied in a What I like most about my job is the wide range of industries and this, in wide range of activates that I am turn, provides good opportunities for involved in, ranging from detailed design employment and travel. projects, to providing assistance to the manufacturing team on the shop floor. I have also been given great opportunities to travel, on site visits, across the world. Engineering Careers
73
Mechanical Engineers David Elliott
Final Year Apprentice Project Design Engineer - CDE Global
Can you describe a typical How does design working day? engineering make A typical working day involves 3D and the world a better 2D design, combined with problem place? solving and key thinking as part of a Problem solving and logical team. It can range from day to day on thinking has developed the the specifics of what you are doing, to world into the modernised place it working with new challenges to solve is and it is with constant innovative ideas and overcome. from the engineering sector that we continue to grow and develop ourselves. Would you say that design One small idea = One big difference. engineering represents a good career? What has been your educational/ Design engineering, as many other professional route to this post? forms of engineering, has excellent Completed GCSEs and A-levels in starting salaries and benefits, with the secondary school, moved onto an ability to advance to higher levels with apprentice scheme within South West committment and application. I would College and joined CDE as an apprentice. recommend design engineering to anyone interested, as it a good career Year 1 + 2 = Level 3 diploma in with plenty of prospects for further Engineering, NVQ Level 2&3 Engineering development. + Co working through CDE
Year 3 + 4 = Foundation Degree in Manufacturing Engineering (Currently moving into my fourth year) + co-working through CDE 74
What do you really like about your job? I enjoy the problem solving and the 3D design within my job and particularly like the opportunities given to me to help further myself.
Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry? I will finish my foundation degree next year and become a Design Engineer. From there, I will hopefully progress my career further up the ladder, as there are opportunities opening up all the time.
Would you recommend design engineering to young people starting out on their career? Absolutely, with the industry and time we are in, engineering has some excellent career opportunities across all sectors for innovative people, who want to make a difference. Engineering Careers
75
Mechanical Engineers Julie Anderson
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Sensata Technologies (formally Schrader Electronics Ltd.)
Can you describe a typical day in was intrigued by how the role of a Mechanical Design these machines were Engineer? designed and assembled. There is no such thing as a typical day My first job from university for most mechanical engineers. Projects was as a Manufacturing move through different stages and can Engineer, where I experienced the change very quickly, so the issues and assembly side of the process. This gave challenges faced constantly evolve. me real world insight into the importance The role always requires a great deal of of good design and the challenges it communication. This can be with people poses, so when the opportunity to work inside or external to the company. My as a Mechanical Design Engineer came role currently requires a lot of customer up, I was keen to put what I had learned interaction and although this mainly into practice. happens from the office, it can, at times, mean travelling across the globe to meet What was your educational route face-to-face. to this role? I studied Maths, Chemistry and What made you choose Mechanical Physics at A- Level, followed by BEng Design? (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at the From a young age, I was curious about University of Ulster. how things work, but my interest in Mechanical Engineering was first sparked on a visit to my uncle’s welding and fabrication business in Australia. They manufacture and maintain huge pieces of equipment for the mining and exploration industry. The sheer scale of things impressed me and I 76
What opportunities have you had What does the future hold for your in your role? Industry? In my role with Schrader, I have had I am optimistic for the future of many opportunities to travel to countries mechanical engineering in Northern across the world, including Japan, China Ireland. Northern Ireland has a long and the USA. My greatest opportunity history of innovation and Schrader so far has been to take a secondment Electronics is a testament to that. If we in Munich for a year, where I took up can continue to produce a high calibre the role of mechanical liaison for the of engineering talent, I believe we can Schrader sales team. Luckily, Schrader maintain and attract new and innovative management actively encourage such companies here. There is currently adventures. high demand for engineers, both locally and internationally and as engineers What do you really like about are at the forefront of technology and your job? development, I can’t see this changing. I like the variety of my job – you never know what each day will bring, especially What is the best advice you when dealing with customer demands. have received? I also like the satisfaction of problem Don’t be afraid to stand out from the solving and the organisation and detail crowd. As a female mechanical engineer required as an engineer in this industry this can be unavoidable, but until you really appeals to me. step outside your comfort zone, you will never know the full extent of what you can achieve. Mathematics
Careers Introduction Mathematics is a key STEM subject and having numeracy skills underpins many of the qualifications and careers discussed in this document, however there are numerous STEM businesses in which degrees in mathematical subjects are much sought after. As the profiles in this section show, these posts include data and financial analysts and process control engineers. Data analyst has been listed as one of ‘10 jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago’ by the Digital Marketing Institute in 2014. However, the area of data analysis of Big Data is likely to grow and impact more on our lives, as it can be used to spot business trends and even help to diagnose and prevent diseases and combat crime. Mathematics Careers
79
Mathematics Sarah Thompson
Data Analyst, Deloitte
