To Honours or not to Honours?

Aasvoël

Aasvoël

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This question probably gets asked a lot, and did some searching but could come up with anything, so here goes.

Is doing honours worth it? At the end of the year Ill most likely be getting my Bcom in Computer Science/IS, and now I have to make the choice of doing it or not. From what I've gathered is that honours learns you more about CS/IS, and that it makes you more competitive when looking for jobs. To what extend is this true? I've never struggled with my CS/IS modules, and feel that doing the extra year will only get me a better degree not necessarily increase my knowledge and help me in the work environment. Does Honours students get more money/get promoted faster than just the normal degree guys? (I know individual skill plays a role here). Just looking for some insite from the people in the industry.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
Do it while you can. Get as much behind your name to give you the edge over others when being picked as possible. You're bound to know nothing when walking into your first job anyway. The sooner you come to terms with this, the better. Only when you start working do you does the learning actually start.

End of discussion.

(also, it's "teaches" not "learns" and it's spelled "insight". ;))
 
Just do it! I did BSc CS Hons, and had no issues getting a job. While you have the determination and time, do it.
 
Voicy said:
(also, it's "teaches" not "learns" and it's spelled "insight". ;))
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That's the least of OP's spelling/grammar problems! ;)

Anyway, absolutely do your honours if it is available to you. I'm doing mine for my B.Sc next year after a couple of years out of university as it opens some doors further down the line, regarding studies. Your starting salary may or may not be higher than otherwise as it really depends on whether you are any good, but it'll probably make getting interviews a bit easier if you don't have any other experience to back you up.
 
Messugga said:
That's the least of OP's spelling/grammar problems! ;)

Anyway, absolutely do your honours if it is available to you. I'm doing mine for my B.Sc next year after a couple of years out of university as it opens some doors further down the line, regarding studies. Your starting salary may or may not be higher than otherwise as it really depends on whether you are any good, but it'll probably make getting interviews a bit easier if you don't have any other experience to back you up.
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For those spelling mistakes :P
314474_10150319780967147_620672146_7983662_20793.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice. Looks like I will do hons. One more year of loafing cant hurt, right? :P

Cheers :)
 
DrYes said:
What is a Bcom computer science degree?
What can you do?
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It's a BCom degree with computer science subjects included. In other words, it has management and finance and whatnot mixed with IT-related modules.
 
I took economics as my Second Major..... Not the best idea :/
 
I'd say go for Honours... stop before Masters. Masters pretty much counts against you if you are looking for a programming job, as you tend towards academic theory more (i.e. "ooh look at me, I nearly have my doctorate and can tell you how to internalise the theory of quantum chip symbiosis on a multi-scalar looping matrix... wait, how do I data bind again?"), and you miss the sweet spot in commercial programming skills.

This has been my experience in companies (I expect not everyone will agree)... I wouldn't touch a candidate with a masters degree for a programming job, but would jump on an honours student (not literally, that might hurt them).
 
Someone summed it up by saying "Study forever" not a long time ago here on myBB.
So study as much as you can until you can't. You'll probably want to get to management at some stage and your masters/doctorate will come in handy.
 
Fuma said:
Someone summed it up by saying "Study forever" not a long time ago here on myBB.
So study as much as you can until you can't. You'll probably want to get to management at some stage and your masters/doctorate will come in handy.
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How many companies in SA have board of directors with majority of PHds? In fact how many of them have more than just 1 or 2 PHds on the board of directors? (when they actually have 1)

LOL, I disagree completely with that statement, half the people on the executive comity (EXCO) in our company don't even have masters degrees. And in case you don't know what an EXCO is, in large companies they are the managers appointed by the board of directors and act directly below them. Below that is the MANCO (management comity) and thereafter mid level and low level managers followed by employees.

Few people will advance to the MANCO forget EXCO of a large company unless they are connected. Most people on the board of directors of large SA companies are MBAs/CA/Actuaries and so forth. Your people skills and who you know is much more important at that level than your qualifications.

Rather earn some exp IMHO. A BSc grad with 1 year exp. will earn much more than a hons grad. with 0 exp. That is in IT at least.

If you think that a MSc in IT is going to get you to management I think you have been viciously misinformed. They don't need technical skills at that level, the best you can hope for is the overall technical architect for a company.

Maybe if you do an MBA + Business analyst + IT type thing you might stand a chance.
 
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Gnome said:
How many companies in SA have board of directors with majority of PHds? In fact how many of them have more than just 1 or 2 PHds on the board of directors? (when they actually have 1)

LOL, I disagree completely with that statement, half the people on the executive comity (EXCO) in our company don't even have masters degrees. And in case you don't know what an EXCO is, in large companies they are the managers appointed by the board of directors and act directly below them. Below that is the MANCO (management comity) and thereafter mid level and low level managers followed by employees.

