What to Study to become an Designer / Architect

Question

Hi,
This post may have nothing to do with code, but I still wanted to ask you people because I know all of you have different experiences. I have finished my studies from a polytechnic college. Found a job and worked in the UK for some time. Now I came back to my home country, and realized that no one takes the course I have seriously in my country. Therefore I decided to continue study.
I am most interested to remain in the Java world, however even personally I like to see what other technologies have to offer. However although I spend most of my time coding (even partially as a hobby) I feel I do not want to work as a programmer. The fact is I do not like the idea of someone telling me what to code.
I feel more comfortable in the design world, and suggesting design solutions on how to implement a certain solution for a particular problem domain. As I said I am not going to find a job in this area unless I have proper qualifications to back me up. So my question is what university course would you people take?
I thought of BSC IT. Since there is some business involved with it, and not just coding. Everyone is telling me to do that, however I do not know how much business has to do with designing.
I also understand that it will involve me a lot of hard work to arrive there and a simple course will not turn me to a designer, but I was just wondering n what kind of qualification you people think I need to get.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Regards,
Sim085

Answer 1

First of all thanks for your post :)
That seems to suggest that you don't like being a
lackey but not so much that you don't like
programming. On a perhaps related note I would say
that one cannot aspire to be even a competent
designer unless one is prepared to spend a goodly
amount of time with ones' hand in code. How else will
you be able to learn about new technologies and the
implementation of design methodologies? I don't
believe that is possible. You are completely right, I am not imagining myself in a situation where I do not touch any code. However I would like that my employer considers for a moment my ideas on how a solution should be implemented. At the moment I am giving ideas, and they always refuse them, go to someone more qualified then me, tell them the exact same thing, and then everything is ok. That is why I am searching for more qualifications
At any rate whatever path you take a BSC is always
good. Much, much, much more valuable than a BA or
certification or other thingies. A BSC says to
potential employers that you have the capability to
think and plan logically and in a scientific process.
And people may have different opinions but legally a
BSC is more valuable and that is a fact. For example
if I wanted to work in the U.S. (which I don't
particularly but just as an example) with a BSC I
have a chance. With a BA or something else... almost
no chance. And with a BSC IT and programming experience can I aim to become a designer? or there are some levels of other jobs I need to do?
Please do not get me wrong, I am ready to work hard for this, however I want to arrive in that position as soon as possible.
And while you may not want to move again I think a
BSC just opens more doors and opportunities for you
no matter what path you take so in my mind if you are
considering it I would encourage you to follow
through.In my country they mostly work by seniority (according to age you get a promotion). I being still very young do not like that much, and would like to advance in my career as fast as I can. I do not know why I am like that .. always in a hurry.
I also thought about the qualifications offered by Sun. Do you think they would be valued?
Regards,
sim085