Can you describe a typical both innovative working day? and creative We use a range of agile techniques through the recently in the deployment, delivery and opened Belfast management of analytic services and Technology Studio. solutions to solve business challenges faced by our clients, across a wide What has been your variety of industry sectors. Currently, educational/professional I am working as part of a large team route to this post? developing an enterprise performance I studied accounting at Queen’s management system for a government University, Belfast, after which I decided body, which will transform how they to undertake a Master’s degree in manage their financial data. A working Finance. Following this, I participated in day can vary between liaising with the inaugural Deloitte Analytics Training clients, providing training to a range of Academy, funded by the Department stakeholders and working closely with for Employment and Learning under the project team to design and develop the Assured Skills programme, which a solution using leading technologies, included an intense nine-week training including IBM Cognos TM1 and Microsoft course in data analytics and a five-week SQL Server. placement in Deloitte. The Academy provides graduates who have an array of Is data analytics a good career? different degree types with an insight into Data analytics is an interesting career, how data analytics can be combined with which is highly competitive and business intelligence to provide unique rewarding. Deloitte offers a competitive ways of problem solving. My educational salary for graduates, supporting further background is non-technical and it gave learning and training and providing many me the opportunity to develop these opportunities to progress within this skills, which I now use in my every industry. Deloitte also offers a new day work, as well as gaining industry type of working environment which is recognised qualifications. 80
What do you really like about Would you recommend data analytics your job? to young people starting out on their I like the variety - day to day activities career? vary quite significantly, depending on the I would recommend data analytics to phase of the project and the particular young people as a career choice, as client. It also involves travelling to various organisations are only now realising destinations within Britain and further the full potential of their data. It is abroad. The work can be challenging, very satisfying to be able to work on but also rewarding as you are continually something which will have many benefits trying to exceed a client’s expectations, to the customer and can shape how as well as develop new business and their business develops. Regardless of technical skills. It is satisfying to know what discipline you studied, if you are that within a project you are not only interested in problem solving, facing new involved in building a solution, but also challenges and learning a new set of have the opportunity to further your skills, then a career in data analytics will technical ability, develop personally and be enjoyable and stimulating. build strong relationships within Deloitte and also with clients.
Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry? I think data analytics will become even more applicable to how we do business in the future, as it is becoming more widely recognised that a better understanding of data can make a significant difference to the success of your business within any type of industry. Mathematics Careers
81
Mathematics Joanna Donaldson
Data Science Stream, First Derivatives, Newry
Can you describe a typical in the financial markets, but also in the working day? technology required to support each At First Derivatives Plc, they invest a lot and every transaction. of time into training new graduates to ensure they have the excellent financial How does Data Science make and technical skills required to be top- the world a better place? class consultants within the Capital Big Data enables companies to make Market industry. Currently, I am still in the best decisions based on analysis the training program, and within the last of past strategies. Efficiency should be month have sat eight internal exams, improved as a result, lowering the cost which have been a mixture of technical, of marketing. As consumers, we can financial and consulting. Data Scientists also benefit as companies know, are also required to learn kdb+, the for example, when we need to be fastest programming language in the offered that extra discount to keep world. Daily classes are held, where us brand-loyal. graduates receive training from those with experience in this field. What has been your educational/ professional route to this post? Does Data Science represent a good I studied Maths, Further Maths, career? Business Studies and Latin at Data Science requires the best software A-Level, before completing a four to cope with high volume and high year BSc Actuarial Science and Risk velocity information it collates on a Management degree at Queen’s daily, even on a minute, basis! First University, Belfast. My third year was Derivatives has anticipated the demand a placement year, which I spent in the for Data Scientists and so commenced Actuarial Operations team in Capita a Data Science stream in January Life and Pensions, Dublin. I decided to 2014. This new, innovative and rapidly venture into the data science field after expanding field is very exciting for encouragement to do so from someone like me, who has an interest a lecturer, due to my relevant skills. 82
What do you really like about your Can you say anything about the job? future job prospects in your industry? I really like the unique combination Big Data is a currently a buzz word in of financial and technical skills within the finance industry and companies are my job. Having come from a finance/ increasingly finding the benefits it can maths background, I had very little bring, whether in anticipating when an technical knowledge before starting my employee will leave, what advertising new job and am now one of only 200 strategy worked best on what day, or how people worldwide who know kdb+! First current events affect customer decision Derivatives also offers the opportunity making. Within the actuarial field, to work with very well-known clients in predictive analytics has always been an the Capital Markets industry, so your CV integral part of the job; now predictive can look very impressive within a short analytics is being used in a huge variety period of time! of sectors for a wide range of purposes.
