The guru guide to your IT career

Do you want to know what it takes to have a successful career in IT and computing? We’ve asked the experts for their tips, at each stage of the process.

1. School

Behind every successful IT guru, from Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg, you’ll find years of experience. For many, that experience starts when they are still at school, tinkering with technology in their spare time.

That’s because every successful career starts with passion. If you genuinely love what you do enough for it to be your all-consuming hobby, then you’ll have the energy and enthusiasm to handle the pressure and challenges ahead.

2. University

When it comes to your university IT course, it’s important to learn more than just the technical skills you need to be a programmer, web designer, network planner or computer support technician.

‘Soft’ skills such as communication, leadership and business awareness are just as important when it comes to landing a job.

Stand out from the crowd – study your masters in computing at Derby University

Take your learning one step further.  Build on your bachelors degree and turn yourself in to a strategic thinking, critically evaluating, valuable asset ready to embark on a successful career in computing.

At Derby you can join students from all over the world to study your masters.  Our courses include:

• MSc Advanced Computer Systems
• MSc Computer Games Production
• MSc Computer Networks
• MSc Enterprise Computing
• MSc Forensic Computing and Security
• MSc Strategic Information Technology Management (online only)

Our programmes have all been designed hand in hand with industry, and there’s lots of focus on practical and hands on experience, so we’re equipping you with the skills that employers are looking for when recruiting.

Study IT in Perth, Western Australia

There is a common saying that ‘practice makes perfect’. Perth’s private Vocational Education and Training (VET) colleges take you a step further by giving you the ‘competitive edge’ – the advanced skills and knowledge that employers are looking for today.

Why should you study an IT vocational course?

VET courses allow you to gain the most advanced knowledge and practical expertise, from teachers who are specialists in their field, ensuring that you are taught the skills that are relevant to today’s ever-changing world. When you graduate, you will be ready for direct employment in IT.

What qualifications will you get?

Private vocational colleges offer IT courses in the fields of general IT, networks and communications, and programming. Depending on the level of skill you want, you can gain a:

1. Certificate I to IV
2. Diploma
3. Advanced Diploma

Top Ten reasons to study by distance

Online technology has made studying from home a real alternative. So is distance learning right for you?

Find out with our top ten reasons to take on a distance learning course.

1. Study when you want, where you want

All you need to access to the internet, and you can study in your bedroom, in your office, on the beach… If you think better at night or in the early morning, schedule your coursework to suit you.

2. Fit your study around your work commitments

You don’t have to give up your job or put your career on hold to get a world-class international education. This could be especially important if you want to study an MBA or Masters degree.

3. Fit your study around your family commitments

You also don’t have to move your family abroad to get a world-class international education.

Getting the most from your education degree

Teaching is an exciting and challenging profession, and a chance to change the world – one class at a time!

There are many different paths to becoming a teacher – you can study an Education Degree at a Bachelor level, or specialise in a certain field, such as science or economics, and then take a Postgraduate education diploma or degree. Or, if you want to teach English as a second language, you can study a TESOL certificate or diploma at English language colleges around the world.

To make sure you choose a teaching course that will really enhance your skills, it’s important to look for the following:

Australia: Free sample courses at USQ

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is regarded as one of Australia’s leading providers of on-campus and distance education programs. More than 75% of its students studying via distance or online, including over 5,000 international students.

USQ has spent twenty years developing cutting-edge technology to support its distance learning students. You can study challenging and flexible degrees in arts, business, education, science, engineering or surveying, all without leaving your home.

And now, you can also try out a sample course online for free, through USQ’s OpenCourseWare (USQ OCW). Yes, free educational resources self-learners around the world. They do not lead to any credits or degrees, but you might learn quite a lot along the way.

UK: Your MBA, your way – with EBS

Edinburgh Business School (EBS) is the Graduate School of Business of Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. At this world-leading school, you get to choose how you want to study, and where.

Study at home, or on campus, start and finish your course when it suits you, take each course in any order that suits you, and take exams when you’re ready.

It’s a different approach to MBA study, and it works. 7,000 students are current studying their MBA at Edinburgh Business School, in 150 countries around the world.

The Financial Times recently rated the EBS MBA as the largest distance learning program outside the USA. The article describes EBS as “one of the pioneers of distance learning… a well-respected and fully accredited qualification.”

Canada: Learn French cuisine in North America

If you dream of running your own fine dining restaurant, or creating exquisite taste sensations for special occasions, then Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute has course for you.

You can study classic French cuisine or patisserie at more than thirty destinations around the world with Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute. Its North American hub campus is in Ottawa, the beautiful capital city of Canada.

Learn from highly skilled French chefs, many from Michelin-starred restaurants, in a Tudor-style heritage mansion equipped with five state-of-the-art kitchens. You’ll also be able to experience the in-house restaurant, Signatures Restaurant, which has been awarded a Five Diamond rating from the Canadian/American Automobile Association.

Student Poll

Staying safe while you study

Safe study tips

Safety is always a concern for international students. Studying abroad means leaving the safety and security of your familiar surroundings. It may be your first time living away from your family, or you may need to travel on public transport at night to a part-time job or evening courses.

Studying in Australia has always been seen as safe for international students, so recent violence against several Indian students in Melbourne has caused some alarm amongst the international student community.

No matter where you are from, and no matter where you choose to study, there are things you can do to ensure you stay safe. Here are a few student safety tips:

Ask Anna

Question:

“Is there still time to apply to study in the UK for September this year?”

Answer:

“Yes, you still have some time left to apply for the coming session in the UK.

There is no official deadline to apply to UK universities for their postgraduate programmes but for undergraduate level programmes the deadline for submitted applications is 30th June.

There are certain programmes which are in high demand by international students. Therefore, they get full very soon and the institution stops taking any more applications.

Please get in touch with a StudyLink counsellor to know whether your area of interest (course) is still available for this intake.”