c4rsa-sport
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Registered: 6th Apr 05
Location: halesowen - birmingham
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Hi all, i have been looking into lately doing a course in computing/IT, just wondering if anyone has done this or knows the good way of doing it? I.E home learning or college course?
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VrsTurbo
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Registered: 8th Jun 10
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Depends on what you want to do. Course's in IT are quite pointless unless you have the experience to back it up
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A2H GO
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Registered: 14th Sep 04
Location: Stoke
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Closest thing is perhaps computer science.
Love how most IT jobs say 'degree required' for .NET, PHP, SQL, Web Design(HTML/CSS/JQuery/Javascript) yet there is no such thing.
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James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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Computer Science will give you very little knowledge of stuff that is useful in the real world. I did a more vocational degree where I learnt loads of hands of programming, networking, project management etc.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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The degree required is because at a decent uni you'll have been taught the principles from the ground up and the actual language you eventually implement them in is irrelevant.
As James said though, a proper computing science degree is loads of science and maths.
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AK
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Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
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I did Computer Science...
I'd prob recomend Business Computing or such like - less in depth geek programming, broader scope.
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SetH
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Registered: 15th Jul 01
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Agree with AK
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Rob E
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Registered: 1st Jan 06
Location: Madeley, Stafford....I want to live back in Wales!
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My brother did computer science for two years of uni and failed. He then had the,credits he had gained transferred to open uni and is enjoying it a lot more than he did when he was in uni. Apparently the course structure is better for him on OU
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DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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quote: Originally posted by SetH
Agree with AK
Agree'd!
I have no idea why businesses feel the need to look for Academics for vocational roles..
When I've been involved in hiring developers I always reserve part of the interview for a set programming task (normally very basic) in their strongest language just so I can assess their standards and problem solving skills. Most of the academic candidates are normally terrible at this task but they can bullshit their way through a verbal interview with ease.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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I don't even have a degree [/controversy]
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Ian W
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Registered: 8th Nov 03
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
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quote: Originally posted by pow
I don't even have a degree [/controversy]
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Gary
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
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quote: Originally posted by Ian W
quote: Originally posted by pow
I don't even have a degree [/controversy]
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Dione J
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Registered: 22nd Sep 04
Location: West Midlands Drives: Leon Cupra Turbo
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quote: Originally posted by Gary
quote: Originally posted by Ian W
quote: Originally posted by pow
I don't even have a degree [/controversy]
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Sam
Moderator Premium Member
Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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Everything I know is either self-taught or learnt 'on the job' in previous jobs, I never even went to college
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VrsTurbo
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Registered: 8th Jun 10
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i even failed ICT at GCSE level!
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Fonz
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Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
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my brother went to Southampton uni and started on computer gaming course, didnt enjoy it and moved to a general computing course instead now works in London for Siemens looking after TFL's computers and the rest i dont follow or understand.
a friend on the other hand has always been handy with a PC and got a job at a school (happened to be the same school he attended) in the IT dept - support not teaching.
he now works as the IT support guru in the schoool looking after the whole site and the 100s of machines and servers that come with it.
both do a similar role, one with a degree, the other without. my brother with his degree is likely to be paid more and has more prospects and opportunities to move up
my friend, will probably work his way up the chain (up one move!) and get pay rises in line with inflation i expect...both love their jobs so i guess it all depends what you want to be doing...
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DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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I dont have a Degree Mr Fonz and none of the really good developers I've worked with have had a degree either, infact its the complete opposite only the the shit ones seem to have a degree?
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AK
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Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
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.... that may seem like the case Davey but I can gurantee the ones with the degrees are more likely to get into those positions.
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Fonz
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Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
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quote: Originally posted by DaveyLC
I dont have a Degree Mr Fonz and none of the really good developers I've worked with have had a degree either, infact its the complete opposite only the the shit ones seem to have a degree?
well there you go, this only goes ot prove my point!
there are two routes into the industry and both work, just depends what it is you want to achieve in the industry as to where it takes you!
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DaveyLC
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Registered: 8th Oct 08
Location: Berkshire
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You seemed to imply that a degree will take you to better places though?
I think self belief and common sense are more important than any qualification.
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AndyKent
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Registered: 3rd Sep 05
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quote: Originally posted by DaveyLC
You seemed to imply that a degree will take you to better places though?
I think self belief and common sense are more important than any qualification.
True enough at interview, but when reading a CV I still think paper certs score more points when crossing sideways in an industry.
Experience wins in like-for-like roles.
Degrees win for variations across roles.
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AK
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Registered: 5th Jul 00
Location: Aberdeen City
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to even get an interview at a LOT of companies you need qualifications... especially if starting a career!
Then there are others that are even tighter. Some companies dont 'just' require a degree, they require standards of degree (MIN 2:1 Hon) for example.
if you want certain jobs - you NEED to be qualified.
[Edited on 08-06-2012 by AK]
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Gary
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
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Any company that would require a qualification in something like programming/IT over experience isnt worth working for as the management is clearly retarded.
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Whittie
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Registered: 11th Aug 06
Location: North Wales Drives: BMW, Corsa & Fiat
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quote: Originally posted by Dione J
quote: Originally posted by Gary
quote: Originally posted by Ian W
quote: Originally posted by pow
I don't even have a degree [/controversy]
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A2H GO
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Registered: 14th Sep 04
Location: Stoke
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It's true that a degree is just your 'ticket to the game' actually doing well and progressing once through the door is completely different.
Without a degree it just means you have to start lower down(where qualifications aren't as important) but then you won't have spent 3 years and however much money at Uni.
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