Seeking Perspectives on Educational Path

Lshortblack9 on 28/05/2017 - 22:30

Hi All

I currently work in a healthcare field (have been for a good 20 years). I want to go into IT (possibly merge some health with IT). I grew up with PCs as a kid (started with an IBM XT 8086 10Hz processor with 10MB hard drive running DOS), played with Commodore 64s, Mac Plus, etc. Coded a website (with CSS) back in the day (using geocities). So IT has been an interest for years. I thought i could merge the two and really have some fun.

What are everyone's thoughts on applying for a Masters in IT at either UNSW or Sydney Uni (it would be part time study - as i still need to support my family)? What are the pro's and con's that you would see of coursework degrees vs other forms of learning?

I'm interested in AI and security. I think both fields are applicable to health.

Many thanks in advance for your opinions

S.

PS. UNSW applications have to be in by the 31st May… so I need to decide quickly.

Poll Options expired

  • 5
    UNSW is IT
  • 1
    USyd is not known for IT, the new course might be good
  • 2
    Just learn to code
  • 7
    Run for your life
Computing

Comments

  • fossilfuel on 28/05/2017 - 22:59
    +4

    If you're looking at Sydney Uni:

    Admission requirements
    To be eligible for admission, an applicant is required to have:
    - an Australian bachelor's degree in information technology with a credit average (65 percent), or equivalent qualification or
    - an Australian Bachelor of Engineering degree with a credit average (65 percent) and a major sequence of study in computer engineering, software engineering, or equivalent qualification or
    - a University of Sydney Graduate Diploma/ Graduate Certificate in Information Technology or Graduate Diploma in Computing, with a credit average (65 percent). Units completed in the graduate diploma/ graduate certificate can be credited to the master's degree.

    tl;dr You NEED a computing degree as a prerequisite to start a Masters in IT.

    The alternative is:

    Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be eligible for entry into the Graduate Diploma in Computing, from which they may transfer into the Master of Information Technology after satisfactorily completing at least 24 credit points with a credit average, allowing them to obtain a Master of Information Technology in just two years of full-time study.

    Pretty sure this is the standard across most universities in NSW. If you graduated from a different discipline, it's typical that you undertake a graduate diploma before pursing postgraduate study.

    • shortblack9 on 29/05/2017 - 10:47

      Thanks for this. Considering the cost, I may do a grad dip via another uni.

      Would you consider a Masters in IT worth doing?

      • fossilfuel on 29/05/2017 - 12:39

        Sorry, can't help you with that question. It's best you go to uni open days to talk to academics and past students about the degree. This way you can get info about the program structure, the workload, professional placement etc.

        • shortblack9 on 29/05/2017 - 13:24

          I wasn't able to attend the open days at either due to work commitments (teleconferences with Europe). I was told that I could not talk to anyone outside of the open days by the student's centre (I think that's rubbish, I haven't gone above that person yet).

        • shortblack9 on 29/05/2017 - 13:25

          PS. thanks for the reply anyway!! It's all good advice

        • fossilfuel on 29/05/2017 - 14:17
          +1

          @shortblack9:

          I was told that I could not talk to anyone outside of the open days by the student's centre (I think that's rubbish, I haven't gone above that person yet).

          Yeah that's complete garbage. What you can do is email the program director for more information, they'll know best. List of contacts for Usyd

  • Donaldhump on 29/05/2017 - 00:00

    i do a Masters at USQ at the moment in Data Science online. The university offers commonwealth supported positions so is approx $1000 a subject as opposed to $2000 plus at other universities, and it is quite good. I originally started at Macqaurie University and it was expensive

    Like fossilfuel said the requirements to get in is your biggest hurdle, but doing the Graduate Diploma would be the way to go. It is essentially just a subset of the Masters, and once your done that you can continue on to finish Masters.

    • railspider on 29/05/2017 - 09:50

      How are you finding their Data Science Master's course?

      • Donaldhump on 29/05/2017 - 18:08
        +1

        its ok not that brilliant, i end up teaching myself most stuff as lectures are hit and miss, but if i dont understand something i just call them up and they are always helpful…

        i guess it get what i pay for, but the course structure is pretty good. my fried continued at macquarie and he said the same thing… hit and miss.

    • shortblack9 on 29/05/2017 - 10:54

      I would also like to know what you think of the USQ Masters.

  • slow on 29/05/2017 - 07:05
    +1

    Based on people I have interviewed for jobs, studying IT at uni is the worst way to learn about IT (and takes a long time). far quicker (and you will learn more) to do some industry certifications

    • Clear on 29/05/2017 - 07:30

      You're not wrong. 'IT' degrees are laughable in most industrues by a lot of employers.

    • Hellfire on 29/05/2017 - 10:26
      +2

      Depends on the area of IT. There are some area's you won't get a look in without a degree. And others where you'd probably be better off just learning yourself and doing certs.

    • shortblack9 on 29/05/2017 - 10:55

      If I may ask, what jobs have you interviewed? My area of interest seems quite specific (although I could be mistaken).

      • slow on 29/05/2017 - 22:43
        +3

        Agree with the comments above - it depends what you are after. I am an IT Manager and over the years have interviewed people for roles from helpdesk to sysadmins to senior systems engineers, mainly technical roles. I have had recent graduates with masters degrees applying for helpdesk roles, presenting with amazing low technical knowledge, yet want to be IT managers earning 120k within 2 years (not that you need technical skills to be an IT Manager). On the other hand there are 18 year olds who have playing with PCs in their bedrooms for years who know far more. When I moved into IT years ago I did an MCSE in 6 weeks, which I think taught me more practical skills than I would have learnt in 3 years at uni.

        • shortblack9 on 29/05/2017 - 23:11

          Thanks for the advice. I appreciate the response.

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