Late Applicant Mature Student: Personal Statement Help

neonitrix

Hi Guys,

I am 32 & married and applying for one of 2 courses:

1. TI009 Computing Tippeary Institue Thurles Higher Cert Computing
2. CW206 Computing Carlow Institue Higher Cert Computing.

I would love the Thurles college as it has more options later on for further study.

I have my personal statement as follows:
I am a mature student applicant and I have chosen this course because
I have a keen interest in computing. I would like to retrain to make
computing my career. I aim to start off with a 2 year Higher
Certificate Course to give me a base qualification to expand upon.

My major interest in computers has been there since early in
secondary school, I use them in daily life and am comfortable with
technology as a rule. I am regularly asked to diagnose problems
upgrade / rebuild systems or to update software, by friends and
relatives.

Through self-teaching and a NCVA Level 2 Business Studies-
Secretarial Course I attended after my Leaving Cert, I have
gained invaluable knowledge in various applications such as MS Word,
Publisher, PowerPoint, Excel and Access, I can also touch type
which is always useful. I am looking forward to the challange of
recommencing my education, am enjoying the possibilties that this may
bring me in the future.


below is what i dont want to be putting in a personal statement but what i really feel.

I dont really know what else to write to be honest. This is a big step financially. I would like to retrain as i have no qualifications to fall back on am currently unhappy with the way my current career is going. I have always enjoyed working with technology and would like to see myself as a qualified games developer in 5 years time.

I have put off applying for college for no other reason than i didnt want to risk fecking up everything.



any insight / ideas would be great.

tks

Neonitrix

looksee

Hi, Neonitrix. I think your statement is fine. I think you could put in the bit about getting into games technology in five years time. While a lot of people say the same, it does show you are taking a long term view and have some sort of a plan. It might be good if you could show an interest in some sort of graphics or animation programme, possibly Photoshop, if you are going towards games.

It might be a good idea to indicate what you have been working at previously - even if it isn't connected it shows you have been working, you do not have to go into detail.

If you have any particular interests you could mention them (hint, do not say socialising, listening to music, reading. Nothing wrong with them, but after you have read it 50 times it sounds like 'I go to the pub, wander around with headphones on and read the sports section of the paper' ) Better to say, for example, what kind of music you like, or whether you do any sports or voluntary work, or if you belong to any interest groups etc.

Your statement sounds to me to be honest and genuine, and apart from a couple of typo/spellings, reads well (Institute and challenge).

Good luck with it, hope you make it.

neonitrix

thanks for the insight and pointing out the typos. have added in the games development bit.

never know if i am coming accross abit to blunt in statments and dont want to be too honest ie: life is crap need to make change blah blah blah.

thanks again

Neonitrix

breedie

A little honesty can't hurt. You mention that this is a big step financially so that demonstrates your commitment to the course doesn't it? and you might also mention that your partner is very supportive of your returning to college? Married students like us really rely on our OH to help get us through (and not just financially) and it's a decision that affects both of your futures. Perhaps show that you've thought and talked about this and you're committed to seeing it through?
Just my opinion, feel free to ignore