Hi,

Im nearly finished my HND college course and need to make decisions.

Do I take my education further? which means another 2 years studying, being skint, and living with my parents till im 24.

Or do I start looking for a JOB? risking that no-one employs me cos i dont have a university degree, ending up having to go full-time at maplins, aaargh! I still dont know what branch of electronics to follow.

Do all you knowledgable folk have degrees? did any of you learn in the 'university of life'?
I guess Im trying to start a thread on experiences of first jobs, how you got them etc.

M!C/<

Definitely continue college, and get an internship somewhere if you can. When there's 1 open job spot, and 50 people applying, you're at the bottom of the list as it is, right above high school grad. Experience is what counts. Either that or a master's degree. Or both. But you need the bachelor's + work experience to get above the bachelor's only, and above the associate's degrees. And getting a good job in a timely manner with a bachelor's is hard enough. Even harder without. If you're still not sure, by all means go ahead and post your resume and get them sent out to lots of places, and if you get something good, that's great for you, but if not, then you will be more sure of where only 2 years of education stand, and where you need to go from there.

Thanks for the advice,

I think I'll apply for Uni and also send out my CV.

There are HUGE numbers of people with degrees either unemployed, or working in minimum wage jobs - at one time having a degree almost guaranteed you a well paid job, with good prospects, but not any more!.

Personally I consider the reason is the large number of people doing useless degree subjects, simply because it's an easy course (this is encouraged by the UK school system, with the schools wanting kids to do the easy useless courses as it makes the school performance look better!).

By all means go to Uni, but FIRST study what degree will help you get a good job, there's loads of help and information available in this line - my year 9 daughter has already spend a day at Sheffield Uni, with two more days to come in year 10, then a full residential week in year 11. There are usually people available to talk about courses, based on the needs of the surrounding area, with almost guaranteed jobs if you take (and pass!) the correct course! - many also offer on the job experience, while you are doing your course!.

In the meantime, if you can find a decent job, I would probably tend to take it, but try and continue your studies in the evenings.

Hi elMickotanko,

I would tend to agree with Nigel (as usual) that there are a lot of 'time-waster' degrees out there waiting to take your money and just put "bums on seats" (that's the English, not American bums).

A big part of your desicion must be driven by the job you are aiming for, a chemistry degree seems to be important to get a modestly paid chemist's job but an engineering degree would have probably stopped me getting the job I have at the minute! (employers hate recruits having better qualifications than they have - it stops them feeling secure !!!); if you do go on to get a degree you may need to consider keeping it quiet for some applications!

Try to talk to would-be employers and ask them what they would expect from you - giving such advice is in their interest, securing future employees with the correct qualifications.

If you can visit a few employers (open days, job interviews, friends and contacts), ask whoever shows you around how they got the job, what qualifications they recommend and what their job entails. Look on the internet for background on the site/industry, don't turn up not knowing anything - there is nothing worse than showing somebody around a site and then being asked reaaly dumb questions like "where does the paper go after it has been through the incinerator?".

So in general an Associates Degree is junk at a Nationally accredited School, hmmm then 25k has junk went to the sewer system, I can't afford to goto school any longer. The US policy does not help the people as much as other countries, and companies in majority does not care about students.

I would live at my parents, well my mother in particular, if she cared. My Farther past 3 years ago. I have a 8 month old Son and going to school and working full time doesn't make ends meet up at all if fact I fall short monthly on dual incomes on a standard cost of living of over 2k net and that is the housholds net income, this is for the mid-west. In fact I get paid less than and average High school grad per capita.

The only way for me to get a Masters is if I get a sponsor or a huge scholarship that paid for it all, I would even sign a waiver stating that if I failed I would pay all back.

Rightnow I am a 12/120/240 US EU electrician that this company hires HS grads for, they basically told me they wouldn't pay more for my degree or experience since it is just as practical for them to hire someone out of High school, so I told them, in so many words that I would not leave my degree on the backburner forever I want to be able to use my degree when I can get paid comparativly more else where.

Hi,

I agree about these time-waster courses, things like 'david beckhamology'! :lol:

SocMatt,

What company is it u work for? How did u find out about it? I would love that, that would be ideal.

Where do I look for these companies?

Nigel:

but FIRST study what degree will help you get a good job

Do you mean what university/area or what actual course? I think any course as long as its electronics based is for me. I wouldnt mind giong somewhere else in uk to study, although Glasgow Uni look pretty impressive for electronics.

Originally Posted by elMickotanko

Do you mean what university/area or what actual course?

Mostly the course, but that often determines the Uni you select as well.

You should be able to meet with prospective employers through the University, these can advise you what they are looking for (and the Uni may well do specific courses for them!), and probably give you a job when you qualify?.

dudes whats the difference between graduating in the uk with these following degrees...

BEng Electronic Engineering
BSc Electronics


what is the difference? will it make a difference between getting a job? is it true you cant be chartered engineer unless you have BEng degree?

one last question, what kind of money can you get being an electronics engineer, some people have said its crap money an its hard to find a job, others say its a great field to go into and you can earn very good money

what are your opinions on this

thanks

Hi,

Through looking at university websites I found that Bsc isnt 'accredited' and so you cant become a chartered engineer with this. I suppose this means you will be paid less (to start with anyway).

na man my degree is accredited by Institute of Incorporated Engineers (for BSc) but for BEng its accredited by Institute of Electrical Engineers