Thinking of coming to WIT from IT Sligo this year

Captain Hman

I've been considering transfering from IT Sligo to WIT this coming september.
I've applied for the advanced entry on the website, hopefully I'll be going into the 2nd year of Entertainment Systems. I'm originally from Dublin
The question is though what is Waterford IT or Waterford in general like ?
Is the city good or is it dull ? is the nightlife decent ?
What is the college like ? Is there lots of things to do in Waterford City ?
The problem I'm having with Sligo is that there is f*ck all to do here.
So if anyone could give me the run down on what WIT is like that would be great thanks,

Media999

Its as good as you make it really. Anyone who you live with will be in the same boat as you.

Definitely better nightlife than Sligo.

A lot depends on where you live and who you live with id say. Probably good to go to Riverwalk in the first year. Their college apartments and nicely setup. Probably a better experience before the course gets tougher in 3rd and 4th year. Youll have a flexible 5th semester also so might be back in Dublin for work experience then because you wont get work down here.

Ent Systems is a good course.

neilk32

What course are you transferring from?

Contrary to the previous poster I would not recommend Entertainment Systems. Applied Computing with the games module would be a better choice.

Captain Hman

Media999 wrote: »

Its as good as you make it really. Anyone who you live with will be in the same boat as you.

Definitely better nightlife than Sligo.

A lot depends on where you live and who you live with id say. Probably good to go to Riverwalk in the first year. Their college apartments and nicely setup. Probably a better experience before the course gets tougher in 3rd and 4th year. Youll have a flexible 5th semester also so might be back in Dublin for work experience then because you wont get work down here.

Ent Systems is a good course.

So riverwalk would be good for someone whose going into 2nd year but it's there first year in the college? Cause I've been considering moving into student accommodation as it would be the best way to get to know people

I'm doing Computing with Games Development in IT Sligo atm

neilk32

Captain Hman wrote: »

So riverwalk would be good for someone whose going into 2nd year but it's there first year in the college? Cause I've been considering moving into student accommodation as it would be the best way to get to know people

I'm doing Computing with Games Development in IT Sligo atm

Isn't that a level 7? Have you checked if you are definitely eligible to transfer to a level 8?

I'm a graduate of Entertainment Systems and I wouldn't recommend the course to anybody. While some aspects are quite code mainly learning C++, Unity etc.

There was quite a few modules that I found to be useless for me like 3D Modelling, Animation etc. They wouldn't have been so bad but the workload combined with bad lecturers really shows it.

All the good parts that I've found about Entertainment Systems were shared modules with Applied. They also have more guidance and help from their course leader. If you have any questions send me a PM.

Media999

Not gonna disagree with neilK32 on that one. I thought it was a done deal going into Ent Systems and no choice in the matter.

If its level 7 your in now you could probably go into Software Systems Development which is a great course.

Also yeah id say Riverwalk is a good bet if you wanna socialise and stuff. Secure, Cheap and in a good spot. 10 mins from town and college id say.

Think i heard a friend mention he pays 55 a week for a large double ensuite room to himself which is great.

Its debatable really. Each to their own but id defo think it would suit your situation. Would be really good if you could move in with others studying the same course. huge advantage.

Captain Hman

I really want to do the course that relates most to game develop ment , I checked the advanced entry section of the waterford IT website and I'm eligible to go into entertainment systems according to this

Media999

You absolutely sure you can go from lvl7 to Ent Systems? Might be worth giving admissons a phonecall and double check.

neilk32

Captain Hman wrote: »

I really want to do the course that relates most to game develop ment , I checked the advanced entry section of the waterford IT website and I'm eligible to go into entertainment systems according to this

Are you interested in the programming side of things or are you interested in the 3D Art side? If you are interested only in programming then go for Applied Computing with Games Modules which are all the games programming modules but if you are interested in 3D stuff do Entertainment Systems I guess.

Media999

I read an interview not so long ago from someone who works in Games saying that in college youre better off going for a course that as pure programming as you can get as the Games courses tend to not be that great and that people who do well in the games industry very rarely do Games orientated courses. They are usually from courses that give programming priority.

Idea being that the extra specialistation can be learned very easily if you have a good understanding of OO programming but if your just average at both youll have a harder time.

I didnt attend Ent systems so i dont know if your sacrificing much programming for the Art side of things.

Anyway we need a definite answer to if he can go from lvl 7 to lvl 8. If not i highly suggest going for Software Systems Development as its heavy in programming and will get you a job.

Media999

500 a month for a 2 bedroom between 2 people is hardly unreal. Thats 55 a week each.

3 bed that could be as low as 40 each.

Riverwalk is going for 50 a month now. All double ensuites. Used to be a lot more a few years back.

http://www.daft.ie/lettings/riverwalk-waterford-city-waterford/1436969/
http://www.daft.ie/lettings/riverwalk-inner-ring-cork-road-waterford-city-waterford/1293367/

Bit strange that its such a shock to you to see an apartment at that price. Going rate for a long time now.

