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choosing a college major

S

Seraphim974

Gawd
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
928
Sooo i am going to college soon and i am thinking about majoring in Computer science or something similar. This is actually where the confusion comes in, what the difference between the two majors are: Computer science and computer information systems. As far as i know right now, CS is more programming based :p while CIS is more of the networking aspect of computers...am i right? I will obviously check in with someone from school but if anyone knows anything about which one would be better for someone who likes the physical rather than the completely programming based aspect of computers. But, hey, maybe i will get a hold of the programming. My dad went to school as a mathematican for 8 years!
 
I would recommend systems administration as there is more of a chance for advancement in it. CS will most likely get you a mostly dead end programming job in a cubicle.
 
right now I'm taking computer science programming track operating systems. Listen a computer course is a computer course. It's what you make of it. If you choise to advance beyond what you have learned then all is good. If you take the course just to look intellegent in front of your friends then you will have a dead end job. Make the best of your course and shot for new things.

P.S. I don't learn sh)t about game programming in my course but I'm taking it upon myself to learn it so i don't end up in the sh#t end of nowhere.
 
Every college calls it something different. You need to read up on the majors offered at the colleges your considering. Then find what appeals to you. I just finished in Dec with my IS degree from Drexel. I can tell you that it's mostly theory, nothing replaces real world experience. You may be able to get a job half way through that will pay for the rest of it. HP paid 3 years of my tuition for me. If you can find a school that does a "co-op" program like Drexel's, do it. You get paid, while you learn on the job, and it opens a hundred doors for you.
 
Remeber too, dont pick a school just because ONE Department kicks ass and the rest arnt so good, you never know if you will change your major! In my case, i was dead set in a CS degree before i went to college, within 2 semesters i found i liked electronics alot more and now i couldnet be happier!
 
Software Engineering is the best. Its bascially telling programmers what to write :D
 
Personally, i'd choose computer science over systems administration. SA has too much about how to maintain a system and how to upgrade and other procedures and lack in depth technological details. Unless you like stuff like that, i would recommend computer science
 
RancidWAnnaRIot said:
Go EE!!! computer science will get you no where.... well almost no where..
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...I always said that in life you should do what you enjoy doing and I don't think that computer science will lead nowhere.
 
I would choose computer engineering over comp sci. IMO, comp sci is too stressful and you constantly need to catch up with new software etc...eek
 
Go for a Computer Engineering degree if your school offers it. It's like a mix of EE and CS. At my school it was mostly EE with some CS classes instead of some EE classes. I was happy because I didn't have to take Emag. Although now I'm going for a M.S. in EE so I hope that doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.
 
I should clear up some things here. Software Engineering in most schools, and in the job world, is about the same as programming, which is typically called Computer Science. Software Engineers do the coding, but are also involved in the project management phase as well. The Systems Design Life Cycle anyone?

Also, I don't think you will find anything called Systems Administration. That sounds way to specialized (read, small scale). I hated Engineering and Comp Sci ( I hate coding), so I went into IT ( Information Systems Technology). There are many MANY specializations to choose from later on, but you handle technical stuff, networking, security, project managament, etc. You can focus on something in particular later on in your career. It's a good well rounded degree that should allow you to be considered for many types of jobs.
 
May i suggest something...

After my first year of college classes, and meeting tons of people i have found that its easier to be an undecided major for a year or 2 so that you can take a variety of classes and decide exactly what you want to do. I know seniors who have been here 6-7 years because they were on one track for a year or more and then decided to change majors.
 
r00 said:
May i suggest something...

After my first year of college classes, and meeting tons of people i have found that its easier to be an undecided major for a year or 2 so that you can take a variety of classes and decide exactly what you want to do. I know seniors who have been here 6-7 years because they were on one track for a year or more and then decided to change majors.
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If you spend time taking those classes, and then 2 years in decided to declare, your wasting most of those classes. Undecided Majors don't take many classes that can be used as credit for when they do declare a major. My opinion is, it's not worth the time, money, or effort to take college classes unless they are going to count towards your degree. If your not sure what you want to do, you shouldn't be in college. Changing later on is fine, and will set you back a little, but if you haven't been able to decide on a major, save your money and go get a job. Then when your ready to decide, your ready to go to college.
 
Don't make your Hobby your job, because then you'll hate both!

