Computer science and business brehs

SubZero

Hall Of Fame
Joined
Nov 13, 2016
Messages
3,053
Reputation
648
Daps
9,689
Reppin
Wall Street - Black Renaissance Purveyor
OP if I were you, I'd first try and figure out if I'm cut out for computer science. Try and take some online courses in Java, Python, PHP, or C++ or something and see if it's a fit for you. If you think it is then Computer Science is a no brainer.

Otherwise I'd recommend going into finance or business management. The key though is you need to make sure to have a high GPA (especially in the case of business management). In my experience business classes are pretty easy and most of the battle is simply showing up to class and turning in assignments on time (where as it's kind of the opposite with comp sci and engineering, you really don't have to show up but you have to KNOW the material because tests are a major part of your grade). Then you need to make sure to get internships especially in your junior year. Hopefully your school has a career fair, if so thats what you need to attend when you're a sophomore and junior to get those internships.
Also if you choose to go the business management/finance route I'd recommend getting a job at your schools IT department (this is your backup plan). While working at the IT, during off periods of school (summer and winter break) study and take whatever certs you feel you want/need to take. Also during this time possibly look into learning programming, just pick a language and learn as much as possible, create a github and have projects that you've done on there. So then if you graduate and can't find a job with your business degree you have the IT or programming backup plan.


I can't recommend double-majoring computer science with anything (unless you're a true academic and just like that shyt or if you plan on trying to go for Machine Learning in graduate school or something), it's a complete waste of time (as far as just wanting to get your degree and get a decent paying job, comp sci degree is enough). You'd be much better off just focusing your efforts in computer science to get the best grades possible.

I just gave him that option, if he's still unsure the field he prefers, by the time he's ready for college. But you're right.

What's your field?
 

L&HH

Veteran
Joined
May 18, 2012
Messages
53,880
Reputation
5,960
Daps
163,153
Reppin
PG x MD
I just gave him that option, if he's still unsure the field he prefers, by the time he's ready for college. But you're right.

What's your field?
I'm a mechanical engineer and if I were to do things again, I'd have done what I described with the finance/business management degree and the IT backup plan. Or would have done info systems which @desjardins just recommended and slipped my mind.
 

SubZero

Hall Of Fame
Joined
Nov 13, 2016
Messages
3,053
Reputation
648
Daps
9,689
Reppin
Wall Street - Black Renaissance Purveyor
I'm a mechanical engineer and if I were to do things again, I'd have done what I described with the finance/business management degree and the IT backup plan. Or would have done info systems.

Nice. It's never too late. You can join the train going towards Artificial Intelligence. That's the future and where all the big money is moving towards.:myman:
 

Prynce

Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Messages
24,997
Reputation
14,065
Daps
94,326
Yeah, I think OP doesn't understand what the purpose of a degree is. A computer science degree is probably the best (but also most difficult) degree you can get. Having one simply says "I am smart/capable/able to learn" and provides you with as much flexibility as anything out there.

No offense but you'd be a fool to go to the military with a computer science degree. There's programming positions opened damn near in every major city all the time. Right now the demand for programmers faarrrr outweighs the supply. You don't need to go to the military and put up with that nonsense with a computer science degree. Everyone I knew that were comp sci were making no less than $65k entry-level, most were pretty close to $80k entry level. Military would be a waste of time.

HOWEVER, is computer science for you? It's a rigorous course load and is something you have to really be into.
I understand fully been in school 3 years just stupid busy right so i can't fully expand
 

L&HH

Veteran
Joined
May 18, 2012
Messages
53,880
Reputation
5,960
Daps
163,153
Reppin
PG x MD
I understand fully been in school 3 years just stupid busy right so i can't fully expand
If you're 3 years in, I'm not sure switching to comp sci is best. Finish the finance and try and get an internship this upcoming summer. Try and get a help desk IT job next semester (apply this winter break).
 

SheWantTheD

Veteran
Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
41,765
Reputation
2,592
Daps
104,424
Finance is good but the switch from finance and marketing to computer science is no joke. Marketing is a joke compared to computer science. If you are gonna switch, learn how to code on your own time before you start taking any CS classes.
 

invalid

Veteran
Joined
Feb 21, 2015
Messages
21,341
Reputation
7,568
Daps
85,524
Nix the marketing degree. It's pretty useless at the undergrad level. As for finance vs. comp sci, you have the highest money making potential straight out of undergrad going the finance route. A few caveats though:

1) Finance is a prestige driven field. Not only does your GPA dictate the quality of jobs you will have available upon graduation, the prestige of the school matters even more.

2) If you go the finance route, you have the potential of making six figures straight out of undergrad. Those positions will be found in Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Venture Capital, Investment Banking and Mangement Consulting. CorpFin positions should be pursued as fallbacks if you can't get into the aforementioned industries.

3) It will be almost impossible to obtain these top positions without securing an internship before graduation.

4) Go after "front office" roles as opposed to "back office" roles.

5) If you are not at a well respected school and don't have a high GPA, these positions will more or less be unavailable to you and I would recommend you go the comp sci route as it appears to be more egalitarian.

You can try going the comp sci route and always make a lateral move into high finance. Many MBAs come from quant backgrounds (engineering, comp sci, etc.)

If you have the credentials, many of these firms will bend over backwards to hire a black guy because it's so few of us in these industries as it is.

Also, I would recommend the book Pedigree by Lauren Rivera if you are interested in learning more about what many of these firms are looking for in candidates.
 

badtguy

Superstar
Joined
Sep 30, 2015
Messages
7,599
Reputation
-334
Daps
27,754
:obama:You could rock with marketing and make your way into data analysis, data mining, data analytics SQL, etc anything with data.

My transition into the IT field is amazing I switch jobs like 4 times in the last two years now I create databases and dashboards business intelligence. I gave ZERO background in computers.
 

Jesus

Banned
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
16,965
Reputation
-2,108
Daps
24,278
Reppin
NZ
I'm younger than 25 with a computer science degree and I almost make 6 figures.

If you are worried about switching careers when you get bored in the future, you don't sounded disciplined enough for a CS degree.

Where are you located?
 
Top