Anyone doing the GDF part time (evening) course?

CorkFenian

Just started it a few weeks ago, find it alright, bit disappointed that labs aren't compulsary and with the numbers in the class. Anyone doing it??Would be cool to hear of other peoples experiences...

dohabdub

CorkFenian wrote: »

Just started it a few weeks ago, find it alright, bit disappointed that labs aren't compulsary and with the numbers in the class. Anyone doing it??Would be cool to hear of other peoples experiences...

Why does the lack of compulsary labs bother you?

Personally I think most people after work would prefer to go home early and do the labs in their own time.

CorkFenian

I make lectures just in time after work for 6.30 besides having organised labs (at least at the start) its a good way to meet people..Thats just my opinion anyway..Are u doing the GDF evening course??

dohabdub

CorkFenian wrote: »

I make lectures just in time after work for 6.30 besides having organised labs (at least at the start) its a good way to meet people..Thats just my opinion anyway..Are u doing the GDF evening course??

I was suprised to hear this evening that there is no support for people who wish to stay behind and do the labs. I assumed if people wanted to they would have a tutor to go through the labs with them.

That's not on, especially if they're provided for full time/part time day students.

I just find it easier to do them in my own time.

and yep I'm on the evening course.

CorkFenian

I would like a mix of both...Theres a lot more people doing the course then was advertised originally as well..If you see someone coming in late this evening for Hyon Lee that will be me!! I'm happy enough with it overall in fairness, what do you think??

2Poc

Hi, I finished the course this year myself - graduating next month.

Just dropping a note to say to anyone on the course to feel free to drop me a message should you need any help or advice. Glad to help.

Re: Meeting & getting to know people, to be honest I found that didn't happen until the second year of the course.

Best of luck with it

CorkFenian

2Poc wrote: »

Hi, I finished the course this year myself - graduating next month.

Just dropping a note to say to anyone on the course to feel free to drop me a message should you need any help or advice. Glad to help.

Re: Meeting & getting to know people, to be honest I found that didn't happen until the second year of the course.

Best of luck with it

Cheers for post, overall how did you find it??Had you worked in IT before and how much of a help is it to you finding role in IT??(I realise now is a very different time)..I have been working in IT since 2000 and wanted something other than certifications on my CV...

2Poc

CorkFenian wrote: »

Cheers for post, overall how did you find it??Had you worked in IT before and how much of a help is it to you finding role in IT??(I realise now is a very different time)..I have been working in IT since 2000 and wanted something other than certifications on my CV...

I was in the exact same position as yourself - 10 years in IT & wanted a formal qualification. I'm currently doing the MSc in IT.

With regard to finding roles, I've been quite involved in recruiting technical people in the past & a formal education is a benefit.

Experience and cop on is great & sometimes enough but the problem is that your CV doesn't get past the screening phase in the bigger companies that stipulate a formal qualification as an entry requirement.

I found the course good overall, some subjects covered aspects of computing that you wouldnt normally experience through just work experience in IT - i.e. binary, assembler etc.

Some of it was too basic & fluffy though & some methods were out of date - i.e. completing a Java coding exam on paper just seems ridiculous...

CorkFenian

2Poc wrote: »

I was in the exact same position as yourself - 10 years in IT & wanted a formal qualification. I'm currently doing the MSc in IT.

With regard to finding roles, I've been quite involved in recruiting technical people in the past & a formal education is a benefit.

Experience and cop on is great & sometimes enough but the problem is that your CV doesn't get past the screening phase in the bigger companies that stipulate a formal qualification as an entry requirement.

I found the course good overall, some subjects covered aspects of computing that you wouldnt normally experience through just work experience in IT - i.e. binary, assembler etc.

Some of it was too basic & fluffy though & some methods were out of date - i.e. completing a Java coding exam on paper just seems ridiculous...

Cheers for that...I'm finding out that it wont be that easy and that its not a night course but full time content in part time hours..Looking forward to it..Its really picked up a lot since week 3...I come from a support background so Java will be tough going enough...