I considered doing a diploma in website development once i finish the one im doing in Network Engineering, I have to ask… Do you really see website dev as a career or just a hobby, im currently only 16 and still confused about what i want to do, i got alot of choises atm in Certificate 4 in Network Management but dont know where to go afterwards…

I figured it would be good to ask somebody who is currently in the situation

No - I don’t go to Uni..

- What course are you doing at TAFE?
Diploma in Web Development

- What UAI did you receive to make you select TAFE (not a very high one? or was it out of your own personal choice? what was it?)?
Before I’d received my UAI I had already made the decision about attending TAFE instead. My decision for this was all I need/want is that god damn piece of paper saying I am compitant in area X and area y. My UAI had no bearing on this decision at all and I could have easily gone through to Uni with my UAI and done a computer based course their. However I wanted to focus on primarily one area (web development) without miscellaneous subjects thrown in and all I need is that piece of paper.

Tafe is a more relaxed environment with what I’d say are pretty flexible hours (when it comes to me and sleeping in). Because I have several other commitments such as MyBB and my other jobs then this left me with that flexibility.

One of the things people say is that Tafe is a lot easier than Uni and attending Tafe is taking the easy way out. I disagree. It all comes down to the amount of work and the effort you put in to that work which determines how easy it is. You can slack right out and do nothing, or you can give it a huge attempt and your dedication.

A lot of jobs mention that they require a “Bachelor of Computer Science” or similar (Google and Yahoo which were two I was recently looking at). However you’ll generally find you may be able to get away without that if you’ve put in the effort with your education and you do have a lot of experience.

What TAFE are you attending?
Loftus campus (which is in Sutherland)

Before you leap in to either decision though, I’d recommend talking to your school careers advisor (if they have one) and working through that with them. You can find out all of your options and figure out the best possible path for you.

Feel free not to answer any you don’t deem appropriate. I’m just extremely interested seeing as I’m in year 11 (heading into yr 12 soon) and I’m thinking of what course I should endeavour at University (Computer Science w/ UAI 70) or at TAFE (my parents want me to go to Uni, but I want to know ALL my available options). I know I want to become a programmer/web designer/developer in my spare time (seeing as I have already taken that route at a young age) and IT Manager (as a profession).

Thanks