From BTech in Electrical Engineering to BSc in Computing

princeradebe

princeradebe

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I finally finished my BTech Degree with UNISA in Electrical Engineering. I have had a decent career from a Technician to being a Production Engineer over the years, but my love for Electrical Engineering has faded. Looking back, I have always loved Computers/Programming and I think I would have done brilliantly in the Computing/Programming Environment.

My left brain is telling me to register for a Computer Science Degree with UNISA and my right brain says I can be self taught. Having looked at the course structure and syllabus from UNISA, I already know a some concepts and I believe I will enjoy the course. The question I am putting to you is:

-Should I get the Degree or use my BTech Degree and self taught experience to jump career paths?
 
There is a wealth of knowledge, like discrete mathematics, theory of computing, etc which you will be exposed to during computer science studies - go for it
 
I’m with the other three. While I am sure you will be able to find development work with what you have, it’s not likely to be particularly stimulating or lucrative.

If you know some of the concepts already, it will just allow you to get through those modules much more easily, so you can spend time on the rest.

I did my CS degree after 10 or so years of hobbiest programming. I didn’t expect to get much out of it, but I really did.
 
I don't disagree with the previous responses (and we are in the company of some forum heavyweights here!) regarding the value of the course you are contemplating, however I am going to play Devil's Advocate (from the point of view of having made a substantial career change in my mid 30's.)

My first recommendation to anyone seeking to change career, would be to look in the first instance for some opportunity where your existing experience has value but where you have opportunity to grow in the direction that you wish. In my opinion, it is generally less risky to take this approach than to start by investing substantial time and money right from the off - it's not ideal where you are now to risk that time and money and not know for several years if you have succeeded.

In fact, you are in an ideal position to take a lean/agile approach to your career progression - start with the minimum viable product and iterate rapidly to improve it.

You already have achieved a respected degree (via the scenic route if you have worked your way from tech to engineer.) I imagine in the course of your degree, you have been exposed to some challenging mathematics and programming at some level may have been part of your studies. Engineers and Computer Scientists alike learn to learn for themselves and the internet does have a wealth on information out there to grow the knowledge that you need.

You may also have opportunities in your current environment to solve problems using software - or your knowledge and experience as an engineer combined with a passion for programming may give you a special insight that a computer scientist might not have - perhaps you could write a Python plugin for Fusion 360 that solves a particular engineering problem that might be harder for a CS graduate to grasp.

Yes, a CS degree could be beneficial at some point but it is worth thinking outside of the box as well.

Rambling a bit so going to leave it there. Hope this helps as a counterpoint to consider.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Self taught counts for little unless it's part of your work experience/track record.

Get the piece of paper, it's worth it...
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- I have already applied for the course, spoke to my company and they are willing to meet me halfway.

CamiKaze said:
A Computer Science degree is more than just programming in my opinion.
Get the degree.
Click to expand...

- Very true... I have considered it.

vic777 said:
There is a wealth of knowledge, like discrete mathematics, theory of computing, etc which you will be exposed to during computer science studies - go for it
Click to expand...

- :cool:

cguy said:
I’m with the other three. While I am sure you will be able to find development work with what you have, it’s not likely to be particularly stimulating or lucrative.

If you know some of the concepts already, it will just allow you to get through those modules much more easily, so you can spend time on the rest.

I did my CS degree after 10 or so years of hobbiest programming. I didn’t expect to get much out of it, but I really did.
Click to expand...

-I think the first year would be a breeze, should be able to do all the modules.
 
I am/was in a very similar boat to you, so will share what I've learnt. I have an engineering degree, but slowly found myself falling out of love with it and was always looking for excuses to write programs to get stuff done at work. So I registered at the beginning of 2018 for BSc Computer science and Maths. Because of credits from my previous degree I'm just about half way through the degree now and I absolutely love it. I may not actually finish (I already have a "piece of paper") but I will do all the computer modules until the end. I will try to finish though.

