BA degree any use ?

CruelCoin · 05-09-2013 11:34AM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

That is a really strange comment to me. I have yet to meet a graduate who actually had some specialist knowledge due to their recent education. Graduates tend to be completely clueless and arrogant. I have never seen a recent graduate put in charge of anything.

He was talking specifically about IT.

Very true in that industry that constant upskilling is now considered par for the course in just keeping your job, let alone advancing it.

draiochtanois · 05-09-2013 11:38AM

This post has been deleted.

05-09-2013 11:39AM

OP, you mentioned that you do Business and IT. Have they taught you Ruby on Rails? Seriously, pick this up if you haven't! Workplaces are seemingly going bananas for people that can do it.

jimgoose · 05-09-2013 11:46AM

Without BA degrees, fools would go unpitied and jibba-jabba unchallenged. Nightmare. And by the way, I ain't goin' on no plane, Hannibal! :mad:

jimgoose · 05-09-2013 12:08PM

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

...I think with IT you hit a wall after a certain point where you need to specialise and keep investing thousands per year into qualifications so you can keep current with the latest fresh crop of graduates who have them already.. and who can do the job for a lot less (no mortgage, kids or cars to worry about.. unlike you!), or you can move into management (which is what I did)...

It seems to be the fashion nowadays to go running back to school as soon as some ape mentions "Social Meeja" or "Cloud Computing", or somesuch. The classically-trained computer scientist can adapt to any and all trends and technological developments via experience and good old-fashioned savvy. And remember, the determined programmer can write assembler code in any language.

Lenin Skynard · 05-09-2013 01:19PM

I have a BA but I work in an unrelated field. Everyday I benefit from the things I learned on that degree in every part of life, not just work.

Capt'n Midnight · 05-09-2013 02:44PM

danish pasterys wrote: »

Im 24 the taught of 3 more unemployed years is hard enough

Were you taught of the thought of a taut belt ?

Ray Palmer · 05-09-2013 03:56PM

CruelCoin wrote: »

He was talking specifically about IT.

Very true in that industry that constant upskilling is now considered par for the course in just keeping your job, let alone advancing it.

So was I and I don't believe it and I have been working in IT for 18 years in a technical field as a contractor for that last 8 years.

Colleges are always behind in technology

jimgoose · 05-09-2013 04:05PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

So was I and I don't believe it and I have been working in IT for 18 years in a technical field as a contractor for that last 8 years.

Colleges are always behind in technology

Aye. Lot of quiche-eaters about these days as well.

Ray Palmer · 05-09-2013 04:10PM

jimgoose wrote: »

Aye. Lot of quiche-eaters about these days as well.

I have no idea what that mean

jimgoose · 05-09-2013 04:13PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

I have no idea what that mean

Here, upskill:

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/real.programmers.html

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/mel.html

py2006 · 05-09-2013 04:13PM

danish pasterys wrote: »

Is a BA ordinary degree any use at all ?

What would Dr Sheldon Cooper say?

Ray Palmer · 05-09-2013 04:21PM

jimgoose wrote: »

Here, upskill:

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/real.programmers.html

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/mel.html

Still doesn't seem relevant

Iwasfrozen · 05-09-2013 04:22PM

Is a BA degree useful? Yes because it gets you access to post-graduate degrees.

jimgoose · 05-09-2013 04:23PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Still doesn't seem relevant

Don't panic Ray, it's all just ones and zeroes!

harney · 05-09-2013 04:37PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Is a BA degree useful? Yes because it gets you access to post-graduate degrees.

You don't need a BA or a BSc to take an MSc.

Iwasfrozen · 05-09-2013 04:39PM

harney wrote: »

You don't need a BA or a BSc to take and MSc.

But it helps.

Ray Palmer · 05-09-2013 04:40PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

But it helps.

Why and how?

GTE · 05-09-2013 04:48PM

I would advise the honours route.

As mentioned, the job market "in general" is very crowded and if anything, a masters will be something that an employer would like to see over a degree now. That and experience which you could build up on the side.

If you think of it this way, hardly any people relatively speaking used to do the Leaving Cert. Then the Leaving Cert was required by many employers and now a degree is. With so many degree graduates around, a masters of some sort may become the new requirement that an honours degree used to be when compared to an ordinary one.

Check out your area of interest and see if you can get into a 1 year masters after an ordinary degree. Each University will be different so maybe you don't need the degree to begin with. A mature student status could allow you to skip a degree, though they will probably want good examples of experience in the relevant fields.

GTE · 05-09-2013 04:55PM

Ray Palmer wrote: »

Why and how?

I can speak for master of science courses here.

A research based MSc will not prepare you for the quality and methodology of research required. For the benefit of students, a taught masters may include a research module (especially for mature students) but that is still just 12 odd weeks with one or two research based projects to your name. Soon after, you will be required to undertake semi-novel and independent research in to an area of your choosing.

Your willingness to learn how to research properly is down to the individual, but as someone who enjoyed doing it I only got the real hang of it when I got into my MSC and realised just how intense it was going to be.

Ray Palmer · 05-09-2013 04:58PM

bbk wrote: »

I can speak for master of science courses here.

A research based MSc will not prepare you for the quality and methodology of research required. For the benefit of students, a taught masters may include a research module (especially for mature students) but that is still just 12 odd weeks with one or two research based projects to your name. Soon after, you will be required to undertake semi-novel and independent research in to an area of your choosing.

Your willingness to learn how to research properly is down to the individual, but as someone who enjoyed doing it I only got the real hang of it when I got into my MSC and realised just how intense it was going to be.

Sorry silly me thinking people were talking about the Microsoft exams.

danish pasterys · 05-09-2013 10:20PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

OP, you mentioned that you do Business and IT. Have they taught you Ruby on Rails? Seriously, pick this up if you haven't! Workplaces are seemingly going bananas for people that can do it.

