IN a recent survey, 75% of students from Limerick cited the ‘prolonged recession’ as the main obstacle standing in the way of their chosen career.
Other findings were: 50% of students believe that school is harder for them than it was for their parents.
• 25% surveyed from Limerick do not feel part of the community where they live.
• 33% of participants from Limerick selected medicine, pharmacy or dentistry as their first choice career preference.
The students were asked to recount recent events from their community or country which made them proud.
More than 100 referenced Irish sporting successes such as Katie Taylor’s Olympic gold medal, individual county GAA triumphs or the success of the Irish Paralympic team as the reasons for creating a sense of pride for them. A number of students indicated that they were proud of Ireland’s ability to cope with the economic downturn.
In the survey commissioned by the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, the clear message was that students desperately want their opinions and ideas to be heard.
Over 200, aged between 12 and 19, from across the island of Ireland participated in the survey, which showed that more than 70% feel that adults today do not value their opinions.
When asked whether they thought school was harder for their parents or themselves, 65% of those surveyed maintain that school today is harder for students with an increased amount of pressure to get an excellent leaving certificate and to secure a place in university.
Over three quarters of the students surveyed believe that schools in urban areas have a distinct edge over their rural counterparts citing funding, facilities and access to universities as the main advantages.
National notable findings included:
• 59% of students maintain that money is the biggest barrier to going on to 3rd level education with 33% of those surveyed citing getting the grades required as an obstacle to attending university
· 80% of those surveyed selected ‘online’ as the main source they receive their information from above books (9%), television (7%) and radio (2%)*
· 66% of participants disclosed that they are not encouraged down a route of entrepreneurship with the traditional professions still largely endorsed.
Meanwhile, students are being called on to enter the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition by Monday, October 1, and showcase their ideas for a better future to the public.
