Should I jump ship?

BlackEdelweiss

I am in the final year of my engineering degree, I am doing the final year in Fire Engineering part time over 2 years due to financial commitments. I have done one year and the prospects are fairly bleak for all those in my class who are about to graduate, even those from last years class who have gone on and done a masters are still unemployed.
I have an opportunity to do a 30 week client-server programming course that "almost" guarantees a job with a local computing multinational. I have a background in computing from about 10 years ago when I became a victim of the dot com collapse.
I can spend the next year either doing this course and maybe getting a job or I can finish my degree and probably not get a job, but I would have a degree which I will carry for the rest of my life.
Is there any light at the end of the tunnel for a mature student with no experience or should I just get out now when I have the chance?

professore

I have an opportunity to do a 30 week client-server programming course that "almost" guarantees a job with a local computing multinational.

Have you ever done any programming? How do you know it "almost" guarantees a job - who told you this, the people running the course? Some food for thought. Caveat emptor.

BlackEdelweiss

professore wrote: »

Have you ever done any programming? How do you know it "almost" guarantees a job - who told you this, the people running the course? Some food for thought. Caveat emptor.

I did some programming a few years back and taught myself HTML and the basics of web design software while on the dole after finishing college in 2000. I worked for 6 months as a junior systems administrator and was offered a full time job but decided to return to college to finish my course so I could earn even more money(this was right at the peak of the dot com boom), by the time I had finished college the bubble had burst and there wasent a job in computers for love nor money. I subsequently fell into another career and then tried to get out of it through engineering but that dosent seem to be going to happen. I have a bit of a natural affinity with computers and enjoy working with them although I am prone ot a bit of computer rage at times.
In the last 2 years of the course I may do, 100% were taken on by the multinational 2 years ago, last year whoever did not get a job there was hired by a company 30 miles away. I was told this by the course providers but they are not a private company so they are not trying to sell me anything.

Diesel

Sometimes opportunity is exactly what you make of it, cnd cliche aside, that's what you've to decide.
You're doing the degree - part-time.
You have an opportunity to do a 30 week 'almost' guaranteed job course.

My response: Why not do both ?

My genuine opinion would be that when it comes to doing the interview for the programming course, the fact you can proudly state your determination to finish a degree course.....it will sell you into the job faster than anything else.

Will it be hard to do both, yes. But it's only 30 weeks.

If you can't do both, talk to college and explain the potential need to suspend a year - but not to drop out !

Whichever decision, don't give up and walk away. Thats a harder course of action to repair later should you wish.

Hope this helps
Diesel

BlackEdelweiss

I cant do them both, they are both monday to friday with set class times. I'm already a bit burnt out at the minute with working full time, degree part time and 4 young kids, one a baby. If I do the course I will try to defer the 2nd half of the final year just in case. I think I would have more desire to finish the degree if there were any chance of a job at the end of it but that is a slim chance at best.

Nonmonotonic

Two points.
I suspect you would be able to defer your next year (this being end of term for this year) since you are paying and educational establishments need money!
I assume this 30 week course will run next year so why no finish what you are doing?

For what its worth, I was in a similar position to you in the last recession and did a course that "almost" guaranteed a job. It did achieve its aim and moved me from one engineering area to another. I would go with a deferral and do your 30 week course. You definitely should finish your degree course though.

Is the work you are currently doing related to either discipline you are studying and would you have to give it up?

BlackEdelweiss

I fell into another totally unrelated career after 2 years on the dole after finishing my I.T. course, I have been fortunate enough that this career has enabled me to work my way through college but I would be only too glad to give it up.
If I do the 30 week course and get a job I cannot see myself finishing the degree, I think I only have another year's studying left in me at this stage, I would love to go on and do a masters in Fire Forensics but I just dont have the energy anymore. That is why I am worrying about the 30 week course, if it dosent turn up a job I am left high and dry with no degree. I just want to get a job, pay a few bills and stop worrying about where my career is going.

Nonmonotonic

BlackEdelweiss wrote: »

I think I only have another year's studying left in me at this stage

Think again! I completed my degree in my late 40's. The reason you are feeling like you do, is your motivation for the degree is gone. Do the 30 week course but dont close off the option to finish the degree. Even if you never use it (like myself) it proves to prospective employers your a 'self starter' ( particularly the way you did it ). Forget about the masters just finish the degree.

Diesel

Hi
If I may, it sounds like once a decision is made, any decision, the worry will lift. The pain is in making the decision.

Unless the second course is screaming at you as a life choice, then my gut reaction would be to accept where you are. Ignore the course and focus on 1/ family, 2/ your current job(not mentioned in earliest post) and 3/ finishing the degree.

You're just at a wall in study. Once you make whatever decision you feel best. The weight will lift. Seriously.

Whatever you do choose - good luck.
Diesel