The STEM sector has been riding a seemingly endless wave of growth. As humankind continues to reach for the stars, the work undertaken in tech, research and design is expanding exponentially. This has led to the creation of new job types and also to immense skills gaps across the sector. Employer demand for STEM qualifications and skills is high and will continue to increase in the future.
STEM is more than just a group of subjects it more closely reflects a skills set. It uses logic to creatively solve problems.
With STEM skills, you can make a big contribution to many of the big challenges facing society today. From designing visual for a new film, to working as a physiotherapist in a hospital, to inventing a new hi-tech health scanner, to manufacturing a new mobile phone, to writing the code for a new software programme or putting new satellites into space, there are thousands of exciting and well-paid opportunities.
There are different routes into STEM careers at different educational levels, from level 5 and 6, through apprenticeships or from relevant degrees and master programmes.
STEM crosses all career sectors and nearly every job in the future will require STEM/STEAM skills. In this page we are bringing together information on some of the more obvious STEM sectors.
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The engineering sector itself is made up of a wide range of companies providing a diverse range of products and services.
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Physical and Mathematical Sciences is a broad sector, with many potential career paths for those with qualifications and suitable skillsets, including medical work, engineering, teaching, finance and technology.
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Sample Courses
This course is designed to give the student a firm foundation in the skills required to develop software.
Software development involves...
This three year course gives a great grounding in the essentials of computing leading to rewarding careers. Employment prospects are excellent...
Do you want to get hands-on practice in building and troubleshooting networks? Are you interested in learning the skills to defend networks...
The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at LYIT is tailored to meet the expectations and needs of employers. The programme...
The core areas in Biology and Geography covered by the programme provide foundation knowledge across both disciplines, and explore in different...
The programme presents an opportunity to study exciting new areas in 2D & 3D graphics, animation, dynamic web design &...
Electronic Engineering at Maynooth has developed world-class expertise in the area of mobile communications, biomedical diagnostics and...
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Sample Occupations
Drives changes in internal operations and processes based on data analytics.
Installs, maintains and repairs computer systems and computer hardware.
Works with steel bars and stirrups required in the preparation of the steel cages used for reinforced concrete.
Works with the collection and analysis of massive amounts of data obtained from computer and internet users.
Energy managers/consultants give advice on better practices and providing information on how to implement modifications and changes.
A software analyst is responsible for creating and designing software programs and applications, as well as modifying existing ones for optimization according to business requirements. Software analysts work with the technical team to draw system codes, analyze programming languages, and ensure the stability and efficiency of software navigation by running multiple quality checks to the system.
Traffic engineers plan and design transport improvements including junctions, parking, traffic control systems and public transport systems.
Water engineers work on projects such as flood defence schemes and sewer improvement programmes at all stages of their development and implementation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) engineers are responsible for developing, programming and training the complex networks of algorithms that make up AI so that they can function like a human brain. This role requires combined expertise in software development, programming, data science and data engineering.
Minerals/mining surveyors map mineral deposits. Their tasks include working out the potential use and value of mineral deposits, managing and developing mines. Provide expertise in the full life cycle of mineral development.
Gas engineers are responsible for extracting and treating gas, and installing and maintaining the gas network from source to customer.
Designs and plans the integration of electricity produced by wind farms into the electrical grid.