The Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock launched the Smart Futures STEM Careers Week and school competition to promote careers in the science, technology, engineering and related sectors. He was helped by two CLARITY postgraduate students, Oonagh Giggins and Marc Gowing (practicing a bit of rock climbing in the background!).

The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week will run from 22 to 26 October 2012. During that week a panel of professionals working in areas such as gaming, mobile app development, cybersecurity, computer forensics, medical devices and energy will engage with the public to explain the work they do and what is required to get those jobs.

“Most of our children’s career opportunities will be built around harnessing new and evolving technologies that are only now establishing themselves,” he said. “It is critically important that we give students a window into those industries and the experiences of people working in them.

“The Smart Futures STEM Careers Week does just that – using new media technologies that are second nature to teenagers and explaining how many people in Ireland are now doing some very exciting work that is having an impact on lives all over the world.”

Thanks to Oonagh and Marc for taking part!