Is Computer Information Systems a good major to take

[LW07]

or should I switch my major to Information Technology or Computer Science?

And is it true that someone with a Computer Science degree can do the jobs that a CIS or IT person could do?

 

[FoBoT]

anyone can do the jobs that a CIS or IT person could do
just finish school

 

[Platypus]

Those are vague terms that mean totally different things depending on the school.

Figure out what you want to actually do, don't worry about the title. My degrees are not computer science but every job out there I've applied for or worked, regardless of whether or not it contains programming at all, listed CS as a requirement because those places are fooled by the vagueness of those words.

 

[LW07]

Is it true that a CS person would program, while a CIS person would analyze data to make it useful, while an IT person would administer networks, apply security stuff, and maintain computers?

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: LW07
Is it true that a CS person would program, while a CIS person would analyze data to make it useful, while an IT person would administer networks, apply security stuff, and maintain computers?

It totally depends, don't let labels dictate your job.

I have degrees in telecommunications and network engineering but I'm a UNIX/SAN engineer. In a very traditional sense, CS grads usually go into programming but that doesn't actually translate to the job market. People who graduated in my degree also ended up as programmers, web devs, network engineers, security analysists, etc.

For what it's worth, I had to get 3 CS grad friends of mine hired after we all graduated because they couldn't find jobs. Programming got hit very hard with the outsourcing trend around that time. The ones that did get hired for programming ended up fixing code from Indians who can't program their way out of a box, but that's another tangent entirely.

Figure out what you want to do for a living and then start looking at those job applications and talking with those companies to see what you need. My personal opinion is that if you have a 4 year degree and you can specialize in something in particular (niche) then you will have a much easier time finding a job than just getting some random IT/CIS type degree and working your way up through the ranks of some shitty helpdesk system.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

do you plan on being a code monkey?

 

[Kirby]

I'm a CS major and programming is just a small part of it. And it's definitely the easiest part. Ton of math, theory, and other non-fun bullshit.

 

[Elbryn]

if you want a niche, switch to pharmacy major and get a pharm D. it'll take longer but the end result is pretty damn nice. you'll get out guarenteed to get a job that pays at least 80k a year. that and you'll have the capability to go any city you want to and get a job. just make sure you change your board licensing to whichever state that is. the job at corner drugstores is relatively easy but takes a high education to get there. cons- most pharmacists develop some drug addiction in their life spans

 

[LW07]

Originally posted by: Elbryn
if you want a niche, switch to pharmacy major and get a pharm D. it'll take longer but the end result is pretty damn nice. you'll get out guarenteed to get a job that pays at least 80k a year. that and you'll have the capability to go any city you want to and get a job. just make sure you change your board licensing to whichever state that is. the job at corner drugstores is relatively easy but takes a high education to get there. cons- most pharmacists develop some drug addiction in their life spans

Would you have to take the MCAT or some other super-difficult over9000 test in order to get a Pharmacy degree or is that just for doctors? Also are you talking about getting a PHD in Pharmacy?

 

[JM Aggie08]

I'm loving it. It covers a pretty broad range of things, all of which i've found pretty enjoyable.

If you do, I suggest you join your local and state AITP chapters as well. GREAT for networking.

 

[Deeko]

Dude, how many threads are you going to have about this? In the past, oh I dunno, month, you've had a thread asking if GPA matters, a thread asking if it hurts to lose your scholarship, and now a thread asking if you're in the right major. And there could be more that I missed, I don't monitor your posts.

Obviously, something is wrong.

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Dude, how many threads are you going to have about this? In the past, oh I dunno, month, you've had a thread asking if GPA matters, a thread asking if it hurts to lose your scholarship, and now a thread asking if you're in the right major. And there could be more that I missed, I don't monitor your posts.

Obviously, something is wrong.

If you are not 100% happy with your major change now and save yourself years of aggravation. The last thing you really want to do is major in something that you hate.

 

[Saint Nick]

I finished the MIS program at my current university and I hate it. I might go back to school to do something I actually like. Plus my college experience was a joke, I need to re-vamp it. Re-involve myself with different groups.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
I'm a CS major and programming is just a small part of it. And it's definitely the easiest part. Ton of math, theory, and other non-fun bullshit.

