Tertiary education - Necessity?

[Delerium]

OP, im in a similar boat. im exactly half way thorugh my degree at Auckland uni. Im finding that the stuff we are doing now in the papers is the interesting and relevant material though. Which has made up my mind to finish. (that and that work is picking up the tab).

On average those with a degree get paid more than those without. I figure that with the management and leadership exeperiance from work and a uni degree in information systems, and operations management will hold me in good stead to work my way up the corporate ladder.

[Insanity_rules]

My 2 cents.... I own an IT solutions company and I have bugger all paper (other than microsoft and other associated certs). I find that if I put a graduate on the tools I have to undo a bit of learning and wake them up with a bit of real world scenario. However web dev's, sales consultants and associated designers are more use to me complete with a shiney degree as that type of learning works bettter for those tasks.

I design, architect and install spec systems (Network engineer/ consultant) and in that world its all about the practical. For that kind of role I prefer diploma students so they have learnt enough but we can add to it. In saying that I also look for genuine interest in each field so that my candidate doesn't burn out and become resentful of their job.

In your case I'd finish your training first because for your path (as long as thats the path your going to take) it'll work better.

[Tank]

Most of us can only say what worked or didn't work for us so don't necessarily take our advice as the ultimate. From what I have seen success is usually proportional to willpower.

Probaly the best trueism in this thread.

Work hard and work smart - sucess will come.

[Slyer]

Remind me to ask you for a job later.

[EJK]

Probaly the best trueism in this thread.

Work hard and work smart - sucess will come.

Notes taken :-)


Here I tell you the truth. I'm so greateful that I get to recieve free hints and tips from many professionals whom has expertised on the IT Industry.

For that I really (from the bottom of my heart) thank you. Really, sincerely.

Remind me to ask you for a job later.

O rly? Thought you were my rivalry? :-P

[Delerium]

My 2 cents.... I own an IT solutions company and I have bugger all paper (other than microsoft and other associated certs). I find that if I put a graduate on the tools I have to undo a bit of learning and wake them up with a bit of real world scenario. However web dev's, sales consultants and associated designers are more use to me complete with a shiney degree as that type of learning works bettter for those tasks.

I design, architect and install spec systems (Network engineer/ consultant) and in that world its all about the practical. For that kind of role I prefer diploma students so they have learnt enough but we can add to it. In saying that I also look for genuine interest in each field so that my candidate doesn't burn out and become resentful of their job.

In your case I'd finish your training first because for your path (as long as thats the path your going to take) it'll work better.

What about one with a degree, military training in the same area, and experiance with it also ie fibre optic and cat 5 installation with basic network construction? (genuine question not taking the piss)

[BuzzardNZ]

Don't bother with IT, it'll all be outsourced to India eventually anyway.
I've been in the IT industry for 12 years and have seen the gradual trend for companys to outsource the development. Pay peanuts, get monkeys, but the damn bean counters don't seem to realise this!

[mashman]

Don't bother with IT, it'll all be outsourced to India eventually anyway.
I've been in the IT industry for 12 years and have seen the gradual trend for companys to outsource the development. Pay peanuts, get monkeys, but the damn bean counters don't seem to realise this!

My brother in law does 2 - 3 months in India every now and then and his recommendation, to his company, is that it'd be cheaper to develop in the UK (if you know the UK market it's VERY easy to make lots of money there)... why? simple. They don't seem to have the skills/talent to do the job properly... application costs ballooning out of control because the maintenance costs of shit development are huge in terms of penalties for late delivery and poor SLA turnaround times, let alone the re-devlopment and all that goes before... but he's one of a line of people saying instead of 40 guys from India, give me 5 experienced guys from the UK and he'd have it done...

I too have dealt with guys in India, 2 months of stupid o'clock phone calls (from a desk in East Kilbride) chasing functionality, trying to get timescales for completion etc... I eventually made the same recommendation to my company... The skills may well be there, but the "best" have either been cherry picked or have moved to the UK/US etc... I would never recommend outsourcing to India if you're trying to keep your company reputation...

[pete376403]

Don't have any tertiary quals , do have a few microsoft certs, have been in the industry since starting with IBM in 1967. What I ahve seen is people come in qualified up the wazoo but totally useless in a practical way. I do believe that HR people love qualifications, certs, etc so when the appointee fucks up, HR can justify the placement by saying "well s/he had all the qualfications..."
In IT there are a shit load of people who talk the talk, but hopeless at walking the walk. In my experience, Indians are the worst, followed by Saffers.
And in HR there are shit load of people who believe that any overseas qual must be better than a New Zealand one

[Insanity_rules]

What about one with a degree, military training in the same area, and experiance with it also ie fibre optic and cat 5 installation with basic network construction? (genuine question not taking the piss)

The military training bit would pique my interest. Shows respect for authority and willingness to learn. The ones who think they know it all and aren't open to further training or instruction that are dangerous.