Hello one and all.

I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’m currently in my 2nd year of university (BSc Hons Computing & Networks) with an expected 1st, I have studied for and passed the CCNA exam in my own time, worked as a service desk administrator for the police, and have now hit a snag.

As part of our degree, we can get a 1 year (paid) placement in an organisation. I told the placement office several times that I really want to work in networking as that’s where my heart is at, and where I feel most confident, however they decided to put me forward for a placement with DuPont working with the databases and software. I passed the interview and was offered the placement, and although I know this is a good placement, with a decent pay in comparison to others, and broadens my skill set, I feel that I may be shooting myself in the foot by not going for a placement in networking.

I was strongly advised by the placement office to accept, so I accepted it and have been having second thoughts ever since. My worry is that by spending a year with databases (which I feel that I can do, but not as confidently as networks) I may be losing out.

I’m now thinking of sticking with the database placement in order to broaden my skill range, but whilst on my final year (or after I finish the placement and before Im back at Uni) I am going to try and secure some arrangement either with the University or a local company where I can gain the experience necessary for getting a career in networking after university. Also I was going to start on the road to CCNP whilst on placement, in the hopes that this would go in my favour when competing for jobs in the networking area.

Could anyone give me some advice on what I should do?

Thanks,

Mike

Edited 1 February, 200917 yr by PEMBO

Try to have a word with HR at your placement, not in a way where you say 'I dont want to do X' but more along the lines of 'I am looking to do Y after X, would it be possible to do something in that area?'

You never know, if you give it a positive spin, you have nothing to loose. As you've done your existing job for a while, it is probably a reasonable time to bring it up

Mike, I can't remember how long CCNAs are valid, but I'd stick with the database placement. It does broaden your skillset and whilst networks move on fast, chances are in future, it may actually help even if you do just networking stuff.

If you were to pull out of it, what would you do / what would you be offered? It sounds like from the advisor's hints, that if you were to pull out now, it would sound even worse than not taking it up in the first place. I don't know what the competition is like in your group / environment, but a geeky mindchanger amongst a set of other students eager to impress won't bode well IMHO.

CCNP will wait (says the chap who started MCSE and configuring ciscos 3 years ago and done sweet FA about it )

Hi

I'm not a careers adviser but I do come across situations like this from time to time.

There is no 'perfect' answer in my experience and there is a bit of a gamble on which route to follow.

I would say it would do you no harm to have the broader base and knowledge under your wing. There's no saying what type jobs will be readily available when you finish Uni and if you have skills in several areas then those might offer you a more extensive choice and a better opportunity in a competitive market. Good luck!

HTH

A good understanding of databases would be beneficial for a career in IT as they crop up time and time again and you'll still have plenty of time afterwards for your chosen career path.

Try to have a word with HR at your placement, not in a way where you say 'I dont want to do X' but more along the lines of 'I am looking to do Y after X, would it be possible to do something in that area?'

You never know, if you give it a positive spin, you have nothing to loose. As you've done your existing job for a while, it is probably a reasonable time to bring it up

Its a good point. I did ask at the interview if there was possiblility for them to put me on courses etc, but they said it doesnt really happen with placement students. But I think the HR idea is good, and after posting I realised that I may be able to get some strings pulled at the police to allow me to spend some time with the network team there as I worked in that department.

Mike, I can't remember how long CCNAs are valid, but I'd stick with the database placement. It does broaden your skillset and whilst networks move on fast, chances are in future, it may actually help even if you do just networking stuff.

If you were to pull out of it, what would you do / what would you be offered? It sounds like from the advisor's hints, that if you were to pull out now, it would sound even worse than not taking it up in the first place. I don't know what the competition is like in your group / environment, but a geeky mindchanger amongst a set of other students eager to impress won't bode well IMHO.

