Which University Degree to Pick?

Lthriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 20:39
Last edited 17/01/2019 - 20:12

Hi, I am currently considering various different degree combinations.

I have narrowed down my search to something in the Business area, Engineering area or Technological areas within science degrees.
Marks are not too much of an issue, I can confidently and comfortably meet the requirements for my preferred degree choices.

I have decided that I want a job that requires some sort of physical activity (i.e. not sitting around all day). In this sense, I have looked upon;

Bachelor of Engineering(either one of Mechanical, Mechatronic, Electrical or Civil) and Bachelor of Commerce (not too sure on what major but maybe Finance or Accounting) @ University of Sydney or University of New South Wales, 5 years and 5.5 years respectively.

Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions @ University of New South Wales (3 Years)

Bachelor of Actuarial Science/Commerce @ University of New South Wales or Macquarie University (4 Years) Is there any actuaries on ozb?

Bachelor of Engineering(either one of Mechanical, Mechatronic, Electrical or Civil) and Bachelor of Science(Computer Science) @ University of Sydney or University of New South Wales (5 years in both).

—- I have heard that a Computer Science degree is a good substitute for Software Engineering, is there any facts behind this? —

EDIT —- Can someone provide me with any information on a Bachelor of Law and what would it be good with any of the degrees I am primarily interested in?
Thanks, looking forward to getting some replies.

Education & Work

Comments

Quantumcat on 15/01/2019 - 20:45

+1

Computer science will give you a greater variety of graduate degree choices. Software engineering is more practical and narrowly focused. (I did computer science but shared many subjects with bachelor of it (software engineering) students)
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 20:51
  
  What maths electives did you do? (i hope i worded that correctly)
  - Quantumcat on 15/01/2019 - 21:38
    
    +1
    
    I started a bachelor of science so I ticked off most of my maths requirements before I started, in the BSc I did differential equations, linear algebra, calculus of multiple variables, complex analysis. Dropped out after attempting partial differential equations (brain can't handle things I can't draw a picture of or visualise).
    
    In both computer science and software engineering you need to do at least calculus and linear algebra if you want to do anything to do with games (for graphics and physics engines). You'll want to have a very maths focused brain. But don't need to go to as high a level as actually doing maths in a major of a BSc.
    - thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:41
      
      As long as there isn't too much of trigonometry, I will be fine. Thanks for your valuable information!
      - Quantumcat on 16/01/2019 - 06:39
        
        @thriftysach: If you have trouble with trigonometry I don't think computer science / software engineering is for you. Or commerce, or engineering. But maybe you were joking :-p (hard to tell tone of voice online)
        
        thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:55
        
        @Quantumcat: I think that was a very poor attempt at sarcasm. At school, I find trigonometry mundane and repetitive but I actually enjoy real life applications of trigonometry a lot especially when it is paired up with Calculus.
Clear on 15/01/2019 - 20:57

+1

What sort of career are you looking at?

I dropped out of Engineering for an IT/Computer Science degree and no regrets. I work in the IT sector now but I've managed to make it very hands on and active so I spend little time at a desk.
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:32
  
  Can you please tell me a little bit more about the IT field. I haven't done any serious research towards IT and related degrees.
  - Clear on 15/01/2019 - 21:45
    
    +1
    
    Currently working for 2 companies - multinational telecomm and national MSP.
    
    The former is Network Engineering that is predominately the planning and deployment of network infrastructure nationwide for large organisations. Usually this involves a lot of travel, crawlspaces, cobwebs and electrical.
    
    The latter is the outsourcing of all IT to a 3rd party company known as a Managed Service Provider. It's a big industry in Australia as it's usually cheaper to have an MSP do the work rather than hiring your own IT workforce. Though it's not uncommon for companies to have an MSP to supplement their own IT staff.
    
    The work in this role is very diverse and it ranges from helpdesk, programming, server deployment and so forth. Basically an everything in one kind of job. The downside is this job is more desk work but when you have a lot of clients you get to go out a lot.
    
    Either way I get to travel the country so I can't complain.
    - thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:53
      
      Wow, I didn't know IT and Comp Sci could get this versatile. Thank you so much for this insight.
      - Clear on 15/01/2019 - 21:57
        
        +1
        
        @thriftysach: Yep IT is a very broad term and can incorporate a lot of different industries. My actual specialisation is Health IT for example.
      - Quantumcat on 16/01/2019 - 22:12
        
        @thriftysach: For practical work like that you will want to do a Diploma of IT or a Bachelor of IT, not computer science or software engineering
        
        thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 23:27
        
        @Quantumcat: Is there any difference in terms of employment between the Diploma and Bachelors
        
        Gina Rinehart on 17/01/2019 - 00:01
        
        +1
        
        @thriftysach: At the end of the day, if you want to go into IT, say into an entry level program, you would have similar experience with a bachelors of IT/software engineering etc.
        
