Computer Systems Engineering or Information Systems (BCom) at University of Auckland?

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sonyxperiageek

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#207866 17-Jan-2017 16:10

I got offered a place in the University of Auckland's Engineering programme, and I also applied for Information Systems (BCom) which is still pending. I am not sure what to choose if I want to do something along the lines of being a System Administrator/ Network Engineer / IT Project Manager further down the track.

Does anybody have any sage advice on which programme to do?

Thanks in advance!

Sony

sidefx

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#1704790 17-Jan-2017 16:29

I went through the BE:CSE course (first year it was offered, and a year or 2 before they started offering Software Engineering) and thought it was great, though I've ended up working more in the software engineering field. IMO uni was more about learning how to learn and getting a handle on first principles in general than learning specific IT skills or tools or languages. A lot of what we did was embedded systems, low level c and assembly, communications theory, etc which I haven't used since, but I still think it laid a good foundation for IT work in general...

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dryburn

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#1704805 17-Jan-2017 16:46

I also studied CSE, I didn't do it in NZ but it was a mix between Software Dev, DB Admin and Electronics. I had friends who did pure IT and they found it pretty boring. with CSE you get a mix of skills which gives you exposure to different technologies. In the end employers hardly look into exactly what modules you studied, they just look at the Degree name.

Lias

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#1704820 17-Jan-2017 17:05

sonyxperiageek:

I want to do something along the lines of being a System Administrator/ Network Engineer / IT Project Manager further down the track.

In my opinion, both of those degrees are about as relevant to System Administrator/ Network Engineer jobs as studying zoology or sociology. Go look at some of the courses from Unitech, Techtorium, MiT, AuT, etc.

*edit* Disclaimer I'm an infrastructure engineer by trade, and I've previously worked in the IT departments for a couple of tertiary providers, none of them in Auckland or as yet mentioned on this page.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

1eStar

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#1704943 17-Jan-2017 22:41

You will be way more employable after doing the engineering degree than the bcom course. Besides which it will be way more interesting.

sonyxperiageek

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#1705249 18-Jan-2017 14:46

I've decided to do Engineering and just accepted their offer. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

Sony

sidefx

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#1705252 18-Jan-2017 14:50

Good choice - If it's anything like it was 20ish years ago it'll be harder but more interesting and IMO more worthwhile\valuable :) Have fun.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

trig42

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#1705284 18-Jan-2017 15:32

And (when I was there anyway) the School of Engineering had the best p!ss ups!

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dryburn

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#1705291 18-Jan-2017 15:44

Just to prepare you.... http://www.memecenter.com/search/engineer

sidefx

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#1705292 18-Jan-2017 15:44

trig42:

And (when I was there anyway) the School of Engineering had the best p!ss ups!

^^ Hah true dat too. I remember a couple of particularly good ones in the basement of St Pauls (IIRC... memory of said Steins is a little hazy ;-) )

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

sonyxperiageek

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#1705305 18-Jan-2017 15:51

dryburn:

Just to prepare you.... http://www.memecenter.com/search/engineer

There seem to be a lot of memes about students not getting girls in engineering lol!

Sony