There is a saying that is especially applicable to computer science: "You don't know what you don't know". ie: There will be concepts to do with programming, computer architecture, logic etc that you didn't even know existed, and so its quite hard to teach yourself when this is the case. You wont know what to study next. Studying through a university will give you a much better road map, they know what you need to learn. Having exams is also a good incentive to really study something.

Honestly I thought I was a decent programmer because I had written a bunch of things in Java, but I didn't know the first thing about (for example) the efficiency of different sorting algorithms, or data structures. I didn't know what I didn't know (existed).

That said, my decision was a bit of a no-brainer as my career change has been with the same company. They needed C++ developers, which is the main teaching language at UNISA so I thought "Why not?". But I've since discovered a really stimulating field that I plan to stick with for the rest of my working career.

My suggestion: you may not need to get a whole new degree. If you are an engineer who is also a really capable software developer then you shouldn't battle to find work. All I'm saying is that learning through a more structured environment has really boosted the learning process for me.
 
InvisibleJim said:
I don't disagree with the previous responses (and we are in the company of some forum heavyweights here!) regarding the value of the course you are contemplating, however I am going to play Devil's Advocate (from the point of view of having made a substantial career change in my mid 30's.)

My first recommendation to anyone seeking to change career, would be to look in the first instance for some opportunity where your existing experience has value but where you have opportunity to grow in the direction that you wish. In my opinion, it is generally less risky to take this approach than to start by investing substantial time and money right from the off - it's not ideal where you are now to risk that time and money and not know for several years if you have succeeded.

In fact, you are in an ideal position to take a lean/agile approach to your career progression - start with the minimum viable product and iterate rapidly to improve it.

You already have achieved a respected degree (via the scenic route if you have worked your way from tech to engineer.) I imagine in the course of your degree, you have been exposed to some challenging mathematics and programming at some level may have been part of your studies. Engineers and Computer Scientists alike learn to learn for themselves and the internet does have a wealth on information out there to grow the knowledge that you need.

You may also have opportunities in your current environment to solve problems using software - or your knowledge and experience as an engineer combined with a passion for programming may give you a special insight that a computer scientist might not have - perhaps you could write a Python plugin for Fusion 360 that solves a particular engineering problem that might be harder for a CS graduate to grasp.

Yes, a CS degree could be beneficial at some point but it is worth thinking outside of the box as well.

Rambling a bit so going to leave it there. Hope this helps as a counterpoint to consider.
Click to expand...

- I fully support what you are suggesting, I am already ahead of you on that one. I have made a move within the company and currently being exposed to Python/C and Embedded Systems. I will be using this opportunity to deepen my knowledge in Computer Science concepts and I am lucky I am working with people who have done the course.

The real trick was convincing myself to study Computer Science formally or going the self-taught route. From the replies its clear that the piece of paper would go a long way. The support I am also getting from the company to allow me to study and financing it is the other reason I have already gone an applied for it. Should be starting next semester.
 
psradebe said:
- I fully support what you are suggesting, I am already ahead of you on that one. I have made a move within the company and currently being exposed to Python/C and Embedded Systems. I will be using this opportunity to deepen my knowledge in Computer Science concepts and I am lucky I am working with people who have done the course.

The real trick was convincing myself to study Computer Science formally or going the self-taught route. From the replies its clear that the piece of paper would go a long way. The support I am also getting from the company to allow me to study and financing it is the other reason I have already gone an applied for it. Should be starting next semester.
Click to expand...

Congratulations. Having that kind of support from your employer puts a different complexion on things. An opportunity worth grabbing with both hands!
 
Was in the same boat and ended up doing a National Diploma in IT. After 15 years in IT, I'm now considering going back to Electrical Engineering :)
 
Not the update I wanted to give but I feel like let me post something on this thread.

My journey started in 2019 when I got the urge to register for BSc Computing at UNISA. Fast Forward to end of 2023 when I had planned that I would be done. 1 F#cken module had to ruin my plans.