        Diploma probably might not get you in the door as easily but arguably might have better practical content.
        
        Comp. Sci is quite advanced and you'd probably be aiming for some kind of software development role with that (but it could be any sort of IT role as well), generally you will 'know' if you want to do that degree, it's quite advanced and you might struggle if you don't grasp the concepts quickly.
        
        For arguments sake I have a B. Software engineering and work in cyber security, so it's not like it really matters once you branch out and find something you like.
        
        Quantumcat on 17/01/2019 - 07:31
        
        @thriftysach: Yes, you might not get into a grad program with a diploma but it will teach you better if you want to do practical things like hooking networks together and taking computers apart and configuring them for new users etc (I have a bachelors comp sci and I wouldn't have the first clue about networking so not the best learning path if you want to get into that). You can also start with a diploma and use it as credit towards a bachelors if you decide later you want to do a bachelors. A diploma will take less time (around 2 years instead of the 3 or 4 for bachelors). You will be aiming for different kind of work with diploma in IT compared to bachelors. You would be a help desk person, or network engineer, or IT person in a school, etc. This would probably suit you better since you want to be moving around and not stuck at a desk. You should browse on Seek for IT jobs under say $60K (to make them mostly entry level) and see what qualifications they require to see which ones want diplomas in IT or bachelors in IT or comp sci or software engineering
        
        thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 14:59
        
        @Quantumcat: I have heard off various companies that do on-site training and allow the applicant to get paid whilst doing this and obtaining a diploma in the duration. I guess like an apprenticeship. I think I will look more into that and see how I can use it to my advantage
        
        Quantumcat on 17/01/2019 - 16:46
        
        @thriftysach: Yes there's a public service IT apprenticeship program that does this. It runs in conjunction with the cadetship program which is for uni students, I did this. It is good cause you get rotated around and can try different teams and you can see what kind of work you want to do. The public service IT apprenticeship is aimed at kids just leaving school, while the cadetship is targeted at people 1-2 years through their degree. https://www.dta.gov.au/help-and-advice/learning-and-developm…
        
        thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 20:11
        
        @Quantumcat: Thank you so much for this. I had a look and I am more interested in the cadetship program. Does this mean that I can still complete my respective degree.
        
        If I choose the apprenticeship, can I work it around my degree.
        
        Since from what I know commerce and IT degrees only require 2-3 days a week, meanwhile Engineering can go from 2-4 days a week.
        
        Quantumcat on 17/01/2019 - 20:52
        
        @thriftysach: Cadetship means you need to have competed 1-2 years of your degree and you'll be studying part time and working part time (usually doing 2 subjects a semester). You work full-time over uni breaks. The apprenticeship, you don't do a degree, you do a diploma (and you work part time / study part time for that too, but you don't need to have started that already, they take care of getting you enrolled etc).
        
        thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 20:57
        
        @Quantumcat: I am a little confused about the cadetship.
        
        Does it refer to me being able to complete my degree I.e. Bachelor of IT AND work part time and be guaranteed a role after graduating?
        OR
        They take the 1-2 years of my degree and count it as credit towards a diploma allowing me to study part time and obtain the diploma.
        
        I am honestly so glad that you told me about this as this lifts off a massive burden off my shoulders and clears any doubt of not getting employed after uni. I thank you a lot.
        
        Quantumcat on 17/01/2019 - 21:08
        
        +1
        
        @thriftysach: If you are doing a degree you will be doing the cadetship not the apprenticeship. Also note that 90%+ of the positions are in Canberra
        
        Cadetship
        
        Study full-time normally for 1-2 years
        
        Apply the year before you would want to start
        
        There will be various stages you go through with people getting cut, culminating in a "speed dating" session where you talk to representatives of the different departments and you rank them according to which ones you'd like to work for, and they rank you guys. Some people may not get a placement
        
        You start work in January. You work part-time and study part time for up to 3 years, if you take longer you get kicked out. If you fail any subjects you may get kicked out. You're at an aps 2 level (around 50K when full time). You control what subjects you do and when you need to be away to go to class etc. You don't get paid for study time.
        
        When you finish your degree you graduate from the cadetship and automatically get a job at aps 4 level full time
        
        Live happily ever after
        
        Apprenticeship
        
        You apply before you finish school, or any other time if you don't mind being very entry level for a few years
        
        Application process identical to above
        
        You work and study part time, but it is more structured, you go to class at the same time as the other apprentices doing the same diploma as you. You get paid while studying but only at aps 1 level (around 40K I think but not sure)
        
        When finished you graduate from the program and get an aps3 job
        
        thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 21:27
        
        @Quantumcat: Canberra is a 2.5HR Drive for me, I think it would be better if I rent there compared to attempting to drive there which would be impractical.
        
        https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/Careers/In-detail/ATO-enter…
        
        I had a look at this ^^^
        
        Would it take me 4-5 years to gain an Aps 4 full time job?
        