Also the pictures are there to see what theyre like. I wouldnt call it a kip compared to some of the ****ty houses in Waterford.

Probably better pictures here to look at the non showroom setup

http://www.daft.ie/sales/19-riverwalk-waterford-city-waterford/734211/#img=3

Also id rather not work for free. Sounds like you did Donkey work to be honest.

Go back to Dublin and get a proper paid internship.

Musicman2000

Personally If I were you I would stay well clear of WIT as the IT courses are very poor. As mentioned above I would consider Carlow instead.

mr.noobie

samapple789 wrote: »

I worked as a Graphic designer/web developer/Databases and it was far from Donkey work i was in everyday at 10am and didn't get to leave onto 4.30 everyday. There was always something for me to do there. As i also fixed there computers if needed to be.

Sounds like donkey work to me :P

neilk32

The rent is quite cheap if you just search for a local landlord instead of going through letting agencies. I was living with one person and we paid 500 euro to rent a four bedroom house. Rent is very cheap in general around Waterford.

As for choosing Carlow I wouldn't say it is any better than WIT and probably more out of date since they are using XNA which was abandoned a few years ago.

As for Samapple it sounds like you were doing a Level 7 course as most people from the Level 8's who got placement were getting paid. If you show you are competent enough to get paid they will pay you.

Media999

Graphics design and fixing PCs is donkey work. You just did barely skilled crap that they wouldnt insult any paid person with.

You just made crappy HTML sites for someone who was making a profit off you. They made money while you get 0. Thats the absolute perfect example of Donkey work.

I post two links of places in Riverwalk going for 55 each and you still try argue that they dont go for that price.

You say the place is a kip and i post pictures showing its fine.. Sounds like your friends are just knackers who never cleaned up to be honest.

You go off and find the worst examples of prices and then say thats the going rate and just ignore literally 100s of other houses that prove you wrong.

Its no wonder you have such a bad impression of Waterford if you got nothing out of it as you put **** all into it to begin with. Youll only get what you put in out of every course. Mammys not around anymore to molly coddle you anymore.

neilk32

samapple789 wrote: »

500 euro for a 4 bed house LoL. Must be in Ballybeg or something or some other crap hole in waterford. Like i find it Amazing that people can find all these cheap rents and i never kind find after living in waterford for 3 years :rolleyes: I also went the Landlord way over a letting Agency before we where paying 860 a month for a 3 bed in Templars hall no en suites just a standard house. Thats the going rate up there.

Still With XNA it can be ported easily over they have prop changed it over to what ever way the Xbox one games are made this year.

Yes i was doing a LV 7 but i had done countless other certs on top of the course and i still couldn't get a paid job. Our course leader was shocked that so many of us ended up getting work after.

It was very close to Railway Square actually nice quite street. I lived there for four years. The first three I paid 180 with all my bills included but I had 2 other house mates in them years.

XNA is outdated technology that was scrapped years ago. What certs?

Media999

It all boils down to you not being good at programming. Thats why you are not being paid to program. Thats not WITs fault. Thats absolutely yours.

This is the end result of you avoiding all the programming work and scraping passes by barely lifting a finger and instead being a pisshead.

OP dont get put off by this type of person who just avoids work and then expects to be headhunted as a graduate by industry.

Really bloody immature to blame the lecturers bacause you didnt bother putting in the effort.

So you went to WIT, did whatever certs and now your in Carlow and you still cant get work in an industry thats booming. You should just quit.

Media999

This video sums it up better than i could :

http://youtu.be/OYAArJf537s?t=19s

Captain Hman

Ok thanks everyone for the advice, I'm going to call the admissions office on Monday to see if I'm eligible, so riverwalk seems to be the place to stay, but what is the internet like in riverwalk ?
Decent enough for streaming videos?

Media999

Captain Hman wrote: »

Ok thanks everyone for the advice, I'm going to call the admissions office on Monday to see if I'm eligible, so riverwalk seems to be the place to stay, but what is the internet like in riverwalk ?
Decent enough for streaming videos?

Does the job alright. Was upgraded this year i think. Mate plays online games and says it works fine with that anyway.

Captain Hman

Media999 wrote: »

Does the job alright. Was upgraded this year i think. Mate plays online games and says it works fine with that anyway.

Is it WiFi ? Or is it just an Ethernet port in ur bedroom?

Musicman2000

Media999 wrote: »

Graphics design and fixing PCs is donkey work. You just did barely skilled crap that they wouldnt insult any paid person with.

You just made crappy HTML sites for someone who was making a profit off you. They made money while you get 0. Thats the absolute perfect example of Donkey work.

