What constitues a shabby university?

[philiphunter]

I have just read the following post 'http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=400337', and having completed my final year have similar concerns relating to the validity of my degree.

The comments about employers opting for a relevant degree from a good university rather than a 'History of Art' degree from a shabby university has got me thinking.

I believe my BSc Informatics (hons) degree is relevant in the IT/Business field that I wish to pursue a career in, but I'm not sure how employers look upon the University I attained the degree from.

The 'School of Computing' at the 'University of Teesside' was reported to be in the Top 5 for computer related degrees when I applied in 2003.

I would like to hear your comments on whether or not you think the 'University of Teesside' is seen as a 'Good' university!

[Lurking Lawyer]

I admittedly know nothing about it, nor the specific faculty where you studied, but my immediate reaction to seeing a CV saying University of Teeside would be that it's an ex-poly.

That's not to say that it degree is any less worthy than one from an established "redbrick" university, nor that the specific subject you've studied isn't actually better there than at other longer-established universities, but there tends to be an element of snobbery and disdain (rightly or wrongly) when it comes to universities that used to be polytechnics or colleges of further education.

Blame it on the concept of "inclusive education" and it usually being those type of institutions that offer mickey mouse courses that anyone with two Es at A Level and an ability to draw breath can get in to study.

Sorry - you did ask.....

[philiphunter]

Not to worry, if I had the foresight four years ago I could have perhaps opted to attend Durham University.

I suppose if an employer chooses to build a staff base in a certain manner then that is entirely up to them(within the bounds of acceptable discrimination).

I'm sure I will find a satisfying career where an employer regards my experience and qualifications in the same manner as I regard them.

[Fittster]

For IT any experience you have counts for more than where ever your degree is from

[G4Addicted]

Fittster said:

For IT any experience you have counts for more than where ever your degree is from

Both where the degree is from and what in don't mean a great deal I'd say - mine's nearly 30 years old from Royal Holloway (London) but in Latin but it's not stopped me pursuing a largely successful and lucrative career in IT permie and contract roles ...

[tigger1]

Indeed, the University of Teesside did have (still has?) a good ranking for IT, and a few other things - would agree with LL that it is well known as being a poly...but I don't think that has such a big impact.

Depends really what sort of role you're interested in, and in what part of the country.

(Incidentally, Middlesbrough's a cracking place...being my birthplace and all that )

[superlightr]

dont think it makes much difference these days.

Isnt the aim of the govt to have 40% of all school leavers go on to uni? Its the worry as someone with a uni degree some years ago that due to the quota that all degrees are watered down and how to sort the chaff from the wheat.

When I interview people, its down to their real life experience and how they come over in the interview. The degree/qualifications are not that relevant but we dont need a degree to work here.

I would say when you look for work read up on what employers look for and the questions they tend to ask in the interview.

[Don]

As said before. Experience is all. Your degree is a door-opener into your first job is all. Management of what jobs you take and how often you change in your early years will affect your career a whole lot more.

Get involved in something new, niche and exciting and your IT future will look rosy regardless of 2.1/2.2 from an ex-poly or Oxford Uni.

[Fidgits]

To be honest - I think it depends on the job your going for, a company full of 'good ole boys' will of course look on Cambridge/Oxford more favorably..

But most modern places it doesnt matter that much..

[VEX]

As with all levels of exam results, GCSE's, A Levels and Degrees.

My take is that it proves you can cope with higher levels of learning, ie speed and complexity. If you have a degree in a specific subject that you are looking for work in this has an advantage in your early years but not once you are in it and networking well.

[Stevenj214]

In a similar vein, how would employers view a 1st from an ex-poly against a 2:1 from a 'respected' uni? Say in a general business degree.

[Leftie]

The graduate recruiters I work with now tend to target the institutions that they see as 'good' for recruiting rather than doing them all as they used to in the old 'milk-round'.

A Uni may have a terrible rep overall but if a particular course produces good chemists, economists or engineers a good recruiter should see through it and target the course. Point of note: Wolverhampton Uni (former Poly) gnerally bottom few in the UK, but odd courses are up there in the top 10.


Having seen and assessed a load of Teeside 'softer social science' students of late I am thinking that their strengths may be elsewhere! (IT?).

[NorthernBoy]

superlightr said:

dont think it makes much difference these days.

I am afraid that I'd take the opposite view. Now that just about everyone has a degree, you need to be a bit more discriminating when inviting people in for an interview, and you tend to be safer going for the people from the better names. This still means Oxbridge, Durham, Imperial, St Andrews, and so on (not coincidentally, they tend to be the longer established ones).

However, this does not mean that you cannot still do anything you want. You just have to fight a bit harder in the early years to make sure you get the jobs that will give you the right experience. After a few years, degree means quite a lot ess than it does at the start.

I interviewed a guy this week, for a trading job, whose highest qualification was an HND in computers. It still made me hesitate a bit, but the idea that he had bounced back from hos "bad" decisions actually left me feeling quite well disposed towards him.

No matter what degree you have, it is still a struggle to get to the top, so do not lose heart. Everything is still possible with effort and thought.

[NorthernBoy]

Fidgits said:

To be honest - I think it depends on the job your going for, a company full of 'good ole boys' will of course look on Cambridge/Oxford more favorably....

That is a strange post. It suggests that they are not actualy the top universitoes now.

[PhillF]

NorthernBoy said:

I interviewed a guy this week, for a trading job, whose highest qualification was an HND in computers. It still made me hesitate a bit, but the idea that he had bounced back from hos "bad" decisions actually left me feeling quite well disposed towards him.

Do you mind me asking how the interviewee got into that situation with that level of qualification? What made his CV appeal to you?

Thanks

[tigger1]

NorthernBoy said:

Fidgits said:

To be honest - I think it depends on the job your going for, a company full of 'good ole boys' will of course look on Cambridge/Oxford more favorably....

That is a strange post. It suggests that they are not actualy the top universitoes now.

I disagree - it suggests that certain companies "prefer" Oxbridge...they look on them more favorably, to put it in Fidgits terms

[tomtom]

PhillF said:

Do you mind me asking how the interviewee got into that situation with that level of qualification? What made his CV appeal to you?

Thanks

I'd quite like to know that too (partly general, partly professional interest) as I thought, perhaps naively, that the doors to the big banks tended to be firmly closed without a degree.

[F.M]

As long as the totty is good..It`s a good university in my book...

[Scrufter]

With a T and E and E and S and a S and I and D and E we are Teesside Poly. As shouted by 19 drunken players in various UK cities.

Takes me back



It's not where you went, it's what you learnt and how you apply it that will make or break any career.