It is obvious why students are averse to studying IT-based subjects at university - there are no suitable vacancies for graduates. The only IT jobs are for skilled individuals with three or more years' experience.

Take myself, for example, a 48-year-old graduate with a 2:1 BSc Honours in computer studies. I was recently offered a position with a software company and as a result gave up a career spanning many years because I was hoping for a career change.

Biggest mistake I ever made. Within seven days of starting, I was "called for a meeting" to discuss why I was slow picking up the technologies being used. I was dumped in the middle of a specialist application of which I had no experience, on top of which I was expected to learn four technologies I had never used. My skillset, or at least I thought I had a skillset, learned while studying for my degree, had no bearing at all in a commercial environment, my employer did not want to spend any time training me, and complained bitterly if I asked anyone else for help.

Within another two weeks I was given a letter stating that I faced dismissal.

The letter was given to me at 5pm on a Friday evening, with the disciplinary meeting set for 9.30am on the Monday morning - not even any time to prepare or seek any sort of legal advice. Fortunately, I was still a member of a union from my previous employment and was able to get some advice on the Sunday morning. I managed to postpone the meeting after contacting the union, who represented me.

Needless to say, I no longer work for the software company involved, my job finished three days before the Christmas break.

Am I looking for another job in IT? I doubt it very much. After six or more years paying and studying for a degree, I now feel I have wasted years of my life, not to mention thousands of pounds on a degree that I will have no use for.

I have managed to get another job, but with more hours and less money than my previous jobs. Do I have a bitter taste in my mouth? You bet I do.

People want to know why students are not studying IT? It would make me laugh if it wasn't such a bad joke.

Anonymous