Career Advice - What Major to Study

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  cypher67 on 19/10/2016 - 14:47

  +7

  Starting a 2nd degree could hurt you more than help. You will be in your 30s by the time you finish (most likely doing part time) and would make it harder to enter the industry without specific experience.

  You can get a job in IT doing project financials if you want to get a taste of it, you dont need an IT degree to do that. Once you get inside you can leverage your contacts to move sideways until you find something you like. Once you find what you like you can then do more study if required.

  In summary, don't study, go get some experience & contacts to leverage.

  • 

    ptl93 on 19/10/2016 - 16:35

    Hi cypher67, would you recommend studying online and get a certificate instead of taking a 3-4 years degree?
    Also, could you give me a specific example of IT doing project financials? What is the job's title and what are the duties?

    Thanks.

    • 

      cypher67 on 19/10/2016 - 16:49

      +2

      Well I work for a major bank and there is financial analysts all over the place. When you think IT you need to remember pretty much every company has an IT department.

      Work out what sort of job you want to do and then do that study if you need it to enter that field. Doing study first when you clearly dont know what you want to do it shooting in the dark and will most likely end up like your accounting degree, useless/pointless as you dont like it.

      Look for some project officer/business analyst/anything with the word associate/junior work at the big companies, lean on your finance experience to get a foot in the door. Once inside spread your wings.

      Your situation is become so common, young people with a degree because they were told they had to pick something and then winding up not liking it stuck working a job they hate.

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  boomramada on 19/10/2016 - 15:18

  +1

  Go for the major that you can easily get a job in area you live in 4+years time (time you graduate) and finish your studies.
  IT is broad topic, networking, coding, testing etc. If you enjoying coding, you wouldn't want to be a tester and if you enjoy testing, you would struggle to be a coder.
  If you passionate about any of those IT areas, then go for it. Good thing about IT is that is, if you bored of one Industry or Company, you can easily switch.
  Good luck.

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  lupiter on 19/10/2016 - 15:25

  +1

  I wouldn't go for a degree for IT. But for some parts of IT a certification (CISCO, Redhat etc) can be useful. Or a security clearance :)

  If you want to get into…

  Testing:
  You'll need to be a details-focused person. Many of these positions are about on-the-job training and experience, any business-y subjects you've taken might be an asset.

  Development:
  Work on some open-source or personal projects in your spare time. Start with a small project (a calculator or a simple website) or a free online course, and find out what bits you like and don't like. Try different languages and technologies. A degree is more of an asset here than a specific degree, and as cypher67 says, you can move sideways from testing or support as you get better.

  System/Database Admin:
  This is where the certifications help. Most of these people move in sideways from dev, testing, or support. If you like being kept on your toes and doing lots of research, trying new things, and don't mind being on call, this is for you.

  • 

    ptl93 on 19/10/2016 - 16:28

    Thanks for your advice. I will narrow down to development and admin. Which one do you think has higher demand?

    • 

      cypher67 on 19/10/2016 - 16:51

      +2

      There is no demand for someone with no experience or skills in a technical role….

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  geek001 on 19/10/2016 - 15:54

  I don't recommend taking an IT course related to coding and testing. Those jobs are being outsourced to India and the Philipines.

  • 

    bluesix on 20/10/2016 - 08:57

    No they aren't. There are tens of thousands of coders earnings fantastic money all over the country. I'm one of them. Any company that wants quality work and delivered on time wants local dev's.

    • 

      geek001 on 20/10/2016 - 10:17

      I appreciate what you are saying, I am one too, but what I am seeing is the lack of understanding from management, mostly run by accountants who are more concerned about costs. So if they can cut their development costs by 1/2, why not? At the end of the day, the bit that they can see is whether the software works or not. They don't really care what's under the hood, hence more and more companies are outsourcing their IT department overseas to save coin. I am not saying all development/testing roles will go overseas, but an increasing amount of the grunt work type roles will, as some companies won't do it because of either security concerns or intellectual property concerns.

      There are heaps of developers around the country now, yes, but what will happen in 5 or 10 years' time? Of course companies will still prefer local developers, as you said, quality work, etc. but because the costs are lower overseas, there will be cap to how much a developer can earn locally as well, before the company decides to outsource overseas. As it is now, the cost of a local developer is about the cost of 3 developers overseas. Can one local developer do the work of 3 overseas developers?

