Can't decide on a course.

[willhub]

I have decided to take the route of getting a BSC qualification, pref is MMU or Uni of Salford.

I've being looking at the courses and am totally unsure as to which would be the right choice for me.

The sort of job I would like to go into would be computer support, maintaining computer systems, upgrading, troubleshooting problems in a workplace or perhaps user problems over the phone.

The thing is, all the computing related courses seem to be heavy on programming, databases and networking, I really don't want to do programming or database work at all, when I get into networking subjects I find them quite interesting, if I wanted to go into computer support would networking be necessary?

Will all courses have databases and programming in so you get the basics of these subjects anyway?

Any insight would be appreciated, I've got till end of march to decide on a course, mainly so I get my accommodation sorted.

Thanks
Will.

 

[willhub]

Well I thought getting a degree would help and I want to stay in Manchester too, and I can't see how I'd be able to afford it any other way, don't know where I could apply to round Manchester to get a job when all I've got is a foundation degree in computer systems support.

 

[willhub]

I don't think I'd want to be a network admin.

 

[willhub]

I don't see where else I could aim tbh.

 

[willhub]

So am I wasting my time by going to uni?

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/course_detail.php?course_id=7147

That looks the most interesting course they offer.

The part that worrys me is:

In Year 3 you will be investigating the design and evaluation of both embedded and modern high performance computing systems and analysing current trends and security measures and the technologies used in computer communication networks. You will also study one of three options. You may choose an analysis of satellite hardware and communications technology and its applications or you may decide to extend your Web-based skills using open-source and commercial solutions for dynamic web content, or develop your programming and database skills across a range of platforms. The final year also includes a large individual project of your choice, in which you can showcase your skills and knowledge.

I don't know what to think though, it's the 3rd year that and I'd hope I learnt enough through it to manage the 3rd year ok.

Seems mad though, I'll be 24 or 25 when I finish that if I choose to do that as I'd think the sandwich route would be the best bet?

All the money, 2 years doing a foundation degree, 3/4 doing a BSC, I'm going to be in allot of student debt. Would it be worth it??

 

[willhub]

What qualifications do you have currently? I know a number of people who didn't start uni until 24-25, so you won't be at any disadvantage because of your age.

I have a BTEC National Diploma for IT Practitioners (General) and Foundation Degree in Computer Systems Support.

 

[willhub]

Could get a job doing what you want to do now with that piece of cake!

I've no idea where to start looking tbh, I've also never had a proper job before.

I did a BSc in Computer Network ant Tech at Hertfordshire which was good fun, there was programming though.

Now I'm a network admin but that is what I wanted to do, I always wanted to work in networking. I was always prepared to go in to support though as most graduates are. It's sort of like a right of passage to gain experianceb before moving on.

As to your other questions, dont think of the debt, uni is a life experiance and in my mind worth every penny. I'm nearly 20K in the hole but you dont think about it, its not like a car loan where they will come and take you to court. It comes off your wages and you dont notice it, like a graduate tax.

And when I started uni I became very good friends with a 24 and 25 year old and I was 18, you dont notice the age gap and just get on with it. I would strongly recommend living away from home though, even if its just for year 1.

I'm away from home at the moment in Manchester, I want to stay here as I'm a keen cyclist and have had good training opportunities come up that will turn me into a proper good cyclist, but once college finished, I'd not be able to afford to live here unless I was doing a course at uni, I'd not be able to find a job and get enough money to pay for a place to live quick enough.

If a BSC would improve my prospects and possibly open new doors I'd be all for it, especially if it has work experience in a real workplace.

Truth be told I'm not 100% at all sure what I want to do, I do think maybe a BSC which would give me a degree but also possibly help me decide what I want to do after the degree, if the degrees got plenty of areas of computing in the course to help me decide.

 

[willhub]

If thats the case you really want to find a uni course that provides just that.

The course that I did covered a lot of different areas of IT and in final year I got to choose the subjects I found interesting.

I would definately advise on doing a sandwich course personally you a lot more valuable with that one year in industry!

The best course I can find is this:

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/undergrad...course_id=7147

 

[willhub]

No you don't. You might think that you do and you may even enjoy it for a year or two but it is absolutely bobbins work and generally you stop learning new things pretty quickly. Especially in a corporate environment.

If you really want to do a degree what I would suggest would be to look at doing straight Computer Science (http://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/course_detail.php?course_id=7048). Yes it does have some programming in, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing and knowing the ins and outs of DBs if you are supporting the hardware is no bad thing either. A wider degree gives you more options when you finish it and maybe have a better idea of what you want to do with your career.

That's 100% programming and database though :s

 

[willhub]

I could look at Leeds or Sheffield, but I would like to stay in Manchester.

This is what I got from contacting MMU:

Hello Will,

Thank you for your enquiry.

Maintenance, troubleshooting is not seen as a degree level if you are looking to work
with hardware I would tell you to consider networking as that has a lot of the elements
that you have discussed. A lot of undergraduates would maybe get a initial job in support
but at degree level you would or should really aim for management level rather than
technician. All undergraduates would be expected to have this foundation of knowledge
developed during the course or by the end.

I would suggest that you review the path that you want to take as all lines within our
institute for computing require you to interact with software and in our degrees it will
involve programming or an appreciation of programming as all hardware is used to
accommodate the software.

Please feel free to contact us for any further queries.

Maybe I'm scared of getting a job that level, I don't see I'd be able to even after a bsc, I'd have to start from the bottom as I've never had a real job, just voluntary. I guess the skills to be in a job at management would be gained from the job.

Seems every job I'd also need a CCNA.