University Grads - A quick question

p4radox · 2 Aug 2011 at 22:33

I got good A levels so most courses were open, but the only ones I really considered were engineering, or combined physics and philosophy.

I didn't really think about employment afterward as I saw university more as 4 years of academic study that isn't necessarily vocational and figured that with a good degree I could pretty much do as I pleased anyway.

In the end I chose engineering and have just graduated with an MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I got 3 job offers and accepted the best one. More people should do engineering, it's great fun, interesting, pays quite well, and there seem to be thousands of jobs available.

nick1988 · 2 Aug 2011 at 23:42

Always been into computers so Comp sci was the obvious choice! Just a bonus really that there is a good amount of IT jobs about and IT can pay pretty well aswell!

RedvGreen · 2 Aug 2011 at 23:59

IT does not pay well.

It paid well around 10-15yrs ago in it's 'boom' period where people were overpaid, and anyone who could operate MSDOS or UNIX could walk into a role without being questioned.

Nowadays you need a shedload of experience to walk into a mediocre pay technician role. Usually the career progression is this:

1. Helpdesk Officer (lowest IT level)
2. Technician
3. Senior Technician
4. Supervisor/Network Manager
5. Team Manager
6. IT Manager
7. Assistant IT Director
8. IT Director

It is easy to get 5-8 as they do not demand intrinsic technical know-how, unfortunately the 1-4 DO. As a Technician you are massively inconvenienced as you generally are skilled up in one field which is typically unique to that one institution/company - those skills are sometimes NOT transferrable unless you are a 'developer' or DBA.

Locke · 3 Aug 2011 at 00:04

I chose Comp Sci because I've always loved Computers and solving problems, the two kinda go in tandem fairly well. Computer Science does cover a fairly large area of knowledge that can be transferred into other job roles, which is why it's popular amongst IT companies.

@f00f1ght0r You're probably just in a area where there is low demand. Trust me, IT is still in high demand, particular areas of knowledge are paid extremely well.