      I think the only IT jobs that won't go overseas are probably BAs/Project Managers/Consultants and desktop support where the job requires face to face or physical interactions. If the OP wants to get into IT, I think these are his best options, but BAs/Project Managers/Consultants require lots of experience and desktop support don't pay well.

      • 

        bluesix on 22/10/2016 - 11:03

        Do you work in corporate by any chance? It's a very different story in creative/advertising/startup world.

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  sane on 19/10/2016 - 17:27

  +1

  Wouldn't go into 'IT' as such. If you are mid 20s and not already up to your ears in it, you are always going to be behind the curve. Plus it's fairly boring.

  Instead I would learn automation, AI and the deep learning side of things - with application to automotive. I wouldn't do a course, they are generally useless, but apply myself to become an 'expert'. I'd also get some base project management skills/quals, and maybe some sales.

  That way you can seek out roles in the automation of vehicles, or the governance of same, which is going to hit in the medium term (before you are 30), and your CV can be made to look sensible.

  Not easy, but it at least sounds coherent.

  • 

    fruit on 19/10/2016 - 18:19

    Instead I would learn automation, AI and the deep learning side of things

    A CompSci degree with help with that neural nets (aka non-marketing term for deep learning) and AI isn't something you do a bootcamp on.

    • 

      sane on 19/10/2016 - 20:06

      It might help, but the whole deep learning side of things (yes they are nets, but the difference are more important than the similarities) is so different from your usual IT that the read across is limited.

      It's part of the reason your usual compsci types find it hard - it owes more to maths and complexity than anything. Which means you aren't at as much of a disadvantage as you would be trying to take up, say, database wrangling.

      • 

        fruit on 19/10/2016 - 21:11

        +1

        CompSci includes Maths, Algs, Complexity.

        IT != CompSci

  • 

    Kangal on 19/10/2016 - 18:29

    +1

    This.

    Or 3D modelling.
    Its in demand, and soon will be the industry that's booming.
    From everything from YouTube, to Ads, to cartoons, to TV, to Movies, to Games… and let's not forget 3D printing.

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  fruit on 19/10/2016 - 18:18

  +1

  Fitness LOL

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  Unknown1 on 19/10/2016 - 20:45

  If interested in computers, what about studying computer engineering? Computer engineering pays well and is reported as having an employment rate of 75% in 2014. However, engineering is hard compared to other degrees and requires more work.

  http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/12…

  *Personnel experienced, engineering is my second major.

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  ms_caz on 19/10/2016 - 21:05

  There has been a bit of discussion in professional careers circles lately about training courses in Cyber security. I don't work in IT at all but the material I have been looking at seems to indicate that those who begin courses in this field are likely to be employed before they are finished. Of course it could all be promotional scuttlebut to get people into courses, but it seems to be coming from a number of different sources.

  There is no denying that there has been an increase in the number of clients taking up the services of those in the fitness industry, but it has a very casualised workforce and is subject to ups and downs in the economy as it is one of the first things people stop spending money on when it is time to tighten the belt. It is essential to have a strong background in marketing and client services if you plan to make it your ongoing full time career. There are many many many certificate and diploma level courses and providers, and quite a number of them have been discredited - which casts doubt on the legitimacy of all of those with that qualification. Also, there are literally thousands of kids walking out of high schools with entry level Sport and Rec courses, and moving into TAFE courses in fitness. Those who work in the area of professional sport have backgrounds in sport science, sport psychology, nutrition, sport development, recreation and community development, marketing etc. "Fitness" won't get you into these roles - and they are already very oversubscribed.

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  peterpeterpumpkin on 19/10/2016 - 21:19

  To predict job markets we really need a futurist on here with a solid track-record :)

  There are fields that are great for entrepreneurs who don't mind making a quick buck in the short-term and moving on when necessary. But then there are people who want a secure 9-to-5 job who risk being made redundant in 5 years due to automation and outsourcing.

  Just a warning that I know a lot of IT workers that have lost their passion as well. A married programmer with young kids and a large mortgage will find it harder to quit their stable, mundane job and join or create an "exciting" startup (ironically because they get paid so well as senior programmers). And except for the marketing teams, chances are you'll end up working with awkward personalities straight out of Silicon Valley (the TV series).

  One advantage you have is that you can help IT companies manage contracts and all that stuff IT people hate.

