Looking to Study Computer Science (Masters Vs Second Bachelors)

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  Hybroid on 01/02/2022 - 01:13

  Have a look at job opportunities and see what qualifications they request. That'll answer your question.

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  Porker on 01/02/2022 - 07:16

  +2

  From my experience, the degree is just a prerequisite for the interview and/or position.

  Your work experience, work ethic and history, references etc go a long way. They may be more valuable than the higher/additional education.

  How you go about studying is also important. Eg. If you do Master's full time, then you'll potentially be behind in work experience.

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  Quantumcat on 01/02/2022 - 07:21

  +3

  There are some graduate certificates at Charles Sturt University that have commonwealth supported places available at the moment. Have a look here: https://study.csu.edu.au/graduate-certificate and scroll down to data and technology.

  I think a masters will make you stand out more.

  • 

    gaz2456 on 01/02/2022 - 21:52

    Yeah I am also tossing up between a Post-grad at a lesser reputable institution who has CSP vs an undergrad at more well known place like USYD

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  bobbified on 01/02/2022 - 09:01

  +1

  You spent a few years getting that commerce degree and only got a few years work out of it. Instead of risking the same situation with much more expensive CompSci/Software studies, the best thing to do is to get a job in the field first to get some real world experience and then decide whether you want to or need to consider further study. At that time, you might also be in a better position to pay for it (or your company might even pay for it) should it become necessary.

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    Quantumcat on 01/02/2022 - 09:12

    To be fair without a computer science degree the only IT jobs they'll be able to get are helpdesk type jobs, or networking/PC set-up ones if they are strong in that from doing it as a hobby. If OP wants to be a software developer or systems analyst or enterprise architect or anything along those lines they won't be able to try it out first.

    If they already have a bit of natural talent and are very interested and motivated they can teach themselves something and help with some open source projects (if they want to be a software developer). Though that being said they may teach themselves some bad habits and wrong fundamentals which could make studying it at uni eventually be a little harder than it might be if they were a blank slate (though other stuff may come easier).

    • 

      bobbified on 01/02/2022 - 09:25

      +1

      To be fair without a computer science degree the only IT jobs you'll be able to get are helpdesk type jobs, or networking /computer set up ones if you are strong in that from doing it as a hobby

      It really depends on each person. After Year 12, I did no study and just scraped into the a CompSci course. Managed to only finish one semester (and fail of 3 out of 4 subjects before dropping out😁) and I went from basic office admin to number of technical IT roles as a developer, lead analyst etc and now I'm leading these projects. A lot of people I worked with are in the same boat. I know it doesn't prove anything, but it's very possible. Most of it was just me learning things on the job and letting my curiousity loose.

      Having said that, just being in the IT space will give someone exposure to the practical day to day activities of the industry and help them decide whether it's suitable for them. I guess anything is better than just theory.

      • 

        Quantumcat on 01/02/2022 - 09:29

        Well done!!

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          bobbified on 01/02/2022 - 09:33

          +1

          @Quantumcat: Thanks (but I won't pretend that I knew what I was doing all the way! Things just happened and I took whatever opportunity there was at the time! haha)

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      Icecold5000 on 02/02/2022 - 23:25

      +1

      I’ve come across a fair few business analysts who have a degree info sys or a less technical degree. I’ve also come across people in the field with degrees in electrical engineering. Sometimes its more important to have domain knowledge like accounting than be able to know about memory pointers to solve a business problem which is really the whole point of IT

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  0ranges on 04/02/2022 - 12:38

  +1

  Hey, I am in a similar position and completed an unrelated degree and worked in that field for 4 years. I am about to start with semester 1 of a bachelor of IT (comp sci). I ended up going for the bachelors because it is a lot cheaper and my knowledge is at a pretty basic level so fine with starting from the bottom.

  • 

    gaz2456 on 05/02/2022 - 23:28

    I'm leaning more towards a Bachelors as well. I wanted to ask the Uni whether I can use some of my studies in my existing undergrad degree and transfer to it to replace some gen eds in the Comp Sci Bachelors so that the degree will technically be 2.5 years rather than the standard 3.

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  [Deactivated] on 05/02/2022 - 17:41

  3 years vs 2 years for a saving of about 30-40k right? Financially I don't think it will make a difference if you stick with it in the long run as you get work a lot quicker. I'm the same as you though, I don't want to be an additional 60k in debt but at the same time, 3 years is quite a bit…have you considered self taught or bootcamps? I've heard some bootcamps have like 90% employment rates.

  • 

    gaz2456 on 05/02/2022 - 23:30

    Self Taught is way too hard imo, I feel you need to have a fast feedback loop when you are stuck to learn fast. In terms of bootcamps I don't really trust the ones in Aus as Bootcamps ain't as prominent here. I've looked at some well-known online bootcamps which guarantees employment but the fine print always says you have to be based in the US (which makes sense as there are a lot more jobs there)

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      [Deactivated] on 06/02/2022 - 07:41

      One of my friends is a SE at a pretty big company. He says his company likes to hire people from general assembly