Lagan College welcomed lots of people who gave good advice on STEM subjects and the relevance to their employment sector. See these interviews below....
Civil engineer
Name Lauren Job Civil Engineer (Site Engineer/ Design Co-ordinator) What qualifications are required for your job? Civil Engineering Degree Are there different routes into your job or industry sector that require different qualifications? Yes. Apprenticeships, direct entry, graduate training schemes. Do I need GCSE Maths? Yes What A levels do I need? Maths and Physics are the most important. Can I go by a vocational route? Yes- apprenticeships and foundation degrees. How did you get into your current job? Civil Engineering degree- graduate programme. What is your typical day? Site engineer, managing projects(construction). On site on a daily basis. What is the very best thing about your job? Seeing and solving problems- practical solutions. What Maths qualification did you need to get into your job? A level Maths What Maths do you use in your job? On a daily basis designing and checking temp works designs. What other school subjects are relevant to your job? Physics and Geography Are there any useful websites that showcase your job? Institute of Civil Engineers Are there opportunities for school work experience? Yes- one week work experience - Summer placements..
STATISTICAN
Name Neil Job Statistician What qualifications are required for your job? Degree 2.1 with some element of statistics eg Psychology, Geography, Business Studies. Are there different routes into your job or industry sector that require different qualifications? Normally the above route. However any degree plus a formal qualification from the Royal Statistical Society. Do I need GCSE Maths? Yes What A levels do I need? None in particular. Can I go by a vocational route? No How did you get into your current job? Joined the civil service and saw an opportunity for further study and then applied. What is your typical day? Varies . Meetings, discussing work issues with colleagues, some analysis, preparation of written report for publication. What is the very best thing about your job? Variety of work, job satisfaction, salary. What Maths qualification did you need to get into your job? GCSE – statistics as part of your degree. What Maths do you use in your job? Depends on posting. Can be basic frequencies, significance testing, further analysis and regression. What other school subjects are relevant to your job? IT skills, communication skills. Are there any useful websites that showcase your job? Nisra.gov.uk Are there opportunities for school work experience? Yes- through NICS recruitment site.
nurse
Name Ursula Job School Nurse What qualifications are required for your job? 5 GCSE and 2 Alevel Are there different routes into your job or industry sector that require different qualifications? Yes begin with Health and Social Care NVQs Do I need GCSE Maths? Yes What A levels do I need? Preferably a science and one other. How did you get into your current job? Nurse training, Theatre Nurse for 20 years. Applied to Lagan College. What is your typical day? First aid. Looking after sick children, checking medications and supplies. What is the very best thing about your job? The pupils and their different personalities. What Maths qualification did you need to get into your job? GCSE Maths What Maths do you use in your job? Drug calculations and recording observations. What other school subjects are relevant to your job? English, Biology and Health and Social Care. Are there any useful websites that showcase your job? NHScareers.co.uk Are there opportunities for school work experience? First Aid. Day with Nurse.
Accountant
Name Mary Job Chartered Accountant What qualifications are required for your job? AAB A level, at least B in GCSE Mathematics and C in GCSE English.A level Maths is very beneficial. Degree in Accountancy or other subject. Chartered Accountancy Exams. Are there different routes into your job or industry sector that require different qualifications? The usual route would be doing an accountancy related degree and the obtaining of a placement with an accountancy company. But you don’t need an accountancy related degree and you can go straight to an accountancy firm after A levels. Do I need GCSE Maths? Yes at least a grade B. What A levels do I need? Any academic A levels. Can I go by a vocational route? Yes some accountancy firms take students direct from A level into the training firm. How did you get into your current job? Worked in the private sector for 10 years then moved into Industry sector for 10 years. Due to experience in Accountancy, Human Resources and Facilities Management obtained the job at Lagan college. What is your typical day? No day is typical. It can range from high level finance or building meetings to working with facilities on the level of cleaning. What is the very best thing about your job? Seeing the children in school do well and getting opportunities to prepare for life. What Maths qualification did you need to get into your job? A level Maths