2.2 Physics

Susan1942

Thanks again He has had a happy home life but is a young man who is not confrontational and never will be.
Unfortunately my Daughter is more or less.confrontational about everything .
She is not good at listening and I have learned over the years to stand back from her. I just don't get into conflict with her any longer.
She is a good Mother and very proud of her son but she does not approach things in what I consider a positive way.
I am really grateful to all of you for all the excellent advise
I am going to make a note of all your suggestions and talk to him when his holiday is over.
Sue

[Deleted User]

I scored a 2:2 on my first degree. I wanted to do an MSc but the criteria was a 2:1 minimum. So I made an appointment with the admissions officer/course leader and pleaded my case. It didn't take long to persuade them that I had a genuine interest in the subject.

I did all the legwork and left my parents out of it since I was a 21-year-old grown up!

The MSc was very interesting, and I did get a job relevant to it right afterwards - but a few years later I drifted into a different area. I guess I wouldn't by in my current career if it wasn't for the 'MSc Upgrade'

Susan1942

Congratulations well done. I consider that had my Grandson spoken to the Computer Sciences head of department the result might have been different.
I have no idea why he didn't do so. It would look very much as though his heart was not in it. It is too late now as all applications had to be in by 31 at August
He will now have to try and get some job
Perhaps next year he can apply again to several Universities if he has not found a suitable job. Thanks again

xapprenticex

you remind me of my own grandmother, very very supportive. keep it up/

Susan1942

Thank you xApprentice

Voyager2002

Susan1942 wrote: »

Congratulations well done. I consider that had my Grandson spoken to the Computer Sciences head of department the result might have been different.
I have no idea why he didn't do so. It would look very much as though his heart was not in it. It is too late now as all applications had to be in by 31 at August
He will now have to try and get some job
Perhaps next year he can apply again to several Universities if he has not found a suitable job. Thanks again

If he is serious about a career in IT, perhaps he could get a job at a help-desk or similar (the usual entry route to this kind of career). Universities generally have lots of vacancies of this kind, so maybe that would enable him to stay with his friends, as he had hoped.

From what you have said, I question whether he is really motivated to do all the hard work that an MSc involves. Clearly he really did want to remain near his university and share a house with his friends, and perhaps simply saw the course as a way to achieve that (in the same way that students of our generation would stay on to do teacher training).

[Deleted User]

You know you don't need an IT qualification to work in IT? I'm presuming he did some coding on his physics course. There are probably places that would hire him if he's got some coding background.

Computer science isn't even necessarily the best post-grad qualification - something like Software Engineering, Data and Knowledge Management, Information Management, Computer Systems Engineering ...

IT is also quite a big field - specialising can be good if your grades aren't brilliant - I went into biological computing, and am now working in Medical IT.

Maybe he could look into 'big data' - it's very in-vogue at the moment. He wouldn't even need a degree in it - he could go and learn the software and theory on his own - Microsoft SQL, SSIS, Data Warehousing, noSQL .. IT doesn't really care much about qualifications if you've got some experience.

Learn that stuff, apply for a big consultancy... might get lucky - but he needs to get his drive back to do anything.

Fen1

Seconding Ringo's post. Most of the people I know in IT do not have an IT degree. They have degrees in Maths, various sciences, even the humanities. The ones who succeed in IT are extremely details-focused and work extremely hard. They will work extra hours, plus a lot of reading and studying for qualifications on their own time. The people who don't put in the effort are quickly spotted and passed over.

Applicants, even for entry-level helpdesk, really need to know their stuff. Does your grandson know his WORM from his RJ45? Is he good at problem-solving when he's talking to a Luddite, and has got another 15 tickets to clear in the next 10 minutes?

If he wants to work in IT, start swotting now.

[Deleted User]

Even after my MSc, I still had to teach myself mySQL, JavaScript, Perl (in my first job) to be good. All in my spare time. These days I guess you'd teach yourself Ruby and node.js .. some of the more modern technologies.

I rarely see people moving out of helpdesk positions.. personally, I don't think it's a great career direction.

At his age.. swot up on some languages and technologies, write some demos, try to get a job in a start-up or a big consultancy then work hard.

Susan1942

Thank you all so much for all your advice You are right at the moment he lacks drive.. I think he is still reeling from.the 2.2 He knew when he sat the exams this was what he expected
He said he did 3 modules in computers as part of his degree.
My Nephew who did electronic engineering self studied Microsoft exams
Got a job with.Microsoft 2 years after completing his degree
He has moved up the ladder pretty fast Has 29 patents which Microsoft retain the rights .n
Worked in lots of different projects.
Sent photo of him.in his office with family photos presenting his work to Bill Gates He is now involved in big Education program which Bill Gates is involved with He is exceptional in his ability Was inventing and wrecking things from he was a boy. Lots of things taken to bits. We had to hide everything if he was around His mother says it has paid off now.
I think Dan may be setting his sights too high in thinking about a graduate training program
He has spoken to my Nephew who is in Seattle and he has said he would mentor him Getting him to do this was also.a struggle.
My Nephew did say he was quite open with him.It was agreed that what they discussed would be confidential Nephew is now 42 I think.
Thank you all so much for your excellent suggestions Sue