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Computer Science or Busness Administration first? (help)

Gizmo j

Gizmo j

Golden Member
I really want to study Computer Science but I am worried that while I am working towards my Bachelors it would be difficult to obtain a job for the evening and the summer without having a business major.

I currently live at Job Corps in Los Angeles, I have my GED, A certificate in Office Administration and will soon have one in Culinary Arts.

After Job Corps I don't really have anywhere else to go so it is very important for me to have a job, I have an uncle that would let me sleep their for a few nights but he wont let me "live" there.

I want a Office job that works with computers such as Customer Service or a Computer Support Specialists, but If I cant find one of those I can settle for office clerk or administrative assistant and such.

My question is, In order to find a stable job should I try to get my Associates in Business first or should I go directly to Computer Science?
 
you should take a programming class to see if it's right for you.

computer science =/= I like to use computers

your background and goals don't scream "compsci major"
 
Many schools have a hybrid business major / computer science minor called MIS (Management Information Science) but that is way overkill for the work you are seeking. Basic computer troubleshooting help desk work only needs basic certification (like A+ for Windows) with a GED.
 
NoTine42 said:
Many schools have a hybrid business major / computer science minor called MIS (Management Information Science) but that is way overkill for the work you are seeking. Basic computer troubleshooting help desk work only needs basic certification (like A+ for Windows) with a GED.
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The Customer service and computer support jobs are just for when I am in my twenties.
 
can I ask the obvious question, what are you planning to do with whatever you have in culinary arts?
 
have you thought of getting a CDL? right now truck drivers are making bank. The whole Computers thing kind of died out in the late 90s early 2000's

You can make 100-120K driving a long haul truck right out of high school. Do this for 4 years and you would have a nice little nest egg.
 
Hugo Drax said:
have you thought of getting a CDL? right now truck drivers are making bank. The whole Computers thing kind of died out in the late 90s early 2000's

You can make 100-120K driving a long haul truck right out of high school. Do this for 4 years and you would have a nice little nest egg.
Click to expand...

drivers are crazy in demand in SoCal too.

http://www.joc.com/port-news/us-por...e-hits-la-lb-container-handling_20140106.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-27/los-angeles-delays-hit-sales-as-no-1-u-s-port-suffers.html
 
Ns1 said:
can I ask the obvious question, what are you planning to do with whatever you have in culinary arts?
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Job Corps makes you obtain trades after you have your GED.

Each trade takes about 6 months to complete. I already have gotten the Office Administration certificate so I thought I should get one in culinary arts so that If I cannot find an office job I can work in the kitchen.

I don't plan on making a "Career" in the food industry.
 
I started with Comp Sci, but switched Business midstream because programming bored me. I then compounded my business with a MBA. I'm probably going to go one step further with an Ed.D. or DBA (Doctor of Bus Admin) just to piss off my wife.

I think you should start by asking yourself what you want to do...then ask if it makes money.... You don't NEED a business degree to do anything. It's only a piece of paper that gets you in the door. If you want to be a programmer, having the BS in it makes it easier because you have a lot of hoops to jump through to get the degree.

If you don't want to be that technical, do business and find an entry level somewhere that will take you on.
 
You will open a lot more doors with a comp sci degree in terms of internships and job opportunities, even just small-on the side things like app coding etc. Many of my friends who were comp sci majors had very good internships as early as their 2nd year and were able to leverage their knowledge to code things on the side to make money during the school year.

A business degree (AA or BS) isn't going to open a lot of doors that you can't open already through networking. I know many people with business degrees that struggled to find a reasonable position (and many still don't have them).

You're better off taking out a student loan and focusing on Comp Sci and networking with your professors until you have the tools you need.
 
deadlyapp said:
You will open a lot more doors with a comp sci degree in terms of internships and job opportunities, even just small-on the side things like app coding etc. Many of my friends who were comp sci majors had very good internships as early as their 2nd year and were able to leverage their knowledge to code things on the side to make money during the school year.

A business degree (AA or BS) isn't going to open a lot of doors that you can't open already through networking. I know many people with business degrees that struggled to find a reasonable position (and many still don't have them).

You're better off taking out a student loan and focusing on Comp Sci and networking with your professors until you have the tools you need.
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I agree with the internships. It's what I was picturing when I suggested getting an entry-level position somewhere. You may even want to get an internship and see if you can get hired on full time.....then switch your major. 😀
 
Excellent advice.

A BS in computer science degree is usually VERY math heavy (several semesters of calculus, formal theory and proof of algorithms, etc).

Dave

Ns1 said:
you should take a programming class to see if it's right for you.

computer science =/= I like to use computers

your background and goals don't scream "compsci major"
Click to expand...
 
Honestly, I'd rather have a degree in Culinary Arts than in Computer Science right now.

Most restaurant jobs are basically impossible to outsource overseas, and people always need to eat even in a crummy economy.

You live in LA... one of the food truck capitals of the world. Why not give that a try first?
 
Hugo Drax said:
have you thought of getting a CDL? right now truck drivers are making bank. The whole Computers thing kind of died out in the late 90s early 2000's

You can make 100-120K driving a long haul truck right out of high school. Do this for 4 years and you would have a nice little nest egg.
Click to expand...

I'm doing this for 3-5 years once the kids move out.

Selling the house and off on a road trip with the wife.
 
ultimatebob said:
Honestly, I'd rather have a degree in Culinary Arts than in Computer Science right now.

Most restaurant jobs are basically impossible to outsource overseas, and people always need to eat even in a crummy economy.

You live in LA... one of the food truck capitals of the world. Why not give that a try first?
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Problem is, most restaurant jobs = no LIFE
 
Ns1 said:
you should take a programming class to see if it's right for you.

computer science =/= I like to use computers

your background and goals don't scream "compsci major"
Click to expand...

And computer science isn't programming, either. Just like architecture is not carpentry.
 
Busness Administration is a worthless degree. At least get a useful business degree like Accounting and go into MIS.
 
Gizmo j said:
... My question is, In order to find a stable job should I try to get my Associates in Business first or should I go directly to Computer Science?
Click to expand...

Just a thought.

As you look for programs, see if you can find one that offers paid internships. That way, you can get some experience as well as education.

At this point, I suspect that experience, in either CS or business, would be more useful to you than a specific major.

Best of luck,
Uno
 
xeemzor said:
Busness Administration is a worthless degree. At least get a useful business degree like Accounting and go into MIS.
Click to expand...

This.

Getting a business degree is less likely to yield a job than a comp sci degree.

A business degree is good for graduate work (ie an MBA) because it dovetails into a background field. So if you have a comp sci degree and work in industry and then get an MBA you'd be on a track to be a manager in that field. You have the technical background and then couple it with business knowledge.

A business degree as an undergrad is stupid. What kind of business are you going to manage? You have no idea about what goes into any field because all you have are theories with no context.

So yeah, comp sci.
 
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