Qualifications

Stick it out for the Honours, particularly if the mech eng was a direction change from your previous work and you intend to stay with engineering. That final point is the crucial one: are you intending staying in engineering?

Re: Australia - get in touch now with the Aus Embassy and check the entry requirements. Australia uses a points systems based on skills, qualifications and age (among other things) so you have to make sure you get enough to get in. I'm not sure if having work to go is a prerequisite, but I do know that a) jobs must go to suitably qualified Oz citizens first and b) you are not eligible for state aid (e.g. unemployment benefit) there until you have worked for 24 months. (Why don't the UK Govt bring in this rule too?)

Good luck with the course and your future plans. I hope CR4 has been able to help with understanding some of the difficult stuff.

<Stick it out for the Honours, particularly if the mech eng was a direction change from your previous work and you intend to stay with engineering.>

Absolutely. However difficult it seems at the time, MACA would be well-advised to see it through to the finish line.

I forgot to add that an Ordinary Degree is often what is awarded to those who don't get a high enough score for an Honours Degree (i.e. 3rd Class and below), and thus is often looked down upon (please excuse bad grammer!). You don't want that.

Hang in there! I worked for years in construction, etc., before I decided I needed to finish my degree. From 1970 (I was 22 at the time) until 1977, I accumulated 45 credit hours, and from '77 'til '85, I worked to support a family, and eaked out another 95 hours or so and finished. It only took me 15 years or so, but it was worth it.

Hi Mate,

I am Production Supervisor in a pharmaceutical company and believe me qualification is just part of validation. Get trained on validation. In 5 to 10 years from now onwards all equipment, processes and materials will be validated. It also earns big money. It is hard to start off but you'll be in demand in future. All de best...email me if you need more help at vinelk@douglas.com.fj.

Dear Friend,

you are great, after doing work for eight years, you have decided to get back to college.Now let us say why you did? Oen could be better career or more knowledge. In any care, you should have less stress as you can understand subjects better than fresher.And then no one is asking you to be too serious.Just pick up what you can easily drop rest.You will enjoy education.you will find hunger for more information will growing and you will be keen to know more more and more.

As far career is concerned, look when you are ready, chances are enormous and growing .quick thinker if you grow as , better chances are.It is not only degree or marks which makes you up but confidence in you self,I am sure you will better off than freshers.

good luck God bless you

DINKAR VORA MUMBAI INDIA

Thanks for the comments. I did a diploma in applied physics then worked as a maintenance engineer so my background for a while has been in this industry. The reason I've come to get the qualification is that outwith my previous work contract I was being asked to do more and more calculations and design work then other people were taking the credit for my work. Without the "degree", I couldn't climb the ladder and get the pay and promotions which I thought I was due.

I suppose the course isn't too stressful it's just exams which are stressful and you've guessed it, I'm just about to start my first ones in 8 years. Woo hoo it's the dreaded maths this morning so I should go.

Thanks again

I can't really tell you what to do about your degree but, I think the answer is obvious. Try to finish it!

What worries me (from the point of already having emigrated to Oz myself) is that: if you are finding the degree too stressful, you will never successfully emigrate for the same reason.

I can assure you that, had I known the problems that we encountered during our emigration before we started, I almost certainly wouldn't have attempted it. I did, however use the old 457 (Independent Business Executive) visa (an extremely hard route) and, if you get the chance to emigrate on qualifications, do it!

The up side is that Oz is the most fantastic place I have ever had the privilege to work and live in (and I've seen most of the world). There is a chronic skills shortage and I can guarantee that you will get a good position almost instantly. Company's are now so paranoid about running out of HR, they will employ staff before a position really exists rather than let that resource escape!

Having suffered the UK 'dog eat dog' mentality for many years and got used to it as the norm', I find that Oz is soooooo refreshing.

So, in conclusion, my advice is simple: do the 'hard yard' and get the best degree you can where you are, allowing you to (almost) walk straight into the best place on earth OR, don't and pay for it later!

By way of a tip:-

a) leave the kilt behind (dependent where you settle) due to fly's!

b) take the skinandoo (spelling) out of you sock before leaving for the airport!

c) if you ever get serious about the emigration, email me, I have loads of stuff that could help you take the 'easy route'!

Good luck with it (sincerely).

OK...I have to ask...

what the devil is a "skinandoo"?

When a Scottish person is all dressed up in traditional clothing, they conceal an ornate dagger in their sock as part of the dress code called a skinandoo. Don't worry, airport security know all about them!

Oh, and one more 'tip':- the word route (or root) in Oz means something completely different e.g. 'find the best route' could get you into a world of problems, especially if your married! Similarly, 'going to bed with a wog' is also a worry!

The "dreaded maths" are the language that will enable you to prove your work to yourself and others. It will distinguish you in your career from those who guess or estimate correct answers. I advise you to take your math seriously and not treat it as a subject to be endured. In the end you will be in command of a tool as powerful as being in a foreign country and knowing the native language.

Well said. Think of it as a language specifically designed to describe the intricateness of the universe. It is beautiful and subtle and infinitely variable. Equations are elegant and balanced. You can tell when they are right and when they're wrong because of the way they look (or feel).

Remember not to rely on learning equations by rote - it's far better to understand the underlying principles and create them for that.

Do you find certain numbers have particular qualities? And I know it's not just me, there have been Radio 4 programmes about them.

