Decisions Decisions - College or Full Time Work??

oB1

So here is my situation:

>> I passed my Leaving Cert. in 2009 - done well - but didn't get onto DT211
>> Started a two year PLC FETAC Course - passed with honors (May 2011)
>> Applied VIA CAO again in 2011 to DT211 - got accepted in august
>> Defered the offer by one year (to start September 2012)
>> Applied again via CAO to DT211 (Defferal) - offer to come out in august
>> The question is do i take it or not? - EXPLAINED BELOW:

So here is the problem:

While attending the two year FETAC course ( Computing ) i had to do work placement, i got this in Hewlett-Packard.. which went great, and was an amazing experience, so much so, i got offered a full time job... this was at the end of may, just after i had finished in the PLC college... before even thinking about it i accepted the offer.. at first it was great.. it was my first full time computer related job that i loved.. after time i realized it wasn't exactly what i had in mind as my ideal job.. and it wasn't as technical as i thought, not really what i studied for in college ( more managerial etc. ) and the money wasn't great - its now almost march 2012 and i have a decision to make soon, well not until august as i have applied to DT211 already VIA CAO - i have to wait until august.. still have alot to think about to be honest.. and i don't know what to do.. if i stay working i will probably look for other opportunities as in a better job or position.. weather its within HP or not, i feel i can do better..

so do i A) Keep on working full time and go back to college part time in the evenings for the same degree (Hopefully) don't even know where i can study that etc.

OR work until august, and accept the college place and start there full time in September..

im still only young.. and i feel by working this job, ive grown older alot quicker.. i don't have as much "Young" fun.. its a 9-5 Monday - Friday.. no time to party etc.. you know?

and then if i go back to college.. i don't know weather i would be able to adjust to the low money levels,, i mean i could get a part time job.. so that's not a real issue..

anyway.. wondering what people think here.. maybe some of you can relate or offer some advice? - that would be great!

Thanks in advance!

Regards

Robert Hopkins

penpusher

Hi there Robert

I'm a mature student so maybe I can help with the benefit of hindsight.

I left college at 19 and went to work in England - I'd done enough of college to be able to program and I got a job in a small software house and after a few years working, got a job in Hewlett-Packard in the UK:)

HP were a fabulous company to work for and I found actually that if you work hard and learn, it's like being on a campus - they were quite progressive - and I also had a lot of fun there socially. I learned as much as I would have learned in college at that point in my life anyway, and more. I got to travel, do different jobs, lots of courses etc.

I stayed with them 8 years in total - 4 in the UK and 4 in Leixlip.

However I wanted a degree because i wanted to do other courses like masters and PhDs and it was a barrier. I didn't find not having one a huge barrier to getting a job, because I had so much experience in high quality companies.

I'm now doing a degree in a completely unrelated field - journalism - and I am loving the 4-year sabbatical from work and looking forward to the change in career - it justifies the lack of money - but I've earned a lot before and spent it all - and now realize how little I really need to live - easier to say once you've had it I think.

So. My advice! Looking back what would I have done differently:

- I would have finished my degree first in my 20s - so I always had it and would not have to go back at 40+ to do it again - much harder to live on a shoestring then. You could do this full time or in the evenings now but evenings are tough - you're spending your whole day and evenings on work-related stuff - i tried it and didn't manage it. And your 20s is the time for more than that

I would advise you to go back to college full-time and learn all the things college-wise and other-wise you need to - your time in HP will give you a really good perspective on college too and how best to use your time.

Then you'll always have a degree and many many more options later - that's the important part - don't shut down your options too early on.

If you leave a good impression with HP, they won't hold it against you that you went back to college - the opposite! - so you won't have burned any bridges and you could apply again for different role after college. They like their own:)

Maybe if you talked to your manager, you could ask to go part-time and still do full-time college.

So whatever decision you make, you can make it work - HP are great and college is great. But think about 10 years down the road - where you'd really want to be in your life - what would your advice to yourself be to yourself now.

I hope this helps and good luck!

i71jskz5xu42pb

From the perspective of somebody in the computer industry (specifically a software development company) who does a fair bit of hiring:
While I would not based any decision on qualifications alone the lack of a degree would definitely raise eyebrows, you'd want some fairly decent compensating experience.
The IT sector is hot at the moment but not that long ago (2000) the arse fell out of it - lots of layoffs, companies going bust. If it were to happen again in the future I'd be happier having a degree to my name.

In short - go to college, get your degree.

CIARAN_BOYLE

I'd talk to your boss, tell him that you would like to go back to college and do a degree and ask if they would be willing to offer summer jobs through your degree or if they would still be interested in hiring you when you complete your degree.

They won't hold it against you. A friend of mine did something similar and ended up sponsored to do a degree (the company sponsored him for his fees) with a job for every summer during his degree and conditional placement (based on grades) for when he graduated. That was during the boom but you will never know what the companies reaction will be

oB1

RE:

Hi there Robert

I'm a mature student so maybe I can help with the benefit of hindsight.