I post two links of places in Riverwalk going for 55 each and you still try argue that they dont go for that price.

You say the place is a kip and i post pictures showing its fine.. Sounds like your friends are just knackers who never cleaned up to be honest.

You go off and find the worst examples of prices and then say thats the going rate and just ignore literally 100s of other houses that prove you wrong.

Its no wonder you have such a bad impression of Waterford if you got nothing out of it as you put **** all into it to begin with. Youll only get what you put in out of every course. Mammys not around anymore to molly coddle you anymore.

Fixing pcs is Donkeys work? Have you ever worked in System Admin its far from Donkeys work. I can guarantee you half of graduates in an IT course couldn't Install an OS on a pc.

Media999

Apparently you dont know me because i actually work full time already so its not gonna be another 5 years or whatever you reckon its gonna be.

Also yes i reckon you would be headhunted if you where the best programmer in the world. Good luck working for LinkedIn. Youll be a right asset to them.

Remember you're the one who butted in with your comments about house prices and Riverwalk being a kip so dont call me the aggressive one either.

Media999

Musicman2000 wrote: »

Fixing pcs is Donkeys work? Have you ever worked in System Admin its far from Donkeys work. I can guarantee you half of graduates in an IT course couldn't Install an OS on a pc.

Clearly he wasnt working as a Sys Admin.

Media999

I was in WIT alright. Not anymore. Got a good development job that im happy to be in. Still live and work in Waterford though.


OP its ethernet. Riverwalk is good if you want to just socialise but have a room to study when need be. prices came down the last few years and youll get a place for 55 a week usually. 10 min walk and probably 4 or on a bike.

Go for Applied computing or Software Systems if possible. Im not in Game Design myself so you will need to take the others word the Ent Systems. Stick the head down and build up a good portfolio rather than just do what your told them complain when you get no interviews. take some initiative. Second line on my CV is a link to my portfolio and i "walked" into a job. Literally the second CV i sent so they are there for the right people. if you just stick with the crowd youll just end up on Boards complaining about how bad the college was, theirs no jobs and that you cant get an interview.

Just done be lazy, put the effort in and youll end up on Good money in a job you like doing.

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

I was in WIT alright. Not anymore. Got a good development job that im happy to be in. Still live and work in Waterford though.

you got a development job after less than two years in college? when did you start and finish?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78741845

MadYaker

I know a few people who have graduated from IT in NUIG and none of them ever had to work for a free. A couple were head hunted and started work shortly after graduation and others had to find a job themselves but they all got proper contracts, none of this working for free nonsense.

If you aren't a waster and get a first class or second class honors degree (lvl 7 or 8) in IT or any IT related course you shouldn't have too much difficulty finding a job.

Media999

brian plank wrote: »

you got a development job after less than two years in college? when did you start and finish?

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=78741845

Had a degree already. Went back to WIT. Got a job and dropped out. Thanks for paying attention.

I now work for a local company in a good enough Job with plenty of potential.

A term you both need to learn is Donkey work. What kind of a fool goes working for free when they have a degree thats highly demanded in every civilized country in the world. Someone who comes out with lines like even the best programmers in the world will have a hard time finding work i suppose.

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

Had a degree already. Went back to WIT. Got a job and dropped out. Thanks for paying attention.

I now work for a local company in a good enough Job with plenty of potential.

what degree did you have that got you a development job and why would you start in first year?

Media999

Engineering Degree.

Also what do you mean start in first year?

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

Engineering Degree.

Also what do you mean start in first year?

where you not on here asking about starting in ssd or it in that other post. what level was the engineering degree (7 or 8)?

Media999

samapple789 wrote: »

How would you get a job programming from a Engineering Degree ?

Ya why did you start 1st year ? If you where only going to drop out ?. You cost tax payers money if you where not assed to be there to begin with

By studying IT and Engineering.

Also ive paid far more in Tax than you have. Ive worked in Engineering for over 10 years before learning to code and swap jobs.

Not assed to be there yet ive a better job than you? How does that make sense. I literally set a goal and got to where i am rather than blame everyone why i dont have a job.

What are you talking about?

Media999

brian plank wrote: »

where you not on here asking about starting in ssd or it in that other post. what level was the engineering degree (7 or 8)?

Level 7 for 3 years than went to UK for level 8 in 4th year.

I started SSD and dropped out to get work

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

Level 7 for 3 years than went to UK for level 8 in 4th year.

I started SSD and dropped out to get work

so you did two level 7 courses and managed to get a grant/btea allowance? from experience i can tell you that's not allowed.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=90054131&postcount=2

you also said you had "two years of engineering behind you"
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=70398552&postcount=3

and hadn't been in a class for six years.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=78759665&postcount=3

Media999

You can get BTEA but not grant you just have to pay the fees yourself and there has to be 5 years between courses.

