Loans going to prevent me from goign to university

nadge

rdchick wrote: »

hmmm I work in software too, I know what you mean about the age thing but my BF is a software engineer and a manager- also 29 and has no degree but 30 is definitely not too old... 50 perhaps but if you're good enough and have work experience even voluntary you'll be fine xxx

there is a shortage of software engineers at the moment but this has caused a massive campaign to get people into the industry from people like code academy doing free programming lesson and talks of the government making children learn programming languages at school and many other things that are been done to entice people into the programming world they say its possible that in 5 - 10 years the industry will be saturated! 'they' say a lot though and i don't think anyone can really say that for sure.

I think the main thing with me is that i have got my self built up for starting uni this year and don't really want to defer it!! So some major debt busting 4 me!:)

rdchick

I know what you mean... however are you sure you need a degree for where you want to work?

Most companies aren't too fussed if you can solidly prove you can do it... that's assuming you have a fair grasp of what needs to be used ie: C#, C++ etc or are you just chasing the career because it's often good money and is in need right now? xxx

FBaby

I have alarm bells ringing for you. You are intending of starting uni with a hefty debts looming over you, which most likely will still be there when you get out. This will then be added to the student loan you will have to start repaying... all this to gain experience in a field where competition will become fierce only a few years after you graduate, and therefore when most likely you will still be paying your debts...That's not taking into account the possibility you might then want to take a break to enjoy motherhood.

Are you really sure it is worth doing this degree now?

nadge

rdchick wrote: »

I know what you mean... however are you sure you need a degree for where you want to work?

Most companies aren't too fussed if you can solidly prove you can do it... that's assuming you have a fair grasp of what needs to be used ie: C#, C++ etc or are you just chasing the career because it's often good money and is in need right now? xxx

i know C++ but not C#. I have always wanted to be a programmer, and i know what you mean about not needing a degree but i don't think i'm at a standard that could currently work in the industry!

nadge

FBaby wrote: »

I have alarm bells ringing for you. You are intending of starting uni with a hefty debts looming over you, which most likely will still be there when you get out. This will then be added to the student loan you will have to start repaying... all this to gain experience in a field where competition will become fierce only a few years after you graduate, and therefore when most likely you will still be paying your debts...That's not taking into account the possibility you might then want to take a break to enjoy motherhood.

Are you really sure it is worth doing this degree now?

With all i can pay of my debts between now and then i will be starting uni with about £2000 debt! i cant imagine that will be there when i leave! and yes i will have student loans to pay back once i earn over a £20,000 but thats something everyone that goes to uni has to deal with! Plus i'm a guy so i don't think motherhood is something i need to think about!!

rdchick

I went to uni with £0 debt came out with £7K not including student loans/ tuition. I would say work your butt off to get that debt down as you will definitely struggle in uni otherwise. I had to work 3 jobs in my final year just to break even. Pretty much all my debt came from my uni days, I never drank or went out with my friends but that was to pay for travel, food, my flat and general living for the 3 years I was there... Think very hard about what you need to do and have a plan.

Like I said in my original post I need to get my debt down as low as possible by next April (should be debt free by then!) for when I join the forces. I couldn't go in now because I would struggle to live and repay my debt.

Keep us posted with what you do... or join the Debt Free Wannabe board, there they will show you how to save on your current outgoings and keep you motivated to pay off as much as you can before September xxx