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Hi all,

I'm doing a BSc in Computer Forensics, and next year (the year between my second and final year) I have the option to do either a work experiance placement or a study abroad placement. In terms of placements, i'm looking at for anything computing related - Computer Forensics is too narrow a focus to find work with it.

I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of any organisations or schemes that help with finding placements in either work or study.

Also, has anyone done anything like this before?

I appreciate any advice

Zambro

The company I work for can and will relocate people based upon specialty to places they are most needed. What and where specifically are you looking for? If you want to keep with forensics, I recommend looking at the major security firms, Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton, or maybe see if the NSA takes foreigners.

Alternatively, most majors corps have their own netsec people. It basically depends on where you want to go.

Ok, thanks for the advice.

If you dont mind me asking, what company do you work for? (PM me if you dont want to state it here)

In that field, get work experience if you can. It will make a massive difference when it comes to leaving uni and getting work. A year abroad might be fun, but won't help at all.

Unfortunately many of the government agency's won't do work experience. GCHQ, Police, SIS etc it is all far to sensitive, but go out and find the companies that do. Sophos, EMC and other big computing companies. Find there recruitment people and phone them. Ask them if they do year in industry work experience.

I'm currently in the same position, looking for placements for Bsc Geography. From my current experience it's best to start with major corporations, which usually have some sort of undergrad/internship scheme. I'm currently looking at Shell/BP as they seem to have very competitive options for people such as us, but make the most of the assistance at the uni itself. While you have to do most of the work yourself, they can help massively in things such as narrowing down choices and perfecting your CV. Good luck with it though, hope you find something you enjoy

Thanks man. The person who deals with this at my Uni retired last year and no one has taken up his role yet. So, for now i'm on my own :(

I can't help with you specifics but I can thoroughly encourage you to study abroad, even if it's only to escape wales.

Well, if you want to create a future life for yourself then Work Experience.

If you want to create a future life with someone else, then study-abroad.

To be honest, i'm only considering studying abroad due to lack of work experiance options. My preference looks a little like Work Abroad>work experiance>study abroad.

@Corpsesarefun. I do agree on getting out of wales, even if its only across the border to England. I worked in the USA for 3 months over the summer and that was awesome - so much better than our rainy, grey corner of the world

You're lucky to be in Cardiff rather than Aberystwyth, it's insanely isolated here. Good gaming scene though.

As for studying abroad, I had quite a few exchange student friends last year (some from the US, some Canadians, lots of assorted Europeans and a New Zealander) and it was an awesome experience for everyone involved.

 Corpsesarefun wrote:
You're lucky to be in Cardiff rather than Aberystwyth, it's insanely isolated here. Good gaming scene though.

Yeah, i guess there is that. I have a city at my doorstep, you got a university and thats it Slightly OT, but whats the gaming scene like? (out of curiosity)

We have a university, 51 pubs and that's it.

There are societies for basically everything here as the isolation means that everyone is far more society orientated that they would otherwise be. The Wargaming society alone has a few hundred members and there is also a boardgame society, tabletop roleplaying society, live action roleplaying society, nerf society, card game society, etc...

But seriously, 51.

mother of god...... 51 pubs?! yikes.

Its good that you have a wargaming society, we at USW dont :(

 Corpsesarefun wrote:
You're lucky to be in Cardiff rather than Aberystwyth, it's insanely isolated here. Good gaming scene though.

As for studying abroad, I had quite a few exchange student friends last year (some from the US, some Canadians, lots of assorted Europeans and a New Zealander) and it was an awesome experience for everyone involved.

I have a friend at Aberystwyth, transferred there from Plymouth to do her masters. From what I've heard it's not the most desirable place around, but a good uni though

Good for drinks and astronomy, that's about it.