Information technology or Computer science

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice between pursuing a degree in Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT), particularly focusing on the management aspects of technology. Participants explore the implications of each degree on career paths, personal satisfaction, and the challenges faced in current coursework.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with their Computer Science major, particularly struggling with Data Structures and feeling lost without guidance from teaching assistants.
  • Another participant suggests that pursuing a degree that makes one happier is important and mentions that there may be more job opportunities in IT compared to CS.
  • There is a discussion about the importance of having coding experience if one wishes to manage developers effectively, highlighting the need for domain knowledge in technology management roles.
  • Suggestions are made to consider fields like software engineering or IT courses that integrate business systems and technology.
  • A participant introduces the term "Management Information Systems" (MIS) as a potential area of interest for those looking to blend management with technology.
  • Project management is also mentioned as a relevant field for those interested in overseeing technology projects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which degree is better, as opinions vary on the importance of personal satisfaction versus job market considerations. The discussion reflects multiple competing views on the best path forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about specific job roles and the skills required for management positions in technology, indicating a lack of clarity on how different degrees align with career aspirations.

daviddave
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I am a Computer Science major and as of now, I am starting to feel like this is not want I want to do with my life. I want to be involved in the management aspect of technology. I don't know which degree will take me there. I am currently taking Data Structures and I hate that class. I feel like I can't even grasp the concept and I know it gets harder as I move up to the next class. Since this semester started I've been lost. I've been doing my programs through my TA's guiding me step by step. My grade in this class is decent thus far but I feel like if I continue on with this major, I will not have TA's guiding me step by step anymore. I spoke to my adviser and found that I can major in IT with a concentration in Network Security and Health Informatics and minor in Computer Science . I will still be able to graduated the same amount of time it would have taking me to finish with a BS in Computer Science . What is your opinion on this? This decision is killing me because I don't want to make the wrong choice and regret it. What do you think?


Also personally which is the better degree to have?
 
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Do what makes you happy; any choice that makes you happier in the long run isn't the wrong choice. In all reality there are probably more jobs in IT than in CS too...
 
daviddave said:
I am a Computer Science major and as of now, I am starting to feel like this is not want I want to do with my life. I want to be involved in the management aspect of technology. I don't know which degree will take me there. I am currently taking Data Structures and I hate that class. I feel like I can't even grasp the concept and I know it gets harder as I move up to the next class. Since this semester started I've been lost. I've been doing my programs through my TA's guiding me step by step. My grade in this class is decent thus far but I feel like if I continue on with this major, I will not have TA's guiding me step by step anymore. I spoke to my adviser and found that I can major in IT with a concentration in Network Security and Health Informatics and minor in Computer Science . I will still be able to graduated the same amount of time it would have taking me to finish with a BS in Computer Science . What is your opinion on this? This decision is killing me because I don't want to make the wrong choice and regret it. What do you think?


Also personally which is the better degree to have?

I'm not sure on what you know about specific jobs, but there is a range of people who are more focused on the business side of things rather than the technology.

One thing I should point out is that if you want to manage other coders, you should have had some experience being a coder yourself since you need that domain knowledge to be effective.

Maybe you would like software engineering or some IT course that includes courses on business systems, SQL, and integration of business needs with technology.

If you're interested in say finding patterns in data for business needs, look into the business analyst area.

I know I've said this above, but again I stress if you want to do something like manage coders, or be in charge of technology that involves that kind of understanding, you should have experience as a developer.

If however you want to do something like take the business needs and convert them them to design specs and fancy UML diagrams then it might be different.
 
daviddave said:
I am a Computer Science major and as of now, I am starting to feel like this is not want I want to do with my life. I want to be involved in the management aspect of technology. I don't know which degree will take me there.

The magic google term is MIS "Management Information Systems"

Also google for "project management."
 

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