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Jobs prospects

I am currently a computing scientist, however I have realised that either a) I want to go into consultantcy or b) go into web development.
I'm not that interested in building sophisticated applications. Rather I would like to work with IT and interact with people.

My uni has the choice of switching my degree from CS to Internet information systems, which deals with web development.

I also have the chance to switch to computing with e-commerce.

I chose CS originally because it is flexible and a 'respected' subject, however I am wondering will my graduate prospects be affected if I go down another path?

Reply 1

EvenStevens

17

I'd stick with CS, to be honest.

If you were going for a job with a company which required one to maintain a website, or something, they're going to pick the person with a CS degree opposed to a 'Internet Information Systems' degree; every time.

Reply 2

fat_hobbit

OP

2

EvenStevens

I'd stick with CS, to be honest.

If you were going for a job with a company which required one to maintain a website, or something, they're going to pick the person with a CS degree opposed to a 'Internet Information Systems' degree; every time.

Even though the guy with a 2:1 in IIS degree is much more specialised then the CS one

Reply 3

EvenStevens

17

Speciality isn't necessarily a good thing.

For instance, I'd say a degree in Mathematics would be held in higher regard than a degree in Computer Science, if they were both from the same university at the same degree level.
A degree in Physics, I'd say, is more apt than a degree in Engineering.
A degree in English is more beneficial than a degree in Creative Writing, etc.

Just look at the broader picture. If you can see yourself working in web development your entire life and not much else, go for IIS.
CS just gives you some more windows (pun not intended :-P) just incase you want to change...

Reply 4

ColinOfEdinburgh

1

EvenStevens

A degree in Physics, I'd say, is more apt than a degree in Engineering.

I think you're wrong on this point, I suspect you might be wrong on some of the other points also. You'd be surprised how much employers value a vocational education in the actual field of relevance.

I'm not discounting the ability to learn and adapt knowledge, but I think you're taking that argument a bit far.

Reply 5

fat_hobbit

OP

2

EvenStevens

Speciality isn't necessarily a good thing.

For instance, I'd say a degree in Mathematics would be held in higher regard than a degree in Computer Science, if they were both from the same university at the same degree level.
A degree in Physics, I'd say, is more apt than a degree in Engineering.
A degree in English is more beneficial than a degree in Creative Writing, etc.

Just look at the broader picture. If you can see yourself working in web development your entire life and not much else, go for IIS.
CS just gives you some more windows (pun not intended :-P) just incase you want to change...

i can see myself shifting to consultantcy.

Thing is dont most grad programs offer training programs anyway?

computing with e commerce any good?

Reply 6

ColinOfEdinburgh

1

fat_hobbit

i can see myself shifting to consultantcy.

Thing is dont most grad programs offer training programs anyway?

computing with e commerce any good?

I think your Director of Studies could help you with your questions more than anyone on these forums!

Reply 7

Waldo Dobbs

3

fat_hobbit

I am currently a computing scientist, however I have realised that either a) I want to go into consultantcy or b) go into web development.
I'm not that interested in building sophisticated applications. Rather I would like to work with IT and interact with people.
I chose CS originally because it is flexible and a 'respected' subject, however I am wondering will my graduate prospects be affected if I go down another path?

Stick with CS. Flexible, respected, well understood by employers. By the sounds of it, a job as a business analyst might interest you. You will be involved in the building of sophisticated applications still, you just won't be heavily involved in the software development side.

However, you probably won't be able to walk straight into a business analyst job - in most graduate jobs you'll probably spend a fair bit of time doing straight development, getting used to the whole development life-cycle.

Reply 8

twistme

A lot of big companies, particularly for things like consultancy, just require a 2.1 degree in any discipline as they give training once you're there. I know quite a few people going into consultancy having studied maths, physics etc.
Web development on the other hand might be an area that places more value on relative experience, I don't know. I would suggest having a talk with your careers advisor, or calling prospective companies to ask what their view is.

Reply 9

fat_hobbit

OP

2

twistme

A lot of big companies, particularly for things like consultancy, just require a 2.1 degree in any discipline as they give training once you're there. I know quite a few people going into consultancy having studied maths, physics etc.
Web development on the other hand might be an area that places more value on relative experience, I don't know. I would suggest having a talk with your careers advisor, or calling prospective companies to ask what their view is.

