Name
Jack Anderson
Course
BSc (Hons) Computing Systems PT
Why did you decide to study part-time?
Due to having a full-time job in electronics, part time study was an ideal option where I could ‘earn and learn’.
Part time allowed me to progress my knowledge of electronics through the degree, but also gain vital experience in the workplace.
How would you describe yourself to someone who had never met you?
I would say I’m pretty easy going and always up for a ‘yarn’ lol.
I’m always up for learning new things and ready for any hands-on work that comes my way.
You’ll never see me sitting down much, as I always have to be working at something (mostly at the farm or car).
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
When I’m not in my full-time job, I’m helping run a family farm at home, where we keep beef cattle.
Most of my spare time is spent working with machinery, cattle or in the field.
So as you can imagine its tight going trying to manage a full time job, studying and farming.
My other hobbies include shooting/hunting, cars and drumming.
What obstacles or challenges did you overcome?
The biggest challenge I found, is managing both work, study.
This was more challenging coming close to assessment deadlines, but I just made sure I kept on top of my work load, starting assessments early and not leaving them to last minute.
Most of the time I actually finished them early which was a good feeling knowing that there was no pressure on deadline day!!
How has your life changed since beginning your study – if you did not take the opportunity, where would you have been?
I found that my course was very applicable to my area of work. Most of the subjects that I studied gave me a better understanding which made my work life easier and more enjoyable.
If I hadn’t started the degree I’d probably have a lot less headaches and more time to myself (most students would say that!!) joking aside, the course has opened a number of new opportunities and allowed me to progress in the workplace with reasonability’s, understanding and salary.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
Not too sure on this one.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
Once graduated, I hope to progress in work to a system engineering role where I can use my education to work on research and development projects for new equipment/technology.
I would also like to use my electronic background within the agriculture sector.
This would allow me to develop/work on new technology within farming, a sector which is rapidly expanding.
Why would you tell a prospective student to study part-time?
I would encourage anyone to study part time as I think it’s a great combination for personal development within any job role/sector.
It gives you the chance to study but also the chance to use what you have learned in a real life working scenario.
More and more employers are looking for experience along with a degree.
Studying part time allowed me to gain vital experience in the work place and also equipped me with a full-time job within the industry I was studying (‘earn and learn’).