Hi, no we dont cover ruby ya see the degree is actually named managment of technology in business and in regards to web design we only cover xhtml and some java script along with business and operating systems which i enjoy

shruikan2553 · 05-09-2013 11:10PM

Which is the odd one out?

A degree in electrical engineering.
A degree in computer science.
A large pizza.
A degree in arts.

A degree in arts, the rest can feed a family.

starlit · 06-09-2013 12:03AM

A BA can open a lot of doors and open to opportunities jobs, going abroad and work in many areas and postgrad study. You can learn a lot have examples of projects to go on etc. if you can at all get part time work and do open source projects keep you in the loop jobs wise and keep practising code and be up to date with technology and code on the side. Make yourself stand out and extra curricular activities or join a club or society be important too. Maybe try voluntary work. Be an all rounder gain transferable critical thinking business I.T and I.S skills can add a lot to your career bow. Not just technical and competency skills and having qualities and personality suited. Ability to be creative, solve problems, communication and interpersonal skills and work on your own and in a team is key

I've done a BA similar to a Business and I.T course added to to postgrad in computing has given me a chance to apply to wide range of jobs and offers of interviews.

No job offer yet since I was last in college mostly freelance stuff.. But did have a job after my B.A honours degree got some I.T work experience then and back to college to do computing hdip but very little work since haven't got full time or permanent work. Have since been doing online programming course to brush up on code and learn JavaScript. Also applied to a springboard course relevant to my degree some new subjects but some stuff i covered before but to get back in touch and has work placement. I probably plan to do a masters business or information systems related.

What I've done since my B.A honours degree has just filled employment history gap on cv nothing more.

danish pasterys · 06-09-2013 12:17AM

doovdela wrote: »

A BA can open a lot of doors and open to opportunities jobs, going abroad and work in many areas and postgrad study. You can learn a lot have examples of projects to go on etc. if you can at all get part time work and do open source projects keep you in the loop jobs wise and keep practising code and be up to date with technology and code on the side. Make yourself stand out and extra curricular activities or join a club or society be important too. Maybe try voluntary work. Be an all rounder gain transferable critical thinking business I.T and I.S skills can add a lot to your career bow. Not just technical and competency skills and having qualities and personality suited. Ability to be creative, solve problems, communication and interpersonal skills and work on your own and in a team is key

I've done a BA similar to a Business and I.T course added to to postgrad in computing has given me a chance to apply to wide range of jobs and offers of interviews.

No job offer yet since I was last in college mostly freelance stuff.. But did have a job after my B.A honours degree got some I.T work experience then and back to college to do computing hdip but very little work since haven't got full time or permanent work. Have since been doing online programming course to brush up on code and learn JavaScript. Also applied to a springboard course relevant to my degree some new subjects but some stuff i covered before but to get back in touch and has work placement. I probably plan to do a masters business or information systems related.

What I've done since my B.A honours degree has just filled employment history gap on cv nothing more.

Thanks for your insight, at the minute i just dont feel very motivated starting this degree hearing that just the ord 3yr degree aint worth much and even after it things will still be tough out there but im gonna see how i get on i already completed a networking course which i enjoyed, i choose to follow on business with IT just incase i want to do something else more business orientated

starlit · 06-09-2013 12:24AM

No probs hope it some help! Keep hope alive! Could you do a course part time most of dates expired to apply for some springboard courses. A fetac or plc course? See how you like the subjects. Also go for a degree that have work placement even so an ordinary degree is good to have you can do an honours degree or level 8 course whenever you wish. You have more opportunities with a degree whether it 3 or 4 years.

Ya you have various areas to get into and specify after degree loads of different career paths you can go with bend of I.T and business. Oh very good I.T networking is good to have.

Best of luck with course!

dpp v mcgee · 06-09-2013 12:52AM

Grayson wrote: »

It depends on the subjects. I have a friend who did philosophy and english. 5 years later he's waiting tables. I was talking to a guy working in a coffee shop last week. He's got a degree in journalism.

I did philosophy and maths. i know people in my company who are earning quite a bit (€40k+) in starter positions with just a degree in maths.

I'm starting a masters in the next month. It's a 1 year mastrs in management. Added to the experience i already have and the maths i should be able to get a better job then the one I'm in now.

What your BA was in is only part of it. What you do with it is what matters. A regular BA is not always enough because they subjects might not be applicable to real life. there are however any number of postgraduate courses that will definitely get you a job. And you can do a lot of them whilst working part time or even full time. My advice though is to look at all the options and pick something you'd enjoy. You'll be more likely to get and job and progress if you can demonstrate a good aptitude and genuine enthusiasm.

a masters is a great idea. it should guarantee you an internship on job bridge.

starlit · 06-09-2013 12:54AM

Meant good *blend of I.T and Business...

Iwasfrozen · 06-09-2013 12:55AM

dpp v mcgee wrote: »

a masters is a great idea. it should guarantee you an internship on job bridge.

Don't diss job bridge out of hand. It depends on the sector. Waiting tables on a job bridge scheme isn't very useful but if you're an accountant earning experience before you seek your charter it could be a major asset.

I got my BA in Maths and Economics, now I'm going on to be an actuary and I might take a job bridge scheme after I finish my masters so I can fill out my c.v.

dpp v mcgee · 06-09-2013 12:58AM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Don't diss job bridge out of hand. It depends on the sector. Waiting tables on a job bridge scheme isn't very useful but if you're an accountant earning experience before you seek your charter it could be a major asset.

I'm going on to be an actuary and I might take a job bridge scheme after I finish my masters so I can fill out my c.v.

oh look, its joan burton.

BA degree any use ?

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