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 transferable skills and competencies in demand by employers. Key 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.
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 Ordinary or Honours 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.
Progression could be onto the BSc Software Systems Framework level H at Bournemouth University. Go to http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/ for information.
Institutions offering related Top-ups include:
University of Bedfordshire; University of Bradford; Bradford College; University of Cumbria; Edinburgh Napier University; University of Glamorgan, Cardiff & Pontypridd; London South Bank University; Sheffield Hallam University; 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 website for information on course costs and finance and to www.direct.gov.uk/uni/ for additional help with student support.
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 more information and help.
Useful Links
www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm
Graduate Prospects - national career website for HE students studying in the UK:
Drop down 'Jobs' and click on 'Types of jobs' for 'Network development'
Drop down 'Jobs' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' to use Prospects Planner
BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT
Drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' to click on 'Careers' + 'Students'.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Government Careers Advice service - click on category 'Information Technology and Information Management'
e-skills UK - Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on sub-heading ‘Job Families & Articles' - click on ‘Computers and IT’
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Careers database and links to jobs nationally - click on side-heading ‘Careers’ and type in job title eg network manager
GTI Media publication for graduate jobs and careers advice - go to sub-heading 'careers advice' for 'A to Z of careers' eg 'Network administrator' 'IT technical support'
Inside Careers publication - specialists in Graduate Careers
GTI Media graduate careers publication - 'Advice by graduate career area' - click on 'Telecommunications'
Computer Weekly magazine
Computing magazine online
Reed Elsevier publisher
Use to browse for examples of CISCO/network job titles. Go to 'Career advice' - 'Career tools/Salary Checker' - 'IT & Internet'.
IT Jobs Watch tracking the IT Market
Cisco Systems (UK & Ireland)
The Engineering and Technology Board - careers and news
The Institution of Engineering and Technology - go to sub-heading 'Careers & Training'
The British Interactive Media Association
The Institution of Analysts and Programmers
ISPA UK representing providers of Internet Services - Member List
Intellect - representing the UK technology industry
National Computing Centre - the UK's leading IT membership organisation
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for advice and help with making applications.
