You've probably heard about it already but it might be worth looking into at some point during your course - a bit of on the job experience always helps with your studies... http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7452751/Unitec-students-in-line-for-IBM-jobs (Disclaimer - I work for IBM :) )
tardtasticx: What classes are you doing in HS at the moment? I done computing in level 1 and 2 NCEA and got a certificate in level 2 as well as some award at the end of the year but I couldnt take it in level 3 because not enough people in my school were interested so they dropped it. If I had it in level 3 I most likely would have gone into computing right away as apposed to doing Architecture last year, waste of a damn year hahaa.
I am in Year 11, doing NCEA Level 1 (Duh!). I am taking computers this year, I didn't take it in year 9 or 10 as it looked like a waste of time. I am finding with the first 4 weeks that yr11 computing is a waste of time. We are doing the most simple Microsoft Excel Unit that we could ever do. Apparently our school's year 10 test is harder than this Level 1 internal. Argh.
I will stick with it, try and get number 1 in Year 11 and all that. This school has about 1100 students so I don't think there is a numbers issue for the computing department. If you have any tips I would greatly appreciate them. Anyways, lets get ready for school - I do have Computers first period!
If its anything like it was for me in level 2, you should be fine, even my mother could pass the course. From what I remember, most of the internal papers for the year were things involving MS Office so it kind of helps with other subjects that may require that later on.
I remember one of them was hardware troubleshooting or something and basically the teacher unplugged cables randomly on computers without telling us and those that found the issue, filled in a form with what the issue was, how they found out and how they fixed it, easy few credits. That was level 2. So I'm pretty sure you should be fine if you just listen to your teacher properly haha.
My school had around 1600 students, so yeh, itd be great if they kept it for you, it can only help down the line and save you doing one of those bull 'filler' classes. Ie. Geography haha. Best of luck
berry: You've probably heard about it already but it might be worth looking into at some point during your course - a bit of on the job experience always helps with your studies... http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7452751/Unitec-students-in-line-for-IBM-jobs (Disclaimer - I work for IBM :) )
Best of luck with your new course.
Hahaha they were constantly telling us to apply for all these IBM/Microsoft job thingies during orientation (today) and it looks amazing, cant believe we have so much available here at Unitec. Will definitely apple for as much as I can. Thanks :)
Also, those that have studied in similar courses before and have graduated, do you still have your course books? We're getting a list later on of books we will need and apparently most of them are compulsory :( Sounds expensive.
I studied at Unitec from 2007-2009 completing the BCS (network path), also a Mac user.
I found the course to be wide-ranging but not entirely in-depth.
The second year was a noticeable step up in terms of study required.
Not all the 'required' text books are really required.
The final year involves completing a semester long project at an external company. This can sneak up on you very quickly and finding a company willing to take a student on and in many cases give them access to company information can be difficult.
pknz: I studied at Unitec from 2007-2009 completing the BCS (network path), also a Mac user.
I found the course to be wide-ranging but not entirely in-depth.
The second year was a noticeable step up in terms of study required.
The final year involves completing a semester long project at an external company. This can sneak up on you very quickly and finding a company willing to take a student on and in many cases give them access to company information can be difficult.
Aside from that enjoy it.
Good luck.
Sounds exactly the same as the degree at UCOL. What he said about the project is also true. While the faculty might have several jobs lined up that you can choose from, I'd suggest you go out and find your own as it will be the exact thing you want to do which helps in the way of enjoyment and how well you do.
khull: Remember, the last debt you should ever pay off is your student loan. Nothing beats zero interest.
Does a voluntary payment bonus beat zero interest?
that bonus is gone now I believe. But was nice while it lasted, luckily I paid my loan off 2 years ago (about 6 years early going buy the calculators) saving myself about 2k or so.
khull: Remember, the last debt you should ever pay off is your student loan. Nothing beats zero interest.
Does a voluntary payment bonus beat zero interest?
that bonus is gone now I believe. But was nice while it lasted, luckily I paid my loan off 2 years ago (about 6 years early going buy the calculators) saving myself about 2k or so.
khull: Remember, the last debt you should ever pay off is your student loan. Nothing beats zero interest.
Does a voluntary payment bonus beat zero interest?
depends. if you can invest and have a return of 10 percent or more. or you have other debt that will cost you more than 10% at the moment. or if you have a variable home loan term which would then mean that you have to do some calculation in between :)
Distorter: I'm wanting to do something like this but part time. Has anyone gone down this route, I couldn't imagine finishing up work and going full time study.
I'm in Wellington and I see Weltec have a few night time classes for Diplomas, but I imagine it being pretty full on.
I found that part-time study is like having a secondary job. It is hard for me to finish because of the demands of and my commitment to my primary job. For example, I wouldn't use my job time to complete my studies unless I got my employer's permission but many of my colleagues have been happy to take unauthorised liberties.
I prefer full-time study because I'm there when most other students and staff are, I can finish in a shorter duration, and I can focus more deeply on the area studied. It's been the same for me, whether I'm studying computing, engineering, management, languages and the social sciences.
I study Part time, doing the Diploma of ICT at CPIT, 8 hours a week.
I also work full time, 40 hours a week in the IT industry.
I won't lie, it is hard work. I have to make up those 8 hours a week, so including travel, I am doing approx 50 hours a week. (And I live out of town, so an hour of drive every day)
I find it rewarding, and it is nice to be able to relate back what I am learning at CPIT at work, and visa versa. I would have loved to be able to study full time, because lets face it, it is going to take twice as long part time, but my situation was not able to let me do that (Having a mortgage and all)
I think if you get the opportunity to study, whether it part time, full time, night class, take it! You never know when you will be able to again.
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