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Thread: Start Work now or goto Uni?

  1. #1
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    Start Work now or goto Uni?

    I've got an interview for this job next week http://www.mertonlocaljobs.co.uk/?id_job=38910 and I have just applied to do Computer Science with Network Communications at Kingston Uni. I'm unsure whether to start work, or go to higher education. I am quite ambious and I'll like to get somewhere in life. I spoke to the head of IT at where my dad works and he said I should go to university as there will be more options available to you when you graduate. He said if you go into a support I.T. role, you will hit a ceiling quite quickly. This true? What do you guys recommend?

    Cheers.

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    Pink & Fluffy! Elmo's Avatar
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    go to uni!

    i havent read the post yet, but you really would be missing out on an amazing experience if you didnt go to uni and you had the chance to.

    Jobs will come and go, and u'll most definitely get one when you leave uni, but for the fun and the social experience alone, i'd say uni.

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    Jobs will come and go, and u'll most definitely get one when you leave uni
    Some of my friends would like to know where ? especially in the I.T sector.

    If the job is really worth while and has a couple of years worth of growth in it (pick up skills and progress yourself) its worth considering. Experience and knowledge of real world senario's is much more vital especially in IT at the moment with so much being off shored. Also expereience will further your salery much quicker than a degree.

    I'm not saying don't go but make sure its a great job with at least 2 years worth of prospect in.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Indeed, I'd be really against going to uni if you don't really want to. It will be great fun and you'll come out the end of it more employable and capable of earning more but what other skills could you have gained during those 3/4 years? Do you want that much debt (I'm talking up to £32'000 rather than the £18'000 I'll owe by the time i finish)?

    It looks like an ok job (I'm not in the IT field really) but do you want to go to uni from home though? It won't be the same as uprooting and going off somewhere nice (oops, is Kingston, not Kingston upon Hell) and living in Halls or with some new mates.

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    Senior Member Kezzer's Avatar
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    I'd go to uni first, because i did! but that's my opinion. I just feel it's best to get edu-ma-cation out of the way now, then work later on in life

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    Go to uni mate, having that bit of paper makes a hell of a difference and you will have such a fantastic time. I am graduating next month and I dont wanna leave

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    Pink & Fluffy! Elmo's Avatar
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    the idea of leaving all the friends i've made over the past 3 years is actually alot more upsetting than i ever thought it would be.

    i really hope to keep in touch with most of them though

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    Exclamation

    Well, speaking as someone has already done the uni thing, and having been in work for 2 years after, I would have to say, try and get a job first...

    Experience is always good to have, and just as important, if not more than a 'bit of paper'.

    You will also find out what work is like - you may find you hate the job, and thus decide not to do that type of degree (I know LOADS of people who have done degrees and NOT got a job to do with ANYTHING to do with what they were studying).

    If you do like the job, you can always go to uni after a few years - your employer may even pay for you to go...!

    Yes, after uni getting a job is easy - but getting a good job is still hard, and experience helps.
    You will still prob have to 'work your way up' or do some training of some sort.

    You will also have to pay off your debt! Somthing that is tough when you have just started work and are on a starting wage of probably £16k.

    But don't listen to me....I'm just an old moody....
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    I'm just looking Tifosi's Avatar
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    To add another perspective, personally I hate uni and I know of people who don't think its great. So don't get too hyped up incase its not what you are expecting it to be.

    Also consider everyone on here either 'older' received grants, 'currently' not paying tuition fees. I think its important you consider your costs since they will be wildly different to ours. Its very well people who have been saying its worthwhile but YMMV especially with your tuition fees.

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    Photographer; for hire!! shiato storm's Avatar
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    go to uni.
    but if this is your gap year work like a nazi so as to alieviate any potential debt problems
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    Junior Senior Member Aaron's Avatar
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    I'm assuming that you're about 18.

    If you're erring towards taking up the job, then I suggest doing it. If things don't work out or you find that you hit that ceiling quickly then you apply for university next year.

    Going to uni a year late is actually a bit of an advantage. After working for a year, you'll appreciate it more, you'll have more money than your average student and when you graduate you'll have that vital year's experience over your classmates.

    Go with what your heart says.

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    ^^ Listen to the man ^^

    ....but go with your head!!

    What do your folks want you to do??
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    Senior Trouble Maker muddyfox470's Avatar
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    The difference between wages of starting now and going to uni is decreasing constantly. But if you get a good degree at a decent uni it is renowned and will put you in good stead for the rest of your life!

    However if you can find a good employer now, that will give you a good career path, and offers on the job training you can get just as far as with a degree. I.e. Rolls Royce and other companies offer good schemes to pick college leavers and tailor them to integrate into the business much better.

    However Uni isn't just about learning, i am guessing it is a hell of a lot of fun, and gives great life experience, i wouldn't know, but i am going in october w00t!!!

    Cheers

    Ian
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    21st century digital boy noah's Avatar
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    like a couple of other guys said, if your thinking of doing the job, give it a go. do it for a year or two and then go to uni. a degree is a very useful thing to have but its hard to use without experience.

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    For the record, am approaching 20 in July.

    Part of me is saying, go to University, see how far you'll get. And hope to get a good placement during the 3rd year. I don't want to be doing I.T. support for the rest of my life to be honest. Maybe teach at some point. I feel it seems like it's getting harder and harder to get a job. I was very supprised at woman at Kingston saying that people find placements very easily and pretty much fall into a job after graduation.

    I spoke to my mum and she said, go to Uni. I've been speaking to my some of my mates. One of which is at City University. He said go to Uni but don't go just to impress people. And he said you don't have to prove anything to anyone. Also, I spoke to my gf's brother-in-law who's has a a Msc from Imperial and he said going to Higher Education is something you should consider. Especially when some companies require a degree minimum.

    This job does sound quite perfect considering the training. I suppose I should hold out untill the interview and see what it's really like.

    Also, would you say getting a degree from Kingston is worth while?

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    Loves duck, Peking Duck! bsodmike's Avatar
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    Go to Uni, if you start workin' now you'll never go to uni...

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