What qualifications should I get?

[downhiller80]

First off I'm in the UK. I don't know how much this changes from the states to here but please state which country you're in.

I'm about to start my final year of a BSc in physics. If I work my arse to the bone I can get a first but a 2:1 is pretty much guaranteed.

However, I want to work with computers, not physicsists.

Now I can do a one year masters course in computing but is this worth it. Am I better off getting non degree related qualifications like A+ and all that. If so what ones?

I really don't know what field I want to get into but I think software engineering. I have programmed in Qbasic, BBC basic, Turbo Pascal, Visual Basic and Visual C++. I'm by no means fluent in any of these, but I've a strong understanding of the basics. Is C++ still the best to learn? Would I be better off taking up something less-mainstream so as to be more of a rarity & hence easily employed?

Thanks for your help. I'd have been more detailed but I wanted to keep it short(ish) so you'd read it!

Seb

 

[Mday]

many are jumping on java... and i mean many.

microsoft is abandoning it...

um, so i guess engineering is out of the question... yeah, it's the last year, which is going to make things a mess...

it really depends on what you want to do with computers. A+ will get you a job as tech support, as will others. So, if others have problems with their computers, they come to you, or to where ever you work.

Sooner or later, it can, but not necessarily, become more of a consultant thing, where having a college degree can help, but is not necessary. what i see a consultant doing is more of, a company goes to you or where you work, and hires you to create a network for them. This also involves tech support, but you are supporting systems you "created."

and then there is programming... well, you program.

the IT industry is HUGE, and there are subsets of subsets... so what the hell do you want to do?

i think i listed those 3 in order of increasing salary... but i am not sure of the programming and consultant.

someone who graduated from the same engineering program i am in is a consultant. He has a degree in computer science (BS) and, um, computer engineering (BE), i think. he gets well paid. consultant is not the same thing as an engineer, but is somewhat similar.

of course all i have said is BS, since i am still in college

 

[whooosh]

If you're worried about being employed, i say learn ASP (Active server pages) There is a great demand for ASP programmers, because of this so call "Internet" Perhaps learn some SQL, and Cold Fusion with it. That'll get you a job easily..in the States at least. If Internet is not your thing, C/C++ is great. Its pretty main stream, and theres always a need for them.

As for non degree related, i would say MSCE would be nice to have, and the pay isn't bad. (MSCE's salary is less then a programming job) Sun/Oracle cert (not sure what its called) would get you a better position, very high demand and high pay.

whooosh

 

[downhiller80]

How do I make myself stand out when applying for a programming job? Would they rather see a list of pointless qualifications or a CDR with my latest project on it?

Seb

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

you don't ever give out a project before it's done. BIG no no in the IT industry. That's why Intel has secrets...

If you ask me, go for your CYSCO certification. The classes, I'm told, run about $5,000, but you're almost guaranteed $40K~$50K to start. Nice, eh?

If you want more info on it, contact Viper GTS.

 

[downhiller80]

I don't see the big deal about giving out a project? Surely it's good to show them what I can do?

I'm thinking I should go for programming physical simulations or something so my degree's sort of being used for something!

Seb

 

[beat mania]

A one year master course in what, CS?
I'd do it, it only takes a year, and you get a MA. Of course, unless your university really suck or something then I'd seriously reconsider, because most ppl won't take your degree seriously if that's the case.
I think a physics BS and a CS MA added together is pretty much what you say you'd get.

 

[THELAIR]

I can second java, but more importantly ASP is the way to go. MS is pushing ASP as hard as they were pushing win95 to the desktop users.

You can look into getting your MCSD MS Systems Designer or somthing like that, rather than the MCSE which are just networking guys. Software Engineers make more than networking guys, but i dont like programming so its a matter of what your preference is.

 

[Haircut]

sebfrost, I'm pretty much in the same situation as you. I am going into my final year of a mathematical physics BSc in a couple of weeks, but I do not really want to do maths/physics based stuff when I graduate.
I have been working with computers as a job over the summer and from what I have learnt Java and ASP seem to be quite big at the minute as most of the guys here have said.
Also learning some networking stuff (ie TCP/IP) would not go amiss.
Hopefully I will have a future in the computing industry because my boss over the summer has offered me a job starting at £18,000pa when I graduate

 

[downhiller80]

What uni are you at? Manchester?

Seb

 

[Haircut]

I live in Manchester, but I'm at uni in Nottingham.
it's pretty good, but I will have sh!t loads of work to do this year

 

[downhiller80]

Is nottingham good? From what I've heard that's where I'll go if I do a computing masters.

Seb

 

[Haircut]

Yeah, I like Nottingham, I have just got back to my flat today. It's one of my flatmates 21st birthday tomorrow, so we will be absolutely slaughtered then
I can really recommend Nottingham as a city, there is lots to do here and the city is quite compact (at least next to Manchester or London). The campus is really nice too and there are 14 bars on campus