Postgraduate Study

[Daggers]

It's a log slog but you could try the Open University at least you wouldn't be in debt at the end of it.

My experience to date of FE institutions say that the OU produces the best planned, resourced and delivered courses in the country. I think the quality of their support materials and the tutor network is first class and would highly recommend them to anyone.

[Sir Fynwy]

I've been lucky and managed to get the companies I work for to pay for a few post grad courses but the current offer of funding to do an MBA doesn't fill me with any excitement, all my study since starting work has been business, management or marketing and they are truly dull areas to study.

Would like to get a higher degree back in science or possible try a totally new direction but earning pennies is likely to stop me getting anything going for a few years.

[Guest]

I've been lucky and managed to get the companies I work for to pay for a few post grad courses but the current offer of funding to do an MBA doesn't fill me with any excitement, all my study since starting work has been business, management or marketing and they are truly dull areas to study.

Would like to get a higher degree back in science or possible try a totally new direction but earning pennies is likely to stop me getting anything going for a few years.

When I am the bread winner, you can go back to uni if you like.

[Daggers]

When I am the bread winner, you can go back to uni if you like.

I'm more than happy to accept this offer on his behalf if he'd prefer not to - I've been working for SO long now, I need a break.

[AoWW]

I'm being bullied into doing an MA. It sounds like hard work.

[Guest Bilo]

Is it wrong that I'm already thinking about what MA I'd like to study when I'm still in my first year?

[AoWW]

Is it wrong that I'm already thinking about what MA I'd like to study when I'm still in my first year?

Nerdy, perhaps?

[Monk]

My experience to date of FE institutions say that the OU produces the best planned, resourced and delivered courses in the country. I think the quality of their support materials and the tutor network is first class and would highly recommend them to anyone.

What perception do employers have of OU though? I'm deliberately applying to kings as it is seen as very academic and I need that for the field I am going into. Bit worried that the OU may be seen as a bit soft on my CV - thoughts?

I'm not knocking the OU per se, I think that it's very good for more vocational courses and I think I want the structure of classroom teaching.

[Guest]

What perception do employers have of OU though? I'm deliberately applying to kings as it is seen as very academic and I need that for the field I am going into. Bit worried that the OU may be seen as a bit soft on my CV - thoughts?

I'm not knocking the OU per se, I think that it's very good for more vocational courses and I think I want the structure of classroom teaching.

Academic institutions should not have any effect on future employment etc, but I was told on Saturday that doing my law degree at De Montfort would be a serious hindrance on my chances of securing pupillage and tenancy if I wanted to go into commercial or corporate law.

Luckily I don't.

I guess it all depends on where you want to go afterwards.

[Guest Bilo]

Nerdy, perhaps?

[Monk]

Academic institutions should not have any effect on future employment etc, but I was told on Saturday that doing my law degree at De Montfort would be a serious hindrance on my chances of securing pupillage and tenancy if I wanted to go into commercial or corporate law.

Luckily I don't.

I guess it all depends on where you want to go afterwards.

I guess eventually I want to be a senior project manager in environmental projects or policy development. I know what you're saying about law though, it's one of those subjects that employers could nit pick about where you studied. Hope they won't though, de montfort isn't a bad uni at all.

[Master Fox]

My experience to date of FE institutions say that the OU produces the best planned, resourced and delivered courses in the country. I think the quality of their support materials and the tutor network is first class and would highly recommend them to anyone.

That's great to know, I get any course free. Still need to decide what to do.

[Guest Bilo]

I guess eventually I want to be a senior project manager in environmental projects or policy development. I know what you're saying about law though, it's one of those subjects that employers could nit pick about where you studied. Hope they won't though, de montfort isn't a bad uni at all.

I like you.

[Daggers]

What perception do employers have of OU though?

People have appreciated the rigor of the study and the additional effort required in completing a degree alongside a regular job/family committments.

I guess it's a case of horses for courses

[Master Fox]

For a long time I have wanted to do a masters degree, partly to get out of Banking, partly because I really want to get into the environmental sector.

My missus has a masters degree in the enviromental sector. It’s helped her career so much. But getting to know people in the field will really help you

[Master Fox]

Singh,

which microsoft course did you do?