Few people will advance to the MANCO forget EXCO of a large company unless they are connected. Most people on the board of directors of large SA companies are MBAs/CA/Actuaries and so forth. Your people skills and who you know is much more important at that level than your qualifications.

Rather earn some exp IMHO. A BSc grad with 1 year exp. will earn much more than a hons grad. with 0 exp. That is in IT at least.

If you think that a MSc in IT is going to get you to management I think you have been viciously misinformed. They don't need technical skills at that level, the best you can hope for is the overall technical architect for a company.

Maybe if you do an MBA + Business analyst + IT type thing you might stand a chance.
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I suppose yo are saying studying further (e.g. getting your Masters and PHDs is not helpful in IT? I disagree with that.
Of course experience counts. That is given.

I would suggest to the OP, if he can study further, go straight ahead. I came to realize that people that discourage studying further are people who didn't study themselves. Not directed at you Gnome, but that is just my observation. RPM has an Msc himself, I think he can put a word or two of his experiences.

MBA is also a good option.
 
Fuma said:
I suppose yo are saying studying further (e.g. getting your Masters and PHDs is not helpful in IT? I disagree with that
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As I said, being connected is far more useful. If you are friends or befriend the right people things will go well for you. Are you actually working in the industry?

And IT related masters or PHd is pointless, I'll say it again, anything beyond undergraduate level technical abilities is already overkill for 99% of jobs out there. Furthermore if you actually do get to a company that makes use of that skill you have already screwed yourself by being that technical. Your chances of advancing out of such a highly technical position is very slim.

IT degree + Business Analyst + some kind of management diploma or degree (MBA ideally which is technically a masters but not a technical IT masters). That is the best an IT person can do.
 
Gnome said:
IT degree + Business Analyst + some kind of management diploma or degree (MBA ideally which is technically a masters but not a technical IT masters). That is the best an IT person can do.
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IT Degree : e.g. BCom/BSc
Business Analyst : which qualification should one do here? i think a Hons in BSc could help here,but are there other options?( almost done with my Hons)
Management diploma : MBA -definitely going this route in the next 3 years, but purely because the thesis portion is smaller than the thesis of a MSc and i'd like to learn more on how to manage a company. this is just preference but respect to anyone doing a Masters in CS/IS. holy smoke i checked out the subjects which are being undertaken at US for Masters in CS, HOLY SMOKE!!
 
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DrYes said:
What is a Bcom computer science degree?
What can you do?
Click to expand...
Messugga said:
It's a BCom degree with computer science subjects included. In other words, it has management and finance and whatnot mixed with IT-related modules.
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Well, seeing that the OP might not be in the technical side of things as his course is a combination of management, finance, some CS modules, and I believe there will be some BA stuff as well. So he might very well go ahead with his masters. Lets agree to disagree on this one.
 
jxharding said:
Business Analyst : which qualification should one do here? i think a Hons in BSc could help here,but are there other options?( almost done with my Hons)
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Basically BAs usually study BCom informatics and such. But I'm sure there are diplomas.

My IT degree I did most of the BCom Informatics modules that covered the BA type stuff. It isn't difficult at all. Could ask around here, our actuaries need to be BAs while they complete their studies and every now and then they send out emails congratulating the actuaries on completing some or other qualificiation allowing them to be proper BAs.

jxharding said:
Management diploma : MBA -definitely going this route in the next 3 years, but purely because the thesis portion is smaller than the thesis of a MSc and i'd like to learn more on how to manage a company. this is just preference but respect to anyone doing a Masters in CS/IS. holy smoke i checked out the subjects which are being undertaken at US for Masters in CS, HOLY SMOKE!!
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Actually a typical MSc in SA is much harder than in the US or UK.

An MSc doesn't add to the body of knowledge, it only explores the current body of knowledge and confirms research. A PHd adds to the body of knowledge.

In SA however an IT MSc will almost always add to the body of knowledge.

Lastly, MSc is usually so far removed from the industry that the degree's worth is pretty much restricted to how impressed your potential employer is going to be. I'd like to see anyone prove me wrong on this point, and we are talking about research in SA btw.
 
The difference between BCom and BSc at my university is mostly just your second major. So instead of Accounting, Economics or Business Management they can choose Math, applied math or physics. In 3rd year the only difference is 2 modules. So the CS/IS part is allmost the same, we share classes, same test ect.

Would be wonder full if someone like ITWeb did a survey about this. :)
 
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