CCNP will wait (says the chap who started MCSE and configuring ciscos 3 years ago and done sweet FA about it )

It runs out 2011, so just as I finish University , typical. I suppose if I did stick with the database placement I could use my spare time to either specialise the CCNA by doing VoIP or Security add ons, or perhaps move down the Microsoft certification route (or chillax:rofl:)

I think if I were to pull out of it then the quality of placement offered would be much lower, as the placements that loosely mention networks are based around a service desk role - and as much as I enjoyed working on a service desk its not exactly network orientated.

Stick with the database stuff for a year. As mentioned it'll massively help you with your understanding of the over all impact networking can have on other systems and visa versa .... if you can understand other systems as well.

Plus if you want to stay geeky/techy through your IT career then you'll prob work up to Tech. Architect level, which will need a good background in other skills, not just networking.

A good understanding of databases would be beneficial for a career in IT as they crop up time and time again and you'll still have plenty of time afterwards for your chosen career path.

Stick with the database stuff for a year. As mentioned it'll massively help you with your understanding of the over all impact networking can have on other systems and visa versa .... if you can understand other systems as well.

Plus if you want to stay geeky/techy through your IT career then you'll prob work up to Tech. Architect level, which will need a good background in other skills, not just networking.

Sounds like good advice. I never thought of it that way auroan, but it makes sense for me to have an understanding of different aspects of IT, and a year isn't much in the grand scheme of things.

Its definatly put my mind at rest about the future so thanks everyone:thumbup:

PEMBO - It's good to see you back on briskoda again. It has been a while.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm doing "Software Engineering" however, started on a more general view doing:

Business and Professional Issues

Computers and Networks

Databases

Programming

Systems Analysis and Design

Web and Media Development

They then decided to split the course down further so next year I cover just 3 topics. Databases,

Programming and Computers and Networks. The third year work placement is what I myself am most worried about!

It's odd how you stated to the placement office what area you wish to work in - The fact your CV directs you more to Computers and Networks and the small point that your actually on a networking course.

I would suggest the same as the above. If I was in your boat - Go talk to the company state that your very happy they offered you a placement for "X" and state that you would be better suited to "Y" and could they help.

Glad to see your back,

Rob

There are a lot more networking guys than database experts. Lots of people have worked in IT long enough to build up some knowledge of networking and very often they will take the Cisco certs as a follow on.

My advice would be to get the database experience primarily. Maybe keep a thumb in networking as a second string but I think you'll find more and better paid work in databases.

Big fish in a small pond etc ect.

I'd agree with pretty much everyone else to go for databases, particularly if you're working with design and/or support, rather than just the coding of a user-fiendly (sic) front end!

PEMBO - It's good to see you back on briskoda again. It has been a while.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm doing "Software Engineering" however, started on a more general view doing:

Business and Professional Issues

Computers and Networks

Databases

Programming

Systems Analysis and Design

Web and Media Development

They then decided to split the course down further so next year I cover just 3 topics. Databases,

Programming and Computers and Networks. The third year work placement is what I myself am most worried about!

It's odd how you stated to the placement office what area you wish to work in - The fact your CV directs you more to Computers and Networks and the small point that your actually on a networking course.

I would suggest the same as the above. If I was in your boat - Go talk to the company state that your very happy they offered you a placement for "X" and state that you would be better suited to "Y" and could they help.

Glad to see your back,

Rob

Its nice to be back! I chose fairly varied modules too for this year,

Computer systems & architecture,

Databases,

Networks & comms,

Networks & sys admin,

Algorithms & data structures,

Programming paradigms.

Have you managed to get a placement ok, because some Uni's dont have placement office's?

I think the advice so far is pretty definative toward the database side so Im going to stick with it - I should be going down for a day in Easter and start after my exams (about May) so Ill keep everyone informed as to how its going:thumbup:

Its nice to be back! I chose fairly varied modules too for this year,

Computer systems & architecture,

Databases,

Networks & comms,

Networks & sys admin,

Algorithms & data structures,

Programming paradigms.

Have you managed to get a placement ok, because some Uni's dont have placement office's?

