My Choice

well as some of you know i appied to join the navy as an Engineer (Information Systems) Officer. well it turns out that i have to redo 5 GCSE's, as i dont have any at grade a-c, i have a degree but they want GCSEs,

so i booked my Exams for may but ive got a feeling i wont pass them all, which leaves me with a choice, i could spend the next year or so doing them while working or i could join up the navy as an Communications and Information Systems Specialist, redo my GCSEs in the navy and hope that i can apply for a commission when im in?

i just wanted to know what people think would be the best route, right now im leaning more to working and getting the GCSEs, i really want to be a Engineer (Information Systems) Officer, but then i do want to join as soon as possible?

 

This may seem cruel but: degrees are similar to buttholes, most people have one. The fact is the mob are looking for a low benchmark (GCSE) and will teach you what they need you to know. I would not wish to appear overcritical, however, written communications are a desired skill set. I noticed several errors in your post which a recruiter would mark you down on. My advice would be to enlist as a rating and progress to a Warrant or Commission as your abilities are recognised. Good luck !

P.S. You are all now free to critisise my speling and gramar

 

That does seem a touch cruel, but yet the real cruelty is the truth of it. The most annoying thing of it is that these 'degrees' are often a load of codswallop (David Beckham Studies, anyone?) that devalue the work put in by the genuine academics who have worked hard to achieve their qualifications.

Anyway, keeping to the point of the thread. I would recommend you spend a year in civvy street working and obtaining your GCSE's. As you said, you really want to be an Engineering (Information Systems) Officer. So if you want it that much, what is one year to aquire the neccessary certificates? The real question is: How important is it that you are an officer?

 

The 5 GCSE passses at grade C or above in recognised relevent subjects give the recruiters certain information on your potential that many degrees today do not give.
You have not mentioned what subject your degree is in. Unfortunately many degreesare not worth the paper that they are printed on.

 

sorry i thought i had, i did a BEng in Computer Networking.

 

The RN isn't the only employer to insist on Key Skill qualifications, many jobs require that in addition to a degree you can prove an adequate level of numeracy, literacy and communication. For example to be a state qualified English teacher you would need an appropriate degree, a PGCE, QTS and believe it or not an English GCSE (as well as maths)

If you seriously want to be an officer spend the time gaining the necessary GCSE's therefore improving your key skills.

 

If i may ask...how did you get so far as to do A-levels, let alone a degree without 5 passes at A*-C?

 

I had really big problems at school with being Dyslexic, so I went to college, I did a city and guilds in office Technology for a year which most colleges except instead of the GCSEs, so I then did my AVCE which gave me the UCAS points, and then went to Uni and did my degree.

 

Wow, you're a little determined then. Best of luck on getting in

 

yeah want this so much, i think what im going to do is still the GCSEs in may, so how i do on each one and what i need to improve on and then do them again in october, hopfully be able to join next year, i guess i just need to get a full time job untill then,

 

I have a few questions so be patient...........
What GCSE's do you intend to do?
Were your problems with dyslexia due it not being diagnosed or the lack of a coping strategy?
Did your college help you to develop any coping strategies?
Are you just dyslexic or do you have dyscalculia as well?

If you don't want to answer on here feel free to PM

 

I don’t mind answering on here,

I was looking at doing English, Maths, ICT, Geography and I am not sure on the last one, was going to see what’s available to book.
i was diagnosed just before started secondary school, the help I received wasn’t very good at all so I sort of gave up really, so when i went to college I didn’t ask for any help, when I then got into University it took over a year to get re-diagnosed and to sort things out, I really didn’t get any sort of help there apart from 25% extra time on my exams,

And with the last questions I am dyslexic, I don’t really know what dyscalculia is? Sorry, I have my diagnostic assessment here with me and i cannot see anything like that on it.

 

It strikes me that if you've already got an acceptable degree in networking then ICT and Maths should be a coast for you so you might be able to stretch yourself a bit with the final two, with English being a given.

Politics or similar would be of benefit in Dartmouth and later when you do whatever they're calling Initial Staff Course nowadays.

There is guidance on ''learning difficulties'' and the stuff that's supposed to be in place for it, it's a while since I read it but it is around.

I'd agree with the point that if you want to be an E(IS) then crack the GCSEs and go straight in.

 

OK,
You probably don't suffer from dyscalculia then as it would have turned up in your dyslexia assessment or at least inferred a further assessment, it is just a difficulty in coping with numbers, similar (sort of) to dyslexia. I would recommend, rather than throwing yourself at some GCSE's which you don't feel ready for, that you approach your local college and ask about key skills (numeracy & literacy) Most people think that these free classes are only for illiterates, they are not! You could gain GCSE equivelant qualifications and a lot of help to assist you coping with your dyslexia. There are many methods of coping with dyslexia from coloured paper to mental association techniques and I am a little disappointed that your Uni didn't help more. At the very least Key Skills classes will help you work towards your GCSE's

 

chieftiff,

i did think about doing Key Skills classes at college but im just worried about the time they will take to do, then having to do the GCSEs after seems like its going to take a long time,

being 23 in a couple of weeks im sort of eger to get my career going. its just i know once i get this all sort and hopefully get in i know i will be able to do the job well

 

is this a MOD guidance thing or a general life type guild?

 

Unfortunately mate it is sometimes necessary to jump through the hoops, joining and then getting commissioned afterwards is not quite as easy as it sounds, also starting at the very bottom with a degree is a recipe for disaster, it serves neither you or the RN as you would probably become disgruntled very quickly.

Key Skills tutors can you push you through the system very quickly if you have the ability, I see no reason why you wouldn't have that ability and the assistance would probably help a lot. As Karma suggests perhaps review your GCSE choices and think of doing the GCSE and Key skills classes in parallel, even if it took you a year or two believe me that would be considerably quicker than trying to become commissioned in service.

Also, I hate to go on but, there is a serious risk that you could fall into a quirk of the system. To become commissioned from within the service you have to be (as a junior rate) under 26 on the day you commence Dartmouth, if you fell outside of that age limit you couldn't re-apply for a commission until you were a Senior Rate and believe me that could take a while!

 

It's MOD-wide guidance on the facilities that are supposed to be in place to support various types of learning difficulty including dyslexia. the ACLO should be able to get hold of it.

For the practicalities chieftiff has the up to date knowledge, I was diagnosed as dyslexic about 20 odd years ago when one was still seen as stupid for being dyslexic..... Didn't stop me though.

The benefit of doing broader courses, chieftiff suggests that key skills provides GCSE equivalent (important point), is that it'll reduce your focus. Despite whats been said elsewhere about E(IS) it's not about geeking, and actually not much nowadays about delivering training at HMP Collingwood. You're first and foremost an officer, part of the ships command team and a part of the warfare team.

 

Karma is referring to the MOD policy on educating those with learning difficulties, it allows for things like extra time to sit exams, altering powerpoint presentations to be more readable and extra tuition time to assist those with problems. It is a good thing, the service and by default all our instructors are keen to ensure that all learners are given the best opportunity. We have all moved on a bit since the days when dyslexics were just considered thick! :lol:

Edited to add: Beat me to it Karma :grin: