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	<title>ETF2L &#8211; Latest activity in &#8220;New Career ... um advise ?&#8221;</title>
	<link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/</link>
	<description><![CDATA[The latest posts to this topic.]]></description>
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    	    <title>Reply by Sigh</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=21270</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[hey guys just an update for those of you that care :) Thanks again. 

Byte I am seriously considering something along the lines of what you have done. I honestly dont know whats best for me as although I love desiging things and creating stuff there is so much more about computers to enjoy. 
I have looked at Swanse metro uni as I have been advised they do simular courses there ?
http://www.sihe.ac.uk/sihe/computing/sch_home.htm
and maybe this ?
http://www.sihe.ac.uk/sihe/computing/bengcse.htm

Can you advise me if  any of those courses would be any good to me :)]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:43:02 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Sigh</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=20419</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[@ dunc thats exactly whats happened to me tbh. I originally intended to be in the RAF but somehow life has made me change my mind. Its just not for me and theres too much here to pass up.  Plus all ive done for the last 4 years is work in call centres for the money basically. To pay bills. :(

Thanks though guys tbh youve all made me think about this in a new way. I am really seriously considering uni now. I just hope my crap A level's are enough. lets hope Swansea do what I want.]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:28:36 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by GibbZ</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=20397</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[plus at uni you can go out like 5 nights a week binge drinking and starting fights. It's well good.]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:16:36 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Admirable</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=20245</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[I just started a 4 year sandwich BEng Computer Science degree at the age of 24.
I have to say its one of the best decisions I've made, really enjoying the content and I'm even thinking of doing the masters already :)

Obviously university isn't for everyone, but like Byte says a degree in anything is a great big meal ticket.  If you are motivated you will succeed in whichever path you choose, but with university there are a lot of support systems to help you through.

Just make sure you check and compare the content of courses your are interested in and read peoples feedback (particularly about employment afterwards!). There are some mickey mouse courses about :P]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:01:52 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by dunc</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=20161</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[The only thing I'll advise is.. do something you <b>enjoy</b>. The thought of working some piss-poor 9-5 in an environment/job area that doesn't interest me, for the rest of my life, sniffing managerial arse etc, just to "earn a living" gives me nightmares.

Decide what it is you want to do then find a way in to that market. Don't go in to a Random Boring Office Job X just to "get on the career path" as you'll find you end up stuck there for 10+ years.]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:07:19 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by BOOMting</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=20156</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[Sorry the position of my PA is now Haunter, please not I am still in search for my PAs PA as I have so many fans. Good-luck!]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:57:37 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Don Pedro</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=19186</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[terrribly, terribly sorry?]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:53:59 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Vlijm</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=19168</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[Don pedro, you fancy JUST DIE?
this is a serious thread moron]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:12:18 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Don Pedro</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-2/?recent=21270#post=19144</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[Dont get a job with anything remotely to do with computers. In fact, don't get a job at all. go to Thailand, marry a local girl and live on the beach scrounging food and cocktails from tourists. 
You can contact me on irc for more career advice, please form an orderly queue]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:17:44 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Sigh</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-1/?recent=21270#post=19063</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[Thank you guys, if im honest I wasnt expecting this much response. I will be taking it all into account. Luckily I know im not that great at anyone particular thing. As for the avy thing I aint that great with it, I just prefer that type of stuff. But I see what you mean, perhaps I shall try some more stuff like that. Im helping my dad do a website also so will see how things go. :D]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:54:52 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by nautti</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-1/?recent=21270#post=19039</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[hmm, this is going to be a long post :D

First I have to say that it's great that you want to find a job that you really like. There is many different ways to find that. You just have to find the one that suits you best. These things I'm about to say are just my thoughts and how I see things. 

You have few similar points there that reminds me about my story back in the days. I was pretty much self-educated with great passion for computer graphics. I had a portfolio online and few recommendations from my upper secondary school teachers. I started to look a place for indenture. I sent few applications to different companies. I Went for an interview for the biggest and one week after that I got in. Wow! With an indenture I got salary and a change to study (get) that important paper that says I know these things :) Now I have worked over 8 years here in a quite big media corporation as a new media designer. I really like what I'm doing and never had that crappy feeling that I don't want to go to work.

The world is full of very talented designers and the competition is quite hard so you need to stand out. Make your own web page/portfolio. Start getting name and study more by yourself all the time. Work a freelancer or help your friends/family with all the little graphics and ads. Do a web pages to your clan, dog or your family. If you really in to this you see those jobs as a great opportunities to learn new things. It takes time but it's worth it! Don't drop from your recent job unless you have another place already waiting. Studying is good thing but make sure study the right things. Luckily there are more and more schools that are focused offering courses for graphic design and programming if it seems that you don't get things going. With your mathematical background I think learning a java or some other programming language isn't too big of a problem. It's good to know both sides and know a bit of everything involved the working process. Still try to find out what you like the most - coding and making sites or just pure graphic design. It helps a lot for planning your studies. 

I'm not a studying type at all. Although I was thinking university too but I liked working more. I'm soon 29 years old and I have a lot of valuable work experience compared to some of my friends. I still learn something new everyday and educate my self all the time. I'm taking courses and follow the visual trends. Everything is up to you :) I know I was really lucky when I got my job but how you could ever get to anywhere if you don't try your wings?

Good luck and hopefully everything sorts out for you. I'm also available if you want to talk or you have something to ask.

Cheers, nautti


PS. I think you might find some things to do from these forums also. I think there are many clans who would like have some graphic designs to their sites, logos, banners etc. and why not the whole site. Put some of your work online and tell people that you could make logos for their team :)]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:12:29 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by jason</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-1/?recent=21270#post=19037</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[I quit engineering and done a BSc in Computer Science when I was 25 - so you're young enough to go that route.
The degree does get you in the door for interviews etc. My particular degree was fairly generic - maths, logic, electrical and software engineering so it gave a good overview of all the different places you could go. It also builds a solid foundation for good working practice and employers do look for that.

Enthusiasm and not being a big headed twat helps a lot too :)]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:01:05 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by Sigh</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-1/?recent=21270#post=19035</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[riiight ... no thanks :D]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:53:32 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by BOOMting</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-1/?recent=21270#post=19033</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[Recently I have had huge amounts of fans sending me letters, pictures, and even potatoes, along with this TV and Radio channels are wanting to get a slice of the best demoman in the world, and my mobile and house phones are constantly ringing. 

Therefore I am looking for a PA, to join my on my venture, are you the best demoman in the worlds future PA? 

Find me on irc]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:51:59 +0100</pubDate>
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    	    <title>Reply by cRz</title>
    	    <link>https://staging.etf2l.org/forum/off-topic/topic-1717/page-1/?recent=21270#post=19027</link>
    	    <description><![CDATA[I did a apprenticeship in the it sector and nearly finished my study in business information systems in a german university for applied science.

I think i can give you some hints and advises too (from a non uk view), we can talk a bit in irc if you want to. Im in #iclan and all the standard tf2 channels also.]]></description>
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    	    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:34:58 +0100</pubDate>
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