I've got a few questions about degrees. (1 Viewer)

[x___y]

Hey guys, I wanted to ask a few questions about choosing a uni degree. I've just finished my trials, and am now focused on choosing a degree I'd actually enjoy. I'm interested in engineering mostly, either mechanical, mechatronic or software, and the idea of studying a double degree of engineering and commerce at UNSW appeals to me for some reason, even though my least favourite subject I'm taking is business studies. So, my questions are:

1. Is a double degree worth it? I want the extra qualification because I feel it would boost my employability, but I'm not really that keen to spend an extra year at uni, and I also don't wanna just dedicate my time to uni alone.

2. Should I go straight into a specialisation first year (ie Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Honours at UNSW) or do the first year flexible degree so I can choose my specialisation in the second year? I feel like doing the first year flexible so that I can make a more wiser decision on specialisation, but I have a perception that this will somehow hinder my employability after graduating because doing the first year flexible will only give me 3 years experience in ie mechanical engineering as opposed to someone that went straight into mechanical engineering first year, and thus has 4 years experience.

Thanks

 

[d1zzyohs]

I think, generally, you yourself can discover if a double degree is worth it.
Let's see:
B Engineering/Arts: probably not going to boost your employability...
B Engineering/Commerce: might boost your employability in the banking sector (but engineering students are poached by banks to do quantitative analysis anyway)
B Engineering/Law: to be honest, a huge waste of money.

Here's the thing - engineering graduates are incredibly flexible due to the things they learn. While I'm still a HSC student, my brother is a chem. engi. graduate and was interviewed at mechanical, banking, chemical, mining, petroleum, computer software, etc. Companies see engineering students and see trainability, and flexibility, as well as teamwork.

Do commerce if it interests you - but at the same time, you are adding to your financial and time debt.

Good luck

 

[jimmysmith560]

1. Whether a double degree is worth it will depend on your circumstances/preferences. Generally speaking, while double degree programs do expand your range of potential employment opportunities, if you end up pursuing employment in the field of one of the degrees while not making use of the knowledge and skills gained as part of the other degree, then perhaps studying a double degree may not be wise. However, if you can utilise the knowledge and skills gained as part of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce (which I am fairly certain would be possible, also consider d1zzyohs's comments above), then this would be a wiser course of action. Of course, personal interest is important, and if you are genuinely interested in studying a double degree, then you should go for it.

2. As far as I am aware, choosing a specialisation in your first year or in your second year should not impact your employability because you are essentially still completing the same degree and your award is being assessed on the same criteria. Based on the information that you have provided, a flexible first year would indeed enable you to make a more informed decision as to the specialisation that you should choose.

I hope this helps!

 

[wzsmartypants]

I think, generally, you yourself can discover if a double degree is worth it.
Let's see:
B Engineering/Arts: probably not going to boost your employability...
B Engineering/Commerce: might boost your employability in the banking sector (but engineering students are poached by banks to do quantitative analysis anyway)
B Engineering/Law: to be honest, a huge waste of money.

Here's the thing - engineering graduates are incredibly flexible due to the things they learn. While I'm still a HSC student, my brother is a chem. engi. graduate and was interviewed at mechanical, banking, chemical, mining, petroleum, computer software, etc. Companies see engineering students and see trainability, and flexibility, as well as teamwork.

Do commerce if it interests you - but at the same time, you are adding to your financial and time debt.

Good luck

Just wondering, why's B/engineering and law a waste of money?

 

[x___y]

I think, generally, you yourself can discover if a double degree is worth it.
Let's see:
B Engineering/Arts: probably not going to boost your employability...
B Engineering/Commerce: might boost your employability in the banking sector (but engineering students are poached by banks to do quantitative analysis anyway)
B Engineering/Law: to be honest, a huge waste of money.

Here's the thing - engineering graduates are incredibly flexible due to the things they learn. While I'm still a HSC student, my brother is a chem. engi. graduate and was interviewed at mechanical, banking, chemical, mining, petroleum, computer software, etc. Companies see engineering students and see trainability, and flexibility, as well as teamwork.

Do commerce if it interests you - but at the same time, you are adding to your financial and time debt.

Good luck

thank you so much

 

[x___y]

1. Whether a double degree is worth it will depend on your circumstances/preferences. Generally speaking, while double degree programs do expand your range of potential employment opportunities, if you end up pursuing employment in the field of one of the degrees while not making use of the knowledge and skills gained as part of the other degree, then perhaps studying a double degree may not be wise. However, if you can utilise the knowledge and skills gained as part of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce (which I am fairly certain would be possible, also consider d1zzyohs's comments above), then this would be a wiser course of action. Of course, personal interest is important, and if you are genuinely interested in studying a double degree, then you should go for it.

2. As far as I am aware, choosing a specialisation in your first year or in your second year should not impact your employability because you are essentially still completing the same degree and your award is being assessed on the same criteria. Based on the information that you have provided, a flexible first year would indeed enable you to make a more informed decision as to the specialisation that you should choose.

I hope this helps!

thanks for the help, appreciate it

 

[dasfas]

Just wondering, why's B/engineering and law a waste of money?

It isn't if you go into patent law for example, but otherwise it's a huge time investment

 

[idkkdi]

It isn't if you go into patent law for example, but otherwise it's a huge time investment

just adding on. though unlikely to happen, perhaps beneficial to ceo pathway. knowing how to deal with the law bullshit

 

[dasfas]

just adding on. though unlikely to happen, perhaps beneficial to ceo pathway. knowing how to deal with the law bullshit

True, but no one can really plan to become CEO

 

[d1zzyohs]

Just wondering, why's B/engineering and law a waste of money?

Law in itself is becoming a fairly undesirable degree. While a few decades ago, having a Law Degree would be considered to be with similar prestige as becoming a doctor - the commercialisation of law and the lack of law jobs with the insane amount of law graduates per year leads to very little law jobs available.

Remember, even if you end up becoming a successful inventor; you would end up hiring your own patent lawyer anyways. So at the end of the day; your adding to your HECS debt just for your own interest.

This shouldn't dissuade yourself from pursuing your dreams though. But students should know the reality of Law and the complete lack of jobs there is relative to the amount of law graduates.

Good luck

 

[idkkdi]

Law in itself is becoming a fairly undesirable degree. While a few decades ago, having a Law Degree would be considered to be with similar prestige as becoming a doctor - the commercialisation of law and the lack of law jobs with the insane amount of law graduates per year leads to very little law jobs available.

Remember, even if you end up becoming a successful inventor; you would end up hiring your own patent lawyer anyways. So at the end of the day; your adding to your HECS debt just for your own interest.

This shouldn't dissuade yourself from pursuing your dreams though. But students should know the reality of Law and the complete lack of jobs there is relative to the amount of law graduates.

Good luck

though i agree it's quite a waste of time. the point about hiring your own patent lawyer isn't without its flaws. you hire a patent lawyer once ur already fucked and in a law suit.

if you had learned law prior, you would be more aware and much less likely to end up in such a situation.

as for lack of solicitor jobs, definitely true.

 

[Life'sHard]

Essentially. You do you innit.

 

[Katsumi]

Hello. I make hiring decisions irl. Double degree in the right disciplines looks better than a single degree.

 

[wrong_turn]

Because it can be confusing - I also make hiring decisions irl.

The right degree gets you an interview and potentially the role at the start of your career.

The right roles and experience after 2 to 3 years out gets you an interview. But connections or nailing the interview gets you the job.