Question: Dear Sir, I did my A/Ls in commerce stream in 2006. I was interested in computing and so I completed an advanced diploma in animation and visual effects, but I couldn't find a job. Now my friend suggested that I do Oracle. Is there good scope for this course or are there any other courses that you can suggest in computing which has good scope. Do I have to do a degree? Please help me on this as soon as possible. I'm confused.
Angela
Via Email
Hi Angela,

Answer: Interesting question, based on my advice provided on Career first or Major first question, I am assuming that you have selected a career in IT or have YOU?, you may need to run through the steps and decide first where you want to get to (check the Feb 15th career guru), or the exercise would be only about practicing and not scoring.

Base on your current level knowledge and qualifications, there are limited opportunities locally for animation and visual effects, however you may want to explore opportunities in the ad industry , where they can use your creative skill to develop ad campigns, as well as the fashion industry where they can use your skill to develop visual merchandising strategies , or even the interior design industry where your skills could be leveraged for designs.

However if you do want to get the best out of your qualification you may need to seek opportunities in the gaming industry , for example as a developer of software games or the animation movie making industry where you want to use your skill to develop animation for a popular cartoons , to do this you may want to start with working for a local TV station or movie making company and then move on to let say Hollywood to work for Disney or Pixar.

My objective assessment tells me that you jumped into this qualification without the necessary guidance.
Doing Oracle would again mean disaster since although both are IT related, Oracle would take you on to different set of options such as:

• Application server
• Applications such as CRM
• Business intelligence
• Business strategy
• Database planning and development to name a few.

The basis for you to select the primary qualification I am assuming is due to your liking to creativity, if that is the case you may need to gain experience in your liability area first, or all that time put in would be of no use.

So go ahead and explore your job opportunities first, build experience in your core area, if you decide to move into oracle you are completely rebuilding your self from scratch this means more time and money.
Alternatively you may want to top up with a professional qualification such as CIM , in this way you are building multiple attractiveness areas in your skills.

All the best.
Q: I am 24 Years old. I did my A/Ls in Commerce Stream and I have Completed My National Diploma in Teaching in Information and Communication Technology at National College of Education. Now I am working in Teaching Career. I wish to change my Teaching field into Network Engineering. Therefore I have planned to follow CISCO (CCNA and CCNP) Courses.

Sir I heard that, if anybody completes the CCNA, CCNP and with having one Years Experience, They can apply for The MSc in IT/Computer Networks as an external in private university or institute. Is it true sir? without having Degree qualification can apply MSc Programme?
Sir, if you could advice me find out the best way to solve this problem, that will be the greatest help for me.
Rimas
Via Email
Dear Rimas

A: The purpose of the MSc award in Computer Networking is to prepare you and equip you with an in-depth understanding, advanced technical and academic skills and, knowledge for:
1. The application of computer networking technologies in the real world.
2. Professional employment or further academic development in the strategic and continually expanding areas of computer science and networking technologies.

This award is intended for people who require not simply an expertise in the area of computer science and Internet applications but significant technical knowledge in the area of networking.
Usually the award is much more focused and produces students with a greater depth of knowledge in the area of computer networking.

Usually the routes mentioned by you include Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) routes, This is mainly as an option to enhance your career prospects, however the reverse can also occur.

The acceptance can be dependent on the university offering it, what you have according to my research is a NON STANDARD ACADEMIC PROFILE this means that if want to get in it would based on the following:

• Exemptions based on accreditation of prior learning
• This can be certified or experiential
• You need IELTS or TOFEL scores as well

However again it may depend on the university offering it as well as the recognition status, so watch out, if they make it easy for you to get in , then there would be catch up charge or the qualification is not recognized , so do your research first, probably with the experts in the field.

My focus is on your career.
Q: I'm a 16 year old student who has just sat for the O/L exams 2008.I prefer to do my A/L's in arts stream in the vision of entering the Law faculty. Sir can you please guide me to choose my subjects for the A/L's.
(Through which I can acquire my "Z" score easily)
Bhagya
Wattala
Hi Bhagya,
A: I am unable add value to your question due to the limitation of information you have provided. To arrive at a correct decision you may need to talk to three parties:

• Your teachers and learned elders in your family
• Students who have progressed through the arts stream to law college
• Successful Practicing lawyers who have taken this route

All I can tell you , is that there is no short cuts to success.