Unlocking worlds of opportunity in SET careers

Making a career choice is one of life's most important decisions. For anyone considering a career in science, engineering and technology (SET), and also for those who are unsure of what career path to follow, a new SAASTA publication Get SET Go (yes, the name looks familiar!) will be an invaluable resource.

The book aims to make learners aware of the range of career options in SET, which path may be best for them, and includes various steps that they need to take when making a career choice. The five sections of the book cover:

• Basic issues, such as the value of a SET career, when to start planning your career, and choosing the right kind of institution for your studies;
• SET areas that are currently of great importance in South Africa, such as biotechnology, space science and technology, climate change, hydrogen and fuel cell technology, engineering and nanotechnology. The book profiles people working in these areas, what they do, what they enjoy about their jobs, and what qualifications one needs to pursue similar careers. Many of these role models had to overcome challenges to reach their goals and are a source of inspiration to young people;
• Profiles of some of South Africa's top SET researchers at the cutting edge of their fields and why their work is so important to our country and the world;
• A "how to" section covering information on financing your studies, practical advice on how to apply for funding, writing applications and a CV; and
• Advice on where to find more information.

Preparing our youth to be economically active

"SAASTA believes this book, together with other projects such as our career profiling events, science, technology, engineering and mathematics Olympiads and competitions, and our educational resources will play an important role in preparing our youth to be economically active in a society built on information technology, rather than on industrial systems," says Dr Jabu Nukeri, Managing Director of SAASTA.

"We are preparing students for jobs that don't yet exist, using technologies that haven't yet been invented ... in order to solve problems we don't even know are problems yet." (www.shifthappens.wikispaces.com).

For your own copy of the book, contact Ina Roos.