Could anyone point me in the right direction if I wanted to start uni in September?

Basically at the minute I'm doing a foundation degree in Computer Studies, it's on a part time basis just one day a week.

The fact is I hate it. I have realised that it just isn't for me and in fact the whole IT industry is not where I want to work.

When I left school I sort of drifted into IT work and have been stuck every since. I actually aways wanted to do social work. So I've been thinking I'm 23 nearly 24 if I don't do something drastic soon I'm going to end up doing boring office work for the rest of my days.

I don't particularly want to go to Uni full time because I have financial commitments that mean I have to be earning. I would like to go part time so I can still work.

I just don't know where to start. Do I caontact the university, careers, LEA? I need to know about how many hours a part time course is likely to be but my main questions are in regards to financial help which may be available.

I currently have zero savings and couldn't afford to pay for the course myself.

Any advice appreciated.

Contact the universities, they often have part time courses for mature students :-)

Hi Caprice

I contacted Hallam as they do the social work course part time over 4 and 1/2 years.

They sent me a booklet explaining about the course but I don't know where I go from here.

It's all a bit mind boggling as I've never been to uni and don't know anyone who has!

You could start at the Institute for Life Long Learning resource shop on West Street.You may need to ring and make an appointment. The ILL is a department of the Uni which runs courses designed for the public. Their web site is here:

Institute of Life Long Learning (http://www.shef.ac.uk/till/)

The Uni' also has a good careers service.

Some advice etc here (http://www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/advice/)
Why not contact them and arrange a chat? I found them very useful in the past.

Good luck,

Nomme

Thanks for that Max and nomme.

It would seem that Sheffield Uni are alot stricter with entry requirements than Sheffield Hallam.

Sheffield Uni require you to have done some paid or volunatry work in a social care setting which I haven't done.

But Hallam are happy to take you if you have some knowledge of the social care environment either having worked in it or grown up in care.

I didn't actually grow up in care but did have some involvment with social services as a child and then again as a teenager when I lived in a hostel for homeless teens which I guess is sort of a care environment, well at least I hope this qualifies me.

I would be more than happy to find work either paid or vol, although if vol it would have to minimum hours as I need to be earning.

Argghhh it's all so stressful. I need help, I need a life coach or something! :D

Once you've passed, if you're after some work, ring a friend of mine on 2545728 and mention Rich Allen, they're crying out for staff with experience.

Rich what type of work? Do they need anyone now?

I'm prepared to start from the very bottom!:D

i think hallam is best for us mature students :D

i did 4yrs architecture and failed, then i decided to change career, to IT. i'm doing 1st year computing at hallam now, its great! right from the very first day they talk about what employers want now, and its made clear our final goal is to get a job in the employment world, not to get the best grade in the country! altho i'm doing IT, they put in a unit about professional studies, which is what most employers are looking for now. i feel like i'm half way into the employment world already even tho i'm only a 1st year student! :D

its never too late to change career! =P

Thanks for that.

I'm going to try and get an appointment with the careers service although I wont hold my breath that they'll be very helpful as I haven't found them to be so in the past.

It is so scarey. I am worried about how it will look that I packed my course in just a few months down the line, but I really do hate it. It's just not for me. It's taken this course for me to realise that the IT industry is not where I want to be.

I would leave it right now if I had something else to go to but I guess I need to know what my options are first.

I can't wait for the change, I am sooo bored with my life right now.

Originally posted by steelblade
Rich what type of work? Do they need anyone now?

I'm prepared to start from the very bottom!:D

It's working as a support worker for disabled young adults, primarily young adults with autism, the work is good and gets you out and about, you do have to be flexible though as the hours can chop and change a bit.

One thing though, if you apply you will have to go through police checks, and training about autism, and then an induction, also do you drive? That helps in this particular job as you would be sent to work with clients all over the city, although their office is based on the Manor.

Hope I've given you enough info, I would like to point out that I myself am a client, not a member of staff, as I suffer from aspergers syndrome, a mild form of autism.

Give Phil a ring like I say and have a chat, it's up to you whether you decide if it's for you or not.

Unfortunately youll not get in for september 2004 now as youd have to apply by UCAS (look at www.UCAS.ac.uk i think it tells you on there how to apply i think you just send off for the form and pay a bit of money) and as far as i know the deadline is either up or coming up very soon and since it takes a while to fill in and get references i doubt youd do it in time.

Youd have to wait til 2005 but this would give you plenty of time to get voluntary work which looks good at interview.

I work alongside social worker students at hallam and there are LOADS of mature students in fact the ones straight from school seem to be in the minority if anything.
I dont know about social work but on my course the mature students get plenty of financial support too (annoying really as i dont get any but thats another story)

Good luck i hope you get in!

i applied thru UCAS in june 2003, they told me i have to go thru clearing, which i did. and as long as there are still places at the uni ur applying for, they'll let u in!

i always thought social work was oversubscribed? i could be wrong

Kitty Kat I think you are correct. It is a popular course.

Anyway I popped into Hallam and spoke to someone in registrations. He took my details ie. how many qualifications I have and he is going to call me to let me know if they will accept me with what I already have or I may have to do an access course.

I feel really positive. :)

Originally posted by steelblade


So I've been thinking I'm 23 nearly 24 if I don't do something drastic soon I'm going to end up doing boring office work for the rest of my days.



Not all office work is boring.

I had the time of my life in an office. The workmates were all fantastic.

Originally posted by steelblade
Kitty Kat I think you are correct. It is a popular course.

Anyway I popped into Hallam and spoke to someone in registrations. He took my details ie. how many qualifications I have and he is going to call me to let me know if they will accept me with what I already have or I may have to do an access course.

I feel really positive. :)

ooh sounds good! even if you have to do the access course the people in my class say theirs was good and they got to meet each other so knew each other when they went on to do the degree instead of just walking into a room full of strangers on the 1st day like i did. good luck!