College Majors and your profession

[jlee1]

I am transferring to a bigger institution and facing a dilemma. I want to study Economics(preferably Environmental) and maybe minor in Philosophy. However, I do like working with computers and the whole language of Information Systems interests me. Which should I major in: Econ or CIS? The institution I'm planning to attend has a top ranked school for CIS(top 30 in the nation) and the department for Economics is well-respected also. I've done some research and still don't know which to study. Maybe Econ and CSI minor? or CSI and Econ minor? or stick with my original Econ and Philosophy minor. Can anyone with knowledge on any of these areas of studies enlighten me please? Also while you're here, I would like to know what your majors are/were/is along with your soon to be/current/past profession. Thank You!

 

[Printer Bandit]

major: EE
profession: EE

 

[highland145]

comp E.


endoskeletal fragmentation specialist

 

[JJ650]

major: physics
Profession: sales coordinator/manager

 

[Exterous]

When you mean 'working with computers' do you mean building and maintaining personal computers? If so, stay with Econ. The positions that make money in IT rarely do basic computer work. They also tend to involve a lot of after hours work

Major: Architecture

Profession: Network Admin

 

[Ns1]

major: accounting/AIS
profession: business analyst

 

[darkxshade]

Majored in economics, minored in psychology, also dabbled in philosophy, business, & CS.

Am a business analyst.

Like you, I too struggled with deciding between the two. I ultimately choose economics because where I lived(NY), it was more likely to get me a job. I would have picked CS if I lived out West.

 

[MotionMan]

Original Major: Computer Science;
Degree Major: Psychology (Minor in Social Ecology);
Profession: Lawyer.

MotionMan

 

[Jeeebus]

Political Science

Law talking guy

 

[Red Storm]

Major: Network Security

Profession: Network Admin

 

[Alienwho]

If you want to get a job when you complete school, go with IS. Get relevant job experience along the way though. Get a masters if you want to get the best jobs much easier.

The econ/philosophy approach is noble, yet naive. Every econ major I know couldn't hack the business school and fell back to econ cause it's easier.

This is just my opinion, but it's fact based on my own personal experience. I have several friends (myself included) that made $40-50k as developers/admins/programmers while in school. Every one of us who have gotten a masters in IS have at least doubled our salary within 1 year of graduation and been able to choose between several job opportunities.

 

[bommy261]

Major: EE
Job: EE

 

[chusteczka]

The university of Illinois requires an applied minor in another curriculum, to obtain an engineering degree in CS. This highlights the need to apply programming skills to some focused area. Therefore, my recommendation is to major in Economics and minor in CIS. Apply your main focus on theoretical skills in economics and finance, and learn how to program. This combination will lead to a financial occupation where you may either focus on economic/financial theory or programming, depending on your interests.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Political Science

Law talking guy

same

 

[NutBucket]

major: EE
profession: EE

This

 

[rh71]

major: Communication
minor: MIS
reality: i hate skool

profession: web dev

btw, agreed with advice above about real-world experience getting you the job you want. AKA internships. More skool isn't in the books for me tho.

 

[Ns1]

The university of Illinois requires an applied minor in another curriculum, to obtain an engineering degree in CS. This highlights the need to apply programming skills to some focused area. Therefore, my recommendation is to major in Economics and minor in CIS. Apply your main focus on theoretical skills in economics and finance, and learn how to program. This combination will lead to a financial occupation where you may either focus on economic/financial theory or programming, depending on your interests.

if you're doing this I'd suggest the accounting information systems program that I enrolled in above...

WAY more options than econ/CS IMHO, and only 1 degree instead of 2.

 

[gorcorps]

Whatever you do, don't do philosophy. Waste of time and doesn't help your career at all.

 

[highland145]

Whatever you do, don't do philosophy. Waste of time and doesn't help your career at all.

Are those words of wisdom?

 

[Crusty]

Degree: comp sci
Occupation: high frequency trading

 

[SsupernovaE]

Major: Physics and Math
Profession: Diddledalyer

 

[roguerower]

Degree: BS Building Construction

Occupation: Commercial Construction Management

 

[chusteczka]

if you're doing this I'd suggest the accounting information systems program that I enrolled in above...

WAY more options than econ/CS IMHO, and only 1 degree instead of 2.

IMO, that choice is a matter of personal interest. The application of accounting, economics, or finance each provide different opportunities that would take a person in different directions. Each is similar to the other with little advantage of one being better than the others.

I minored in accounting and it has provided opportunities for me with database programming in insurance and software development for farm accounting. Other opportunities included consulting for any of the big accounting firms but I purposely stayed away from those.

Economics and finance could get a person into the banking or even stock trading arenas. This area provides large financial rewards in a cut-throat industry with much stress but can be a great area for someone interested.

 

[sactoking]

You could always get a degree in econ with a minor in CIS/CS, specialize in econometrics, and then cause the next market crash because you apply Gaussian models to finance.

 

[Remobz]

I had a weird background.

I got an associates degree in Liberal Arts and Business Admin and worked for a few years after in Family Body works/Automotive business.

Started University at age 24 and Majored in International Development Studies with a minor in Econ because I wanted to travel the world working for an NGO in least developed countries (third world).

Then my mother died and I went to work in the family business (Body works/ Auto repair) and basically had to learn a trade as well. We own a chain of stores and other assets. I am a co-owner and work along with my father and sister who are co-owners themselves.



Sometimes life has different plans for us I guess.