Need advice from those in the IT industry

[Falcon]

Hi

Need some advice from you guys. Do you think a hons degree is very important in the IT industry now? Or a basic degree makes not much of a difference from a hons degree?
I am now in the hons stream. I am having a dilemma whether to continue pursuing a 4-year hons course in computer science or to opt out and to switch to a basic 3-year degree in computing. I am thinking if it does not make much of a difference, starting out early can save on paying the hefty tuition fees and can gain working experience. Looking at the syllabus of a 4year and 3-year course, I feel that the extra stuff u learn in the 4-year course is not really useful. Pls advise.

 

[denizenx]

Originally posted by Falcon
Hi

Need some advice from you guys. Do you think a hons degree is very important in the IT industry now? Or a basic degree makes not much of a difference from a hons degree?
I am now in the hons stream. I am having a dilemma whether to continue pursuing a 4-year hons course in computer science or to opt out and to switch to a basic 3-year degree in computing. I am thinking if it does not make much of a difference, starting out early can save on paying the hefty tuition fees and can gain working experience. Looking at the syllabus of a 4year and 3-year course, I feel that the extra stuff u learn in the 4-year course is not really useful. Pls advise.

stay inside, there's not much work experience to be gained now...

 

[Wai]

if u can cope with it, why not?

$$ shouldn't be a problem cos u can get loan from bank

this will be your only chance to get an hons, but working experience u can always gain in the later years....btw, i dun think the stuff u learn from year 1 to year 3 may be useful in your career too...but will be more useful if u want to study master in future?

 

[PsychoBoy]

if you are NOW thinking of going into the last year for hons degree OR coming out to work, I will advice you to do that year of hons. Mainly because the market is real bad now. In good times, I think I would rather get work experience than doing hons.

 

[baiyun]

look at it this way..if u want to go govt or research then hons is good...else might not be useful lor....

 

[foxfire]

Originally posted by Falcon
Hi

Need some advice from you guys. Do you think a hons degree is very important in the IT industry now? Or a basic degree makes not much of a difference from a hons degree?
I am now in the hons stream. I am having a dilemma whether to continue pursuing a 4-year hons course in computer science or to opt out and to switch to a basic 3-year degree in computing. I am thinking if it does not make much of a difference, starting out early can save on paying the hefty tuition fees and can gain working experience. Looking at the syllabus of a 4year and 3-year course, I feel that the extra stuff u learn in the 4-year course is not really useful. Pls advise.

Depends what you want to do? If you intend to pursue research, I guess it definitely helps you along with other academic ventures. As for practical applications, IMO, a honors is a plus IF you are in the governmental service. Since we are currently in such a economic situation, any plus is good. On the other hand, if you want to pursue a master in later years, a hons does not helps that much.

As for usefulness, 90% of the so called academic knowledge that I struggled to jammed in myself was given back the day I started work. What I gain in the U is the very basic foundations, very basic basics.

 

[Acieed]

If you intend to pursue further studies (i.e. Masters in CS or Engineering), especially abroad, you'd need to do a 4-year bachelor course. 3-year CS bachelor course is hardly recognised by most of the US grad schools.

In any case, the market is really bad now. the U is a good place to be in now.

 

[mpenza]

if you're thinking of working in government or stat boards, having a good honours will give you a headstart. even if you are not thinking of joining the public service now, at least you still have the option when you graduate.....

 

[Eugene]

my two cents...
Think getting experience is more important
unless what you intend/like to do in the future is in the
honours scope...

else it would go to if it's a govt or non-govt job...

I think currently the situation is getting better...
my computing friends have more or less settled down after 6 months of job searching, temp jobs, tuition and etc...
So can't really say can't get good experience now... IMHO...
+D

 

[coozie]

hey falcon ..

wld advise u to cont ur hons degree too ..

if u want to ve the best of both worlds: to gain wk exp n generate more mkt value out of ur studies .. maybe u can consider wking part-time as a tutor in the uni ?? or offer to do research for some lecturers ??

me not sure abt the current situation now .. but a few yrs back it was a trend to wk part-time as a tutor for most hons students ..

consider lor if u can afford the time ..

 

[Falcon]

Tks for all the advice. Keep them coming.
Actually it is not so much on gaining working experience but rather does not seem to help other than looking good on papers. To tell u the truth, I am not sure what I am learning now is applicable in the working world. So I m thinking why waste the extra year. Also going for the forth year would mean taking more non-computing related modules.

 

[ckiang]

Originally posted by Falcon
Tks for all the advice. Keep them coming.
Actually it is not so much on gaining working experience but rather does not seem to help other than looking good on papers. To tell u the truth, I am not sure what I am learning now is applicable in the working world. So I m thinking why waste the extra year. Also going for the forth year would mean taking more non-computing related modules.

You never know when those "non-computing related modules" might come in handy...

At this time, pure-IT / programming / development people are easily replaced.

Regards
CK

 

[coozie]

yah true ..

a lot of pp going for double degrees now .. specialisation is not 'IN' anymore ..

the 'non-computing related modules' might help to open up more career choices for u ..

just loon lah .. it will do u good .. really ..

 

[Snowcrash]

IMHO, if you plan to find a JOB in IT now, better to stay and study, as the IT market is very bad now. I have a friend who have Master in CS but can't get a job for 9 months now. (Even when he wants to take on lower-position with lower pay)

But if you intend to start a business / be your own boss. Anytime is a good time. High learning curve compare to being employed.

 

[edwgoh]

Well, nowdays most IT firms only recruit those who are experience. For my IT department, we will normally not select those who have master and without experience at the same time.

We prefer those with some development cum project mgt experience, at least two years. Sorry to say this to those fresh grad. Market has too many IT people already. Even those who are not IT trained like me are in IT industry doing programming cum project manage IT projects. Competition is high.

But I personally feel, professional cert like MCSE & CCNA is more relevant. As most boss like to see those cert.

Can't expect too high pay now also. So if you decided to go into IT industry, start from doing programming or networking job, it will help to build a more solid foundation.

For everybody info, My dept are looking for people who are experience in programming cum project mgt, My Company is an Amercian MNC. So if interested can pm your resume to me.

 

[Falcon]

I am now only in my 2nd year. So even if I go for a 3 year course, there is still 1.5 years to go.
The non-computing mods are those you can choose fr any other faculties just to make up the number of modular credits required by the course.

 

[lavenderlilz]

if by the time u graduate & the market is still bad, having an honours degree will give u an edge over a non-honours holder when u r applying for a job.

It doesn't guarantee that you will get the job but if i am an employer looking at 2 CVs, I will call the honours holder for an interview first.

 

[Acieed]

Originally posted by Falcon
I am now only in my 2nd year. So even if I go for a 3 year course, there is still 1.5 years to go.
The non-computing mods are those you can choose fr any other faculties just to make up the number of modular credits required by the course.

Since you're still in year 2, think you can start to look around in the job market, see what type of skills are more in demand now, and can even try to apply for internship in some companies. That would really increase your chances of getting a good job in a bad market.

 

[edwgoh]

Not quite true, as we do look at those with diploma and experience also. A degree or Hons does not gurantee anything.

 

[togu]

Studying is always good....