As well as kdb+ training, I also have Would you recommend Big Data the opportunity to learn more about to someone starting out on their the financial markets and pick up other career? technical skills, like UNIX, SQL and Java. Definitely! Working in such a specialist field is undoubtedly a challenge, but one which is worthwhile. The field of Big Data offers great opportunities and those with expertise in this area will be in high demand for the coming years. Mathematics Careers
83
Mathematics Claire Brennan
Financial analyst, FinTrU
Can you describe a typical I thoroughly enjoyed my time at working day? Manchester and although the course Financial analysis at FinTrU provides was tough at times, in retrospect I me with the opportunity to utilise both am glad that I chose Maths. Having a qualitative and quantitative skills. degree in Mathematics has put me in an Currently, I am working on a project advantageous position in the job market involving a New York based Regulatory and has allowed me to get a graduate job reporting firm, in which I undertake a straight out of university. number of tasks. Contact with the Head Offices in New York and to clients of the I was able to study areas of mathematics firm is a regular occurrence, especially that stimulated me the most, through coming up to reporting deadlines, when the wide range of module choices at the workload and pressure on time is the University of Manchester. The hard key. I personally enjoy this high-octane work involved harnessed my analytical work environment, as I believe this is skills, allowing me to apply these in the where I thrive and it gives a sense of workplace, thus making the transition satisfaction at the end of the day. from university to work life easier.
What has been your educational These skills were also called upon route to this post? during my time at the FinTrU Academy, After completing my A- Levels in Maths, which was funded by Assured Skills in Further Maths and Biology at Our Lady’s the Department for Employment and & St. Patrick’s, Knock, I decided to take Learning. Although there was training the road less travelled by girls in my year in soft skills, such as public speaking and undertake a degree in Mathematics and presentation skills, it gave me at the University of Manchester. the opportunity to hone and develop the analytical skills necessary to be competent and confident for a role in financial analysis, such as learning coding languages and accounting methods. 84
I enjoyed my time at the academy Can you say anything about the because of the new skills that I learned future job prospects in this industry and also getting to know my colleagues Being one of the first employees of on a personal level. FinTrU has meant that I have witnessed first-hand its rapid growth and have How does your work as an analyst helped shape the company culture. make the world a better place? It is inspiring to be part of a company Given that my role involves the like FinTrU, as it is well positioned for implementation of financial regulation, continued rapid development. I am this means that I am contributing to excited to be part of this journey and to making sure that a financial crisis, such grow personally and professionally within as that of 2008, will not happen again. the company. A more transparent financial system is integral to all aspects of the economy FinTrU is investing in my professional operating more efficiently, thereby growth in the form of professional contributing to economic growth and qualifications. This is not only great for employment prospects. my personal development, but also my career, as possessing a professional What do you really like about qualification would lead to other your job? opportunities for work within FinTrU. Apart from the work itself, I really enjoy the opportunities that FinTrU has given Would you recommend a career in me to excel personally, as they have a this industry to other young people? culture of investing in their employees I would highly recommend a career as a which I appreciate. The work has Financial Analyst to young people who sometimes required me to travel to are thinking of applying. London and New York, in order to meet obligations. I also enjoy the unique position that I am in; working with people who are all in my age group, as this means that the social aspect to FinTrU is particularly enjoyable, compared with other jobs. Mathematics Careers
85
Mathematics Áine Molloy
Process Control Engineer, Seagate
Can you describe a typical day? academic papers to Wikipedia pages) I work for Seagate, a world leader in and becoming proficient in coding in developing and manufacturing data the R programming language. R is an storage solutions. At the Springtown open-source programming language for campus, we develop and manufacture statistical computing. It’s a great language read-write heads for our hard drives, using to become familiar with, as it is free to use tightly controlled and complex processes. and has a wealth of maths and statistics The equipment and materials involved are packages. highly specialised and very expensive, so any opportunities to improve equipment Would you say yours is a good career? health and product quality are of huge Process Control is a great area to work in, benefit to the company. as it is so varied in the types of projects taking place. Having come into the role My day is dictated by whatever I’m with no experience in the area, I could working on at the time. I’m currently see very quickly how much room there is working on applying multivariate analysis for growth and career progression. There techniques to our equipment. Any piece will always be new control issues in a of equipment will have several input factory and hence there will be a need variables, such as pressures, voltages, for new and sometimes more challenging flow rates etc. and monitoring these on and complex solutions to those problems, an individual basis can result in a huge giving an engineer the opportunity to learn amount of control charts. I am taking all new skills and to develop novel analysis of these inputs and condensing them techniques. Process Control gives me into one statistic, which can then be the opportunity to apply the skills and monitored and will alert the engineer to knowledge I gained in my degree to real, any problems with the equipment, if it everyday issues, in a way I never thought I goes outside its limits. would be able to.