Be a Geologist

Caliche
 
Caliche said:
Don't make your Hobby your job, because then you'll hate both!

Be a Geologist

Caliche
Click to expand...

I'm not going to make any assumptions about your work level, age, etc.

But, when you can wake up in the morning and go to a job you enjoy, and get paid well to do something you enjoy, it doesn't get much better than that.
 
Lord Blackdrgaon said:
right now I'm taking computer science programming track operating systems. Listen a computer course is a computer course. It's what you make of it. If you choise to advance beyond what you have learned then all is good. If you take the course just to look intellegent in front of your friends then you will have a dead end job. Make the best of your course and shot for new things.

P.S. I don't learn sh)t about game programming in my course but I'm taking it upon myself to learn it so i don't end up in the sh#t end of nowhere.
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm doing somewhat. I'm going back to school for Computer Science, but I want to focus more on game development.
 
well, I wouldn't get into any of those majors. Do some research on the whole outsourcing thing, and the H1-B insourcing thing. You'll be quite depressed.
 
Caliche said:
Don't make your Hobby your job, because then you'll hate both!

Be a Geologist

Caliche
Click to expand...

Or A porn star! :D

But yeah, programming is not a hobby of mine. I do various and other things, mostly related to computers. Knowing me, 5 years after I graduate with my Bachelor's, I'll probably go back for something else again.

<------ Professional Student ;)
 
I got a Bachelor's degree in CS in May of '03 ... coincidentally, I have been looking for a new job since May of '03 as well. Fuck that noise, I applied to business school and am working on a Master's in CS as well :mad:
 
A friend of mine and I came to the very same conclusion--don't make what your hobby your job. It sounds like it would be great, but after you spend all day working on computers, will you really want to come home and mess with yours? Well, I'm sure a lot of us would say "yes," but the reality is different.

I am majoring in Political Science and Sociology, and will be starting law school next year, and I'm still [H]ard.
 
Negotiator said:
A friend of mine and I came to the very same conclusion--don't make what your hobby your job. It sounds like it would be great, but after you spend all day working on computers, will you really want to come home and mess with yours? Well, I'm sure a lot of us would say "yes," but the reality is different.

I am majoring in Political Science and Sociology, and will be starting law school next year, and I'm still [H]ard.
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Your reality isn't everyone's reality, keep that in mind. Second, these people are talking about college degrees and then careers. No one goes to college to sit and build desktop machines for a living. I used my hobby of building and fixing computers to get me started into the IT field. I'd also argue that if you love a hobby enough, the more time a day you spend doing it, the better. It doesn't seem like you and your friend have a whole lot of experience in the "real" world.....when you do, you'll realize the importance of loving your job.
 
I am planning on doing CIS, but my school also offers business computer systems. What would be the difference?
 
winuser2000 said:
I am planning on doing CIS, but my school also offers business computer systems. What would be the difference?
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Business Computer Systems is probably the same as MIS in most places. It's focusing more on Project Management, and less on the technology. You still get your feet wet into the tech end, but not in any great detail. You'd be taking classes in Resource Management, Systems Life Cycles, etc. Your CIS is probably more into the tech side of things, but let's you get your feet wet into the PM stuff too.
 
I recommend double majoring in computer science and business or at least try to get a business minor. With those extra business skills you should be able to work up higher than with just your computer skills alone. Also, college is NOT job training. If you just want to be a programmer or a sysadmin or something, then go to a school like devry or ITT tech. If you tried to use a CS degree as job training then everything would be outdated by the time you got out there into the job market. Instead, a CS degree is supposed to set you up so that you can then go to a job and learn what you need to know for that job. Not many people can just jump out of college and go straight into their dream job. That's what internships and work study and all that stuff is for. In the computer industry(as well as a lot of others), experience matters!

All in all, I recommend CS with a side of business. btw, I would much rather do something I enjoy doing than do something that I really don't care about.
 
Don't make you hobby a career or job???? I know tons of CS majors that worked in the computer fields for 10's, 20's years and still come home and mess around with their computers. Some people love computers to a point that they want to work in that field for a living. some people work on computers to look good somewhere. You are not a true lover of computers
 
Went to school for CS....got a job out of college working on enterprise level PBX's....its a pretty neat job.
 
