Which of these three degrees should be my Major in college?

[Mo0o]

Economics and CS at the same time

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
What's the difference between all of them?

What's the difference between those and Computer Engineering?

Don't even bring up CE

If he's debating IS and CS, he definitely not going to be interested in CE.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: LW07
So a CS degree would make me the most desirable for jobs when compared to IS and IT degrees?

CS degrees aren't a dime a dozen like IT degrees, but as others have mentioned you should major in something that you know you'll enjoy. If you're good enough at whatever you do, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a job. And the economic downturn will be long over by the time you finish school. Many sectors of the economy are already improving, and unemployment is supposed to peak in 2010 I believe. Barring any major crisis in the next couple years, the job market should be fine by the time you get out of school.

I don't think you answered my earlier question, do you enjoy programming? Generally it seems to be one of those things people either love or hate. I know a lot of computer engineering and computer science majors switch to something different after they realize how much they hate programming.

 

[DanDaManJC]

Computer engineering is more EE oriented with more focus on hardware... so much more emphasis on the physical aspects including physics and math.

CS is definitely more theory oriented too... you'll actually be developing software systems and writing code. IT and such will be more along the lines of maintaining already implemented systems.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: LW07
Yeah, the main struggle i'm having is IS vs CS since both can do IT just as well.

What would be the difference between IS and CS?

IS is usually what the kids that can't handle CS switch to. :laugh:

Not True.

I went thru CS in college... decided i didn't want to spend the rest of my life programming.
I prefer to fix PCs, or help people fix their PC.

hence the switch to CIS...


Most people think CS first ... then realize it's not for them.

 

[Argo]

Depends on what do you want to do when you graduate?

 

[jackace]

CS is more of a programmer/developer. They create systems or update systems. Lots of writing code, system design and some system planning.

IS and IT are more along the lines of sysadmins, business analysts, DBAs, etc. They maintain current systems and help develop new systems. They don't do much in the way of writing code. Most times they work with business entities like Accounting, sales, customer service, etc and help them figure out what they need the system to actually do. They also work with the developers to design the system. These people then also make sure the system that has been created or altered actually does what the business entities need it to do.

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: jackace
CS is more of a programmer/developer. They create systems or update systems. Lots of writing code, system design and some system planning.

IS and IT are more along the lines of sysadmins, business analysts, DBAs, etc. They maintain current systems and help develop new systems. They don't do much in the way of writing code. Most times they work with business entities like Accounting, sales, customer service, etc and help them figure out what they need the system to actually do. They also work with the developers to design the system. These people then also make sure the system that has been created or altered actually does what the business entities need it to do.

best post in this entire worthless thread

 

[moshquerade]

computer engineering

 

[SammyJr]

Originally posted by: LW07
Information Systems, Computer Science, or Information Technology?

I want to know which one would get me a job the fastest 4 years from now should the recession STILL be going on by then.

None of the above.

IT: Its a waste of time to get a degree in IT. Start Certs now (CCNA, ESX, and whatever MS is calling the MCSE these days) and get some shit jobs at a local ISP or colo. Set up a good home lab. Work your way up. Experience + Certs are the way to go. Degrees don't mean anything. I'm in IT and have a Bachelor's in IS from a fairly well known school and all it did was set me back 4 years and $80k. Yes, I'm slightly bitter, but when you hear "college, college, COLLEGE!" from parents and family all your life...

CS: Lots and lots of work. Stiff competition for jobs. Pay isn't that great, considering the effort you put in. But if you really love code, maybe its worth it.

Engineering is a better choice at the 4 year level from a jobs standpoint. And go to a good State school. There are lots of good State Engineering schools.

But if you really want a good job fast, the medical field is the way to go - Registered Nurse, Radiology Tech, Respiratory Tech, Physical Therapy Tech, etc. Any of these fields is growing and in need - think Baby Boomers retiring. Salaries are generally very good, too.

 

[SammyJr]

Originally posted by: LW07
Also, if one got a job as an IT/CS/IS person in a hospital or other health care place, would their job be recession proof?

Nope. I worked for a hospital last job. They cut 10% of IT staff...

 

[heymrdj]

I'm IT/IS. Our IT/IS degree is combined, we know both IT (maintaining and troubleshooting systems) and IS (ability to create those systems). CS is computer sciences, all about programming, data mining, ect ect. There is a high demand for CS and as we wish to move more things to computers, the demand will continue to increase for both CS and IS.

Now programming is a fun job, and alot of people do it out of passion, but I see alot more people do it for the money. CS/IS normally pays more than IT, but it's not a labor of love for a lot of people so they end up hating their jobs.