I think the advice so far is pretty definative toward the database side so Im going to stick with it - I should be going down for a day in Easter and start after my exams (about May) so Ill keep everyone informed as to how its going:thumbup:

The course I'm on does the placement in the 3rd year - There is a placement office, so I'm rather happy. I'm only in my first year at the moment so this is giving me a good heads up on the situation.

I'm going to try to work down the "M4 Corridor" This meaning I can live back at home for that year and save some money. It's also close to London and Reading with a few big names in Swindon where I actually live.

I'm in the same boat with exams starting in May - Still looking at a 1st so we will see how I go . Just need to find a part-time job over the summer holidays....

I guess no-one's really touched on it directly, but the main driving forces behind placements are to give you "real-world" experience of the stuff you've been learning about and to give employers a good way of identifying up-and-coming graduates to employ.

So my suggestion would be to take the database role and make sure that you do a great job and leave a good impression (it's only a year after all). While you're in the company, however, take the opportunity to network (sorry ) and meet up with other placement students/employees and find out what work they're involved with. The company I work for often have "cross-lab" initiatives or even SIGs which are great for this and involvement is actively encouraged. You never know, you might find something you love that you never knew existed

Btw, my own experience of placements was that you got better placements if you approached companies you're interested in directly, rather than using the list of available posts the university has. I imagine with a recession a lot of companies are winding down their schemes though so ymmv, but it may be worth a try...

Chris

I'm going to try to work down the "M4 Corridor" This meaning I can live back at home for that year and save some money. It's also close to London and Reading with a few big names in Swindon where I actually live.

Yeah, similar here. Was looking for local placements as moving away isnt an option for me (fiance and all:rolleyes:). Luckily the DuPont one is just less than 3 miles from my house:rofl: Like you say, it saves money too and I might be able to afford a VRs next year:D

Just looking at your first year modules, very similar titles to the ones I did.

Btw, my own experience of placements was that you got better placements if you approached companies you're interested in directly, rather than using the list of available posts the university has. I imagine with a recession a lot of companies are winding down their schemes though so ymmv, but it may be worth a try...

Chris

A warning for Rob, be careful if your placement office do this to you:

I was going to do this, but the placement office have to assess any companies we approach for suitability as the placement counts for 5% of the degree.

Because of this, when I went to them and said "Can I approach Virgin, BT, etc" they said to me and said they already deal with those companies and so they would be able to do it for me. Its now looking like they don't really have links with some of the companies, or are very slow in contacting them. The ones they do have contacts for, they wont allow me to try for them as I'm being 'greedy' because I have already had an offer from one placement. Yes, I probably would be being greedy, but when it comes to decisions that heavily influence careers then I think its fair (to an extent).

I think it was bad circumstances though as I was the first student to get offered a placement, which if I turned it down I might have not got another. On the otherhand if I accepted (as I have done) then Ive tied myself to it and if a cracking network placement comes up then Id be kicking myself.

Its currently looking like the placement office dont have many (if any) placements with networks, almost all are programming / database / games / graphics / help desk.

A warning for Rob, be careful if your placement office do this to you:

I was going to do this, but the placement office have to assess any companies we approach for suitability as the placement counts for 5% of the degree.

What they are saying is that they will actually have to do something rather than just fobbing you off with the list of companies they have Not sure which university you're with, but all the major universities will have ties with the big players in the industry and more as likely a dedicated representative on either side to maintain that relationship.

You need to look at what *you* want out of the placement, rather than what the university want and in this climate, I'd be focussing on creating some decent employment prospects rather than trying to please an admin bod at a university. They can't stop you from applying for other placements and if they are difficult and don't supply a contact within the company you're interested in, simply ring the company's HR department and ask. I personally wouldn't leave the university to arrange it and I think that an employer would look more favourably on someone actively seeking a placement at their company as it shows motivation, enthusiasm and an interest in the company. All the university liason people I've spoken to have been well aware of what is needed to meet a university's placement criteria and to be honest, it just boils down to you having a defined technical role, rather than being a tea/photocopier/errand boy.

Chris