Computer Science advice needed

[Wizard-of-Oz]

Hi guys,
Well long story short, I come from a construction background, and now want to follow my passion and pursue a degree in Computer programming. I'm 27 now and have no formal experience in programming. I do some coding in my spare time.
I work full time (in construction) to pay the bills, so distance learning through Unisa is my only option. Luck would have it that they discontinued their Software Engineering course this year and now I'm stuck on what to study as that was my main and only choice.
My main question is which is a good degree / alternative to a Bsc Computer Science Software Engineering? Or can anyone comment on any other Computer Science related degree that you think is a better choice.

On the other hand, my biggest concern is getting a job once I qualify, I will be 30 if all goes well. What are my chances? Seeing as I will be going up against grads from a younger age group.

All input and Advice is appreciated

Thanks

 

[Brentontw]

I'm not sure what UNISA offers but alternatives that I know of include BSc I.T which at tuks is almost identical except less focus on sciences and math. Also infomatics but that focuses more on the business side.

 

[xumwun]

Hi guys,
Well long story short, I come from a construction background, and now want to follow my passion and pursue a degree in Computer programming. I'm 27 now and have no formal experience in programming. I do some coding in my spare time.
I work full time (in construction) to pay the bills, so distance learning through Unisa is my only option. Luck would have it that they discontinued their Software Engineering course this year and now I'm stuck on what to study as that was my main and only choice.
My main question is which is a good degree / alternative to a Bsc Computer Science Software Engineering? Or can anyone comment on any other Computer Science related degree that you think is a better choice.

On the other hand, my biggest concern is getting a job once I qualify, I will be 30 if all goes well. What are my chances? Seeing as I will be going up against grads from a younger age group.

All input and Advice is appreciated

Thanks

The closest thing UNISA would have is Bsc Computing.

 

[shauntir]

The closest thing UNISA would have is Bsc Computing.

^ +1.

I am not a fan of UNISA anymore due to their lack of care and efficiency. I completed a BSc in IT Management in 2008 with them. It was getting bad when I was finishing off my degree. However, like you say, its the only choice...

 

[Wizard-of-Oz]

The closest thing UNISA would have is Bsc Computing.

That doesn't sound like an in-depth software/programming course... more like something Intec or Damelin would offer. Anything more you can tell me about it?

 

[Wizard-of-Oz]

^ +1.

I am not a fan of UNISA anymore due to their lack of care and efficiency. I completed a BSc in IT Management in 2008 with them. It was getting bad when I was finishing off my degree. However, like you say, its the only choice...

shauntir any advice or alternatives you can offer will be appreciated.

 

[xumwun]

That doesn't sound like an in-depth software/programming course... more like something Intec or Damelin would offer. Anything more you can tell me about it?

It's mostly the same as the Software engineering degree.

Have a look here
http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/study/docs/myRegistration-Unisa-2015-CSET.pdf

 

[Majikat]

Hi guys,
Well long story short, I come from a construction background, and now want to follow my passion and pursue a degree in Computer programming. I'm 27 now and have no formal experience in programming. I do some coding in my spare time.
I work full time (in construction) to pay the bills, so distance learning through Unisa is my only option. Luck would have it that they discontinued their Software Engineering course this year and now I'm stuck on what to study as that was my main and only choice.
My main question is which is a good degree / alternative to a Bsc Computer Science Software Engineering? Or can anyone comment on any other Computer Science related degree that you think is a better choice.

On the other hand, my biggest concern is getting a job once I qualify, I will be 30 if all goes well. What are my chances? Seeing as I will be going up against grads from a younger age group.

All input and Advice is appreciated

Thanks

you and I are of similar circumstance, working full-time, studying on the side for a career change into software engineering/programming. Even our ages are quite similar. I've done quite a lot of research on some of the ways to achieve this. It has to be distance learning so you can study easily from home and on weekends.

After researching some choices in the online universities out there, I've enrolled in the edX program run by MIT. I've noticed a lot of employers do not care much about formal education and qualifications, especially overseas employers. They seem to be more concerned with your actual legitimate ability to program efficiently on sound principles. The edX program offers an informal certificate. But it is not the same as formal university credits. The edX program is also free, which lowers the risk. So it is up to you how you wanna achieve your goal.

This course could be a good start,
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x7

 

[Syzygy78]

you and I are of similar circumstance, working full-time, studying on the side for a career change into software engineering/programming. Even our ages are quite similar. I've done quite a lot of research on some of the ways to achieve this. It has to be distance learning so you can study easily from home and on weekends.

After researching some choices in the online universities out there, I've enrolled in the edX program run by MIT. I've noticed a lot of employers do not care much about formal education and qualifications, especially overseas employers. They seem to be more concerned with your actual legitimate ability to program efficiently on sound principles. The edX program offers an informal certificate. But it is not the same as formal university credits. The edX program is also free, which lowers the risk. So it is up to you how you wanna achieve your goal.

This course could be a good start,
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x7

The biggest problem I see here is that its very difficult to get considered for an overseas position without a degree.

I have done the BSc through UNISA. The coursework is very comparable to local and overseas universities. The big headache is that UNISA is terrible with admin. If you stay close to a campus, then it becomes so much easier.