I'm in IT because I love dealing with hardware, networks, and information systems. I am not a programmer by any means, I can do it, but it's no fun to me, I'd honestly rather gag myself. Most of the time the college is going to give you a few classes from all the majors anyways, so if you see you like programming or something, switch majors.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
CS: Lots and lots of work. Stiff competition for jobs. Pay isn't that great, considering the effort you put in. But if you really love code, maybe its worth it.

I would say that is incorrect. I make far more than my wife, and her friends, who majored in accounting; or my cousin and sister who graduated with teaching degrees.

 

[Sentinel]

Is EVERYONE a CS or IS major here?

Working in the industry, I'm more of an Applied Science type.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: Sentinel
Is EVERYONE a CS or IS major here?

Working in the industry, I'm more of an Applied Science type.

I'm a CS major. You better love programming if you go into that degree because you'll be doing lots of it. I enjoy programming but some of the stuff we do is pretty mind-numbing and you'll find yourself doing stuff that you'll never really do in the industry. No one writes sorting algorithms these days, they're all in libraries, but you'll be forced to do that kind of stuff to learn about algorithms. Programming compilers is also very boring (in my opinion). And of course the assembly language stuff sucks. But there are also classes I really, really enjoy.

 

[SammyJr]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: SammyJr
CS: Lots and lots of work. Stiff competition for jobs. Pay isn't that great, considering the effort you put in. But if you really love code, maybe its worth it.

I would say that is incorrect. I make far more than my wife, and her friends, who majored in accounting; or my cousin and sister who graduated with teaching degrees.

I said CS majors weren't paid well compared to how much work they have to do to get there. Yes, CS majors can make good money, but there are other majors (pre-med, for example) that are just as hard with better earning potential.

Everyone makes more than teachers. That's part of our problem...lol.

 

[Farang]

They're all chickens. The rooster has sex with all of them.

 

[mwmorph]

Really if all you're worrying about is future earning potential, just go MCB/pre med.

I would personally prefer CS, but then depends on the school also. What schools are you applying to?

 

[Cogman]

CE = people who love math and computers.
CS = people who love computer but couldn't hack the math,
CIT/IS = People who couldn't hack the structure and logic of programming but loved computers,

that's roughly how I view the computer majors scheme. Put another way.

CE = People who build the hardware and the software to speak with the hardware.
CS = people who build the software and the interfaces to the software.
CIT/IS = People who learn how to use the interfaces to the software.

 

[Gibson486]

choosing a major based on other people's experiences is step 1 to failing.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: SammyJr
I said CS majors weren't paid well compared to how much work they have to do to get there. Yes, CS majors can make good money, but there are other majors (pre-med, for example) that are just as hard with better earning potential.

Everyone makes more than teachers. That's part of our problem...lol.

Well teachers do get a third of the year off. So it only makes sense that their pay would be two-thirds of other professionals.

 

[Pantlegz]

Originally posted by: heymrdj
I'm IT/IS. Our IT/IS degree is combined, we know both IT (maintaining and troubleshooting systems) and IS (ability to create those systems). CS is computer sciences, all about programming, data mining, ect ect. There is a high demand for CS and as we wish to move more things to computers, the demand will continue to increase for both CS and IS.

Now programming is a fun job, and alot of people do it out of passion, but I see alot more people do it for the money. CS/IS normally pays more than IT, but it's not a labor of love for a lot of people so they end up hating their jobs.

I'm in IT because I love dealing with hardware, networks, and information systems. I am not a programmer by any means, I can do it, but it's no fun to me, I'd honestly rather gag myself. Most of the time the college is going to give you a few classes from all the majors anyways, so if you see you like programming or something, switch majors.

Hmm I never knew the difference between IS and IT I always assumed IT was more of a 2 year version of IS. Kinda funny I'm in a IT program that is more IS than anything.

I would say if you like to code get into CS, if networking and troubleshooing is your thing IT/IS. I know IT pays decent I would assume IS does as well not so sure about CS but I'm sure it's as good or better.

 

[LW07]

Is there any field to go into where as soon as you got out, people would be BEGGING you to work for them and when you got the job your job would be 100% recession proof?

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: LW07
Is there any field to go into where as soon as you got out, people would be BEGGING you to work for them and when you got the job your job would be 100% recession proof?

Is avoiding 3-6 months of unemployment really worth a job you hate? For example nursing might fit what you're looking for as far as being recession proof, but IT professionals are in demand and can usually find work and don't have to deal with a lot of shit nurses do that many people would not want to do for a living.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: LW07
Is there any field to go into where as soon as you got out, people would be BEGGING you to work for them and when you got the job your job would be 100% recession proof?

yes, it's called being good at what you do. If you want go to school to just get a job, then go to a trade school.