Thread: I.T Studies Help :S

My 2c.

I been in IT for 5 years now, since I left school I did a one-year CTU Course and worked since. Not the worst thing that ever happened but not the best!

If you want to work in IT get yourself a Degree! If you are planning to emigrate somewhere in the future that degree will give you the WORLD of power! I currently have a handful of Microsoft Qualifications and Im also going down the path of doing a Unisa BSc in Informatics/Computing I recommend this highly and its an under-graduate qualification which is fantastic. It should take me around 4-5 years to complete part time studies depending how fast I go through my modules!

Thats my advice to you, degree ftw!

Originally Posted by VulcanX

My 2c.

I been in IT for 5 years now, since I left school I did a one-year CTU Course and worked since. Not the worst thing that ever happened but not the best!

If you want to work in IT get yourself a Degree! If you are planning to emigrate somewhere in the future that degree will give you the WORLD of power! I currently have a handful of Microsoft Qualifications and Im also going down the path of doing a Unisa BSc in Informatics/Computing I recommend this highly and its an under-graduate qualification which is fantastic. It should take me around 4-5 years to complete part time studies depending how fast I go through my modules!

Thats my advice to you, degree ftw!

This.

I've got a diploma from CTI and a couple of years experience under my belt. It's fine, but not the best start in the world, I felt grossly under pre-pared for the real world and in fact with the diploma I was.

If given the choice always go for the degree. They cover more things than CTI diploma could dream of and go more in depth than CTI ever could. I had the exact opposite experience with CTI that Poppie, the atmosphere is terrible ESPECIALLY if you studied at a university or tech before. The tests are very easy, the work is touched on and never really explored in depth, their instructors are old students and worst of all for what you get they are INSANELY over priced and lock you into a contract after 3 months where even if you want to leave you have to pay. The ONLY benefit from them is that you get a diploma in a year.

CTI accepts any idiot with enough cash and promises them a diploma or whatever.
The students then get to fail their subjects and tests multiple times (for diploma), all they have to do is pay more to get another chance.
So something you have to remember is that CTI is primarily a business, they only want to make money and they're pretty good at milking idiots.

BUT it isn't all bad...

I'm in my third and final year now for a UK BSc Computer Systems degree and my class has been cut down from +-120 to 18. So luckily my course is idiot proof.
Over all my time at CTI has been pleasant. I've been lucky enough to have some pretty good lecturers and the atmosphere at my tiny campus has been nice.
Most of all I've spent my free time in the easier first two years learning extra stuff on my own. So I feel pretty well prepared for anything out there.

Originally Posted by SexyPopple

Well I don't know which branch you attend but it can't be the same one. I had to pass an aptitude test before I could even apply and my instructors actually care about how I am doing and I see the way the treat some of the other students and they help you along and push you to study harder if they see you are slacking off. Maybe it's just a different world between part-time and full-time. I am very happy with CTI

Everyone had to do the aptitude, it wasn't so much a test as a formality seeing as how ridiculously simple it was. That then sticks around as a running theme since the exams feel so sub-par. The aptitude test for university is first year. It's chalk and cheese when you compare the two, especially considering how ridiculous CTI's costs are you're better off with a degree.

The aptitude test is more like a simple Captcha to test if you have an IQ higher than potato.

I think the Aptitude test is more of a psychological sales pitch.

"Here take this test to see if you would be a good programmer".

"Wow, you scored fantastically! You will make an excellent programmer, and earn millions every year"

"Please sign on this line for a massively overpriced course in programming, which will mean nothing to any future employer"


Of all the people I know who went to CTI, most of them never actually worked in the languages they studied in, and their own passion/self-study is what ultimately got them the jobs they have today.

Sure it's a stepping stone, but you are ultimately responsible for your own success.

Originally Posted by Bakerman

I'm in my third and final year now for a UK BSc Computer Systems degree and my class has been cut down from +-120 to 18. So luckily my course is idiot proof.
Over all my time at CTI has been pleasant. I've been lucky enough to have some pretty good lecturers and the atmosphere at my tiny campus has been nice.
Most of all I've spent my free time in the easier first two years learning extra stuff on my own. So I feel pretty well prepared for anything out there.

Protip: No course out there can prepare you to work in a business environment.

Best advice I can give you is that don't for one moment think that you're finished learning, especially in this industry.

Originally Posted by Strifehart

Protip: No course out there can prepare you to work in a business environment.

Best advice I can give you is that don't for one moment think that you're finished learning, especially in this industry.

I totally agree with you. If you personally knew me you'd know that I'm constantly busy with something new and if I'm not learning then I'm busy teaching. I added "So I feel pretty well prepared for anything out there." not because I think I know everything but because I feel positive about my future, unlike most CTI students.