What qualification is able to guarantee challenges, future job opportunities and the chance to travel all over the world while shaping its future?

The answer is Engineering. While students are currently pondering over their college offers, many may be reading this article and thinking 'Why should I study engineering?' Maybe they need to be asking the question, 'Why not?'

Students who choose a qualification in engineering should be reaffirmed of their choice to pursue a career which will allow them to unleash their spirit of innovation, secure in the knowledge that they are entering a profession with fantastic opportunities.

While many students will have made their CAO choices at this stage, there are still many engineering places available across Irish colleges and universities. Students should be aware that, despite the current downturn, there are still job opportunities in a range of engineering fields, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and environmental and software engineering.

There are a whole range of challenges facing the engineers of tomorrow, who will meet these challenges in creative and forward-thinking ways, making a difference and contributing to society.

I empathise with students and parents at this time and encourage them to sit down together and research what engineering can offer.

Engineers are responsible for the design and delivery of solutions to meet the needs of every-day life. They help to improve our day-to-day living through the creation of breakthrough technologies, reduce suffering by finding cures to diseases, and even aid space exploration.

In Ireland alone, engineers produce 80pc of the coronary stents used in heart surgery worldwide. Engineering is essential to finding solutions to society's needs, from the provision of clean water, light and heat, to worldwide transport and communication systems.

An engineering qualification is a passport to working abroad, helping you to make a difference by equipping you to work with NGOs in developing countries.

Naturally, engineering positions within the housing sector, like all jobs in this industry, have been affected by the slowdown. But engineering skills are transferable and there are plenty of engineering jobs out there offering security and excellent career possibilities.

Naturally curious people who love solving problems are perfect for engineering. The challenges are there and the job opportunities are there. All we require now are engineers.

Factfile

• Engineering occupations are predominantly at professional level (over 80pc); the remainder is at technician level.
• Over the period 2003-2008, employment in engineering occupations grew by 1.2pc on average annually; even in 2008, an additional 1,500 jobs were created in these occupations overall.
• With 10pc or less aged 55+, the share of older workers in engineering occupations is below the national average (13.4pc).
• At 2.6pc each, chemical engineers and electrical engineers have the lowest share of female employment of all professional/technician level occupations economy-wide.

John Power, Director general of Engineers Ireland