Moving in to IT as a drop out?

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solaybro

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#189604 5-Jan-2016 21:25

I am currently at uni studying economics however I am seriously considering dropping out due how much I suck at maths. IT is something that interests me and I was thinking maybe I could try get a job in IT. However I don't know where to start or what specific area of IT I should try get into. What would be the best option for me to get started in IT that doesn't require me to study at university?

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#1461993 5-Jan-2016 22:05

Maybe you could look at getting some heavy duty assistance with the math ?

Andib

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#1461996 5-Jan-2016 22:08

The best way with no experience and qualifications to get your way into the IT industry (that's paid) is through starting with a Helpdesk role with someone like Datacom or Spark Digital and try work your way up and get certified as you go.

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tardtasticx

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#1461999 5-Jan-2016 22:10

Does your uni offer early exit qualification? I.e. if you're studying for a degree but leave after 2 years, can you get a diploma? I would suggest if you can to go for that so you atleast have something under your belt.

I've been told having an unrelated qualification can still be very useful as it shows you have the ability to learn at a high level.

Just my 2 cents. Am awaiting graduation for my Bachelor of Computing Systems and have absolutely no idea what I want to do in IT either :-)
Will keep an eye on this thread for ideas.

solaybro

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#1462007 5-Jan-2016 22:19

tardtasticx: Does your uni offer early exit qualification?.

I have not heard of exit early qualifications, I will have to look into that.

solaybro

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#1462008 5-Jan-2016 22:21

gzt: Maybe you could look at getting some heavy duty assistance with the math ?

My plan at the moment is to not do Trimester 1 this year and instead spend the time attempting to learn the maths.

Geektastic

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#1462034 5-Jan-2016 23:28

I'd have to say that picking economics at Degree level if you can't get on with maths is a pretty strange decision...!

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solaybro

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#1462037 5-Jan-2016 23:30

Geektastic: I'd have to say that picking economics at Degree level if you can't get on with maths is a pretty strange decision...!

I didn't realise I would need to know calculus when I started.

Kiwifruta

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#1462040 5-Jan-2016 23:34

solaybro: I am currently at uni studying economics however I am seriously considering dropping out due how much I suck at maths. IT is something that interests me and I was thinking maybe I could try get a job in IT. However I don't know where to start or what specific area of IT I should try get into. What would be the best option for me to get started in IT that doesn't require me to study at university?

Are you near Hamilton? I've got a maths degree and could give you some help.

solaybro

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#1462044 5-Jan-2016 23:37

Kiwifruta:
Are you near Hamilton? I've got a maths degree and could give you some help.

Nope, Wellington.

Kiwifruta

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#1462048 5-Jan-2016 23:42

solaybro:
Kiwifruta:
Are you near Hamilton? I've got a maths degree and could give you some help.

Nope, Wellington.

I recommend a tutor unless in your heart you'd rather do IT than economics. I struggled doing masters level econometrics after never doing stats since high school. So I got a tutor and ended up with a A for the subject. The next semester I tutored stats for an MBA student and got all my money back. Well worth it if economics is your love. That's my 2 cents.

Inphinity

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#1462122 6-Jan-2016 08:58

In a recruitment sense, I would personally be very hesitant to hire someone who gave up on uni because numbers are hard (no offense, but going into a numeracy-based degree when you are weak at maths was perhaps ill-planned), and picked a different path hoping it would be easier - it isn't a good look to an employer tbh. I would suggest if you really want to go down that track, as someone suggested above you're going to have to do some time in very low level jobs and work your way up. Have a think about what direction you want to take - we can't really decide that for you - and look at what ways you have to get there. You said you don't want to go to uni for IT, and that's fine, but are you also opposed to doing industry certification?

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Geektastic

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#1462133 6-Jan-2016 09:18

solaybro:
Geektastic: I'd have to say that picking economics at Degree level if you can't get on with maths is a pretty strange decision...!

I didn't realise I would need to know calculus when I started.

For sure you need to research IT courses a lot better than you did economics courses before you start then...!!

timmmay

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#1462143 6-Jan-2016 09:28

If you decide to switch you could do an IT degree or qualification - much easier to get a foot into the door you want than starting in helpdesk.

Geese

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#1462149 6-Jan-2016 09:32

solaybro:
tardtasticx: Does your uni offer early exit qualification?.

I have not heard of exit early qualifications, I will have to look into that.

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/future-students/qualifications-and-courses/undergraduate-certificates-and-diplomas/

I found that immediately on their website - however I didn't see similar thing on Vic's website.

I have several of such certs as a deadbeat uni dropout.

solaybro

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#1462194 6-Jan-2016 10:56

Inphinity: are you also opposed to doing industry certification?

I'm fine doing another sort of certification, I just don't want to do uni because the computer science degrees all require a high level of maths.

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