Heres what happened:
I registered with UNISA January 2020 to endeavour on a new career path. My mentor, friends and ex-colleagues were against the decision sighting that I don't need the degree. I am a person of structure and if my aim was to change careers, I needed something to guide me and also get that sense of achievement.

By end of second semester I decided to change from BSc Computing to BSc Informatics. Everything started to feel repetitive to my Engineering Degree. I decided on BSc Informatics as my long term goal is to build Fintech startup and I was now getting the best of both worlds with the degree.

Everything was supposed to be smooth sailing, I have been a UNISA student before so I know my way around the messy system, the assignments structure and exam venues. I was not prepared though for COVID and everything being online. Having to adjust was tough but a blessing in disguise. I managed to register more modules since we are now online and not venue based.

Sailed through from there and then I had to write my last exam during load shedding. I was lucky before as all other exams had missed my load shedding schedule. The last exam came, my fibre was down. MTN had only one bar reception but I soldiered through and submitted. Results cam back and Deferred- - Proctoring non-compliance . Like WTF, the app says I have submitted but now I have to write Supp. Turns out that the app detected that I closed the app for more than 10 minutes. Why was that?.

My fibre disconnected whilst writing and I had to switch to mobile data. Stupid me, I did not have data on my phone and had to recharge. Long story short, I am to blame for the results since I was not prepared for the worst.

Takeaway: Be prepared and go with your gut.

I will update my progress later this year with my graduation gown.
 
princeradebe said:
Not the update I wanted to give but I feel like let me post something on this thread.

My journey started in 2019 when I got the urge to register for BSc Computing at UNISA. Fast Forward to end of 2023 when I had planned that I would be done. 1 F#cken module had to ruin my plans.

Heres what happened:
I registered with UNISA January 2020 to endeavour on a new career path. My mentor, friends and ex-colleagues were against the decision sighting that I don't need the degree. I am a person of structure and if my aim was to change careers, I needed something to guide me and also get that sense of achievement.

By end of second semester I decided to change from BSc Computing to BSc Informatics. Everything started to feel repetitive to my Engineering Degree. I decided on BSc Informatics as my long term goal is to build Fintech startup and I was now getting the best of both worlds with the degree.

Everything was supposed to be smooth sailing, I have been a UNISA student before so I know my way around the messy system, the assignments structure and exam venues. I was not prepared though for COVID and everything being online. Having to adjust was tough but a blessing in disguise. I managed to register more modules since we are now online and not venue based.

Sailed through from there and then I had to write my last exam during load shedding. I was lucky before as all other exams had missed my load shedding schedule. The last exam came, my fibre was down. MTN had only one bar reception but I soldiered through and submitted. Results cam back and Deferred- - Proctoring non-compliance . Like WTF, the app says I have submitted but now I have to write Supp. Turns out that the app detected that I closed the app for more than 10 minutes. Why was that?.

My fibre disconnected whilst writing and I had to switch to mobile data. Stupid me, I did not have data on my phone and had to recharge. Long story short, I am to blame for the results since I was not prepared for the worst.

Takeaway: Be prepared and go with your gut.

I will update my progress later this year with my graduation gown.
Click to expand...
Nice update, what field are you working in currently if I may ask?
 
Update: I’ve Finally Completed My BSc Informatics! 🎓

After years of perseverance, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve officially met all the requirements to graduate! The road wasn’t without hurdles—a delayed module credit was resolved after a lengthy investigation, and securing an exemption for another module took a year of relentless follow-ups. But here we are: mission accomplished.

Alongside this milestone, I’ve quietly embarked on a new adventure—co-founding a Fintech startup with a close friend. While we’re still in the early stages and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, I’m incredibly proud of the foundation we’re building.

To my fellow UNISA students (current or future): A few hard-earned lessons to share:
  1. Join Telegram groups—they’re goldmines for resources.
  2. Avoid email —visit a campus in person.
  3. Even one module per semester counts. Start small, stay consistent.
 
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