I need advice on what to study next year! please help

[FrEaKo]

Hello everyone. I need some advice I cant make up my mind.

I'm in matric at the moment and I need to apply for further study now but I am confused/cant make up my mind.

I really like school IT so far, we program in delphi which is pretty easy and I enjoy it, the tech part I already know mostly. Maths/science/IT is what I enjoy, I hate accounting. I thought that I was set and that I wana be a programmer. But now I keep on hearing that being a programmer isn't a very good job to have. Low pay, and the demand is low.

I planned on studying Bsc. Computer Science but it concetrates too much on programming and I sort of decided against it. My mom suggests that I go for Bcom. Informatics because I will have get a good job with that but I think that I am going to hate the subjects and doing the degree?

...then I found Bachelor of Information Technology(B.IT) at Tukkies which is like a mix of computer science and Bcom. I thought ok great! this has what I want to do(programming/ITetc) but also has a bcom side to it which will land me a good job. BUT one of my sisters friends told me not to do it becuase its ###ing hard. The work load heavy and hard! which kinda scares me becuase to be honest I am a really lazy to be honest haha

So any advice??

 

[Sensorei]

Gap year, travel you're too young to know what you want to do for the rest of your life. I have 3 brothers and out of the 4 of us only 1 is working in the field he first studied in.

 

[I am Penguin]

Hello everyone. I need some advice I cant make up my mind.

I'm in matric at the moment and I need to apply for further study now but I am confused/cant make up my mind.

I really like school IT so far, we program in delphi which is pretty easy and I enjoy it, the tech part I already know mostly. Maths/science/IT is what I enjoy, I hate accounting. I thought that I was set and that I wana be a programmer. But now I keep on hearing that being a programmer isn't a very good job to have. Low pay, and the demand is low.

I planned on studying Bsc. Computer Science but it concetrates too much on programming and I sort of decided against it. My mom suggests that I go for Bcom. Informatics because I will have get a good job with that but I think that I am going to hate the subjects and doing the degree?

...then I found Bachelor of Information Technology(B.IT) at Tukkies which is like a mix of computer science and Bcom. I thought ok great! this has what I want to do(programming/ITetc) but also has a bcom side to it which will land me a good job. BUT one of my sisters friends told me not to do it becuase its ###ing hard. The work load heavy and hard! which kinda scares me becuase to be honest I am a really lazy to be honest haha

So any advice??

No you will not make it! First take a gap year or two+ then decide what you want to do. that would maybe give you some time to grow up and become responsible. Once you decide to study make that your prime objective. Life is not a ballgame!

 

[FrEaKo]

dequadin You want to be a programmer because you enjoy maths/science/IT and hate accounting, yet you don't because the pay is bad and the demand is low. Yet you don't want to study a BSc ComSci because it focuses too much on programming (which you enjoy?)

Then you find what you want to do but decide against it, because you're lazy.

I'll have fries with that thanks.

/ is getting tired of these threads....

- Haha ok well I made up my mind. I am going to apply for B.IT next week. and btw I was just saying B.it sounds hard. i do good enough in matric so far, getting 80's except accounting .

 

[edg3]

Where are you going to apply exactly?

Most of the Universities have closed applications now (31 Aug).

 

[FrEaKo]

Where are you going to apply exactly?

Most of the Universities have closed applications now (31 Aug).

UP (Tuks). Closing date is 30 september

 

[Gnome]

But now I keep on hearing that being a programmer isn't a very good job to have. Low pay, and the demand is low.

Ok well lets start at that statement, I don't know who told you that but IT graduates from University are pretty much guaranteed a job unless you are a ass during the interview or blow some of the elementary technical questions they are bound to ask.

I'll give you a run-down of what I've seen so far that I know are true and not just hearsay:
One of my friends quit his degree in 2nd year because he was offered a full time position, R18k a month.

My other friend worked part time to pay for his studies during a holiday, he made around R15k a month (did it for around 4 months).

I've talked to a someone I know well that works for a very large bank, he said they desperately need new people but they just can't find any quality people to hire (And by quality I mean they couldn't answer simple questions like how would you reverse a string, if you can't do that after a University degree, you fail!).

...then I found Bachelor of Information Technology(B.IT) at Tukkies which is like a mix of computer science and Bcom.

