Help with my degree

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Reply # 907253 3-Oct-2013 16:07

vexxxboy: my son is in his first year of BSc in Computer Science and Chinese at Waikato, He has discovered he doesn"t want to carry on with computers even though he passed with an A+ average he just finds it boring and he now wants to switch to a teaching degree and teach english to Chinese speaking students in China, so he has wasted a whole year and a few thousand $ finding that out.

heisenberg: Now the Bachelor of science degree, i want to do computer science but don't understand what i will be learning in it. I want to learn java and webdesign while also learn about networks etc.. I am a little confused on the BSc side of things and don't know what i should/could learn.

I don't know if its the right place, but i need your advice :)

thanks guys!

With a nick like that I would suggest chemistry. To an advanced level.

A science degree with a major in computer science will instruct you in all aspects of computer science and software development. Your first year will be mathematics, communication, and a couple of programming papers at least. The programming courses are literally that. You will be doing assignments that involve you solving problems in Java/Python/whatever your university prefers.

As you progress you will see and use more languages and frameworks. I don't remember now but I'm not sure web development is part of the degree by default but most schools offer a couple of classes in it and you get a bunch of electives you can add to your degree. Networking papers will also be options you may pick from when building your degree, you can really do it all.

heisenberg

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Reply # 907391 3-Oct-2013 19:16

Firstly i love both sides, computers and commerce. I have read all your comments a few times and am trying my best to understand.

To be perfectly honest i dont know what i want to be or do and that is why i ask you guys what would be the best option in terms of job security.

On the computing side, i am very interested in programming in various languages and networking.

If i did accounting and marketing for example, would i have more chance of getting a decent job than learning programming and networking/mathematics?

Also, one could say after you land a job in the commerce market, you get to keep it as long as you work well. On the other hand, would you agree that most jobs produced from a computer science degrees are contract type, so i work for 6months and then i have to go hunting again? Or is it easy to find a secure job in the computer science industry? Especially in new zealand?

Another factor is money, which job earns more? I am sorry i know its a stupid question but i just want to get an idea from real people. In nz.

Thank you so much for helping me out here guys. Means so much :)

JarrodM

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Reply # 907402 3-Oct-2013 19:31

I'm currently doing a BCOM majoring in Accounting at Victoria, going to add a Commercial Law major too as I plan on becoming a Chartered Accountant, and to meet the requirements for that you only need to do one more paper to get the com law major too. becoming a Chartered Accountant boosts your earning potential (or so they say), means you can become a partner in a firm too. so If you go for accounting I'd recommend you do that too.

heisenberg

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Reply # 907418 3-Oct-2013 19:43

I am a little confused on the degree making side of things, like how they say you can mix and match..

How would an accounting and computer science major work? Because i dont believe economics will take me anywhere.

JarrodM

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Reply # 907422 3-Oct-2013 19:52

heisenberg: I am a little confused on the degree making side of things, like how they say you can mix and match..

How would an accounting and computer science major work? Because i dont believe economics will take me anywhere.

You'd be looking at a double degree there. BCOM majoring in Accounting and BSc majoring in Computer Science.
edit: or conjoint degree. only requires 540 points vs 360 x2 for the double degree.

psychrn

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Reply # 907425 3-Oct-2013 19:53

Sounds like you need to talk to someone at the university.
Career advice as well may be helpful

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Kim587

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Reply # 907428 3-Oct-2013 19:59

heisenberg: I am a little confused on the degree making side of things, like how they say you can mix and match..

How would an accounting and computer science major work? Because i dont believe economics will take me anywhere.

Yeah I don't think that would work as a double major because they're from different University Colleges. But in terms of mixing and matching, each course is normally worth either 15 or 30 points and you normally have to get 360 for a degree. Normally there's a set amount of points that you can use from any undergrad course to count for towards your degree, like for a BSc you could do 90 points worth of English and it would still count towards your degree. So you could do something like major in computer science and do a few accounting courses on the side if you want.
It sounds like you should visit a career advisor at the university, they'd be able to give far more information.

heisenberg

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Reply # 907432 3-Oct-2013 20:08

JarrodM:
heisenberg: I am a little confused on the degree making side of things, like how they say you can mix and match..

How would an accounting and computer science major work? Because i dont believe economics will take me anywhere.

You'd be looking at a double degree there. BCOM majoring in Accounting and BSc majoring in Computer Science.
edit: or conjoint degree. only requires 540 points vs 360 x2 for the double degree.

I would love to do a conjoint degree in BSc and Computer science. This would allow me to do both things i want to do at once in not much more time than a single degree. The only problem is looking at the list of conjoint degrees avaliable at victoria, BCom and BSc aren't available together.

