STEM showcase for students

A student careers showcase is coming to town in just under two weeks.

The STEM South West Industry and Careers Showcase is made up of several industries including local authorities, educational partners UCC, CIT, IT Tralee, and business organisations that create over 30,000 jobs in the area.

Around 50 of Ireland’s leading tech, pharma, engineering companies and educational organisations will come together to showcase interactive exhibitions.

STEM professionals will also be on hand on the day to speak with students and give them an insight into the many roles and pathways to a fulfilling career in STEM.

An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney commented: “The future of the Irish economy is reliant on a skilled STEM workforce and that workforce is reliant on the choices our students make today about what they study and where they go in their careers.”

The STEM South West industry body says, that although much has been done to date to highlight the importance of STEM to students, the fact remains that many of them still don’t know or don’t believe that they could have a future in these sectors.

Kerry O’Keeffe, HR Leader at Gilead Sciences continued: “Studies have found that female students in particular in Ireland are simply not aware of the prospects that STEM could hold for them. It is up to us to address this information gap, to start a conversation with all the students of Ireland. Today’s students are tomorrow’s business and industry leaders, and the STEM sector is dependent on their success.”

The STEM South West Industry and Careers Showcase takes place on 12 November at Rochestown Park Hotel. Although it's a free event you must register for tickets before hand at stemsouthwest.ie.