[Sir Fynwy]

When I am the bread winner, you can go back to uni if you like.

I'm not sure it would be worth my time going back to uni, I think I've worn my brain out (although studying is so much easier when you are older and don't procrastinate all the time).

If I can sit in the garden with a beer and the study the sporting post you are on though.

[Monk]

My missus has a masters degree in the enviromental sector. It’s helped her career so much. But getting to know people in the field will really help you

What was the degree and what does she do now?

[Dr The Singh]

Singh,

which microsoft course did you do?

MCSE is the first one I did to get on the ladder, i've done loads since, though!!

[Guest]

MCSE is the first one I did to get on the ladder, i've done loads since, though!!

I've been looking into these Singh. Is it better , in your opinion, to do one of these self-paced book based learning methods, or is there more to be gained from a face-to-face method of learning? Or is it just down to personal preference in terms of how you work best.

I'm also trying to coax my work into helping out financially for me to go back to uni part time

If not, I'm still planning on going back to learn something to help develop my career even if it's entirely on my own dollar

[Dr The Singh]

I've been looking into these Singh. Is it better , in your opinion, to do one of these self-paced book based learning methods, or is there more to be gained from a face-to-face method of learning? Or is it just down to personal preference in terms of how you work best.

I'm also trying to coax my work into helping out financially for me to go back to uni part time

If not, I'm still planning on going back to learn something to help develop my career even if it's entirely on my own dollar

Interested question E L!! How much IT experience and knowledge of Microsoft technologies do you have??

If it's very little, then face to face would be prefered but it's alot more expensive then book\home study!! If you've got hands on experience of servers and understand the terminology, then book based is fine!!

There are shortcuts to getting your qualifications, you can download exam dumps etc, but if you don't have alot of experience I recommend you still study, cus you will get caught out when you finally start working in the sector!!

In terms of job market and future, there's loads of jobs for MCSE and abit of experience, but loads of competition. After you've got abit more experience you may want to specialise and or just gain some more qualifications to keep you ahead of the rest!!

I hope that helps!!

[Master Fox]

What was the degree and what does she do now?

Ecological Science i think? I always forget. She's contracting for an American company, but she was working for the US government until a month ago.

[Guest]

Interested question E L!! How much IT experience and knowledge of Microsoft technologies do you have??

If it's very little, then face to face would be prefered but it's alot more expensive then book\home study!! If you've got hands on experience of servers and understand the terminology, then book based is fine!!

There are shortcuts to getting your qualifications, you can download exam dumps etc, but if you don't have alot of experience I recommend you still study, cus you will get caught out when you finally start working in the sector!!

In terms of job market and future, there's loads of jobs for MCSE and abit of experience, but loads of competition. After you've got abit more experience you may want to specialise and or just gain some more qualifications to keep you ahead of the rest!!

I hope that helps!!

Cheers pal.

I have a little experience in IT, but I wouldn't call myself an expert by any standards. I guess it would help if there was somewhere where i could reference the standard of what's required at entry level just to see if I fit into the equation there or a bit further down the line. I presume that's a case of finding out each section of the certificate's syllabus as it were, to check my current knowledge against.

Ideally I'd like to stay in the company I'm with at the moment as it's fairly secure in the current climate but develop a good knowledge of working within IT so that if the right job comes up in the near future within the company, I can change direction.

Thanks once again Singh

[Dr The Singh]

Cheers pal.

I have a little experience in IT, but I wouldn't call myself an expert by any standards. I guess it would help if there was somewhere where i could reference the standard of what's required at entry level just to see if I fit into the equation there or a bit further down the line. I presume that's a case of finding out each section of the certificate's syllabus as it were, to check my current knowledge against.

Ideally I'd like to stay in the company I'm with at the moment as it's fairly secure in the current climate but develop a good knowledge of working within IT so that if the right job comes up in the near future within the company, I can change direction.

Thanks once again Singh

Good luck buddy!!

[TrickyTrev]

I am awaiting a reply from Oxford about a Phd in Political Theory at the moment. I've applied to the AHRC for funding. Fingers crossed, but it is a bit of a cheeky one considering I don't have a masters.