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  Brendoo on 20/10/2016 - 08:29

  +4

  As one of the others indicated, a degree in accounting is a ticket to many types of jobs. You don't have do the job of an accountant. I would also suggest mixing IT and accounting, well financials, together. Although you will not be 'doing' accounting, but your understanding of accounting and financials is the key thing that can get you places. This is a key skill that is normally lacking in IT when working on financial systems. The business users are talking about GL accounts, cost centres, profit centres, internal orders, open items, month end closing and the IT guys are saying "WTF?", except the one who is also an accountant who is is speaking fluently and able to fully take care of the system issue or design like it's a piece of cake. These are the people companies want - trust me. Understanding local Australian Taxation can also come in very handy in system design/configuration. Companies pay top dollar for IT people with these skills.

  I would also suggest going for an IT financial systems analyst type of role as a foot in the door position. Try and get a job in a wealthy company who may be running large financial systems such as SAP. Gain experience in this type of role, moving into project roles, moving up to consulting and system configuration. These are roles that pay about $150+ full time once you have a good few years behind you. $100k+ would come quick, within a couple of years for someone keen and motivated.

  I would not suggest doing an IT degree for the above kind of role if it interests you, it's simply a waste of time, the Accounting Degree would rate higher, as long as you didn't have your heart set on coding. I would suggest to do some specialised courses to become a certified IT consultant in this area, such as SAP Financials. Such as a certified SAP Financials consultant. This is a very high paying job. Typically this kind of job is not commonly outsourced to India like coding can be because it involves directly working with business users in the finance areas and being able to speak their language (which an Accountant can, offshore Indian IT people cannot - trust me, I've worked with literally hundreds and hundreds of them over the years - not a single one yet who can do it to any sort of suitable standard).

  Go for a job in a consulting firm as a junior consultant or go for a job at an large company as a junior financials analyst in the IT dept. Professional recruitment agencies specialise in finding this kind of work for you. Once you have the qualifications from some courses, sign up with a few and I guarantee your phone will be ringing. LinkedIn is a great place to network and job hunt too.

  Try to pick emerging or evolving technology that is starting to boom where there is less people in the market. e.g. SAP S/4 HANA on the Financials side.

  The above may sound a bit foreign, but once you get into it you will be on top of it quickly.

  I have been doing similar to the above for 20 years now and started in a similar position to you (no IT degree) and I know what big companies are looking for. I work on large projects (~$600 million) to implement SAP IT systems and we have everyone from the fresh junior to the seasoned professional involved and Finance is always core and critical. The business skills (e.g. understanding accounting/financials) in an IT job is always in high demand, especially in the age of Indian outsourcing where they are just not capable of providing that.

  Anyway, some food for thought. And really, don't think of your Accounting Degree as meaning you have to be an Accountant. It's a valuable degree that is a golden ticket to many things, the above being merely one example.

  • 

    moar bargains on 20/10/2016 - 15:56

    Is that you boss? ;)

    OP, this is good advice. Would be worth looking at SAP and trying to get some certifications there. There are plenty of free online training courses around (pro tip: do them in short bursts!) And the actual certificates aren't very expensive (~$400), and globally recognised. There are a number of federal government departments implementing SAP systems, and those people are in high demand. These departments are also (legislativly) prevented from outsourcing to India, so they will always need skilled residents.

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  straphlinger on 20/10/2016 - 08:33

  +1

  If you have any inclination, look at a trade. (Preferably in the building and construction industry.)
  A good tradie who can mange a business has way more potential than someone who sits in an office.
  Also, generally speaking, your biggest purchase will be your home.
  If you have the skills to reduce this cost, it's money you don't have to earn.

  If you are really keen on IT, look at Project Management (Or Program Management), your accounting background will be a huge benefit.

  Better still, think about where your passion lies and get a job in that field. Then it's not work.

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  [Deactivated] on 20/10/2016 - 15:28

  +1

  Scan the emerging technologies and get yourself onto a relevant course.

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  Biance on 01/12/2016 - 22:42

  Adding a second undergrad degree is not going to take you into your 30's as some others have suggested.

  A completed Bachelors degree can give you up to 2 years advanced standing on a 3 year degree. For example, at my uni with your Accounting degree you'd be looking at 2 years part-time to get another Bachelors in Computer Science, Sport Science, Movement Science, most degrees except something like Engineering/Medicine, etc.

  Mid-20's is still comparatively young and a good time to put the effort in to get into a career that you want. Studying part-time you can still work to maintain a standard of living, or add a second major/specialty and go on Centrelink.

  I'm not familiar in career prospects for the fields you're interested in, so I can't speak to that.