I spend a lot of time researching (which What has been your educational can involve reading anything from route to this post? 86
After completing my Leaving Certificate most complex and cutting edge facilities in at Loreto College, Letterkenny, I went on the recording head industry. As I get to know to study for a BSc (Hons) in Maths and more about Seagate, I’m discovering that Physics at the University of Edinburgh. the company plays a hugely significant role I then spent a few years working in in helping people and businesses all over the various roles and travelling, before world create, share and preserve their most returning to Ireland. I decided when critical data and most precious memories – I graduated that I wasn’t ready to commit and in capacities that didn’t seem possible to a career straight away and I’ve never several years ago. It’s a privilege to be regretted that decision. playing a part in that.
Can you tell me how your maths and What do you really like about your job? physics skills are utilised in your I really like the challenges involved in my role. current post at Seagate? I am given a problem and I have to start from As a student, I was frequently told that a scratch to understand firstly what the problem maths graduate isn’t hired for what they is and then how I can go about solving it. I know, but rather for how they think. am learning about things that I had never come across in my academic career, and Coming from a maths and physics I am gaining knowledge across a range of background, there is quite a difference disciplines - data analytics, programming, in my approach to a given problem to data storage, statistics and, of course, the that of an engineer. My starting point for engineering involved in the work that is being any research is to go back to the basics carried out in the factory on a daily basis. of the maths involved and build my understanding from there. Many of the Would you recommend your subject and problems encountered in factories now career choice to other young people? are data-related problems, solutions to Absolutely! When I first read the job which require an analytic thought process description for my position, I thought ‘I don’t and an understanding of how to apply know what any of that means, I can’t do that various mathematical and statistical job’, but as I looked into what was involved techniques to the problem at hand. in process control, it became increasingly evident that so much of what is involved How does your work as a process comes down to maths and mathematical control engineer at Seagate impact on applications. Maths, as with any of the STEM people’s lives? subjects, is an excellent starting point if you When I was studying for my degree, I are unsure as to what you would like to do really had no idea what sector I’d find after your degree, as you are gaining valuable a job in. It never occurred to me that skills, but you are not being confined to one I would end up working in one of the career path. 87
STEM Pathways to a professional career
The variety of profiles in this booklet For many parents, trying to help demonstrates the range of professions their children with course and career that STEM courses can lead to and the choices, the ultimate goal of a well– different routes that individuals have paid, interesting and professional post followed such as apprenticeships and is vital. It is important to realise that Further or Higher Education. Most of all the fields of engineering and science these professions are represented by represented in this booklet are also Learned Bodies or Societies and full professions and in fact the Engineering membership of these societies can Council lists 35 Professional Engineering normally be achieved in a number Institutions18 whilst the Science Council of ways. has 41 members19. As STEM developed over time, so too did the professional bodies: the Institution of Civil Engineers was established in 1818 whilst one of the youngest, the Institute of Acoustics, was formed in 1974. Many of the Institutes also have career sections on their websites, the pages which follow include a few examples.
