Advice for when finishing varsity

[S1ght]

K well talking to the parents and apparently they will probably be selling this house when I finish my degree, I'm 2nd year now and I'm hoping to do masters so looking to finish my last year of varsity in 2012.

So now I'm just wondering about this and is there anything I should maybe be thinking of now to prepare for then. I mean I have my savings account so should I be feeding money into there? What if I wanted to move overseas should I be looking at applying for things now cause I hear that could take a few years? Those kinds of things...

Thanx in advance
S1ght

 

[tco21]

What are you studying? If it's some kind of Bcom I suggest you get yourself a part time job. Experience is a must, even after you have your degree.

 

[S1ght]

Studying BSc IT at UJ. Have a friend who works at MTN so he said when I finish he might be able to help me out with a job so thats my 1 option so far

 

[Waaib]

Offer to work for free somewhere for 3 months with option for them to hire you after that.

 

[Velenoso]

If you're looking to move overseas and get a job based on that degree, you'll have to at least complete the degree. Depending on what passport you hold, you'll have different requirements for living or working abroad. I suggest looking for a job after you've completed your degree (you can still be doing your masters).

 

[Gazer]

Studying BSc IT at UJ. Have a friend who works at MTN so he said when I finish he might be able to help me out with a job so thats my 1 option so far

There are plenty of graduate programs for IT. All the banks, Accenture, HP, MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, govt. depts, etc. You won't have trouble finding someone to take you.

 

[Vinia]

Internships are a great way to get into the working world, even if you are only getting a stipend to cover your transport & food. Go that route while you are studying, instead of waiting till you complete your degree & trying to get a permanent job with no experience.

Money wise, stay out of debt or pay off your debts asap. If you don't have a car yet, buy one that you can pay for in cash (the reliable makes). Things like clothing accounts, cellphone contracts, gym memberships add up. They may prove to be a huge hassle when you want to buy a house on limited means, or when you want to leave the country (some will force you to pay out the remainder of the contract).

 

[blunomore]

K well talking to the parents and apparently they will probably be selling this house when I finish my degree, I'm 2nd year now and I'm hoping to do masters so looking to finish my last year of varsity in 2012.

So now I'm just wondering about this and is there anything I should maybe be thinking of now to prepare for then. I mean I have my savings account so should I be feeding money into there? What if I wanted to move overseas should I be looking at applying for things now cause I hear that could take a few years? Those kinds of things...

Thanx in advance
S1ght

What does your parents selling their house have to do with your question? Are they gonna kick you out when they do so?

While you live with them, it is a very good time to save, as your expenses are limited.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Studying BSc IT at UJ. Have a friend who works at MTN so he said when I finish he might be able to help me out with a job so thats my 1 option so far

The mobile industry is a good choice as it is very versatile. Put working overseas on ice for know, international corps are axing job seriously and it is only us in the 3rd world countries like SA that we still have opportunities.

This is a great time to be in IT in SA. We have the next few years to pick up skills while our counterparts overseas are sitting unemployed or taking orders at McDonalds. When things turn around where going to be in demand.

Well already their is an acute shortage of Python and erlang developers for the local market.

But best of luck

 

[S1ght]

What does your parents selling their house have to do with your question? Are they gonna kick you out when they do so?

While you live with them, it is a very good time to save, as your expenses are limited.

They told us they had a plan and are going to tell us in 4 years time where they'll give us a choice...I'm the youngest (got an older brother and sister, 2 and 6 years older than me respectfully) so I'm assuming they'll definitely be looking at wanting us all out of the house in 4 years time (my sister has already moved out).

This is why I just want to look at possibly options and prepare for the future, I don't want 4 years time to come and find that I should have been doing something with all my time now like getting more experience in my field and saving up money to prepare to pay for rent and a car etc etc.

 

[phiber]

I just finished my BSc Honours in computer science last year, starting at standard bank next month and will be trying to do my masters part time. Had offers from 5 or 6 places, so finding jobs isn't a real problem at the moment. Make sure that when the companies come for grad recruitment at your campus you go see what they have to say, and take down their details so you can apply. A good way to secure a job is to get a bursary from a company (helps with savings as well) and then go work for them afterwards.

If you aren't too keen on a bursary (i never was) there two options. Go to a company and do vac work. I know standard bank take people. If you aren't keen on doing that, start a company doing something IT related, thats what I did. Sold out of the company and the banks were very keen to hire me when they saw my CV.

Also some places run IT competitions, like the ACM and Standard Banks IT Challenge. Go try some of those out, its a good way to get noticed. I did!!