Yeah, so I have noticed. Everyone goes on about doing a respectable degree, the fact is to get a 2:1 would probably be much harder, for the same degree classfication then lets say "IT". So if I get a 2:2, and the other dude gets a 2:1 in IT, he/she would prob be better off with me even though the modules I probably am studying are hard. Not only that a 2:2 shuts so many doors at good universites for post grad.

I would like to work for SAP, accenture, IBM - companies like that. If not them, then I am keen on web development.

Reply 10

EvenStevens

17

Well you'll only get into top companies like that if you work hard :P

So work your balls off for a 2:1 in Comp Sci. You won't regret it.

Reply 11

fat_hobbit

OP

2

EvenStevens

Well you'll only get into top companies like that if you work hard :P

So work your balls off for a 2:1 in Comp Sci. You won't regret it.

Yeah, I spose. Just think its unfair how they would also probably consider another applicant with a strand of CS that is easier; one that has a 2:1. I honestly think a CSer with a 2:2 is superior then someone with IT with a 2:1, companies wont care. Thats the sad thing of it all.

Reply 12

twistme

I've done internships at IBM, so if you have any questions about them in particular feel free to ask. I met people ther that did all sorts of degrees, including things like music or psychology. They just care about that 2.1!

Reply 13

fat_hobbit

OP

2

twistme

I've done internships at IBM, so if you have any questions about them in particular feel free to ask. I met people ther that did all sorts of degrees, including things like music or psychology. They just care about that 2.1!

How hard is it to get an internship in IBM?

Reply 14

twistme

Summer internships come in two flavours: extreme blue, or a 'normal' internship.
Extreme blue has a group of 3 technical students and one business student, who design and create a product from scratch in 12 weeks, with the help of mentors. There's usually about 4 of these groups I think.
The other type, which is what I did, is similar to a sandwich year but only 12 weeks - they put you into a department and you do whatever work they're doing.
From what I hear extreme blue is pretty competitive to get on to, whilst I didn't have much trouble - just sent in a CV, no interview or anything (though this was 4 years ago). After the first summer it's pretty easy to go back for subsequent summers - I've done 3! Also if you're unsuccessful with extreme blue they might offer you the other type.

They also had lots of students doing their sandwich year, though I'm guessing this was set up through their university. And they take gap-year students too.

Reply 15

loopymeg

13

Accenture really likes CS with some form of management or business thing attached. We keep getting bugged by them and it looks like going to work for Accenture means that they'll take on single or joint honours people but you'll end up doing more management/consulting than technical stuff. Of course, that may only be the case for some people, but that was the impression we got from our visitors.

Does your CS course offer any businessy modules for your options? Perhaps if you could choose a couple of these then you may be able to go into either web dev or consultancy in the future?

Or, try to find some placement students and ask what their companies tend to look for and what it was like to do the job.

Reply 16

fat_hobbit

OP

2

loopymeg

Accenture really likes CS with some form of management or business thing attached. We keep getting bugged by them and it looks like going to work for Accenture means that they'll take on single or joint honours people but you'll end up doing more management/consulting than technical stuff. Of course, that may only be the case for some people, but that was the impression we got from our visitors.

Does your CS course offer any businessy modules for your options? Perhaps if you could choose a couple of these then you may be able to go into either web dev or consultancy in the future?

They do offer computing science and management as part of a joint honours program, but I am a third year now, which means I have to go back a year to do it.

As for web dev the only web dev we do is for internet info systems students, which is just lame. Straight CS students learn discrete methods, the standard languages such as C, Haskell, java etc. Aside from that we don't touch it at all.

I am interested in all that, but I am frustrated by the lack of businessey/web side of things. Learning about the working ons of a compilers with yacc and lexx is all good, but the areas that I am interested in are hardly addressed. On top of that there is the pressure of getting a 2:1. Which would be more difficult if I am doing modules I dont have that much of an interest of.

I have looked at other unis:

http://www.sobe.ex.ac.uk/undergraduate/bsc_itmb/index.php?tab=structure

I like the modules in this course, as it seems technical, yet businessey. I am unsure whether it would be a good idea to transfer. Exeter said that I have a strong chance given my modular marks and the fact that I'm a 3rd yr CSer.

I can see myself working for someone like Accenture if it is what you describe.

Or, try to find some placement students and ask what their companies tend to look for and what it was like to do the job.

Don't know any :frown:

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