Confused

[josh11490]

I'm looking for help,

im in college doing BTEC level 3 in IT, its a 2 year course and im 5 weeks into it.

this is the bit where im confused, after this 2 year course if i do well and get UCAS points there is a chance i could get into Uni, but im not sure what course i want to do, i want it to be IT related and when i come out of uni hopefully into a well paid job.

or my other option is to leave college after 2 years and try and find a job, but where i live there isnt, so im expecting that when i do eventually get an IT based job it will be in Newport or Cardiff.

im unsure of what to do and want to know what to do so i can aim for something because at the moment im just falling behind because i have no aim.

sorry for the essay, but i would like to know what people think of uni and if its worth it and if they have finished have they got a job?

thanks :):hug:

[sam_16v]

Tbh mate going to uni doesnt guarantee you a job :n: my mrs is qualified nvq3 in childcare after spending three years skint going to college, yet she has been searching for a job for over a year.. still nothing so she is with an agency :n: i dont think any qualification will guarantee you a job :n: do what you feel is right though & dont make any rash decisions that you may regret in the future... Good luck in what ever you decide :y:

[josh11490]

thanks :) i have plenty of time to decide, my girlfriends doing level 2 childcare at the moment, but im unsure what courses i would want to do and i so have my doubts about if i get a merit in this course :/ thanks though :)

[sam_16v]

imo that is... its always good to better yourself though :y: like you said you have plenty of time to decide, so just enjoy your course for now i guess :)

[RichM]

I was doing a BTEC level 3 in IT, finished the first year then had my accident at the start of the second year and wasn't sure what I was gonna do after completing it so you're not alone there. Was thinking of uni just so I had something to do but it's all on hold atm.

[Bound]

I would try and get a job after college..

But there's no clear answer. Some people will tell you to go to uni to potentially earn more in the future/'better career prospects' (which is the only real aim right of uni right? other than the parties, chicks and booze), other people will tell you to take your IT BTEC and get your foot in the door with an IT company and work your way up and start getting 'experience' as soon as you can.

[sam_16v]

I would try and get a job after College..

But there's no clear answer.

uni will always be there wether its when you finish college or in 10years time, thats another thing :y: so thers no rush

[josh11490]

yeah i can see what your all saying, i guess im just worried becuase my mum and dad have had money problems for the last 10 years so i dont want to be like that, i dont expect to be rich or anything just to have a bit of money there to spend if i wanted, so im aiming for an half tidy job.

The other problem is that where i live it is extremely hard to get a job but i can get to Cardiff or Newport, how would you say would be the best way about getting an apprenticeship or a job to get experience when i finish? just email/contact companies closer to the time?

thanks for all your help :)

[sam_16v]

i had that problem when i lived at home (was in the middle of nowhere lol) My mrs done an apprenticipe when she done her nvq3, its deffo a good way of getting more experience, but still theres no guarantee that you would find a job :n: give it a go though :)

[Bound]

One piece of advice that I think will be hard to argue with though (I'm sure you already know), if it's hard enough to get a job now in your area now - Don't drop out of college! See it through.

[josh11490]

i wont be dropping out of college, not worth it imo and then even though im getting paid only 60 a fortnight if i dropped out i wouldnt get that and i wouldnt have my vtr lol but i want my qualifications, im just trying to work out what im aiming for and where in the IT industry i want to go :)

[b0t13]

finished the course at college, and tbh if i was in that position now id be going straight into the industry,

but you need to decide what area of IT you want to be in, IT itself is very general,

ive got a 1st class IT degree and companies still want lots of experience!

[Manu]

not sure if you fancy being 50 grand in debt after finishing uni. Add the interest in the equation and that makes you a debt slave for life.

[jw1325]

After college, get a job.

can't you do Open University for Uni?

or find a job that will put you through Uni too?

IIRC Matt on here has a job that puts him through Uni aswell?

[matt_vtr_15a]

After college, get a job.

can't you do Open University for Uni?

or find a job that will put you through Uni too?

IIRC Matt on here has a job that puts him through Uni aswell?

Me?

Yes I do, It takes a bit longer to qualify (I'm on my 7th and final year) Architectural Technologist.. (5 year course normally)

I would definately suggest trying to get some actual work experience. A lot of people I go to uni with who do it full time are struggling.

Whereas from my part time experience, I get a good wage, fees are paid for and I have my job no matter what and will work 5 days instead of 4 days when I qualify...

I believe some companies get government grants for taking on trainees, I would recommend that route! Even if you have to pay the fees yourself your gaining experience which will set you apart from full timers..

[jw1325]

Me?

Yes you cum bucket

[nicole_]

im kind of in the same predicament.
im not sure what to do when I feel my sons old enough to go to nursery
i either go back to work and find a dead end job
find an apprenticeship in a trade
or go to college, do an access course and then go on to uni to do teaching.
for me,
the dead end job doesnt leave me with very good prospects/money
apprenticeships involve going away to college/really low pay unless i can find one with a decent company
access course + uni leave me in a lot of debt and the access course is a lot as ill be 20, but teaching fits in with being a mum and its what i wanted to do it at school + the pay and holidays arent that bad.
i think you really have to sit down and weigh up the pros and cons and what fits in with your lifestyle.