[klain42]

I have worked in a school for the past 6 years as an IT technician and have the following qualifications:

• ComTIA A+ Certified Technician
• MCP - Microsoft Certified Professional in Windows XP
• City and Guilds Level 2 IT apprenticeship
• MCSA/MCSE Training

In addition to the qualifications I have a wide array of experience with networking technologies I.E. active directory and image deployment.

For the past year I have being studying a biology degree and believe I will fail the first year, due to a number of problems.

Currently I plan to take a year out learning C++ and getting some experience doing contract work, then once this is completed apply for a Computer Science degree.

I was wondering if anybody had any advice about how I should proceed over this next year to become more employable and better meet the entry requirements for a computer science degree.

P.S. I have booked myself on an intensive 3 day course at the end of which I will be a CompTIA Network+ certified technician, I am then considering the CCNA but believe this may be overkill.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Martin

[djshine88]

In all honesty, i was on the same boat as you.

I got my comp tia a+ and afterwards wanted to pursue with CCNA, and MCSE.

Now i took the opposite approach and became a software engineer. Still love my hardware though.

I would try hard to get CCNA because that will always be in demand somewhere. BT are always looking for engineers to help them.

Personally speaking, im not saying C++ isn't used, but if you did start an IT degree, the majority would make you learn Java. That's what im learning, and although i do like Java, i want to learn different languages.

My personal advice is to pursue CCNA. My head of department lecturer mentioned to me that Cisco are always encouraging for graduates of CCNA because there is a bit of a lack somewhere... I can't remember his exact words but what he basically was trying to get at was that there are jobs but not enough graduates to fill in the demand.


I hope this helps.


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[welshwaynejack]

Here's my two pence!

Why did you leave your IT Technician job? I take you wanted to do something with the biology degree? I know you could probably transfer to another course within your university. If IT or computer science is your thing then it is easy to transfer but you will have to re do the first year again.

In regards to taking a year out to learn C++, I wouldn’t bother you could always pick up some self study books and learn whatever program language that takes your fancy. From my experience once you learn the fundamentals of programming you can pick up the different languages quiet easily, though some might have slight differences. There’s plenty of programming/coding website available to help enhance your knowledge. If you must take a year off then volunteer or try and get a temp job within a software house and try and learn coding on the job. This will both give you a real insight into programming/software development and will boost your programming experience.

I’m not a big fan of intensive training courses, it takes time to learn the fundamentals and gain experience of using different tools, this can all be gained via self study and possibly volunteering or working and not cramming and overloading yourself with theory, which you will most probably forget. Personally if you want to pass your network + then get the various study guides and work through them writing down notes as well as playing around with some cheap kit/tools bought from ebay/ebuyer/dabs etc. This would be more worthwhile and will save you splashing out on a rip off course.

One the topic of certification, the whole point of this piece of paper is to verify your current working level as well as showing that you know the theory. The common misconception is that certification will get you a job. It won’t, a combination of experience, the right certification and possibly a degree will open doors. I wouldn’t bother doing anything CISCO related unless you are working with the kit day to day and are experienced. No company is going to let someone lose on their network without experience. Cisco certification are expensive and you would need to keep shelling out eventually on recertification, therefore don’t bother. You can check out certification websites and they will state the same thing, leave Cisco certs alone unless you’re working with the kit.

Have you considered with your experience and knowledge of system support, thought about doing first or second line support? If not have a look at CWJOBS.
Hope that helps

[klain42]

Well I am really hoping to do a Computer Science degree then get a masters afterwards and move into research, but I would like to get further industry qualifications if it doesn't work out.

Primarily I am taking this year to learn C++ and do a couple of contract/volunteer projects. I know the basics of programming already as I have experience with Java and know the following scripting languages: PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML 4 (Need to read up on 5), bits of Actionscript.

I don't think I'll have time to learn some of the other languages that I know is in the course such as C# and C, but I know they are related to C++

P.S. I left my technician job as I had worked there for 5 years and needed a change, I also went to that school and lived in the same town all my life, so I got very, very ,very bored and as getting a degree has always been a goal I thought I would do something different, I am still waiting for my results but believe I have failed the 1st year, so I think taking a year out is a good idea to realise my passions.

[welshwaynejack]

Personally I would just transfer instead of taking the year out and self study the different languages your looking to learn... University will typically cover a few of the main ones but that depends on what course you take and the university you study at. If your moving on a MSC then research the course your looking to go into after your Bsc as a Masters will tend to be more specialised when compared to your undergraduate degree. For example I did my original degree in computing and information systems then moved onto a masters in computer forensics.

If your main goal is to move into research then a PHD would be your next move after your masters. The PHD will either involve taking up a funded selected topic or self funding your own research. Funding for PHD's have dried up considerably since the credit crunch and alot of universities have only a small amount of places available.

Good luck anyways

[klain42]

One of my concerns is my age however at I am 25 and by the time I get a pHD I will be a lot older than others.

[AndroidLight]

As welshwaynejack recommended, I would also echo not taking a gap year and transferring to a Computer Science course. It will speed things up a lot for you (you'll learn a lot more), not just in practical programming but in theory too, which in my mind is a lot harder to understand without formal guidance. Things like data structures, how to make a program faster, algorithm design and so on, you won't really be able to do unless you go to uni and get formal tutelage and practice in. With the languages you listed that you know/have experience of, programming at the basic level shouldn't be too hard for you. It's the more difficult concepts that uni will teach you. The techniques used in javascript are fairly similar to most other languages on the basic level, but to be a proficient programmer at a well paying institute you'll need to be able to know a lot more. Unis also tend to teach you things like networks and technology which are useful too.

I don't know what your specific plan is, but a lot of Computer Science courses require maths, so you may look to brush up on that, but if you haven't done it recently then maybe a course that's not too heavy on it would be best, especially as maths can be a bore to study at times. If you do have any maths qualifications then those will certainly help in terms of entry.

If you are doing your year out with contracts and the C++, then all the best. I would recommend possibly paying for a private mentor occasionally for direction (I'm currently doing this), attending as many short courses as you can, and possibly attending networking meetings (this website has some very good ones - http://www.meetup.com/). Essentially just make the best use of your time and stay busy, compsci jobs can be very rewarding and certainly interesting, but there are a fair few people in the field and you really do need to differentiate yourself by knowing the area to depth.

[welshwaynejack]

(Original post by klain42)
One of my concerns is my age however at I am 25 and by the time I get a pHD I will be a lot older than others.

If its something you want to do then age shouldn't be a problem. Most PHD students are mature students.

[samperry209]

(Original post by welshwaynejack)
If its something you want to do then age shouldn't be a problem. Most PHD students are mature students.

My Trainer who helped me gain A+ is still doing degrees at 45.. your never too old!

Im struggling at the moment due to lack of experience.. But I myself have A+ and MTA's and Ive studied to do my MCTS and Network + but i just cant afford it on jobseekers..

Your experience is worth sooo much so take it to your advantage!