Careers Brief - Computer Networking FdSc

Overview

The Foundation degree in Computer Networking, offers you the opportunity of progression onto an Honours degree programme or direct job entry.

There are several entry points into computer networking. At this stage you can progress your career through training in employment with part-time education or continuing on for further full-time study.

Employer surveys suggest a long-term upward trend in demand for networking engineers. All larger organisations are dependent on the performance of networked systems for effective communications and competitiveness. You could also be working in an IT consultancy with contract services or be self-employed.

You might well start as a technical support officer, moving onto network engineer (or network administrator) and progress as a network manager (or communications manager), moving into project management, information security or consultancy.

Network systems link different sites and could be carrying computer, telephone and video traffic. You could be installing, maintaining or supporting computer communication networks within and between organisations. You could be working as part of an integrated IT support team or externally as a consultant with a number of clients.

Success in your course not only provides you with technical knowledge and training, but also you will have demonstrated key employability skills and competencies in demand by employers. Functional Skills such as: time management; logical, analytical skills for problem-solving; effective communication (both written and verbal) and the ability to work successfully in a team.

It is essential to keep up with developments, be able to cope with rapid technological change and retrain in new skills.

Job titles are not consistent and job functions can overlap. There are also opportunities to move between job areas as your career progresses. Examples of related computer jobs: software engineer, systems developer, web designer/developer, IT project manager, IT trainer and IT technical sales specialist.

For an overview of the industry sector, go to National Guidance Research Forum for 'LMI Future trends' and 'Sectors covered'.

Go to the website links below to find out more.

Further Study

You will be able to apply for a Top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Honours (or Ordinary) degree, though entry may be selective.

Alternatively, you could transfer onto a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend both on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be the final year.

Go to http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/ for information on the computing top-ups and other degree courses at Bournemouth University.

Institutions offering related Top-ups include:

Blackburn College; Blackpool & Fylde College; University of Bolton; University of Bradford; Bradford College; University of Cumbria; University of Glamorgan, Cardiff & Pontypridd; London South Bank University; Sheffield Hallam University; Staffordshire University; University of Sunderland; University of Wolverhampton.

To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com/ (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.

You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.

Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Go to the university/college links for information on course costs and finance and to the Financial support section for additional help.

Alternatively, you could consider 'topping up' your Foundation degree to Honours through distance learning with the Open University. You could be awarded up to 240 credits and then only need 120 credits of OU study at level 3 to achieve an Honours degree. This would also give you the opportunity to take up employment. Go to www.open.ac.uk/ to search undergraduate courses and credit transfer.

With a good Honours degree (First or 2.1), you may progress onto an appropriate higher level degree to attain a Masters and/or PhD doctorate. This could be to develop your area of study to a more in-depth practical and/or academic level or to gain other specialist training.

For information on postgraduate study and finance, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/study.htm .

Go to the main section Further Study in this Guide for further information and help.

Useful Links

http://mycareerhub.bournemouth.ac.uk/

Bournemouth University Graduate Employment Service - job news, campus events, part-time work, placement, graduate jobs, ask a question, book an appointment

www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm

Graduate Prospects - national career website for HE students studying in the UK:

Drop down 'Careers advice' for 'Options with your subject'

Drop down 'Jobs and work experience' for 'What jobs would suit me?' using Prospects Planner

www.bcs.org/

BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

Drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' for 'Careers' + 'Students'

http://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/

Next Step careers site - go to sub-headings 'Planning your career' and 'Job Profiles' for section link 'Information Technology and Information Management'

www.e-skills.com/careers

e-skills UK - Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms

www.totaljobs.com/Content/Job-descriptions/IT.html

Totaljobs Group - for 'Careers in IT'

http://targetjobs.co.uk/it

GTI Media publication for graduate jobs and careers advice

www.insidecareers.co.uk/

Inside Careers publication - specialists in Graduate Careers

www.computerweekly.com/

Computer Weekly magazine online

www.computing.co.uk/

Computing magazine online