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/study/programmes-courses/undergraduates/conjoint-double

JarrodM

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Reply # 907444 3-Oct-2013 20:21

heisenberg:
JarrodM:
heisenberg: I am a little confused on the degree making side of things, like how they say you can mix and match..

How would an accounting and computer science major work? Because i dont believe economics will take me anywhere.

You'd be looking at a double degree there. BCOM majoring in Accounting and BSc majoring in Computer Science.
edit: or conjoint degree. only requires 540 points vs 360 x2 for the double degree.

I would love to do a conjoint degree in BSc and Computer science. This would allow me to do both things i want to do at once in not much more time than a single degree. The only problem is looking at the list of conjoint degrees avaliable at victoria, BCom and BSc aren't available together.

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/study/programmes-courses/undergraduates/conjoint-double

the list of bachelors there are a list of the ones you can do conjoint (I think). so you'd want the Bachelor of commerce and Bachelor of Science. as it says there though you should talk to someone at the uni. the student advice email for the faculty of commerce at vic is fcom-sas@vuw.ac.nz or course-advice@vuw.ac.nz for general course advice. I'm sure they'll be able to help you out.

Kim587

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Reply # 907454 3-Oct-2013 20:29

heisenberg:
JarrodM:
heisenberg: I am a little confused on the degree making side of things, like how they say you can mix and match..

How would an accounting and computer science major work? Because i dont believe economics will take me anywhere.

You'd be looking at a double degree there. BCOM majoring in Accounting and BSc majoring in Computer Science.
edit: or conjoint degree. only requires 540 points vs 360 x2 for the double degree.

I would love to do a conjoint degree in BSc and Computer science. This would allow me to do both things i want to do at once in not much more time than a single degree. The only problem is looking at the list of conjoint degrees avaliable at victoria, BCom and BSc aren't available together.

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/study/programmes-courses/undergraduates/conjoint-double

It looks to me as if they are available as conjoint degrees.
You could also consider doing one as a minor, although obviously a double degree would look better on the CV!
I'd get in touch with someone at the university asap, they'll be able to give you much more detailed advice.

heisenberg

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Reply # 907457 3-Oct-2013 20:33

i plan to contact the uni tomorrow :)

Thanks for all your help guys, just one final question.

What pays more? Accounting or Programming? I know its a tough question to answer.

heisenberg

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Reply # 907464 3-Oct-2013 20:39

Are jobs usually fixed for a programmer like an accountant? or is it more contract based and so you have to keep looking for jobs?

cheers

deadlyllama

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Reply # 907466 3-Oct-2013 20:48

heisenberg: Are jobs usually fixed for a programmer like an accountant? or is it more contract based and so you have to keep looking for jobs?

cheers

Don't know what it's like for an accountant, but most IT work that I know of is normal, open-ended employment. Unless you want to work for Weta, who only take contractors (and make them work 50 hour weeks). My understanding that most or all fixed term IT contract work is for experienced people, so it's not the sort of thing you'd get straight out of uni anyway. I've been at my current workplace for 4 years and don't intend on leaving anytime soon.

JimmyH

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Reply # 907474 3-Oct-2013 21:14

My thoughts for what they are worth:

Firstly, you need to get career advice from a professional before taking any final decisions. This is IMPERATIVE given that you aren't sure what you want to do or how to get there, and may save you from some fairly costly mistakes.

Secondly, think carefully about whether to go for a double degree. It usually adds a year and, instead of the extra year getting a double degree, it might be a better idea to get a single degree and then do an honours year (or even masters). Which is best will depend greatly on the degree, the subject area, major, and where you want to go.

There are jobs in economics. But you probably won't get them with just a bachelors degree. Last time I was involved in interviewing (quite a while ago) the rule of thumb was that you needed at least a good honours degree to be considered for shortlisting, and that was only if there weren't enough applicants with masters or higher to fill out the short list. I can't comment on accounting, marketing or comp sci etc, but good graduate opportunities in economics are very competitive to get into.

Also, as well as the degree, the papers you take can make a huge difference to the job you get. Labour economics if you are interested in industrial relations and might want to work at the Department of Labour, finance and money papers if you want a bank or the Reserve Bank, microeconomics if you want to be be involved in regulation etc.

But, and I can't stress this enough, talk to the University and get some professional career advice.

gjm

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Reply # 907480 3-Oct-2013 21:27

I went through uni about 12 years ago doing a BCom at Auckland majoring in Info Systems. I started off with a management major but switched after the first year. I work as a System Engineer now and really love what I do.

I had a number of friends that majored in accounting and also did commercial law. Those that went on to become chartered accountants are now earning some serious coin, much more than I do, esp one that is a chief management account at a firm in London. However I wouldnt change as I love what I do.

My point, try and figure out what you like doing the most and go with that. If you become very good at whatever you choose then the jobs should follow.

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