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Computer Science

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:00 am
by Alex!
Hey everyone,
I'm currently in my first year studying civil engineering at cardiff uni but slowly I'm coming round to the fact that I'm not cut out for it. Instead I'd like to do something such as computer science; basically anything that involves programming of sorts...My question is, what are the job prospects like for someone with such a degree as a BSc in computer science? I don't want to end up with a degree that I can't get a 'decent' job with. Also any advice to get ahead of the game is appreciated...at the moment I'm only proficient in C++ and php. Any suggestions what to move onto next?

Thanks to anyone who replies
Alex

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:24 am
by feyd
How do you quantify "decent job"?

Do you have any specific interests in the fields or other pursuits? While a general degree in computer science can get you a "decent job," specialization can get you a "better one."

C#, Java and possibly Delphi are the next likely major moves. Minors in Ruby and Python can round it all out.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:52 am
by RobertGonzalez
Another question to ask yourself is what do you want to do professionally? Is programming what you want to go into? Have you looked at the job boards in your area to see what the potential prospects are for work in the field you intend to go into?

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:56 am
by onion2k
Computer Science <> Software Engineering

Someone studying CompSci wouldn't go within a million miles of PHP on their course.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:08 am
by pickle
onion2k wrote:Someone studying CompSci wouldn't go within a million miles of PHP on their course.
I did.


Also, it's generally called Computing Science, not Computer Science - those are two very different things.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:27 am
by Chris Corbyn
onion2k wrote:Computer Science <> Software Engineering

Someone studying CompSci wouldn't go within a million miles of PHP on their course.
They do at Durham. We spent a whole year doing a SEG project in PHP. They even do Perl in a lecture course called "Logic, Grammar & Software Tools".

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:28 am
by d3ad1ysp0rk
pickle wrote:
onion2k wrote:Someone studying CompSci wouldn't go within a million miles of PHP on their course.
I did.


Also, it's generally called Computing Science, not Computer Science - those are two very different things.
http://cs.usm.maine.edu/

Mine is Computer Science, and for required classes, it's all Java/Assembly/Whatever. No web languages.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:30 am
by Charles256
Mines Computer Science also ;)

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:32 am
by pickle
My apologies if I came off as snotty. At my university, computing science was a focus on algorithms & logic etc, whereas computer science was more focused on hardware & the technical aspect of computing. They were viewed as very different subjects.

But, as you point out - different universities use different terms.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:32 am
by Chris Corbyn
Durham's was too.

They do other specific courses though:

Advanced Software Engineering
Artificial Intellegence

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:46 am
by Kieran Huggins
Try to do professionally what you would spend your time doing anyway. I know it's an old idea, but it's ignored far too often. I love my work, so I'm happy 8 (or more) hours longer than most of my friends every day! You can't put a price on that ;-)

Once you've got that figured out, just strive to be the best at what you do and never stop looking for new opportunities. Go to lots of interviews -- you can always say no!

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:59 am
by jyhm
Good Luck Alex! I hope you fare well!

Not to bombard this thread but while we are on the subject; how many CS schools and universities teach a good Linux/Unix foundation? Or do most leave stuff like that out?

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:02 pm
by Chris Corbyn
Get your CV online in HTML format with links to other formats. Post it somewhere like monster.com and you're sure to receive an influx of calls for 3 months. Link to it elsewhere and you'll get a nice trickle all the time. I get calls all the time asking if I'd like to come and see X company because they found my CV online. I like to keep informed about what job opportunities there are anyway -- even if it's only to sweet talk my boss into giving me a pay-rise because a few other companies are paying higher :lol:

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:04 pm
by RobertGonzalez
I think most CS curriculum are going to be widespread in terms of what is taught. I am sure that there will be some *nix, but I would venture to say that unless that is your specialty, then you will probably get smacked with a lot of Windows stuff.

And I think Computer Science, as a course work, is more an American concept as I have never seen a Computing Science course but in just about all Universities here, there are usually a Computer Science school and a Computer Engineering school.

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:08 pm
by RobertGonzalez
d11wtq wrote:Get your CV online in HTML format with links to other formats. Post it somewhere like monster.com and you're sure to receive an influx of calls for 3 months. Link to it elsewhere and you'll get a nice trickle all the time. I get calls all the time asking if I'd like to come and see X company because they found my CV online. I like to keep informed about what job opportunities there are anyway -- even if it's only to sweet talk my boss into giving me a pay-rise because a few other companies are paying higher :lol:
Funny you should mention that because I still get emails and my Resume has been moved since August. I had mine up for two weeks and got 52 hits, three interview offers (the rest were for contract jobs), a solid interview and landed a sweet ass job (where I am now) at an enormous pay increase over my old, non-programming gig.