Dear Friend,

I understand. you have been used for not having good maths.so solution all your problem will be wth maths.and then how will you be serious unless you have some one to answer- exam.So it is okay

No dear , maths is lovely thing.It is just logic which is easy to mind, once you are willing to play be rules.

dont worry, things will be good.

all i can say, ask me anything on maths and I find for you easier mathod than you are finding.May be soon you get comfy with maths.take me as your on line guide if you wish

bless mt boy

DINKAR

Stick it out for the honors. In the long run it is going to be well worth the effort. Your heart is a lot stronger than you think.

Of course the weather in Scotland can be rather depressing in the winter. Oz would be a bit more cheerful. But they'll be happier to have you with the full honors. Hang in there, you'll get the job done.

Stick with it laddie.

After working in the real world a return to any sort of academic environment is difficult but the rewards will be there.

Without a degree (I know I don't have one) there will always be a limit to how far you can proceed and others who may well not be a capable as you will get the plum positions of the credit you are rightfully due. Way of the world I'm afraid.

Good luck.

I will give you the same advise that my ol' boss Doug once gave me.

I started working for him when I was 14 it was a small TV Repair shop. I am 38 years old today. I have an associates degree and I work has an engineer. I am currently working on my EE degree after several years of working to support my family.

After I finished High School, I asked ol' Doug one day if I should go to school or if I should just get a better job and work. (The TV business was starting to really fade away at this point)

He said to me "Do you want more then what you have now?"

I said "yes" of course. Then he said to me

"Bill, no one was ever sorry they did the very best they could."

At about 18 years old it was hard for me to comprehend this but in retrospect. It was probly the single most important lesson I learned from Doug. For a TV repairman he was pretty damn smart! I owe him more the I could ever repay!

bill12780

PS Bill's TV Repair--"If we can fix your TV...we'll eat a bug!"

Erm, isn't that "If we can't fix your TV, we'll eat a bug."

This is definately an interesting slogan as in many cultures eating bugs is considered normal. Even the French do it.

If you can get honor, go for it. I didn't and no problem getting a job or getting things done. The amount of time and effort to get honor may be too much, it is for me anyway. You don't need honor degree to get PE. You may need honor to get into master then PhD.

Pineapple

Use the fools theory: In the classroom, look to your left and then to your right. If they stick it out, they'll have their degree and they're no smarter than you. If you don't stick it out, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Do your best! Go for it and in the words of Sir Winston, Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!

opps....

Yes...its

"if we CAN'T fix your TV....We will eat a bug."

Never claimed I was GOOD at engineering. Just that I work as one....hahahaha!

bill12780

Having read all of the previous responses first, here's my take - I agree with them! I, too went to university after military service and several year's working. My theory was: "I may be 35 when I graduate, but I'll be 35 anyway, with or without the degree." I convinced myself, but I can't convince you - that's YOUR job. Now, quit goofing off here, and go hit the books!

Three quick points before I finally shut up.

1. I used to work in a place where very serious problems could occur quickly and often I was the only one there to fix it. That kind of stress is fine with me it's just exam stress which makes me feel like crying sometimes.

2. I do enjoy maths its just that on my course they have had to compress two modules into one and even the lecturer admits it is a very hard module to pass.

3. My girlfriend is actually Australian and she is keen to move back. I understand engineers are hugely in demand there so when I've got the degree it's a strong likelyhood we will move there.

Thanks for the support and advise and I hope all who have commented are happy with their engineering careers too.

P.S. I don't have a kilt, or go haggis hunting, or have red hair, or spit when I speak. Sorry to dissapoint, the only true steriotype of the Scottish is the vast quantity of alcohol consumption followed by a good fight and a nice bit of black pudding in the morning while nursing the hangover/broken nose.

The P.S. has nicely covered your qualification to emigrate to Australia!

Just make sure you do well with your degree and good luck with it too!

"...the only true steriotype of the Scottish..."

Well, bust MY bubble...I thought every Scotsman was a spiritual descendant of James Watt, and said stuff like: "I'm tellin' ye, Cap'n, she'll nae hold together at Warp 11 for more than a few minutes!" And no haggis hunting either? Next you'll tell us you don't toss the caber!

Don't let the exam stress get you - even a well-prepared mind can be taken aback by the wrong conditions. What's crucial is this: do you honestly feel you - yourself, deep down inside, where you can't lie to yourself - comprehend the material well enough to make use of it out in the real world?

I've known plenty of "engineers" who did well in the exam room, but couldn't calculate their way out of a wet paper bag in the field. I've known others who graduated in the bottom half of their class (in fact, nearly 50% of all engineers do...) but got all over the project when it came to real-world events.

Now cut the crapola, these are awaiting you...

Oh, and since ye hae nae kiltie o'yer ane, Laddie, please feel free tae use a plaid o'mine...

You are back to college after 8 years of Work experience--and you feel that the present curriculum leading you to an Honours Degree maybe hard for you to go through.

And an ordinary degree may not not qualify you for a good job in Australia.

I feel you should make up your mind fast(and do not change ):

1. To apply your mind harder and dig deeper into the academics of the honours course. OR
2. Take Australia Career based courses-Welding-Minerals-Transportation-AgroIndustry-Geology-Geophysics--- and excel in an ordinary Degree.