Finish college as CS Major? 2

[papernate]

I'm going to start my Jr. year as a ComSci major, and I have one pretty good internship under my belt (well, after this next week). From what I read here, and other places, I'm worried about the job market when I graduate. My main training at school is in C++/Java, which from what I read is an oversaturated area. I also know Access/VBA/SQL. Should I finish as CS major, and then specialize myself to increase my value, continue on and get my Master's and hope things will improve when I am done with that, or cut my losses and switch degrees, etc?


I appreciate any advice that can be given. I'm trying to get as many opinions about this as possible - it's obviously a big decision.

 

[CajunCenturion]

If you can finish your CS degree, then I would do so. There is no way to judge the job market two years from now based on what it is today. With respect to the decision on graduate school, I would defer that until later. It's not a decision you have to make right now. Besides, it's the junior and senior level courses in CS where you get into some of the real meat of what Computer Science is all about. You may also find that these advanced courses may help you in deciding just where you might want to specialize.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[SPguru]

First, what do you WANT to do? Program or networking? Databases?

Why did you get a CS and not an IS degree which has more business in the program of study?

If you go on to get a Master's, is it going to be in CS?

What would you specialize in (you mentioned specializing)?

There are jobs out there, but more competition for them. Some are disgruntled, sure, but for anyone to say "get out of IS" is ridiculous. Technology is increasing in everyone's daily lives, so there are always going to be tech people around, it is just that jobs shift, same as any industry.

 

[varocho]

papernate, the only thing I'd add is that you should consider taking some business courses, if you're looking to develop business apps in a corporate environment after graduation.

 

[SPguru]

Another thing, to add to Cajun's remark about finishing your degree in CS.

The number of graduates who do not get a job in their major field of study is something like 70% (it has been too long since I have seen the actual number, but it is high, if not higher than 70). Another point is that many people not only change jobs in their lifetimes, but careers too.

So, finishing your degree in any subject is the most important point, not the subject itself.

 

[PenelopeC]

SPGuru -- I concur! I'm supposed to be an Urban Planner

It doesn't matter WHAT I got my degree in, what DOES matter is that my salary has increased by $35K in the three years since I graduated (Masters). Having the schooling under your belt proves to people you can start something important and finish it.

FWIWMTC

PenelopeC
~~~>-/O~~~~~swimming right along

 

[chiph]

You should absolutely finish your degree. The only exception is if you've started a business out of your dorm room like Michael Dell did, in which case take the money!

Regarding the job market -- I think by the time you graduate things will be back to normal. Many people believe the economy (generally) runs on an 8-11 year cycle, and the last recession we had was just before the first Gulf War in 1991.

Chip H.

 

[SPguru]

Manufacturing was up and expansion was 2.9% for the last quarter, as well as a drop in unemployment. So, the signs are there that the economy is slowly recovering.

And yes, the economy is cyclical like everything else. The only thing is because of the 90's the economic expansion and growth was greater and longer than it ever had been, and was due to recede as it always has and always will.

What was seen in the 90's will probably never be seen again, because I believe it to be an economic abnormality. The bubble was going to burst, how could a "business" that had no capital be worth a billion dollars, just because it was riding the dot.com explosion?

It was absurd, and people made tons of money - while others lost tons of cash - all on virtual business.

It will take time to right itself but already it is, but it won't be as illogical in growth as the 90's.

 

[papernate]

Thanks everybody. I guess I've been on the nervous side with all that I've been reading. I do plan on finishing my CS degree - I just was worried about getting burned when I graduated.

As a side note, being a newbie, I've grown fond of Tek-tips. I like being able to come here and have questions answered by people who know what they are talking about. I hope that I'll be able to give back when I am more experienced.

SPGuru -

I enjoy programming. I'd also like the challenge of setting up a network, but having observed some Admins at work all summer, I think I'd become bored with resetting passwords and the like (they sit next to me and I would swear half of what they do is reset passwords and plug things in ). Databases are also mildly interesting, to me.

I'm taking a business class or two this year as an elective, and I'm also taking some very "meat & bones" CS classes. What I major in for a Master's degree, to a large extent, will be based on how well I like my classes this year (should I decide to get one).

I really have no idea what I would specialize in! I still have alot to learn.

 

[Jedi420]

papernate,

I'm a senior in college about to finish up in November. I started as CS, but later changed my major to Information Technology because I wanted a broader scope in my education (IT takes a few cookies from the jar whereas CS just knocks the damn thing over and takes them all!). I go to RIT (the Rochester Institute of Technology). What I got was a very good wide view of the field of computing and what one could do in it. Ironically, taking this view in, I decided that programming is my main passion (at the time, game programming), but since that realization hit me at the end of my sophmore year, I decided to stay in IT and just use all my electives for CS and SE (software engineering) classes.

I would not switch degrees if I were you and you do truly love programming. IS (or MIS) is rather dull (I dont particulary care about business administration or any of the like). IT, which at least at my school, (we have CS, IT, SE, MIS, & CE as the big computing majors), is more for DBA's, web designers, web programmers (I dont think CS even touches web programming ... they probably think its too low for them), network admins and sys admins. If programming is what you do ... stay in CS. I wish I did. I have knowledge on par with the kids who graduate with a CS degree, but that's the one thing that I lack ... a CS degree! (an IT degree from RIT will get you far though, its more of a pride thing)

I myself plan on going back to school for my masters in Software Engineering (hopefully from CMU since I'm in pittsburgh now). I think I'll have my company foot the bill however (%100 tution reimbursement if you get an A).

Perhaps the one piece of advice I can give you is NEVER STOP LEARNING. And you don't have to be in school to do that. But think of all the litte punks who'll be graduating in about 5 years, clawing at your heels for your job. Keep on top of your skills, no matter what they are, and you'll be better off than %70 of the IT workforce is today!

-Jedi420

A man who has risked his life knows that careers are worthless, and a man who will not risk his career has a worthless life.