Hi,

I really need some advice please.

I've finished my degree at Brunel doing Network Computing and have got a 2:1

I really want to do a master, as I feel that it will give me a better opportunity getting a job.


My issue is I have no idea what master course I should choose.

I guess it has to be some where withing my field, but computing is such a broad subject I don't know where to start.

Please help.

Thanks

Hi Sag.

I guess the first question is what really interests you? Was there a particular module or topic you came across in your degree that really interested you? Or is there a particular field you have an interest in? Or do you have a desire to branch out into a different area (e.g. into technology, or bioinformatics, or games programming) that would still build on the skills you already have?

One idea might be to get a list of some computer science departments at some universities and see what kind of masters they offer and how their courses are structured - often with masters you will have "core" courses and then optional courses as well so you can get a variety still. Then you might get a flavour of which masters you might be would be interested in.

Hope that helps in some way.

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Hi Dan,

I did a placement year and a financial bank working in the IT dept. I know for sure that I do not like testing. There was a really interesting module which was to do with Ubiquitous Application Development. I don’t really enjoy programming, but that may be because I find some languages difficult to grasp. E.g. I had to learn a new language called Python for my final year project which I enjoyed. I just don’t like the idea of sitting on a desk all day programming...

I would like a roll where business is also an element, I’m business minded and also one other module I enjoyed was Software Project Management, but my grade was a C.

Its funny that you mention bioinformatics, because I’ve looking at a MSc in bioinformatics but people have said that its hard-core programming and that the career path is limited. But I guess I would enjoy the science element.

I’ve been told that a Master course is for someone who knows what they want to be, my problem is that I don’t know what I want to be or what area of IT I enjoy as I’ve not had much exposure.

Thanks

Hi Sag,

Sounds like you do have some ideas which you can build on which is good!

Firstly, whoever said bioinformatics career path is limited needs to stop talking out of their back passage. It's a skill highly in demand and will continue to be as pharma and research organisations look to cut down on expensive lab time and shift it to computational models. The downside is that indeed it is highly programming based (it's one reason I didn't go into the area despite having a PhD related to bioinformatics) and I believe they do use Python quite a bit!

Like I said in my other post, why not have a look at some unis and see what modules they offer as part of their masters? If you hadn't had much exposure then a generalist course might be best instead of trying to find something specific, where you can try out a variety of modules. Don't forget that you can then really develop one area as your thesis, so if you find an area you really enjoy you can focus. Don't necessarily have to focus straight away!