Finished

Red letter day - my trainer signed off on my Cert IV HR today. Finally finished!

HR update

The end is in sight! Just finishing off the assessment task for two units, then only one unit left to go, it's good to be so close to the end. It has been very tough going, between this subject and the EB negotiations at work I'm quite convinced against a HR career. Sticking with finance.

Internet studies update

I discovered a little while ago (probably 12 mths or more) that the degree course I'd started has undergone a restructure and a name change - it is now Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications).

On one hand I think it would be nice oneday to go back and finish the degree, although there is still a long way to go. I'd completed something like five or six units out of the required 24.

On the other hand, what do I really need it for? My interest in internet communications has waned a little, my head is full of payroll/finance/admin stuff now. I'm dabbling with the idea of going further into accounting studies (but a nice long break first).

Hmm. Don't know. I'm hoping the five or six units I did wont go to waste, maybe applicable for credit transfer if I don't leave it too long.

Cert IV HR update

I think last year I hit a wall after signing up for this course, as I haven't got very far with it. I managed to get credits for a couple of units completed in my last subject. I've completed one of the units and put in some work for another, but have really been dragging the chain. I made enquiries about throwing in the towel, but I'm committed financially. My trainer said she refuses to let me quit! she met me the other day to see what I could shortcut through RPL. That maybe another two units. She encouraged me to use real life examples instead of the assessment exercises from the text if it is any easier (it is). So I'm a little more hopeful about getting this finished.

Holidays coming up towards the end of July, as well as a Cert IV workshop where my trainer will be. I'm aiming to finish off the easy units, get the RPL paperwork ready for her to certify me.

Will be glad when it's finished. Intend to have a good long break before the next course.

Went and did sumfing stoopid

Was so keen to do it a few months ago, went and signed up for it, now I can't really be fagged to get stuck into my Cert IV Human Resources Management course. Why oh why did I do it? My zeal for work-related study is lately exhausted. Will I never get back to my Internet Studies??

Finished bookkeeping

Ok, ok.. it took a little longer than I anticipated, so many MYOB assignments! and I got sidetracked by things at work.. like audit, annual general meeting, and the draft enterprise bargaining agreement.. but I'm so happy to say right now, it's done it's done!

A deadly boring subject the last unit – occupational health and safety, my eyes glaze over just hearing the title. But yay I’ve finished! What a relief.

Bookkeeping update

Well it's July and things have been busy at work so I'm still finishing this off.. although there is not much to go - two MYOB assignments and then the boring WPH & S unit (I'm thinking I should have got it over with earlier on). Aiming for the end of this month and I'm on track so far.

Looking ahead, I was successful in getting into the Cert IV Human Resources through a government sponsored apprenticeship scheme, supervised through my place of employement which I'm really happy about because it is not costing me or my employer anything (apart from tax dollars). I've got my first units which I've started looking at, meeting with trainer early next month.

Nearly finished bookkeeping

Aiming to get this completed by Jun 2010, with a bit of luck I'll finish ahead of schedule. Have continued to get straight HDs, I suspect the marking is pretty easy, the comments from tutor always seem to follow a set formula!

Only four units left:

1. 20980A Develop & implement policies & practices
2. 20985A Deliver professional service/resolve disputes
3. 21110B MYOB 18
4. and 21115A Apply health and safety practices in the workplace

(I've left the boring-est for last).

What to do after June? not sure, maybe finish off my Internet Comms degree.. or perhaps a Certificate in Human Resources before finishing the degree.

Doing ok with the bookkeeping course

Straight HDs so far. The material a little basic, hoping to push through and get it finished soon. The stuff I've been doing at work is way ahead of this course, but I can't knock the quals and RPLs!

Good luck Taraeta!

I discovered a short while ago that a young woman I met on a forum and got to know and like has just enrolled in the BA course I've been studying (and hope to return to next year!). I stumbled across her NET11 blog just now and maybe she'll pick up this linkback.

New direction

A halt in BA studies has occurred, due to my new job at the Hospice. I have taken over the role of Financial Support Coordinator and am in the process of formalising my bookkeeping knowledge with the Cert IV Financial Services (Bookkeeping) through CENGAGE. The role is a challenging one for me, and I hope to get through the course quickly to even out my many gaps in knowledge.

I will likely continue my degree course afterwards, although there may be some review of subject. Internet Studies has interested me greatly, but I have found the lack of career objectives to be a major hindrance to my motivation. I may switch to an Accounting or Business major, focusing on the community sector.

Is it worth it?

A bit of discussion lately about the worth of a university/college degree in the field of web design. Not the first time the topic has been discussed, it is worth noting that course offerings in the field have developed considerably in recent years offering greater choice for students.

Jonathon Christopher argues that a tertiary education does not guarantee work in the web industry, but neither is it a waste of time in terms of personal development.

Future Internet

Youtube users asking questions regarding the 'future of the internet' to the ministers and world leaders gathered in Seoul, Korea for the OECD Ministerial Meeting. (June 17~18)



A couple of awesome ones, my favourites because they make a really good point:

• CIPPIC - comparing the internet with impact on the world of Gutenberg's press
• The group of language students - talk about the multilingual issues

Public Relations & Events Management course

Having a tiny break from Internet Studies since I missed the enrolment for SP2 and must wait now until mid-August to enrol for SP3.

In the meantime have signed up for a certificate course through CENGAGE Education - Public Relations and Events Management. I have 18 months to complete this one but it seems fairly lightweight (we'll see), I might be able to knock it off much quicker than that.

It is a career development choice, as mentioned in previous post.

Sell you a raffle ticket?

With the boss away these past five weeks I have been so pre-occupied with extra work that study has fallen further and further behind. So I have reluctantly withdrawn from NED23.

I am now thinking carefully about what I want to do and re-evaluating my study goals. In the last six months I've grown to like my new job in the community sector, although it is only part-time there is room for career development into public relations, fundraising, event management. Fortunately the units I've done in Internet Studies wont go astray there. The design units in particular have proven very useful for work.

I'll give it all some more thought and make a decision after my boss gets back.