And yes i hadnt been in a class in 6 years whats wrong with that?

But holy **** you actually went through 3 years of posts. Good on ya.

Just to be clear you both know you dont need to attend a college or university to learn to code yes?

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

You can get BTEA but not grant you just have to pay the fees yourself and there has to be 5 years between courses.

And yes i hadnt been in a class in 6 years whats wrong with that?

But holy **** you actually went through 3 years of posts. Good on ya.

Just to be clear you both know you dont need to attend a college or university to learn to code yes?

how did you have a level 8 engineering degree with 2 years of it behind you? as far as i remember you're not allowed get btea or a grant if you hold a degree at the same level your applying to. you can only get it if you don't have a degree or are progressing from level 6-7, 7-8 etc.

EDIT: from welfare.ie

You must also be progressing in educational qualifications. For example, if you already have a Level 5 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications, the course you are undertaking must be for at least a Level 6 qualification. A person holding a level 7 degree can only apply for a level 8 add-on year (honours degree) in the same discipline and is not eligible for new level 8 honours degree course in a different discipline. The only postgraduate courses recognised for BTEA are a Higher Diploma (H.Dip) in any discipline, or the Professional Diploma in Education. No postgraduate courses are allowed outside of Ireland.

Media999

If your 9 months out of work and 5 years between courses you can. Something to do with redundancy aswell.

Media999

This is just confusing now.

You can work and study at the same time. Is that not what your doing?

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

This is just confusing now.

You can work and study at the same time. Is that not what your doing?

whats confusing is how someone has an honours degree in engineering after 2 years and a software development job after dropping out of a software development degree after less than 2 years.

Media999

I already said i went to the UK to get the lvl 8.

9 years to be exact and worked my way up. Obviously didnt start off as an Engineer. Retrained twice actually. Once for the same company. Was made redundant and then went to WIT then onto another company.

Media999

brian plank wrote: »

whats confusing is how someone has an honours degree in engineering after 2 years and a software development job after dropping out of a software development degree after less than 2 years.

No whats confusing is trying to understand his sentences.

Not sure how you came to the conclusion that i have 2 years of college behind me. Im 34 years of age and been in school/work since im 17.

Im working in something very relative to what i was working at before. There not a million miles apart. Both in manufacturing.

brian plank

Media999 wrote: »

I already said i went to the UK to get the lvl 8.

9 years to be exact and worked my way up. Obviously didnt start off as an Engineer. Retrained twice actually. Once for the same company. Was made redundant and then went to WIT then onto another company.

you could be a politician if you get bored of "development". it's been fun though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTYe9eDqxe8

Media999

Change the subject so. Good man.

Media999

samapple789 wrote: »

You say you can't understand my sentences ?. Sorry that my learning disability is not to your liking.

Now your saying your not working in computers as a programer ?. But now your working as a Engineer ? Come on the lies are just funny now. How many times have you changed job on this thread ?

Well you said it in your past posts that you have 2 years of college be hide you in a few posts over the years

Can you actually read?

Im working now in an Engineering company in the IDA industrial estate. In a development role.

Is that so ****ing hard to comprehend.

Media999

samapple789 wrote: »

No one is changing the Subject but your Lier and no one should be taking a word from you about studying IT as you have never studied it and dont have a degree in it ?.

Yeah because no one should take IT advice from a person that has no Degree in IT.

Especially not Bill Gates, Jack Dorsey, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg etc.

Do your homework.

Media999

samapple789 wrote: »

Well i am one exam from a degree in IT. Have countless certs in IT. Part owner of a business. I think i can read dont you ?.

I might have dyslexia with the spelling age of a 6 year old. But i have never let anyone make fun of me with something i can't help as its quite sad of you to try and make fun of a disability that i can't help.

Stop making excuses.

Ok so the problem is your comprehension rather than your reading.

Media999

How can i make fun of something that you mention AFTER i say you have a problem with comprehension.

You clearly read stuff, comprehend it whatever way you like and then believe in your mind whatever you want.

Pretty much every point you make is because you've comprehended something wrong.

Youve made up some little life story for ME from mis-comprehensions and yet you still argue with me. Every single thing ive explained and answered with facts and you still argue.

Media999

Why the **** would i send you on my portfolio? Seriously.

You send me on your bank account details while where at it.

Media999

The fact that you would even ask for someones portfolio just shows how little you know.

A portfolio is something that's given to a prospective employer to see if you have the skills they are looking for. Its not to hand to college student who will most likely just copy it and pass it off as his own.

Do you even know what would be in a portfolio?

Your about to graduate and all you have to show for it is "college work". Good luck separating yourself from the crowd when looking for work.

Media999

A well paid Donkey.

RogueAI

OP
Hey I've just finished first year in the Ents course and can answer any questions you have about what first year was like if you want/get in