This ^^

 

[Rudee]

Most CIS grads I know ended up doing tech support for a while after graduating. CS majors on the other hand went off to bigger and better things.

 

[RKS]

I have a MIS/CIS degree. It's basically worthless.

edit: a PharmD is a PhD in pharmacy and it is not easy.

 

[Tsaico]

I generally found in the job market, the CIS/admin tend to manage networks and the like, generally more jobs, but no one claims a high salary. Right now, I have been stuck for a while at $65k, other competeing jobs in my area pay similar amounts. The freinds I have who are programmers are all almost out of jobs right now, but when they were working, they were all making mid- to high 70's a couple of years ago, and the two that I have that are still working are both making over 100k.

So it seems like anyhing else, it is about the job you land and where it is... Also what type suits you better. Myself, while I do like money, I also prefer stability. Admins are generally only let go when they fuck up, or if the company is going to close.

 

[Elbryn]

Originally posted by: LW07

Originally posted by: Elbryn
if you want a niche, switch to pharmacy major and get a pharm D. it'll take longer but the end result is pretty damn nice. you'll get out guarenteed to get a job that pays at least 80k a year. that and you'll have the capability to go any city you want to and get a job. just make sure you change your board licensing to whichever state that is. the job at corner drugstores is relatively easy but takes a high education to get there. cons- most pharmacists develop some drug addiction in their life spans

Would you have to take the MCAT or some other super-difficult over9000 test in order to get a Pharmacy degree or is that just for doctors? Also are you talking about getting a PHD in Pharmacy?

i think you have to take the pcat. all graduate programs require a test of some sort. mba = gmat, engineering = gre, doctor = mcat. you also have to take boards to get state licensed.

 

[Elbryn]

Originally posted by: RKS
I have a MIS/CIS degree. It's basically worthless.

edit: a PharmD is a PhD in pharmacy and it is not easy.

never claimed that it was easy but from a job standpoint, it takes 4 years of graduate school and the money you make for the job you do afterwards is quite nice.

other niche jobs that pay extremely well..
medical physicist. this takes some serious brains though but after a masters in physics and a 2 year stint as a resident, pass your boards, you'll pull 90k out of the gate with a high chance of 6 figs wherever you go.

physician's assistants also make good bank. not sure if you need advanced schooling for it either.

i guess my point is that there are very few college majors that guarantee you a good paying job afterwards. most times, who you know will open up more doors for you than owning an undergrad degree. it's not all that special anymore, everyone has one.

 

[timosyy]

I'm in my school's version of MIS. Career outlook seems pretty bright right out of college, and we're 2nd (behind engineers) as far as average starting salary coming out.

Like someone mentioned a few posts up though, I'm not too sure about vertical mobility.

 

[LW07]

I'd actually be quite happy with a 50k-60k salary. I have no plans of buying a fancy house or the latest and greatest car out there.

Just something reliable to take me to work and a roof over my head and some video games to play.

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: nkgreen
I'm a CS major and programming is just a small part of it. And it's definitely the easiest part. Ton of math, theory, and other non-fun bullshit.

This ^^

this is when you are in school. i will be surprised if i can find 1 in 10 CS grad that still do theory in real work. also not majority of the CS undergrads will end up programming, however depending on their strength and opportunities they can easily take up various positions in the IT field without a problem.

if you can make it in CS, don't take CIS. otherwise take a good look around for alternatives before going back to CIS.

the bottom line is that you have the be interested in the major, or else you are going to be miserable.

 

[lyssword]

I'm an aspiring code monkey

 

[LW07]

Originally posted by: ivan2

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer

Originally posted by: nkgreen
I'm a CS major and programming is just a small part of it. And it's definitely the easiest part. Ton of math, theory, and other non-fun bullshit.

This ^^

this is when you are in school. i will be surprised if i can find 1 in 10 CS grad that still do theory in real work. also not majority of the CS undergrads will end up programming, however depending on their strength and opportunities they can easily take up various positions in the IT field without a problem.

if you can make it in CS, don't take CIS. otherwise take a good look around for alternatives before going back to CIS.

the bottom line is that you have the be interested in the major, or else you are going to be miserable.

I didn't say that I wasn't interested in CIS(my university just calls it IS and it puts emphasis on the business side of IS), I was just wondering if it had good job opportunities and security.