NEEDING ADVICE for my IT Studies next year

[MarcDD]

Hey guys I'm 19 years old and I need to plan my studies for next year. Any help or advice would be appreciated.. I'm from Cape Town btw..

So I have TWO options for my studies next year.

OPTION 1:
Study at CTI for the B.Sc Information Technology. It's CRAZY expensive, roughly R68K per year. My parents can't afford this, so I would have to take a student loan and pay roughly R200K of debt back after my studies once I'm working.
And has anyone here studied at CTI for the B.Sc IT degree?

OR OPTION 2:
Study through UNISA for the B.Sc Informatics and work full-time at a Software Company whereby they will be training me and mentoring me. It's a paid Junior Developer position and I think the pay is farely decent. Going for another meeting next week regarding the salary etc.. And they said it will be a long term position, so it's not like I'm there working for only just a year.

So it's either I'm stuck with loads of debt after my studies OR it's gaining practical knowledge in the working environment from senior developers while tackling my degree through UNISA. Oh yes and UNISA is heaps cheaper than CTI per year..

I'm just afraid I won't cope with working full-time and doing studies at the same time, But I guess I do have up to 8 years to finish the UNISA B.Sc Degree Only advantage from CTI would be having actual lectures on the work and being able to work with fellow students together on projects etc.. As programming can become daunting when you in trouble, but then again I have Google. XD

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[Dlamaqhinga]

Go for Option 2, your work experience will help you in your studies, it'll will take a bit longer to finish your degree but at least you won't have bid debt to repay.

 

[Baxteen]

work while studying.

the experience is worth almost as much as the degree.

studies and working full time does mean you are not going to have a lot of time for going out and partying, but this will show you a way to save and this will help you more in the long run.

I have lots of friends who did exactly this. its by far the better way of doing things

 

[jacksonc]

Definitely Option 2 !!! I wont think twice abt that

Hey guys I'm 19 years old and I need to plan my studies for next year. Any help or advice would be appreciated.. I'm from Cape Town btw..

So I have TWO options for my studies next year.

OPTION 1:
Study at CTI for the B.Sc Information Technology. It's CRAZY expensive, roughly R68K per year. My parents can't afford this, so I would have to take a student loan and pay roughly R200K of debt back after my studies once I'm working.
And has anyone here studied at CTI for the B.Sc IT degree?

OR OPTION 2:
Study through UNISA for the B.Sc Informatics and work full-time at a Software Company whereby they will be training me and mentoring me. It's a paid Junior Developer position and I think the pay is farely decent. Going for another meeting next week regarding the salary etc.. And they said it will be a long term position, so it's not like I'm there working for only just a year.

So it's either I'm stuck with loads of debt after my studies OR it's gaining practical knowledge in the working environment from senior developers while tackling my degree through UNISA. Oh yes and UNISA is heaps cheaper than CTI per year..

I'm just afraid I won't cope with working full-time and doing studies at the same time, But I guess I do have up to 8 years to finish the UNISA B.Sc Degree Only advantage from CTI would be having actual lectures on the work and being able to work with fellow students together on projects etc.. As programming can become daunting when you in trouble, but then again I have Google. XD

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[Pho3nix]

You didn't tell me the institution was CTI. Go for Option 2

 

[mr_norris]

I would avoid CTI if I were you. There are loads of bad stories around myBB about them. Their courses are also way over priced, and it's pretty much "teach yourself" from what I remember (I could be wrong).

You'd have a better time staying at home and doing correspondence through UNISA. Saying that, option two is a definite winner, but studying while working is hard. It took me years to finish my degree I am also lazy, so that didn't help.

If I could go back, I'd probably find a way to go to a physical university.

 

[lerouc]

i did study through CTi (not a degree though) but if i was in your shoes i would take option 2.

Keep in mind working and studying is not easy, i started my Bsc through Unisa a couple of years ago, the first 2 years went without issues and then i changed jobs and my employer couldn't care less whether i was studying or not. so halfway through my 3rd year i stopped. Couldn't work till late in evening try and stay up till morning to write an exam and then drive from exam to clients and still over a decent level of professionalism.

My employer said they were happy with my level of education and didn't support me studying a degree.

I have left said job though. Might pick up my studies again in the future, but i am currently freelancing in my spare time so dont know when that will happen.

 

[MaximusZA]

I would avoid CTI if I were you. There are loads of bad stories around myBB about them. Their courses are also way over priced, and it's pretty much "teach yourself" from what I remember (I could be wrong).

You'd have a better time staying at home and doing correspondence through UNISA. Saying that, option two is a definite winner, but studying while working is hard. It took me years to finish my degree I am also lazy, so that didn't help.

If I could go back, I'd probably find a way to go to a physical university.