I did those BCom modules (Financial Accounting, Business Management), I'm glad I did it because I understand a bit about accounting, tax and some business stuff but overall I won't be doing my the books for a business any time soon if you catch my drift

I thought ok great! this has what I want to do(programming/ITetc) but also has a bcom side to it which will land me a good job.

I'm not sure what BCom people earn but you can come straight out of University with a BSc(IT/CS) and be in demand right then after 3 years, if you want to tho go for Financial Accounting, I personally didn't find it much of a challenge and it was incredibly boring but since it was only up to first year I guess it can get more tricky (definitely not more interesting IMHO ).

BUT one of my sisters friends told me not to do it becuase its ###ing hard. The work load heavy and hard! which kinda scares me becuase to be honest I am a really lazy to be honest haha

LOL, you'll fit right in man All IT people are lazy, it's the way of IT life

Let me put it this way: The BCom modules are suited to people who are good at memorizing facts, even accounting I found it more about remember the rules than really a challenge, the logic behind it was simple (BCom ppl don't flame me I only went up to 1st year lvl so I don't know any better).

The mathematics modules I completed were obviously not much theory but very abstract, you usually spend more time on it than the learning modules tho because figuring out how to solve a particular problem set can sometimes take hours even if it can be explained in just 3 pages but it was somehow satisfying and very challenging, when you get it you get that good feeling that you've accomplished something even though it's just math (hehe, I know I'm a nerd )

The IT modules were a bit of a mix, some very practical with little to learn but plenty of ... I'm not sure how to define it but you can just tell someone has it, they can write a piece of code and it's modular and neat, another person knows the exact same theory and their code is terrible, I guess it's a combination of logic and creative problem solving.

Some of the IT modules may have more theoretical work (Like networks for example was almost 80% theory, and it was incredibly boring), and then there are obviously some 50%/50% modules like Data Structures and Algorithms where you learn plenty of theory and then need to turn that theory into practice.

Overall I haven't ever need to study more than 2 days on a module (Even Business Management although I studied a entire day non-stop), the worst so far has been my first calculus module and probably the theory modules because I constantly procrastinate and getting into the mindset of studying is a bit of a problem for me (being a lazy person )

Most importantly the thing that IMHO determines if you'll find BSc(IT/CS) easy is: You see a problem and without even having seen a similar problem or solution to that problem you can think of ways using your simple programming "building blocks" to solve that problem, kinda like building Lego's, the better you are at that, the easier the degree. Usually if you have that innate ability you'll find high-school programming incredibly easy, same for 1st year programming, it'll be a walk in the park to get a distinction while others may have trouble passing the course.

 

[Peder]

hmm... this is an interesting topic...

I also decided to take a gap year cause i have NO idea what i want to do so rather do a gap then decide ok this is what i want.

Well i kinda don't want to stop studying so yeah, we'll see where life leads me.

 

[Jacklondon]

How about BEng Computer Engineering Degree?
Programming, and fundamental work with digital hardware.

 

[The_Pumpkin_King]

nerds

 

[Jacklondon]

nerds

Says the one on Fedora 10.

Mandriva was my choice.

 

[The_Pumpkin_King]

Says the one on Fedora 10.

Mandriva was my choice.

im just cool like that......and its the only one i had on cd

 

[sn3rd]

How about BEng Computer Engineering Degree?
Programming, and fundamental work with digital hardware.

Haha... He said he was lazy, remember?

 

[greggpb]

Good Programmers Get good salaries
Being a good programmer in 3 years you will probally earn more than the average 40-50 year old.

Dumbass programmers, there are thousands of them, earn crappy salaries. figure out what you are passionate about...

Ps I dont know any lazy good programmers.

 

[adielh]

Do not take a Gap , only Lazy people take Gaps, Go and study IT the best field to be in from 2010 0r if you want to live a lekker life ,go to do Law and make money

 

[Jacklondon]

Let's take a count on how many people took gaps, and feel it had a positive effect on their lives.

VS

Those who went to study straight away.

P.S (With the inordinate amount of fields to go into these days, and the number just expanding, it almost seems foolish the way the system is set up. If you go the traditional 12 years of school 4 years of study, 22 when you enter the working world route. Especially since most schools are still stuck in the 80's, your exposure to what your actually getting into is minimal at best.)

