Ash_EP3
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Registered: 15th May 07
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
User status: Offline
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At the moment I am on my last year of my Foundation Degree in IT (equivalent to a HND) and I am split as to what I should do next...
I can either start applying for jobs - a foundation degree isn't that well known for many businesses should be looking to start on about 15-18k
Stay on full-time and top up my foundation degree to make it an honours degree (1 year, 2 long days a week, £3,500 per year) Seen some starting jobs from 18k + (depending on experience and how well you do on the degree)
Stay on part-time (top it up the same as full-time) takes 2 years 1 long day a week and costs £800+ a year
Again starting on the same wage but takes an extra year, could see if I could work 4 days a week and have a day release to top up.
Just thought i'd ask as some of you might have/had similar experiences - I hate working part time on the weekends (only earn £400-£500 a month) and it's the weekend.... 
Thanks 
Edit: I should have CCNA 1 as well by the time I finish 
[Edited on 25-02-2009 by S214_UPP]
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MarkM
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Registered: 11th Apr 01
Location: Liverpool
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Do the course full time then start work... IMHO...
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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What are you studying?
What industry do you hope to go into? And doing what job?
All of these are a factor in whether or not a bachelors degree will be useful.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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Sorry just re-read it - you are doing IT.
What are your career aspirations?
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willay
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Organiser: South East, National Events
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Registered: 10th Nov 02
Location: Roydon, Essex
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do the full time which is only 2 days a week and spend the rest of the week taking over the world.
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Matt L
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Registered: 17th Apr 06
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Im in a similarish situation, whether to fruther studies and stay in current job although will be more of a pain in a year or so when i have to move, or change jobs with what i have (or should i say will have in a few months) and potentially not study more.
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Ash_EP3
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Registered: 15th May 07
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by James
What are you studying?
What industry do you hope to go into? And doing what job?
All of these are a factor in whether or not a bachelors degree will be useful.
IT - networking and support is my pathway for the last year, I want to look at getting into analyst jobs in the future (systems analyst) and maybe consultancy but not 100% sure yet
Obviously I won't be able to start high so 1st line support or technician work would be ideal to get into for a first job
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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By systems analyst do you mean on the software side?
If you want a career working in IT for large blue chip companies that pay well and offer good career progression then complete your degree.
If you are happy working for smaller companies that will pay lesser salaries then don't bother.
TBH for the sake of 2 days a week for one year I would do it. I would try and get an IT based job for the other 3 days.
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Ash_EP3
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Registered: 15th May 07
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by James
By systems analyst do you mean on the software side?
If you want a career working in IT for large blue chip companies that pay well and offer good career progression then complete your degree.
If you are happy working for smaller companies that will pay lesser salaries then don't bother.
TBH for the sake of 2 days a week for one year I would do it. I would try and get an IT based job for the other 3 days.
Yea that sounds ideal really getting some extra cash whilst still being able to top it up can get a student loan on top too
edit: oops no I don't mean the software side I can only do basic programming (just about  ) with web etc so nothing too complicated
[Edited on 25-02-2009 by S214_UPP]
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
User status: Offline
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Working on the software side isn't all about the programming - there are less technically focused roles such as systems/business analyst and project manager.
See if you can get a network support role for 3 days a week while you complete your degree. If you like it and they like you, you might be able to turn it into full time when you complete your degree.
[Edited on 25-02-2009 by James]
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