I would strongly recommend considering a degree. Perhaps there is a little seed of doubt in your mind. I know it is a big commitment, however, I feel it is worthwhile in the end. Once I obtained my degree it felt like a hand brake was released on my career. There are so many more international opportunities that I would not have without my degree. I am also a fair bit older than you

 

[cguy]

you and I are of similar circumstance, working full-time, studying on the side for a career change into software engineering/programming. Even our ages are quite similar. I've done quite a lot of research on some of the ways to achieve this. It has to be distance learning so you can study easily from home and on weekends.

After researching some choices in the online universities out there, I've enrolled in the edX program run by MIT. I've noticed a lot of employers do not care much about formal education and qualifications, especially overseas employers. They seem to be more concerned with your actual legitimate ability to program efficiently on sound principles. The edX program offers an informal certificate. But it is not the same as formal university credits. The edX program is also free, which lowers the risk. So it is up to you how you wanna achieve your goal.

This course could be a good start,
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x7

To add to what Syzygy78 said: Firstly, regardless of what an overseas employer may think of degrees vs ability, many countries require a degree for a visa or at least handicap you significantly if you don't have one. Secondly, most HR departments will sort candidates along certain criteria, having a degree is usually one of these criteria, and your "actual" ability is not, since this is nearly impossible to convey concisely in a CV - this becomes truer, the more desirable a company is to work for (more applications). Thirdly, you shouldn't just be doing a degree for a piece of paper, you do it to improve "your actual legitimate ability to program on sound principles" that you mentioned earlier.

 

[gkm]

Agree completely with cguy. The employers that will take the trouble to help you with a visa will care and the government issuing the visa will also care.

 

[Wizard-of-Oz]

you and I are of similar circumstance, working full-time, studying on the side for a career change into software engineering/programming. Even our ages are quite similar. I've done quite a lot of research on some of the ways to achieve this. It has to be distance learning so you can study easily from home and on weekends.

After researching some choices in the online universities out there, I've enrolled in the edX program run by MIT. I've noticed a lot of employers do not care much about formal education and qualifications, especially overseas employers. They seem to be more concerned with your actual legitimate ability to program efficiently on sound principles. The edX program offers an informal certificate. But it is not the same as formal university credits. The edX program is also free, which lowers the risk. So it is up to you how you wanna achieve your goal.

This course could be a good start,
https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x7

Thanks Majikat. I have enrolled for that course and added a Verified Certificate for R667 :wtf:

 

[Wizard-of-Oz]

Update on this thread. I have found UNISA offers a BSc Computing degree that's a bit of a stripped down version of the Software Engineering Stream. I have applied and as Syzygy78 said, their horrible admin got my application lost somewhere. I live close by so am heading over there to make some noise.

Thanks for the heads up Syzygy78 and cguy. I will seriously consider moving overseas provided I receive an opportunity, might even apply once I have my degree. I would assume overseas employers would look for paper verification of competence before granting a scarce job to an 'immigrant' rather than a citizen.

 

[cguy]

Update on this thread. I have found UNISA offers a BSc Computing degree that's a bit of a stripped down version of the Software Engineering Stream. I have applied and as Syzygy78 said, their horrible admin got my application lost somewhere. I live close by so am heading over there to make some noise.

Thanks for the heads up Syzygy78 and cguy. I will seriously consider moving overseas provided I receive an opportunity, might even apply once I have my degree. I would assume overseas employers would look for paper verification of competence before granting a scarce job to an 'immigrant' rather than a citizen.

An overseas employer would want the correct degree, for sure, but they will also generally do technical phone screens followed by on site interviews. There is pressure to hire locals, but if you are well above average, it's not that hard to find a sponsor, and it's pretty trivial to relocate (in terms of cost and red tape) in the scheme of things.

 

[.QQ.]

To add to what Syzygy78 said: Firstly, regardless of what an overseas employer may think of degrees vs ability, many countries require a degree for a visa or at least handicap you significantly if you don't have one. Secondly, most HR departments will sort candidates along certain criteria, having a degree is usually one of these criteria, and your "actual" ability is not, since this is nearly impossible to convey concisely in a CV - this becomes truer, the more desirable a company is to work for (more applications). Thirdly, you shouldn't just be doing a degree for a piece of paper, you do it to improve "your actual legitimate ability to program on sound principles" that you mentioned earlier.

Solid advice.

An overseas employer would want the correct degree, for sure, but they will also generally do technical phone screens followed by on site interviews. There is pressure to hire locals, but if you are well above average, it's not that hard to find a sponsor, and it's pretty trivial to relocate (in terms of cost and red tape) in the scheme of things.

To add to this, if you have solid relevant working experience it will count for a lot with an overseas employer and make up for any disparity between a local and international degree.

 

[animal531]

Cguy gave good advice. Work on the fact that the degree might help you get your foot in the door, but after that it's going to be up to you to be able to sell both yourself and your skills.

Don't just go into "development"; pick a specific development stack that you're interested in, check up on job availability/locations...if you're happy with that then learn everything you can about it. Then use it and develop some apps/code that you can use to promote yourself (that display your knowledge of both the whole stack and the software development lifecycle as would be useful to a business).