What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
My main subjects were Maths and Physics. Primarily because they teach you a lot about problem solving. Also a transition year course in electronics and work experience in an electronic company also helped.
One aspect that I would change was that I did pass English as I thought I would not really need honours level. But I spend time on writing reports, for work and college, and emails, so good structured English writing is a key hidden skill.
What is your education to date?
I chose Electronic Engineering in Cork Institute of Technology as a Degree. It took four years, with 6 months work experience.
I then did a Masters in Microlelectronic Design in University of College Cork. This area is very challenging and always evolving.
I am now studying a part time Masters in Image Processing in Dublin City University. This is sponsored by my company, Alps Electric. It is a remote access Masters and I complete everything online. This is the future. I have been to three colleges and this is something I did intentionally as different colleges broaden your horizons.
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
The nature of all courses aim and develop you towards being a problem solver and teach you how to become an engineer. They all have certain modules that are beneficial and you will have ones that won't be directly necessary, but overall most of what you learn in college will be relevant at some point.
Also courses will teach you about the ethic of being an Engineer, whilst developing the ability to be comfortable explaining ideas to colleagues and demonstrating confidence at presentations etc.
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?
I am currently studying a part-time Masters in Image Processing in Dublin City University. This is to satisfy some extra training in an area I work in daily. Image processing is the study of using cameras to replicate human vision. We use them to inspect parts for defects.
Training is very much a big part of our company and it is encouraged that some form of training is completed annually. All relevant training is funded by the organisation. This is common in the engineering world. I am spending a week in Japan soon for further training in Image Processing with a Japanese Engineer