I left college at 19 and went to work in England - I'd done enough of college to be able to program and I got a job in a small software house and after a few years working, got a job in Hewlett-Packard in the UK

HP were a fabulous company to work for and I found actually that if you work hard and learn, it's like being on a campus - they were quite progressive - and I also had a lot of fun there socially. I learned as much as I would have learned in college at that point in my life anyway, and more. I got to travel, do different jobs, lots of courses etc.

I stayed with them 8 years in total - 4 in the UK and 4 in Leixlip.

However I wanted a degree because i wanted to do other courses like masters and PhDs and it was a barrier. I didn't find not having one a huge barrier to getting a job, because I had so much experience in high quality companies.

I'm now doing a degree in a completely unrelated field - journalism - and I am loving the 4-year sabbatical from work and looking forward to the change in career - it justifies the lack of money - but I've earned a lot before and spent it all - and now realize how little I really need to live - easier to say once you've had it I think.

So. My advice! Looking back what would I have done differently:

- I would have finished my degree first in my 20s - so I always had it and would not have to go back at 40+ to do it again - much harder to live on a shoestring then. You could do this full time or in the evenings now but evenings are tough - you're spending your whole day and evenings on work-related stuff - i tried it and didn't manage it. And your 20s is the time for more than that

I would advise you to go back to college full-time and learn all the things college-wise and other-wise you need to - your time in HP will give you a really good perspective on college too and how best to use your time.

Then you'll always have a degree and many many more options later - that's the important part - don't shut down your options too early on.

If you leave a good impression with HP, they won't hold it against you that you went back to college - the opposite! - so you won't have burned any bridges and you could apply again for different role after college. They like their own

Maybe if you talked to your manager, you could ask to go part-time and still do full-time college.

So whatever decision you make, you can make it work - HP are great and college is great. But think about 10 years down the road - where you'd really want to be in your life - what would your advice to yourself be to yourself now.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Hi There @PenPusher,

Firstly id like to thank you VERY much for your time you took to both read, and compose a response to my problem.

You have certainly opened my eyes to the " Bigger " picture, like, " where do i want to be in ten years " etc.. it has got me thinking about making the decisions now, so i don't have to make them in 10 years.. i can 100% relate to what you are saying.

I mean, to be perfectly honest i know that, if i had not been so lucky with the job offer from HP, i would have happily attended college, with no regrets, because, well i wouldn't have known any different.. but now that i have had a taste of the working world, having a steady flow of money and that its kinda hard to wind down the spending and concentrate on the essentials - i will pickup a part time job i am sure, to pay for my expenses.. but its not like i can say at the drop of a hat, " Hey " lets go to america for a week, just because i have the money

i think now that you have mentioned it, that i will go and speak with my Manager about what i have basically discussed here, because well, i haven't even mentioned this yet at all.

I totally agree with you about HP - they offer a lot - and the job i do, is one of an experienced management level ( IT Project Manager ) - the job has thought me a lot, and i will take it with me for life - at hearth though, i am a technical guy - you know ideal jobs being " I.T. Systems Administrator / Network Administrator / I.T. Consultant / server engineer - etc.-and the like.

The job of a project manager, is more one of, managing and delegating which is enjoyable, and has its perks, with a degree of technical stuff.. but i am just not challenged enough.

both choices have an advantage - which makes it even harder.. BUT i do see your point.. imagine in 10 years.. what advice i would give to myself? - i would probably say " Go enjoy life!!, go to college... learn more.. have fun - plenty of time for full time work later one " - but yet, i still question my decision now.

I thank you very much again, for your response - it has answered a lot of questions i had about myself and helped me along the way to a decision - it is always nice to get the advice of others, with similar backgrounds.. and its nice to know, you also worked with HP

my head is filled with reasons, for, and against.. i have along way to go before i make my mind up..

Kindest regards,

Robert Hopkins

oB1

Lilliana Alive Puffball wrote: »

From the perspective of somebody in the computer industry (specifically a software development company) who does a fair bit of hiring:
While I would not based any decision on qualifications alone the lack of a degree would definitely raise eyebrows, you'd want some fairly decent compensating experience.
The IT sector is hot at the moment but not that long ago (2000) the arse fell out of it - lots of layoffs, companies going bust. If it were to happen again in the future I'd be happier having a degree to my name.

In short - go to college, get your degree.

Thanks for the response Lilliana Alive Puffball - i do totally agree.. as i mentioned though.. if i where to remain in work and dedicate my time to it.. i would attend a part time degree course and get my honours BSc over time - so that worry, isnt one of mine

oB1

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I'd talk to your boss, tell him that you would like to go back to college and do a degree and ask if they would be willing to offer summer jobs through your degree or if they would still be interested in hiring you when you complete your degree.

They won't hold it against you. A friend of mine did something similar and ended up sponsored to do a degree (the company sponsored him for his fees) with a job for every summer during his degree and conditional placement (based on grades) for when he graduated. That was during the boom but you will never know what the companies reaction will be

Thanks for the Response Ciaran - you have made a strong point there.. as i mentioned when replying to @PenPusher ^^^ i have never thought of approaching my manager about my situation.. i will have a sit down, and talk it through like i do above.. and maybe they will be able to offer me something part time.. or sponsor me etc.

Cheers

Robert