Apprenticeships in IT

Belloni

Belloni

Belloni

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Joined
17 Feb 2009
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I'm thinking of getting into an IT career, just thinking of avenues to go down.

There is a course i've found which will take about 3 months then help with a job in IT should I go down that route, or go down an apprenticeship route for a year etc. Just don't know what is the better option really.

I'm 22 if that helps!
 
While I agree with both of the above in principal I can also say from experience that not going to university was the biggest mistake I could have made...

I'm 29 now and have gone back to college to do a BTEC level 3 in IT with a view of going to university hopefully to do an integrated masters in computer science or something of a similar nature.

I have tried to get ahead in life without a degree and sooner or later I have always come unstuck.
 
Vidar said:
While I agree with both of the above in principal I can also say from experience that not going to university was the biggest mistake I could have made...

I'm 29 now and have gone back to college to do a BTEC level 3 in IT with a view of going to university hopefully to do an integrated masters in computer science or something of a similar nature.

I have tried to get ahead in life without a degree and sooner or later I have always come unstuck.
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I'm the complete opposite, I spent my time getting a degree and now feel those years would have been better spent learning on the job and getting the experience.
Then again I wouldn't be the person I am today without everything else going away to uni taught me.
 
Gilly said:
Find a big company that's taking on helpdesk staff. Research the company, work hard, get promoted out of it.

Quickest way into the general area.
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I'm assuming helpdesk staff is the first step within IT then.

I don't have any IT experience but i'm good with technology, well I get told I am! Just need to think of a career path within IT or will that come to me from working on helpdesk?
 
I served my apprenticeship with one of, if not the biggest telecoms and it companies in Britain.
3 years work experience, Nvq and foundation degree earning very good money for my age. I've now moved within the company a few times and work as a service relationship manager.
Also been 'topping' up my degree so with graduate with Hons next year. Fully intend on starting my MBA in the next 5 years with support from the company.

Couldn't recommend a good modern apprenticeship more.
 
Vidar said:
While I agree with both of the above in principal I can also say from experience that not going to university was the biggest mistake I could have made...
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If you are competent and present yourself well, you will get a lot further than a graduate filled with outdated literature and no practical experience. I complete a college course and a couple of extras just to get the attention of my first employer, after that it's been plain sailing...

My advice is to seek employment in enterprise level companies such has large corporate offices or manufacturing companies, you will gain a lot of desirable knowledge there, which could give you the opportunity progress and branch off into different areas. After that, I'd recommend focusing on employment in pre-sales consultancy, so much money in it!
 
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Gilly said:
Find a big company that's taking on helpdesk staff. Research the company, work hard, get promoted out of it.

Quickest way into the general area.
Click to expand...

Been trying to do this myself for about 6 month. 5 Interviews, and personally they like me. But no MCSE or CCNA to back me up.. When theirs 400approx people apply for the same role, we will always miss out. This option was the best about 5 years ago.

Im actually enrolling at open university this year to get the certs.
 
Vidar said:
While I agree with both of the above in principal I can also say from experience that not going to university was the biggest mistake I could have made...

I'm 29 now and have gone back to college to do a BTEC level 3 in IT with a view of going to university hopefully to do an integrated masters in computer science or something of a similar nature.

I have tried to get ahead in life without a degree and sooner or later I have always come unstuck.
Click to expand...

It depends what you want to do in IT. The only reason to go to Uni is if you want to be in business and development rather than support and service.

If you want to be in IT support Uni is worthless.

Belloni said:
I'm assuming helpdesk staff is the first step within IT then.

I don't have any IT experience but i'm good with technology, well I get told I am! Just need to think of a career path within IT or will that come to me from working on helpdesk?
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It doesn't have to be but I think it's the fastest way into the industry.

Belloni said:
I live in Hertfordshire if that's any help?
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Anywhere near Stevenage?

JoeF1 said:
Been trying to do this myself for about 6 month. 5 Interviews, and personally they like me. But no MCSE or CCNA to back me up.. When theirs 400approx people apply for the same role, we will always miss out. This option was the best about 5 years ago.

Im actually enrolling at open university this year to get the certs.
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Are you going directly to the companies? I would personally sign up with an IT agency like Adecco and get a placement that way.

Helps if you know someone within the company too.
 
blairw said:
I served my apprenticeship with one of, if not the biggest telecoms and it companies in Britain.
3 years work experience, Nvq and foundation degree earning very good money for my age. I've now moved within the company a few times and work as a service relationship manager.
Also been 'topping' up my degree so with graduate with Hons next year. Fully intend on starting my MBA in the next 5 years with support from the company.

Couldn't recommend a good modern apprenticeship more.
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May I ask how you went about to get that apprenticeship within such a company?
 
Might be worth signing up with Adecco then. Fujitsu has a large base in Stevenage and are always looking for temp/agency staff. Anyone looking to progress quickly is generally allowed to do so and taken on in a permanent role.
 
Ah ok brilliant thanks Gilly. Are they online only or can you go in and see them? I've tend to found that going into recruiters so they can see you personally is better then just another CV kind of thing.
 
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