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Is my degree ..too specific?

Hey so im doing a software engineering degree, and in my uni the courses are like..literally the same, besides a couple extra modules i have

but i have a question..is it "too specific' to be used in other industries / roles? idk if i want to do software development after university anymore, i was thinking of doing either data analytics, or something like accountancy (this is actually my "backup" career that im still super interested in), ..would the degree be of value still?

i am probably gonna find entry level roles in either field but idk if it is gonna hold me back at all
Original post by Al3x235
Hey so im doing a software engineering degree, and in my uni the courses are like..literally the same, besides a couple extra modules i have
but i have a question..is it "too specific' to be used in other industries / roles? idk if i want to do software development after university anymore, i was thinking of doing either data analytics, or something like accountancy (this is actually my "backup" career that im still super interested in), ..would the degree be of value still?
i am probably gonna find entry level roles in either field but idk if it is gonna hold me back at all

Neither data analytics nor accountancy requires you to have a degree, so worrying about your degree being too specific doesn't help. Data analytics doesn't technically require any qualifications (although specific professional qualifications are recommended), and accountancy looks at A Levels and GCSEs (or equivalent) for most qualifications.

Software engineering might be a little to specific if for example you want to venture into bioinformatics research or mathematical research. For these sort of areas, you would definitely want to do a postgrad degree.

You might have problems getting into say architecture. medicine, physics (research), or archaeology, since they would require specific degrees. However, with a degree in any subject you can still go into 600+ fields.

So no, I very much doubt the subject will hold you back.
Reply 2
Original post by MindMax2000
Neither data analytics nor accountancy requires you to have a degree, so worrying about your degree being too specific doesn't help. Data analytics doesn't technically require any qualifications (although specific professional qualifications are recommended), and accountancy looks at A Levels and GCSEs (or equivalent) for most qualifications.
Software engineering might be a little to specific if for example you want to venture into bioinformatics research or mathematical research. For these sort of areas, you would definitely want to do a postgrad degree.
You might have problems getting into say architecture. medicine, physics (research), or archaeology, since they would require specific degrees. However, with a degree in any subject you can still go into 600+ fields.
So no, I very much doubt the subject will hold you back.

oh thanks so much!

yea , my main.."concern"(?) was how people say CS is a (apparently very versatile) degree so i didnt know if software eng is seen in anywhere near the same way (even tho the course is like almost the same but ofc i dont expect an employer to check that stuff lol, they have better things to do), and as i am not completely sure on what i wanna do, i was just a bit worried aha

i guess id want to do a postgrad if i want to go into research more right ? (or as you said, a field like physics)

thanks so much!!
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by Al3x235
oh thanks so much!
yea , my main.."concern"(?) was how people say CS is a (apparently very versatile) degree so i didnt know if software eng is seen in anywhere near the same way (even tho the course is like almost the same but ofc i dont expect an employer to check that stuff lol, they have better things to do), and as i am not completely sure on what i wanna do, i was just a bit worried aha
i guess id want to do a postgrad if i want to go into research more right ? (or as you said, a field like physics)
thanks so much!!

Yeah, it's not as versatile as CS. With CS you have a wider range of areas to go into research. Software engineering is more niched.

In terms of any bog standard job you can do with a degree in CS or software engineering (degree in any subject or no degree at all), you're fine.
Reply 4
Original post by MindMax2000
Yeah, it's not as versatile as CS. With CS you have a wider range of areas to go into research. Software engineering is more niched.
In terms of any bog standard job you can do with a degree in CS or software engineering (degree in any subject or no degree at all), you're fine.

oh okay, so the jobs that ask for a CS (or also cs relatedRelated) degree in im fine, but if i wanna go into research more then i should look at a masters?

thanks for clearing up my questions, ik they seem a bit dumb lol :smile:

edit: i guess to clear up what i meant my thinking is: "in terms of jgetting a job, i'm fine, but if i want to go down the research route, then it may be too specialized" correct?
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 5
oh also ive seen some jobs that ask for a "numerate discipline"..I know CS counts probably..would SWE count too or?
Original post by Al3x235
oh okay, so the jobs that ask for a CS (or also cs relatedRelated) degree in im fine, but if i wanna go into research more then i should look at a masters?
thanks for clearing up my questions, ik they seem a bit dumb lol :smile:
edit: i guess to clear up what i meant my thinking is: "in terms of jgetting a job, i'm fine, but if i want to go down the research route, then it may be too specialized" correct?

oh okay, so the jobs that ask for a CS (or also cs relatedRelated) degree in im fine, but if i wanna go into research more then i should look at a masters?
It depends on what you want to research. For a lot of things related to CS (as well as the occasional subjects not related to CS e.g. anthropology, business, sometimes politics), you should be fine. However, some unis can be picky, so do check.

but if i want to go down the research route, then it may be too specialized" correct?
Yes, but it depends on what you want to research and in which subjects. If you look at some master's degrees or PhDs, you can see what the entry requirements for the degrees say.

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