Careers Brief - Computer Networking (CISCO) 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. Specifically: 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.
Use the website links below for industry overviews, job profiles and further information.
Further Study
Top-up degree programmes are designed as a direct progression from Foundation degree to Honours degree.
One-year (or 1.5 years) related top-up honours degrees:
Bournemouth University; University of the West of England, Bristol; University of Hertfordshire; University of Huddersfield; London South Bank University; Napier University, Edinburgh; Sheffield Hallam University; Southampton Solent University; Staffordshire University.
Progression to the final year of a BSc (Hons) degree is possible. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses.
To find suitable courses use www.ucas.com/search (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.
Use the Links on the HE Home page to Bournemouth University for information on the BSc (Hons) Computing and Internet Technology (Top-up) degree programme and the BSc (Hons) Network Systems Management degree.
You will need to use UCAS (see link above) 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? Refer to the university/college website for information on course costs and to www.aimhigher.ac.uk for additional information on student support.
Go to the main section Further Study in this Careers Guide for more information and help.
Resources
www.bcs.org
The British Computer Society – click on ‘Careers’ for ‘Job Profiles’ ‘Selling Yourself’ and more
www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles
Learn Direct – national learning advice
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u
Jobs4U Careers Database - go to ‘Job Families & Articles’ and click on ‘Computers and IT’
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk
Careers database and links to jobs nationally. Search by either clicking on ‘careers’ and ‘choosing a category’ or type in job title.
www.prospects.ac.uk
Graduate Prospects is the career website for higher education students in the UK:
- Drop down ‘Careers advice’ and click on ‘Use your qualification’ for ‘Your Foundation degree…what next?’
- Drop down ‘Communities’ and click on ‘Engineering, science and technology’
- Drop down ‘Jobs & work’ to click on ‘Explore types of jobs’ – ‘IT, economics, statistics and management services’
- Drop down ‘My Prospects’ and click on ‘What jobs would suit me?’ for Prospects Planner
http://targetjobs.co.uk
GTI (publisher) graduate jobs and careers
www.insidecareers.co.uk/it
Inside Careers (publisher) graduate jobs and careers guide
www.get.hobsons.co.uk
Hobsons (publisher) Graduate Employment & Training
www.computerweekly.com
Computer Weekly magazine
www.cisco.com/global/uk
Cisco Systems (UK & Ireland)
www.theiet.org
The Institution of Engineering and Technology for electronics, electrical, manufacturing and IT professionals
www.bima.co.uk
The British Interactive Media Association
www.iap.org.uk
The Institution of Analysts and Programmers
www.ispa.org.uk
ISPA UK represents Internet service providers - includes list of members
www.intellectuk.org
Intellect On-line is the UK trade body for IT, telecom and electronics industry – see database
www.ncc.co.uk
National Computing Centre
