Planning a career...

[andy663]

Im 17 years old and im just about to sit my AS level exams, im taking ICT, Maths, Photography and Chemistry. I am certain to drop maths after this year as i cant grasp any of the concepts. Im aiming at finishing A2 with the grades ABB, with the A in ICT.

Up until recently ive been considering graphic/web design courses at uni and then of course going into that field of work, however ive looked on numerous sites and found that the salaries for graphic/web design are considerably lower than other ICT related jobs, and although the job salary doesn't mean everything, it means quite alot.

So my question is, which ICT related jobs would pay the best salaries and could anyone recommend any university courses that i should look at for the specific career?

Thanks in advance

[Sparky]

Many IT degrees will require you to have a grasp of Maths and Physics so that may limit you in regard to what courses you can apply for.

Putting wages to one side what areas of IT interest you at this stage?

[andy663]

Im not so sure anymore. Multimedia, Software development anything along those lines really.

[Sparky]

For software development you will probably need Maths to get into any uni course.

Also going back to the salary issue regardless of what course you do you will *probably* start on a fairly low wage. However once you get some experience and put the work in you should see some salary increases.

[andy663]

Ive looked lots of different universities course for software development and found that they state maths is required at GCSE level. Not found any saying you need an A level in maths.

Also before i choose a university course i want to know that there isn't a different course that i could have taken which would allow me to get a job with a much larger salary.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by andy663

Also before i choose a university course i want to know that there isn't a different course that i could have taken which would allow me to get a job with a much larger salary.

What kinda ££££ are you looking for?

[dmarsh26]

If you are interested in money why not study money ?

Salary survey's are not hard to find in the age of the internet.

http://www.ukrecruiter.co.uk/salary.htm

Theres lot of well paying professions, IT is nowhere near the top, Maths is not mandatory for a Computer Science degree although I would highly reccomend it can help lead to top paying positions.

[andy663]

I'm very unsure about what is the "going rate" for graduates with no real-life experience.
But with experience perhaps 50-60k although I haven't got my heart set on a particular salary.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by andy663

But with experience perhaps 50-60k although I haven't got my heart set on a particular salary.

One step at a time mate, could take yeeeeeeeears to get to that level

[andy663]

I know lol, i meant that salary would be at the peak of my career!

[dmarsh26]

But with experience perhaps 50-60k although I haven't got my heart set on a particular salary.

Colleges will normally advise as to employment prospects and salary expectations for graduates.

Its highly unlikey that you would get anywhere near that, use google, do some research, you might as well get in the habbit !

The average graduate salary is around £22k. You could potentially earn £50k with a good PHd but you'd be still have to be lucky to be honest and work in the right sector, if you find A-level maths hard its doubtful a valid path for you.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowP...ary_/p!eaLXbeX

[Markyboyt]

Originally Posted by andy663

Im 17 years old and im just about to sit my AS level exams, im taking ICT, Maths, Photography and Chemistry. I am certain to drop maths after this year as i cant grasp any of the concepts. Im aiming at finishing A2 with the grades ABB, with the A in ICT.

Up until recently ive been considering graphic/web design courses at uni and then of course going into that field of work, however ive looked on numerous sites and found that the salaries for graphic/web design are considerably lower than other ICT related jobs, and although the job salary doesn't mean everything, it means quite alot.

So my question is, which ICT related jobs would pay the best salaries and could anyone recommend any university courses that i should look at for the specific career?

Thanks in advance

I can sympathise on the A level maths front dude
I did Further maths at A level but didnt finish my studying in the end mainly due to incorrect priorities, I considered myself to be quite apt mathmatically and at GCSE it was one of the few lessons i enjoyed, eventually gaining an A, at A level i struggled with the ideas as you say, its really weird concepts to grasp, like i say i had priority issues at that point which coupled with doing the modules at a faster rate than straight A level i really doomed myself.

[andy663]

http://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/default...&id=0&lid=2618

Ive found this site and according to that, the average wage for a number of jobs is near the 50k mark. If i wanted to become a developer, what sort of degree would i need to take?

[dmarsh26]

A Computer Science (BSc) is the standard path to becomming a professional programmer but there are many possible routes, generally the most important attributes are ability and commitment. Be aware those salaries are for people with 6+ years experience, probably a degree also and the average can be skewed by high salaries in major cities and industries.

http://www.joslinrowe.com/salary-sur...D=1&sectorID=6

Quants are some of the best paid people in the country, however a Maths PHd helps ! ;)

Once you get into hign end business positions there are no standard salaries, CEO's can take home 7 figure packages, as can some lawyers, investment bankers, as well as your celebs and footballers...

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/ar...4&in_page_id=2
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...ns-509669.html

[andy663]

Thanks for that post, it was really helpful. Thats what i was looking for, the degree's that will get me towards the careers.

Baring in mind im aiming for ABB with A in ICT what universities should i be looking at ?