18 http://www.engc.org.uk/about-us/our-partners/professional-engineering-institutions / 19 http://www.sciencecouncil.org/our-members 88
Science
Society of Biology: http://www.societyofbiology.org/ Career Resources for both school and undergraduate students: http://www.societyofbiology.org/careers-and-cpd/careers/career-resources
Society of General Microbiology: http://www.sgm.ac.uk/ Careers page: http://www.sgm.ac.uk/all-microsite-sections/careers/index.cfm
Biochemical Society: http://www.biochemistry.org/Home.aspx Careers page: http://www.biochemistry.org/Education/Schoolsandcolleges/ Careerprofiles.aspx
Institute of Physics: http://www.iop.org/ Careers page: http://www.iop.org/careers/index.html
Royal Society of Chemistry: http://www.rsc.org/ Careers page: http://www.rsc.org/careers/ 89
Engineering
Institution of Civil Engineers: https://www.ice.org.uk Careers page: https://www.ice.org.uk/careers-and-professional-development
Institution of Engineering and Technology: http://www.theiet.org/ Careers page: http://www.theiet.org/careers/index.cfm
Institute of Mechanical Engineers: http://www.imeche.org/
Institution of Chemical engineers: http://www.icheme.org/ 90
Technology
British Computer Society: http://www.bcs.org/
Careers in IT, Leaflets: http://www.bcs.org/category/7874
Career pathways in IT: http://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/ukpaths.pdf
Institute of Food Science and Technology: http://www.ifst.org/ Student pages: http://www.ifst.org/communities/students
Mathematics
Institute of Mathematics and its Applications: http://www.ima.org.uk/ Careers page: http://www.mathscareers.org.uk/
London Mathematical Society http://www.lms.ac.uk/
Royal Statistical Society http://www.rss.org.uk/ 91
Where to find more information - how the Careers Service can help
As you will have gathered from this When choosing GCSE and AS/A-Level booklet, there are many STEM-related subjects, it is important to consider employment options out there with how these choices will affect future job jobs to suit all personalities and all skill prospects. It is more important than levels. You may have been surprised ever to consider where the jobs are to learn that studying STEM subjects now and where they are likely to be opens up a huge variety of exciting and in the future. rewarding career opportunities. It can be hard, however, to make If you want to know more about the link between what is studied in pursuing a career in a STEM-related the classroom and the opportunities sector, you can visit the nidirect website available in the world of work. You can at www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers. explore how qualifications and school The website carries extensive subjects link to possible careers information on education, skills by using the Careers A-Z tool at and training. In addition, careers www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers. While it is Industry Factsheets are available at important to study subjects you enjoy, it www.delni.gov.uk/publications/industry is also advisable to consider the career fact-sheets, providing information on opportunities which lie ahead. Choosing employment opportunities, qualification work experience in STEM-related requirements, wages and job trends in and growth sectors can broaden your a wide variety of occupational knowledge and experience of careers in sectors across Northern Ireland. these areas. They are a valuable source of information, providing an analysis of current and future employment trends in 24 industries. The information in these factsheets is not just for students, but should be considered by anyone of any age planning a career, looking for a change in employment, or weighing up future study. 92
Personalised help is available from the Department for Employment and If you need any further Learning’s professionally qualified information, please go to careers advisers, who can offer http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers information, advice and guidance where you will find the contact to help you consider your skills, details for your nearest Careers qualifications and experience, Office and careers adviser. identify opportunities and develop You can also contact the achievable career plans. Careers Careers Service by phone guidance can help people of all on 0300 200 7820. ages analyse labour market trends and opportunities, make informed, Parents can also help you explore your appropriate and achievable decisions career options by listening to your ideas in relation to education, training and and helping you to find out what you employment and help you achieve need to get there. If any parents need personal career goals. further information, the Careers Service has produced a document called Accurate and up to date information “A Guide for Parents – How to help on current and future jobs provided by your child with future career plans” economists and employers, relevant which can be found at www.delni.gov.uk/ to both the local and international job publications/parental-guide. market is a crucial factor when making Areas covered in the guide include decisions regarding a future career path. information on what careers are likely The Careers Service, recognising the to be in demand in the future, such importance of high quality labour market as STEM-related careers, and subject information, has trained all its careers choice at year 10. It also provides advisers in the interpretation and use of details on the different options after this data. Year 12, 13 and 14.
If you are currently in education, you can also get information and advice from your careers teachers in school. STEM teachers could also be a valuable source of assistance. For those in further or higher education or recent graduates, help may also be available from college and university Careers Services. 93
Useful Websites
NI Direct Careers Website: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers
General STEM Careers Information
Where STEM can take you: http://www.wherestemcantakeyou.co.uk/
STEMNET http://www.w5online.co.uk/stemnet/careers/
Queen’s STEM Careers: http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/STEM/
Tomorrow’s Engineers: http://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/
STEM Careers database: http://faraday.theiet.org/careers/database/index.cfm
Brightside Bright Knowledge: http://www.brightknowledge.org/bright-knowledge
Industry specific websites
Food: http://tastycareers.org.uk/case-studies
IT http://bringitonni.info/
Aerospace: http://www.careersinaerospace.com/ 94 November 2015