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Computer Science/Maths or Computer Science/Commerce???? (1 Viewer)

CoolKids101

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Hi, I'm a recently graduated high school student moving into university in 2021. At this point I should really have figured out what I want to do, but sadly I do not. I know that I want to do computer science but I'm not really sure what to pair it up with.

The options that I have available are Computer Science/Maths and Computer Science/Commerce. I definitely enjoy math's over commerce, having dropped economics in year 12 and done Ext 2 math's. However, I was told that math's isn't that useful for your typical jobs in comp science, and its more useful in theoretical aspects of computer science such as research and stuff. I really don't mind doing commerce if its complements my computer science degree well and gives me higher job opportunities. I also want to do a masters in computer science if possible.

1. Which one would be better in terms of employment opportunities and prospects Comp science/maths or comp science/commerce?

2. What jobs could I get with either of these two degrees?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
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I'm pretty sure Computer Science/Commerce is more popular as in the degree itself. It would make sense that it also gives you more job opportunities as I really don't see how you would be able to use maths (although it's always great to be good at maths) in the IT domain. There are jobs which would require relevant business knowledge and/or IT skills which the Computer Science/Commerce degree would cover. Also, commerce isn't just economics. It's a range of other fields in addition to economics, such as finance/accounting, management, HR, marketing etc. You might find one of these much more enjoyable/easier than economics. I think that regardless of which degree you end up choosing, having a masters will enhance your employability.
 

CoolKids101

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I'm pretty sure Computer Science/Commerce is more popular as in the degree itself. It would make sense that it also gives you more job opportunities as I really don't see how you would be able to use maths (although it's always great to be good at maths) in the IT domain. There are jobs which would require relevant business knowledge and/or IT skills which the Computer Science/Commerce degree would cover. Also, commerce isn't just economics. It's a range of other fields in addition to economics, such as finance/accounting, management, HR, marketing etc. You might find one of these much more enjoyable/easier than economics. I think that regardless of which degree you end up choosing, having a masters will enhance your employability.
Ahhhh ok, thank you so much for your help!!!
 

idkkdi

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I'm pretty sure Computer Science/Commerce is more popular as in the degree itself. It would make sense that it also gives you more job opportunities as I really don't see how you would be able to use maths (although it's always great to be good at maths) in the IT domain. There are jobs which would require relevant business knowledge and/or IT skills which the Computer Science/Commerce degree would cover. Also, commerce isn't just economics. It's a range of other fields in addition to economics, such as finance/accounting, management, HR, marketing etc. You might find one of these much more enjoyable/easier than economics. I think that regardless of which degree you end up choosing, having a masters will enhance your employability.
since when does masters improve employability wtf.
 

shashysha

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I've chosen Comm/CompSci for this year as well and I've enrolled, although now I'm debating on switching to engineering instead of commerce but I'm still not sure. I think regarding Commerce/CompSci the employment opportunities should be greater, although commerce is increasingly becoming oversaturated so it is obviously subject to change in the future. It's also one of the reasons I'm considering engineering instead, but I still feel like I couldmake use of commerce.
 

CoolKids101

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I've chosen Comm/CompSci for this year as well and I've enrolled, although now I'm debating on switching to engineering instead of commerce but I'm still not sure. I think regarding Commerce/CompSci the employment opportunities should be greater, although commerce is increasingly becoming oversaturated so it is obviously subject to change in the future. It's also one of the reasons I'm considering engineering instead, but I still feel like I couldmake use of commerce.
Yh engineering was another degree I was considering with comp science. The thing is that honours is integrated into the engineering degree, and this makes my degree super long especially since I plan on doing masters
 
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since when does masters improve employability wtf.
Say you're a recruiter, you've got 2 applicants, they both have similar experience but one has a master's degree and one only has a bachelor's. Who do you choose?

Masters degrees are also recommended for more senior roles like CEO, where you would typically need an MBA and a lot of experience.
 

idkkdi

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Say you're a recruiter, you've got 2 applicants, they both have similar experience but one has a master's degree and one only has a bachelor's. Who do you choose?

Masters degrees are also recommended for more senior roles like CEO, where you would typically need an MBA and a lot of experience.
i take the smarter dude out of the masters and bachelors degree.

as for the CEO thing, typically needing an mba seems to be more of a myth thing.
 

quickoats

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since when does masters improve employability wtf.
Yeah unless u want to go into PhD and need the Bach-masters-phd route, there’s no point doing a masters straight out of your bachelor tbh. Overqualified and probably demand more salary as a grad role.

However the meaning of master degree has changed recently with “entry level” masters. These don’t extend your scope and knowledge, rather they are your first qualifying degree in a new discipline e.g. Masters of Physio is not an extension degree for physios, rather it is a first degree for non-physio people to become a physio.
 

quickoats

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Also no such thing as an MBA after your bachelors, you need a few years of industry experience before your workplace will send you back to grad school (and pay for it)
 

CoolKids101

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Yeah unless u want to go into PhD and need the Bach-masters-phd route, there’s no point doing a masters straight out of your bachelor tbh. Overqualified and probably demand more salary as a grad role.

However the meaning of master degree has changed recently with “entry level” masters. These don’t extend your scope and knowledge, rather they are your first qualifying degree in a new discipline e.g. Masters of Physio is not an extension degree for physios, rather it is a first degree for non-physio people to become a physio.
wait really??? So doing a Masters doesn’t increase your knowledge???
 

idkkdi

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wait really??? So doing a Masters doesn’t increase your knowledge???
ur spending an extra yr or more at uni, of course you will learn something. Whether what you learn is useful for what you are going to do is up for debate. @quickoats how long are masters?
 

CoolKids101

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ur spending an extra yr or more at uni, of course you will learn something. Whether what you learn is useful for what you are going to do is up for debate. @quickoats how long are masters?
Ahhh ok. I think masters are generally 2 years but depending on how you do they could be shorter
 

quickoats

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ur spending an extra yr or more at uni, of course you will learn something. Whether what you learn is useful for what you are going to do is up for debate. @quickoats how long are masters?
1-3 years depending on uni etc. But not necessary for entry level job. Probably not super desired unless you know exactly what you want since you’d have less experience and might lock yourself into being “too specialised” thus having less places to apply for.

e.g. if you do BSc(Stats) and go straight into MPH/MBioStats you will sort of lock yourself into applying for health statistics jobs. Of course you can apply for other stats work but IMO the employer might think you “just couldn’t hack it in biostats” and therefore applying to them as a backup.
 

dasfas

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I've chosen Comm/CompSci for this year as well and I've enrolled, although now I'm debating on switching to engineering instead of commerce but I'm still not sure. I think regarding Commerce/CompSci the employment opportunities should be greater, although commerce is increasingly becoming oversaturated so it is obviously subject to change in the future. It's also one of the reasons I'm considering engineering instead, but I still feel like I couldmake use of commerce.
If you're still deciding, definitely engineering/comp sci. Commerce is super saturated, doesn't teach super useful skills that can't be learnt on one's own.

Check this link out - https://www.reddit.com/r/unsw/comments/mdxddb
 

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