There are hobbies I have that I'm pretty sure I would begin to hate if I had to make a living with them. For instance, I play the keyboard and sing. I fool around in a band from time to time but I'm sure that, if I had to play the keyboard just to put food on the table, it would cease to be something I enjoy doing.

OTOH, I also enjoy working on and building PC's. I've worked as a desktop support tech in the past for around 4 years and I have to say that was the most fun I've had making a living in my 14 years as a working pro. Now that I've gone back to my engineering roots, I can see how much I miss being a helpdesk dude. I wasn't paid nearly what I make now but I sure did like the work --and, yes, I did come home and work on my own PC's after work! The problem with working as a Helpdesk Tech. (or Desktop Support Tech.) is that most large companies consider those positions "entry level" on your way to becomming a Network Administrator. I have a big problem with that considering the skill set and people skills you need for the two positions are completely different. While, yes, you will still work building PC's from time to time, a Helpdesk Tech deals with the "customer" a lot more than the Network Admin. does. After working around a lot of Network Admin's, I concluded that I never want to be one myself. That changed the entire direction I was going in concerning my education. I will probably stop with the CompTIA certifications instead of going for the full MCSE stuff. I just don't expect to make a lot of $$ doing it -but at least I'll go to work happy and come home happy.
 
CIS is a dead horse... i worked it for close to three years until i got tired of being laid off time and time again from companies like HP and Micron...

get into networking if you want stability and retirement, otherwise do what ive done and keep your computer hobby as far away from your career as possible and work for hospital or become a geologist
 
djnes said:
It doesn't seem like you and your friend have a whole lot of experience in the "real" world.....when you do, you'll realize the importance of loving your job.
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Yeah, for the last twenty-one years I have been living on a spaceship and traveling across the galaxy. What the hell are you talking about? My friend and I are both going to top-tier law schools, and neither of us are getting there on mommy or daddy's money. I worked to get where i am, I enjoy what I do, and I don't really appreciate your comment.

If you are getting a computer science degree, you might as well get used to being laid off and downsized, because most of these jobs are being shipped overseas.
 
As for BCS, I worked with a BCS major for two years -- when I worked at a gas station in high school while she never found a job. BCS is a joke, avoid it at all costs.
 
CE is nice....its a good mix of EE and CS, keeps your options open. and get a minor! like business or something, it always looks good. i think im going to minor in AI :)
 
That is what I did and now I'm almost finished with a dual degree in Information Systems and Geography also I have three minors economics, e-business, and gaming management. By choosing classes that you enjoy and interest you, you actually get up and go to the classes thus earning higher grades. I have friends from both fields CIS and CS the CS guys work programming slot/gaming machines 24/7 but they enjoy it because of the fringe benefits of playing video games, a relaxed work environment ect. While my friend who are IS majors hate their job because they have to deal with all the s*** of user who download virus, crash computer, eat bandwidth download crap, ect. but the IS guys do get to move up into management and they also interact with real people. You must ask yourself do you like to interact with people because that is the major difference it the majors. Good luck and take as much time as possible for the real world such stay in school.
 
Go into nanotechnology. Its going to be the next big thing in many different industries from computers to the medical field. Many schools offer degrees in nano physics now too. I just think that if you want a career that is defiantly going to go places I would look into that. Just my opinion.

I know this was totaly off topic but i had to throw it out.
 
When I was 12 in 1991, me and my friend were running a BBS, and I knew computers were my thing. Flash-forward to today: the market is saturated (*everybody* got the idea to jump on the bandwagon after the Internet went mainstream), the rough economic times mean people in all areas of employment have seen layoffs, and there is a mass exodus of jobs offshore...Everyone in my comp classes seemed to feel they would be network rulers or software engineers, there's just too many...it does not bode well. The average non-tech person flocks to web or graphic design, but there is not much room for advancement there either and its been overcrowded for years. Dylan is right..If you are going to set your sights higher, you need some sort of management or business orientation. Check out these jobs, sweet but the requirements are STEEP!:

Equities Arbitages Quants
$300,000/yr

Well at least I got 780 on the math SAT, one down, 328974 requirements to go lol
 
Caliche said:
Don't make your Hobby your job, because then you'll hate both!

Be a Geologist

Caliche
Click to expand...
Exactly, I love building computers... but i'm in a masters program to be a history teacher :) Diversify!
 
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