How much knowledge do you need?

[Dameize]

At the moment im doing a foundation degree and ive almost finished my first year. I probably cant afford the second year though as im now self employed and will get zero help paying for it. Im also not eligible for student finance having spent the last ten years in australia.

If I drop out now would it be easy enough to learn most things for small-medium businesses on my own? with the aid of train signal courses etc?

Just wondering as the costs are not going to be possible for me to pay.

 

[Rosco]

yes you can teach yourself. Some of the most computer savvy people i know are totally self taught! You will find there are a lot of self taught people here too, me included; i did take computer shop for 4 years at a vocational high school and a college class here and there but thats it. Its different to learn on your own. No structure so you have to be motivated, but by your posts it seems like your are. hope this helps!

 

[16k_zx81]

At the moment im doing a foundation degree and ive almost finished my first year. I probably cant afford the second year though as im now self employed and will get zero help paying for it. Im also not eligible for student finance having spent the last ten years in australia.

If I drop out now would it be easy enough to learn most things for small-medium businesses on my own? with the aid of train signal courses etc?

Just wondering as the costs are not going to be possible for me to pay.

Yes you can teach yourself - its doable as tech work is largely process-based (ie based on skills, rather than theory)

However, FWIW I think that if you can possibly start with an education, your career prospects are a hell of a lot stronger than being unqualified.

This game (self employment / small business IT) is a punt. there's no two ways about that. Especially at this point in time. Its not going to get any easier from here for techs, particularly those without decent qualifications.

 

[Dameize]

Well I dont mind networking its just when I was on job seekers it was free yet now im self employed earning a similar amount im solo and get no help with my education. Funnily enough though if you add the tax up over a year it would easily pay for the course. Its a 1k gbp course per year part time over 3 years. They may simply give me credit for the first year that I can RPL with if I choose to go back for more education.

 

[Steve202]

If you are going down this route, take a look at some certs, Microsoft, Cisco etc. Not only will help you gain the knowledge but will also help you in the future if you go down the employment route.