Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries - which degree is better?

Author

which degree is better?

phatty366

2002-01-26, 5:45 pm

Computer science or Business Information Systems? I want to become something along the lines of a system administrator or networker or something like that...i heard that a Computer Science degree will get you just about any job that you could want in the IT field, and that Business Info systems was a waste...is this true? i dont see how learning hardcore C++ can really help anybody who is maintaining a network of dozens/hundreds/thousands of people

Psydefx

2002-01-26, 11:24 pm

c is used with unix systems. Business is something that you need to know about, but generally speaking, I think that people lend more credibility to CS (mostly because the BIS is easier).

Effective administration involves programming. You need to be able to bend the OS to do what is needed for the network. You can learn the programming first, in which case the sys admin will be easy - or - you can get the BIS, some certs, and work with the console systems until you've been in the biz for a few years.

Both have their place, the business end will help you to identify the processes within the business. This allows you to use IT to streamline.

Choice and implementation.

Good luck, hope it helped.

Cheers!

Nicole

2002-01-27, 12:31 am

quote:
...i heard that a Computer Science degree will get you just about any job that you could want in the IT field, and that Business Info systems was a waste...is this true?

The first generalization is completely false -- no degree will get you any job in any field. The second generalization MIGHT apply to a particular degree program at a particular college, but I wouldn't call it a waste. Any degree is better than none.

CS is almost always going to be a lot of programming. The BIS degree you mentioned could be anything from a useless degree in word processing to a great program in business admin or project management or something else entirely -- it's going to depend on the school.

A CS degree has a bit of cache, because it's known as being difficult, even though there are schools with fairly easy CS programs. From what you described as your career goals, CS may be the best way to go between those two choices, because you will probably learn a great deal about design fundamentals and theory.

But if you haven't decided on a college yet, what the degree happens to be called may not be a reflection of the material covered. Talk to the schools and get an understanding of what each program they offer covers before making a decision.

huntert

2002-01-27, 5:15 am

Experience is the best degree, without it nothing will move you ahead.

phatty366

2002-01-27, 8:07 am

welp, my college has excellent programs for both courses of study. the business information systems major (which i am currently enrolled in) seems to focus on diversity more than anything else. they teach you VB, networking, Unix etc... i have yet to really look into the computer science major, though i am seriously considering double majoring in both Bus. Info and computer science

Psydefx

2002-01-27, 10:48 am

If you have the time and inclination, GO FOR IT! That actually sounds like the best way to make sure that you have all of the bases covered.

limsam

2002-01-27, 9:50 pm

hmmmmmm
Experience is the best degree, without it nothing will move you ahead.

Well, you need 'experience' to get 'experience'. Rather than walloping in this loop, newbies can easily earn a degree and move ahead.

Crutch

2002-01-29, 10:26 pm

I myself, have the info systems degree. I'm not involved in engineering, so the degree has served me well. It has given me an overall view of both business and computing systems. But, the degree has nothing to do with experience, although it gave me the foot in the door I needed.

So, CS or BIS depends entirely on you and what you want to do. Good luck in your search.

Kasor

2002-01-31, 7:09 pm

Longer time ago, EE degree is the KING of all electronic machine.

Later, CS become a unique major in the college, then IS become popular to meet the need of business requirement.

Remember: "Everybody can do programming, but not everybody can be a programmer."

There are also trade off in between those fancy MIS, BIS, TIS.... etc compared to CS and IS.

You had to look at the major requirement and the school.

I can tell you from my experience. Two jr programmer from two different college and both have B.S on CS. Guess what? One of the guy cannot even do a well defined Object class!

Watch Out for the School you are going to!

mrfixit

2002-01-31, 9:06 pm

Interesting thread. If you can handle pulling down two majors, more power to you! It will only help to improve your chances when you graduate. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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