Study Choices

[The_81]

Ok well I am 16 and turn 17 on the 9th of January. I am currently doing a Diploma in Engineering Design (Civil) and am jobless. As the year goes by I have found myself running a number of different career scenarios. I have an interest in both engineering and architecture. Currently aiming towards Civil Construction/Structural Engineer in bridges.. mainly because it pays. If I am to follow up on my engineering path I intend to do a double degree in Engineering and Business.
An idea for employment is obtaining a cadetship which is basically an apprenticeship.

I have always had the goal to one day own my own business. And am always coming up with great ideas (Which I have approved by peers and adults), but with all businesses got to have money to make money.

So here are my options.

1. Go onto my Advanced Diploma and possibly do some part time University stuff.

2. Go straight to University next year

3. Finish this year and go out into the workforce, save money and start my own business.

**Also as lots of my business ideas involve computers/networks/technology if there is anyone in these fields I wouldn't mind having a chat **

This probably seems stupid and I realise that a lot of people on here won't be able to help me. But hey I am asking anyways.

Thanks

[jay70]

what sort of work can you get with the diploma? i have a cert 3 in engineering but have no idea what i can actually do with it since i only did it to drop a subject at school.

i'm doing an associate degree at the moment which is only 2 years then i plan to get out and get some real job experience before i decide whether to continue studying or just work

[The_81]

To be honest I am not sure. There have been cadetships but I have been much to fussy to take them. Also not having P's doesn't help.
As far as I know there is no work except for junior draftsmen ( CAD work ). Unless taking up a cadetship which literally locks you in for a long period of time because they pay for your course etc.

[Cerby86]

your doing the diploma at tafe?
Well i can tell you there is an unbelievably massive difference between the difficulty of uni engi and tafe engi!
I did three years of an mechanical degree and the workload was reasonably extreme. The second year workload is easily twice that of first year and I used to get around 5 assignments a week, and working as group we used to take close to 5 hours to them one
Be prepared to do 12 hour days in second and third year.
So I basically became very poor becuase i couldn't work.
Now the tafe degree is so ridiculously easy compared to uni that I've become a bit worried that it really won't be worth much from an engineering point of view, though its really directed at drafting anyway!
Now I've gone a different way. Im doing a dip of mechanical engineering (drafting) at tafe. I've been given recognition for most of the classes because of my uni results.
Basically after a year your a qualified draftsman. So I will get a job and continue doing the advanced dip while i work.
Then I'll basically be qualified to be an assistant engineer and i'll try to get a job doing that and drafting at a engineering consulting firm.
Then if everything goes perfectly They will pay me to continue the engineering degree part time
Basically the point is I couldn't afford to stay at uni fulltime for another 2 years so i've found a way where I can be qualified for a engineering job within a year and then continue my studies while working!

[The_81]

Yep my friend is doing engineering at Queensland University and the workload is ridiculous ( First Year ).

[Cerby86]

hahah wait till he hits second year

[The_81]

Cerby86. Should I suck it up and gunnit into uni and just study fucking hard.?
Or should I go option 1.

[Cerby86]

It really comes down to whether you have the commitment and can study hard.
I did the highest possible maths in year 12 and I still struggled with the maths.
But people who were worse at maths but better at applying themselves to lots of study managed quite well.

So i guess if you want to study and I mean really want to not just haven't got anything better to do then definitely do it.
If you feel kind of sick of do school and that sort of thing then probably get a job and go back to uni later.

Have to say friends make or break you when the going gets really hard. You work together and end up tutoring each other in the stuff you are better at. Having someone you know in the year above you is extremely helpful!

[focus_7]

I'm currently doin Mech Eng at UNSW, part of this sessions course was at tafe doing some drawing as well as fitting turning and machining. I'm really enjoying uni, sure its like 30 hours a week at uni as well as a recommended 15hours study outside but I think its definately worth it for the degree and experience.

In the end once you score your first job uni becomes irrelevant, just how once you're in uni high school doesn't matter anymore.

When you said "Currently aiming towards Civil Construction/Structural Engineer in bridges.. mainly because it pays." I'm not sure this is a good path, because if you're hearts not in it then the money won't make up for that. As well as that all the civil engineering jobs i've seen are in waste water and water management in local councils, and talking to some civil students thats all they see as well, so I dunno.

Design is a good path imo, creativity is very valuable if you can use it well.

[The_81]

Established the second year of the diploma is a waste of time. It counts for some of the first year of the degree. The fact that it costs such a ridiculous amount to do sum subjects for uni while doing the 2days a week at Tafe. I have decided to try and go full time.