Cork students given opportunity to meet with scientists, artists and leaders for careers event

SENIOR cycle students from three secondary schools in Cork city attended a careers event organised by the Access to Education, Bridge to Employment programme.

To mark College Awareness Week, students of Terence MacSwiney Community College, North Monastery Co-educational Secondary School, and Mayfield Community School attended the event involving many businesses and colleges.

This is the fifth phase of the programme, which is supported by Johnson & Johnson.

It aims to encourage and assist students in Cork city to stay in school and progress to further and higher level education, with a particular focus on Stem disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and maths).

Partners in the programme include Johnson & Johnson’s Cork-based companies, Janssen Sciences, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and DePuy, as well as Munster Technological University, University College Cork, Cork Education and Training Board, Junior Achievement, and Business in the Community.

The careers event was held in North Monastery Co-Educational Secondary School and allowed senior cycle students from the three participating schools an opportunity to engage with people from a range of different occupations.

The schools’ students met engineers, scientists, medical professionals, business leaders, artists, social care workers, and more, and students who are currently studying for jobs in these industries were on hand to talk about third-level options in pursuing these jobs.

The programme, which is working with current sixth-year students who will sit their Leaving Certificate in 2024, aims to support long-term collaboration and partnership amongst business, educators, community-based organisations, and parents to help young people build a better future.

It also aims to build students’ confidence and widen their horizons through interaction with significant adults who will mentor them, provide them with information, and support them in carving out a career path.