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OU Computing and IT

Hi Guys,

Currently looking at studying Computing and IT with the Open University, and was wondering if anyone was able to use the fact that they were studying at the OU to secure jobs.

Reply 1

Juno

Original post by tm4dd0x

Hi Guys,

Currently looking at studying Computing and IT with the Open University, and was wondering if anyone was able to use the fact that they were studying at the OU to secure jobs.

In a different subject, one of my friends gained a promotion due to their OU studies. So it may be possible, depending on what jobs you're applying for.

Reply 2

winterscoming

Is your OU course a degree level course? Obviously students at brick-and-mortar universities can apply for internships when they're halfway through (usually they have at least 120-180 degree points under their belt by this stage), so if your course is on the same kind of level as this, some employers might look at you on that basis. Being that you're not studying full-time, it doesn't hurt to apply for permanent junior/graduate level jobs too. Every employer is different; but a lot of jobs have a "probation" period anyway of 3-6 months anyway.

Obviously there'll be competition from other students and graduates - it really depends a lot on a whole bunch of other factors too. Your grades so far will be important, but your chances at any technical jobs you apply for will be heavily determined by how well you can demonstrate competency in those technical areas on your CV and in an interview. For example, any job in general IT hardware/networking will probably expect you to be able to explain how you'd configure a system, how you'd troubleshoot networking issues, how to use various diagnostic tools, probably put you through some tests and ask a whole bunch of general CS questions, etc.

Alternatively, a programming job will probably put you through a fairly thorough programming skills test, and ask a lot of theoretical programming questions (the kind of stuff that a junior programmer at entry-level should be able to answer), talk through the process of developing and debugging a program, maybe ask you to talk through a programming project you've worked on, to show that you are actually capable of doing the 'basics', and that you can cope with the job.

So I'd think it's entirely possible, but it really depends on a lot more than simply being enrolled on the course or having good grades for the modules you've done so far - the technical skills, analytical/problem solving mindset, willingness to learn, general enthusiasm, personality, etc are all factors as well.