Jobs, jobs, and more jobs. Computing graduates are in such demand that average starting salaries are about £14,000 to £16,000 per annum. There are 7,000 people employed in Irish-owned software companies and 8,000 in overseas companies. Most of these have a third-level qualification.
By 2000, it is expected that Irish-owned companies will employ 10,000 people while overseas companies will employ 12,000 people.
In an attempt to address the need for skilled workers, the Government Skills Shortages Committee last year set a target of 1,000 new software degree places. Established courses expanded and new courses were put in place. In all, 653 extra students were recruited. The remaining places will come on stream this year.
There is now a bewildering array of computing courses on offer. Some are hardware-oriented, others emphasise software and some combine business or a language with computing studies. One course is offered through Irish. Many courses are directentry so students begin to specialise immediately. Others are offered through common-entry programmes such as arts, science or engineering.
Courses span all levels from certificates to diplomas to degrees. Mr Seamus Gallen, of the National Software Directorate, says the best route into the industry is via a third-level qualification, preferably a degree. As there are more jobs than graduates, a degree virtually guarantees a job.
"But you can begin with a certificate course and progress through a diploma to a degree, instead of taking a straight four-year degree." Employers have a slight preference for courses which include a work placement. For instance, courses at UL, DCU, WIT, UG, CIT and UCC all include work placements.
Another option is to do a primary degree in any discipline, followed by a one-year postgraduate course.
Common-Entry Programmes
These programmes allow students to sample several subjects and then specialise later. Students who are unsure of what they might specialise in find this approach very useful.
Unfortunately, many students are unaware of the opportunities afforded by these degrees. They read "science" or "engineering" in the CAO handbook and don't realise that computing is one of the specialist courses on offer.
For instance, TCD's commonentry engineering degree allows students to follow a common programme for the first two years before deciding on one of the five areas - electronic engineering, computer engineering, electronic and computer engineering, mechanical and manufacturing engineering and civil engineering.
UCD and NUI Maynooth also offer computing options through their common-entry science programmes. In addition, both colleges have introduced directentry programmes this year.
Information technology may also be offered as a subject in arts. For instance, students in the University of Galway can take IT through to final year within an arts degree. When it became available last year, there was a huge response with 132 students taking IT. Dr Gerry Lyons, of the college's IT centre, expects that IT will become established as a second-level subject and it may be that people with arts degrees with IT will teach it.
Computing With Other Disciplines
Combining the study of computing and another discipline, such as a language, maths or business studies is an increasingly popular and successful option.
For instance, UCC's four-year business information systems course came to fruition last year when the first graduates left the campus. Course director Mr Ciaran Murphy says all graduates have found work. Most had more than one job offer, with the record standing at seven. The programme is evenly divided between business and information systems.
A key aspect of the programme is the work placement, he says, with a large number of students going to the US to gain experience in the workplace there. There will be 90 first-year places available this year. The cut-off points were a high 470* last year.
DIT also offers a business information systems development degree, which has developed from a diploma. Students who begin their studies in 1998 will be awarded a DIT degree.
Direct-Entry Degree Programmes:
There is a huge number of direct-entry degree programmes available. Students should read through the college prospectuses carefully to see what each programme offers. The following are just three samples from the large array on offer.
Information and communications technology
TCD introduced this degree late last year. There are currently 82 first-year students but the intake next year will be even larger at 120.
Course director Mr David Algeo says the course differs from TCD's other computer offerings in that it focuses on networks. "The best-known example of networking at present is probably the Internet. Companies such as banks and airlines have large computer networks. Students will look at applications which run on networks and how these are built and work," he explains
Students take French or German for two years, with the focus on conversational skills. Hardware comprises less than 10 per cent of the course so there is proportionately more software, says Mr Algeo.
The course is not listed in the CAO handbook but students should apply through the CAO quoting course code TR037.
Airgreadas, riomhaireacht agus fiontraiocht
DCU's four-year B.Sc. in airgeadas, riomhaireacht agus fiontraiocht offers students an opportunity to study finance, computing, enterprise and a European language - through Irish. An enthusiasm for Irish rather than fluency is required.
Of the 65 students enrolled on the course, 37 come from all-Irish schools in Dublin; eight from all-Irish schools in Cork; 14 are from English-medium schools and six are from Gaeltacht schools. While there are no graduates from the course yet, the college anticipates good employment prospects. There has been no difficulty securing industrial placements for them.
Information technology at the University of Galway UG's information technology degree is now in its third year. The intake doubled from 25 to 53 last year but points remained high at 445. Next year, there will be up to 70 places available. The first graduates will leave UG in 1999.
Limerick RTC
The college has introduced a new degree course this year - LC024. This course focuses on object-oriented techniques and should equip students with a thorough understanding of software engineering practices.
Certificates And Diplomas
All of the regional technical colleges and the institutes of technology offer computing certificates and diplomas. New courses are being introduced in response to the needs of industry.
For instance, Letterkenny RTC has introduced a new national certificate in electronics and computer engineering while Athlone RTC has brought in a three-year ab-initio diploma in computing.
Add-On Degrees
Students who opt for the certificate/diploma route may wish to continue their studies to degree. The majority of regional technical colleges and institutes of technology provide add-on courses to degree level.
Athlone RTC - software engineering; Carlow RTC - software engineering; Dundalk RTC - commercial computing; Letterkenny RTC - applied computing; Limerick RTC - information systems; Sligo RTC - computing; Tallaght RTC - computing (information technology); Tralee RTC - B.Sc. in computing; WIT - commercial software development.
Postgraduate Conversion Courses
Students who do not take computing in their primary degree can choose from a variety of conversion courses. These increasingly popular courses are usually one year in duration and allow students to develop additional skills.
There were an additional 450 postgraduate places created under the Government Skills Shortages scheme.
Guide To Careers In Computing:
The National Software Directorate has produced a comprehensive guide to courses and careers in computing in Ireland. This will be circulated to guidance counsellors and should prove invaluable to students interested in computing.
Additional research by Catherine Foley
Take Note
There are 15,000 people employed in the software industry in Ireland.
Starting salaries for software graduates average £14,000 to £16,000 per annum.
Common-entry programmes should not be overlooked.
Most RTCs and institutes of technology offer add-on computing degrees.
More software degree places are to come on stream this year.