Thread: Career

  1. #1
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    Career

    Hi, I am a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am a CS major. I also hate programming. I know, I'm in the wrong major. I also hate the ridiculous amounts of math I have. I know I can do the math, it shows on my k-12 test scores, but I just have a hard time motivating myself to do the work to further myself in a major I already hate.
    Now the only other major I think I would like, is the Management Information Systems. From what I understand this is basically an IT tech. I had a long talk with an undergraduate counselor who eavesdropped and snatched me up right before I switched to that major. He explained to me why outsourcing is more likely in that field than computer scientists or engineers because of their lower skill level. He told me that MIS majors start out around 30K while CS majors start at round 40K. I'm hoping I win the powerball on wednesday. The only other major I could see myself doing is Political Science, but I don't want to be a politician and I don't want to go to law school, so I'm pretty dry there.

    I don't really know what kind of answer I'm looking for... just some insight maybe? Yeah this kinda sucks
    Idk

    Howard

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    MIS degree is a cop-out "computer" degree. It's the "I don't wanna do math" degree, and the "I just wanna take the easy computer classes" degree. While that's all fine and dandy, it means that too many people have them. My brother-in-law works at Outback steakhouse and their cook has an MIS degree. That should tell you how flooded the market is with IT/IS type degrees. This is the D.C. area too.

    If you really don't like it, don't do it, but don't waste your money on a degree just so you can get a degree "in computers". There are plenty of other fields you can get into, maybe take a year or so to find what it is you want to do before jumping into a specific degree. If you are into science at all, maybe get a degree in physics or something, if not, well, maybe get into political science and start your own internet blog. Get some wacky right or left wing opinions and people are sure to flood to your site and send your google ad revenue skyrocketing.
    Last edited by rockytriton; 10-18-2005 at 07:26 AM.

  3. #3
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    > I'm hoping I win the powerball on wednesday.

    Too bad, sucker! It's allllll mine!

    (I'll give you a grand when I win, though)

  4. #4
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rockytriton
    This is the D.C. area too.
    What area of DC? And are you from the same area? I'm from "around" there.

    And I have to agree with the others to some extent. While money isn't everything, getting an MIS degree is a dead end. Do something you enjoy, not something that you only partially like.
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  5. #5
    Your Father
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    ughhh its a hard decision. People keep telling me that it doesnt matter this early, but I'm taking 2 math classes, 2 compsci classes, an english and an economics. So most of my schedule is dedicated to the compsci major.

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    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    As a freshman, you're not stuck on anything. Even if you switch to Theology or Professional Wrestling Appreciation, you can still transfer them as electives or something.

    Also, don't be so sure that your degree will be your career until the end of time. I've got a Comp Engineering degree, and I push paper all day. I don't know if I could do any engineering, at this point.

  7. #7
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Yeah, I was going to say something similar... I heard a stat not too long ago that less than 40% of people with college degrees end up working in the field their degree is in.
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  8. #8
    Your Father
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    maybe a degree in communication?? wouldnt that be pretty much universal for any managerial position?

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    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    No, the pretty constant degree for a real managerial position is a Management degree

    Seriously - communications and polisci are about as generic as you can possibly get. I'd suggest getting something more specific.

  10. #10
    Your Father
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    im lost in college

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    Hi, I am a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I am a CS major. I also hate programming. I know, I'm in the wrong major. I also hate the ridiculous amounts of math I have. I know I can do the math, it shows on my k-12 test scores, but I just have a hard time motivating myself to do the work to further myself in a major I already hate.
    "I hate programming" is kind of general. You shoould tell us why you hate programming; it might just be related to one single class or teacher.


    He told me that MIS majors start out around 30K while CS majors start at round 40K. I'm hoping I win the powerball on wednesday. The only other major I could see myself doing is Political Science, but I don't want to be a politician and I don't want to go to law school, so I'm pretty dry there.
    Political science majors don't have to go into politics.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ober
    What area of DC? And are you from the same area? I'm from "around" there.
    I work on Alexandria VA, and live in Stafford VA. But I've lived and worked around all sides of the capitol beltway.

  13. #13
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Ahh... I live in Frederick, MD... but I work farther west of there in Hagerstown, MD.
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  14. #14
    Your Father
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    Well, I don't really hate programming, I just can't see myself doing it forever. I don't know why. I'm really confused. It just seems that everything else that I would enjoy doing wouldn't get me as far as a technical degree.

  15. #15
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    Well, what do you enjoy?

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