Choosing a university

[Zen]

Well, I'm about 2/3 of the way through year 12 in NSW, and I'm seriously thinking about universities, I've decided I would like to go to Brisbane (I live in northern NSW) but haven't chosen a university.

I would like to learn a bit of software programming, but mainly I'm interested in web programming (not so much design as programming. I have zero creativity). Currently im looking at these options:

• Qantm College
• Griffith Uni
• QUT

They all seem to offer roughly the same (Batchelor of IT major in Software Development (web) or Software Engineering (web)), but being professionals in the industry, I was wondering if you guys have any extra "inside advice" that could help me make a better decision.


Thanks in advance guys




Zen

[zeroedin]

maybe don't go to uni? I've noticed that some of the quality work coming out of uni in the fields of web AND graphic design are on par with those who come from TAFE. The difference can be the attidudes and egos that come with the skills/tallent.

I made a decision not to go to uni, and I'm not looking back. That's a personal choice and definitely not advice. Only you can make that choice.

Plus I'm told by countless people (mainly in graphic design) experience trumps a piece of paper always.

[WorldFamousWebdeveloper]

Griffith Uni.
by far best choice.

Multiple campuses, large range of electives & streams
BTW Where in Northern NSW you live?
Lismore also has excellent University.

[Zen]

Originally Posted by WorldFamousWebdeveloper

Griffith Uni.
by far best choice.

Multiple campuses, large range of electives & streams
BTW Where in Northern NSW you live?
Lismore also has excellent University.

Grafton, but I intend to move to Brissy anyway, i grew up there and love the city.

[patricktt]

im with zeroedin... not advice, merely an observation that I never went to Uni and I have never looked back either, so, certainly something to consider anyway.

[Shane SF]

Go to uni. Being a student on campus is some of the best fun you'll ever have

[tuna]

Okay I'll throw in a different view.

I went to University. But not for anything Web related, this was in the days before the web.

Anyway over the years the fact that I have a degree, even if it wasn't in the related subject has help with jobs, contracts, professional membership and the like.

Doing a degree or diploma is about learning how to study, how to learn, how to research, its not really about the subject you study. Later on you will find yourself applying these skills all over the shop.

You will find it easier to study and learn new concepts later on as well.

[Zen]

Originally Posted by Shane SF

Go to uni. Being a student on campus is some of the best fun you'll ever have

Yeah, I had my doubts, seeing as it's tempting to just go out and work, earn some money straight away, or go to TAFE for a year or 2, but I love learning programming, i love learning and I think (other than the other fun you are referring to) it will be an amazing experience to be doing something I love (nearly) all the time.

Originally Posted by tuna

Okay I'll throw in a different view.

I went to University. But not for anything Web related, this was in the days before the web.

Anyway over the years the fact that I have a degree, even if it wasn't in the related subject has help with jobs, contracts, professional membership and the like.

Doing a degree or diploma is about learning how to study, how to learn, how to research, its not really about the subject you study. Later on you will find yourself applying these skills all over the shop.

You will find it easier to study and learn new concepts later on as well.

Thats something I had not thought of, thanks for the experienced input, tuna

[kay]

I second (third? fourth?) university - you're only young once, you should use the opportunity to subsist on 2 minute noodles and beer, join completely ineffectual and pointless political action groups, stay up all night and sleep through all your lectures, get to know the campus bartenders by name, leave your assignments until the last second, and all the other things that uni students do.

I did study "multimedia" back when we were all going to be CD-ROM developers, and while I did learn some useful things like HTML 3.2, Perl and instructional design, I also did great and totally random minors and electives like Ada (anyone need a missile system programmed?), photomedia (like dark room film stuff), film and video, 3D graphics theory...

Plus I made contacts that are still useful. Like Tuna said university is about waaaay more than software skills. If you have the opportunity I reckon you should definitely go.

Having said that I don't know much about what goes on in Qld, sorry!

[ashul]

QUT - FTW (if you are moving back to Brissy)- do not forsake a UNi education for quick $ now.

As Gary (Tuna) and Kay allude uni is not about just abou the programming bit, its about making friends, taking part in the students union, doing community work, it is an education in life as well as field expertise its waaay more than a paper at the end. You will not regret it.

A