 

[FrEaKo]

Ok well lets start at that statement, I don't know who told you that but IT graduates from University are pretty much guaranteed a job unless you are a ass during the interview or blow some of the elementary technical questions they are bound to ask.

I'll give you a run-down of what I've seen so far that I know are true and not just hearsay:
One of my friends quit his degree in 2nd year because he was offered a full time position, R18k a month.

My other friend worked part time to pay for his studies during a holiday, he made around R15k a month (did it for around 4 months).

I've talked to a someone I know well that works for a very large bank, he said they desperately need new people but they just can't find any quality people to hire (And by quality I mean they couldn't answer simple questions like how would you reverse a string, if you can't do that after a University degree, you fail!).



I did those BCom modules (Financial Accounting, Business Management), I'm glad I did it because I understand a bit about accounting, tax and some business stuff but overall I won't be doing my the books for a business any time soon if you catch my drift



I'm not sure what BCom people earn but you can come straight out of University with a BSc(IT/CS) and be in demand right then after 3 years, if you want to tho go for Financial Accounting, I personally didn't find it much of a challenge and it was incredibly boring but since it was only up to first year I guess it can get more tricky (definitely not more interesting IMHO ).



LOL, you'll fit right in man All IT people are lazy, it's the way of IT life

Let me put it this way: The BCom modules are suited to people who are good at memorizing facts, even accounting I found it more about remember the rules than really a challenge, the logic behind it was simple (BCom ppl don't flame me I only went up to 1st year lvl so I don't know any better).

The mathematics modules I completed were obviously not much theory but very abstract, you usually spend more time on it than the learning modules tho because figuring out how to solve a particular problem set can sometimes take hours even if it can be explained in just 3 pages but it was somehow satisfying and very challenging, when you get it you get that good feeling that you've accomplished something even though it's just math (hehe, I know I'm a nerd )

The IT modules were a bit of a mix, some very practical with little to learn but plenty of ... I'm not sure how to define it but you can just tell someone has it, they can write a piece of code and it's modular and neat, another person knows the exact same theory and their code is terrible, I guess it's a combination of logic and creative problem solving.

Some of the IT modules may have more theoretical work (Like networks for example was almost 80% theory, and it was incredibly boring), and then there are obviously some 50%/50% modules like Data Structures and Algorithms where you learn plenty of theory and then need to turn that theory into practice.

Overall I haven't ever need to study more than 2 days on a module (Even Business Management although I studied a entire day non-stop), the worst so far has been my first calculus module and probably the theory modules because I constantly procrastinate and getting into the mindset of studying is a bit of a problem for me (being a lazy person )

Most importantly the thing that IMHO determines if you'll find BSc(IT/CS) easy is: You see a problem and without even having seen a similar problem or solution to that problem you can think of ways using your simple programming "building blocks" to solve that problem, kinda like building Lego's, the better you are at that, the easier the degree. Usually if you have that innate ability you'll find high-school programming incredibly easy, same for 1st year programming, it'll be a walk in the park to get a distinction while others may have trouble passing the course.

Epic post man!! Helped loads!! Also thanks to everyone else for the tips!

I don't think taking a gap year is a good choice mostly becuase I wont be motivated to study again.

By the way it is my mother that keeps on pushing me away from Bsc CS because "It wont get me far in life" / "won't get a good job" etc. I also once talked to some software developers and how I understood them was that software developement is like one of the basic positions, you move up the chain to where you don't do the programming itself anymore etc. ?

 

[Black Sheep]

...go to do Law and make money

mind to elaborate?

 

[wikus]

nerds

You mean geeks?

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

Hey, Second year student here from UCT

OP i just want to say, i was in your exact same position. in High School, I did Maths, Afrikaans, English, Computer Studies, Acc, Science.

I hated Accounting it was too boring (and i hear that 2nd year finance is w2boring too)

I am studying BSc(IT) with major in CS and Electronic Engineering

I really enjoy my studies, to the max, first year maths was quite hard for me tho, but i did pass it quite well.

quite a few people from industry come to speak to us, from all corners of the business world, about programming, and from what i can gather is that there really is a shortage of programmers out there.

Do CS its really fun and it teaches you how to solve problems 1 step at a time. if you love that sort of thing then do it.