I studied at CTI and it is exactly that. they give you your books and you have to teach yourself and if you need help there are lecturers there, this was a long time ago though so i am not sure if its changed. I would highly recommend option 2, CTI if it hasn't change is overpriced teach yourself course. if you can work and study at the same time its an awesome opportunity.

 

[jtr]

I would not recommend CTI to anyone. That is my personal opinion. Between the two, I would say your second choice is the better option. But take the time to look at all your options. Also make sure the course you will do, will deliver the qualification you are looking for.

 

[Luke7777]

OPTION 2:
Study through UNISA for the B.Sc Informatics and work full-time at a Software Company whereby they will be training me and mentoring me. It's a paid Junior Developer position and I think the pay is farely decent. Going for another meeting next week regarding the salary etc.. And they said it will be a long term position, so it's not like I'm there working for only just a year.

So it's either I'm stuck with loads of debt after my studies OR it's gaining practical knowledge in the working environment from senior developers while tackling my degree through UNISA. Oh yes and UNISA is heaps cheaper than CTI per year..

I'm just afraid I won't cope with working full-time and doing studies at the same time, But I guess I do have up to 8 years to finish the UNISA B.Sc Degree Only advantage from CTI would be having actual lectures on the work and being able to work with fellow students together on projects etc.. As programming can become daunting when you in trouble, but then again I have Google. XD

Any advice would be helpful.

FTFY

 

[Necropolis]

If the one option is CTI then go with the other option...

 

[Johnatan56]

You might not believe it, but there is a search function: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/49249-Why-you-should-not-go-to-CTI
End result. Definite no to CTI.

 

[Topdoggdbn]

Option 2
Working and studying is hard. However getting older and having further responsibilities without decent education and experience is harder.
Whats required of you increases all the time. You might as well put your head down and get it done. The sacrifice made now will be worth it.
However you have to be realistic in how much you can cope with.
I dropped my studies because of lack of money and ended up climbing salary scale quite quickly. In the first 5 years it seemed ok, but 10 years later I am overpaid and underqualfied. Even if i get my degree my salary will not increase. The problem is further down the line. Have to now study and learn more not to grow salary but just keep relevant.

 

[frika6]

Option 2!

Working and studying is hard but with some self discipline and hard work you'll be beter off when it's done.

I'm registering for B.Sc in computer science next year. I have a full time job as a PLC programmer and I'm married. I'm sure I can pull it off.

So can you!!!

The experience you gain with working and studying is going to give you great jump start.

 

[HibiscusTunes]

Option 2, avoid CTI!

 

[catman37]

Option. Also heard bad things about CTI

 

[SuperMario]

Hey guys I'm 19 years old and I need to plan my studies for next year. Any help or advice would be appreciated.. I'm from Cape Town btw..

So I have TWO options for my studies next year.

OPTION 1:
Study at CTI for the B.Sc Information Technology. It's CRAZY expensive, roughly R68K per year. My parents can't afford this, so I would have to take a student loan and pay roughly R200K of debt back after my studies once I'm working.
And has anyone here studied at CTI for the B.Sc IT degree?

OR OPTION 2:
Study through UNISA for the B.Sc Informatics and work full-time at a Software Company whereby they will be training me and mentoring me. It's a paid Junior Developer position and I think the pay is farely decent. Going for another meeting next week regarding the salary etc.. And they said it will be a long term position, so it's not like I'm there working for only just a year.

So it's either I'm stuck with loads of debt after my studies OR it's gaining practical knowledge in the working environment from senior developers while tackling my degree through UNISA. Oh yes and UNISA is heaps cheaper than CTI per year..

I'm just afraid I won't cope with working full-time and doing studies at the same time, But I guess I do have up to 8 years to finish the UNISA B.Sc Degree Only advantage from CTI would be having actual lectures on the work and being able to work with fellow students together on projects etc.. As programming can become daunting when you in trouble, but then again I have Google. XD

Any advice would be helpful.

Just to clear things up for you. In your situation option 2 will obviously be the best option. However don't believe these people telling you CTI is bad. I finished my BSc IT degree there two weeks ago. They have very good facilities and the course material is also very good. I was at the Durbanville campus, so I don't know how their other campuses are. All the people in my class who put in effort in their degree with me the past 3 years all have jobs now, so in the end it's up to you.

 

[cguy]

I would study first, and then work . There is a higher risk of not finishing if working, although if you can pull off a degree in 3-4 years with work, that would be ideal. Is CTI really your only option? I can't say I know anyone who went there, but their reputation is pretty lousy. I would take option only 2 if it really isn't possible to go to a brick-and-mortar, non-CTI university.

 

[SlinkyMike]

Option 2

 

[markbdaniels]

I did your option 2. Think it took me 6 years to complete the degree. It was tough giving up weekends/annual leave to study but it's obviously worth it in the end.