        How long does progression to Aps 5,6 and Executives take?
        
        Quantumcat on 18/01/2019 - 06:42
        
        @thriftysach: Yes 4-5 years sounds right. A few years at each level is normal. But at APS6 you would be expected to manage some staff, so if you only want to do technical work not be a manager you may stop at APS5 for the rest of your career. If you are really good (ie subject matter expert) and in the right government department (DHS for example) you can get up to EL1 without having to manage staff but no chance of being EL2.
MSG on 15/01/2019 - 21:01

+1

Computer Science and Commerce (esp Finance / Stats) is a great combination which allows you to apply all the technical skills in business perspectives.
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:58
  
  For that specific combination, are there any universities that employers may prefer over others.
[Deactivated] on 15/01/2019 - 21:12

+3

Not many of those involve physical activity :(
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:22
  
  Yes I am aware of that but I want to minimise desk time as that would obviously lead to long-time health problems. In this scenario, even something as simple as walking some distance may suffice.
  - elgrande on 16/01/2019 - 10:56
    
    +6
    
    Walking to kitchen for some Nescafe blend 43.
    - Quantumcat on 16/01/2019 - 22:12
      
      +1
      
      Yep that's about all the exercise I get (Web developer)
    - thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 15:02
      
      I guess if I do end up in a job like that, I will go to gym consistently.
trustnoone on 15/01/2019 - 21:22

+1

What do you want to do/work at, like do you have a career choice in mind that you are aiming at, take it from someone who also has two engineering degrees, you don't want to spend your time studying and thinking of trying to do lots of degrees or money hoping to be as employable as possible and then you start looking for jobs and they all look bad and all the interesting ones are not in Aus etc.

(unless you don't know what you want to do, in which case definitely a thing worth looking into).
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:29
  
  I am interested in a variety of things. I have been looking at Artificial Intelligence, Computer Aided Design, Robotics in the engineering, computer science side of things.
  
  In the business fields, I have been looking at Analysts or Advisory opportunities. For e.g. Investment Analyst
  
  I have seen Data Science popping up very often and revered as a 'Career of the Future,' I am interested in that area whereby it involves doing market research for companies and forecasting through data analysis.
  - trustnoone on 16/01/2019 - 08:35
    
    Oh okay kool, I think that helps, I think something similar to a computer science/software engineering with an analyst part to it like the commerce degree based on what you wrote above. Gives you the openness of analyst and development.
    
    I don't know much about the data science and acturial degree, the combo with bachelor of science I'm a bit iffy because the engineering degree will overpower the bachelor of science I don't see it add to your degree compared to something different like the commerce. That will make business think you're more versatile. I also know a lot of engineers that get jobs in finance because of their good knowledge in numbers.
    
    Keep in mind all of these are basically sitting down all day though, I don't know many engineering or data subjects that you get up much unless you work in maintenance and repair like a biomed degree?
    
    have heard that a Computer Science degree is a good substitute for Software Engineering, is there any facts behind this?
    
    They're super similar, I think technically software engineering is more about software development and computer science is more about the maths/algorithm/science. But in reality they're essentially the same and come down to the topics you pick at uni. If you look up jobs right now they usually say "someone with a software engineering/comp sci degree or similar" as they'll even extend to elec engineers and some IT a lot of the times.
    - thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 15:00
      
      +1
      
      Thanks for your insight!
conservative on 15/01/2019 - 21:28

+1

Computer Science or Software Engineering. Lots of jobs available. Don't waste your time at uni unless you want to pursue a PHD/Masters. One software degree will land you a good job with high pay depending how good you are.
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 21:31
  
  Comp Sci is 3 years, Software Eng is 4 years. I obviously want to start working as soon as possible but which one is more worthwhile.
  
  If scholarships and monetary benefits from a university are factored in, wouldn't it be better to pursue a double degree if the duration is not that different, i.e 4 years for an engineering degree stand-alone and 5 to 5.5 years with another degree.
  - conservative on 15/01/2019 - 21:33
    
    +2
    
    Do software engineering. The final year is loads of fun if you apply yourself.
    
    No, double degrees are a waste of time if you're not going to use that second degree. Employers don't care what the other degree is unless it's actually useful.
    I am an engineer working in research and product development. |
    
    Just please make sure you are passionate about computer science and solving problems. Software engineering is an exciting field but a lot of the work happens on a computer while sitting down/standing up in a quiet environment. Don't expect a glamorous working life.
    
    If you do pursue engineering, let your creativity shine. Don't stick to learning only. Start creating and talk to as many professionals as you can!!
    
    One of the first few questions I would ask you in an interview would be about your planning and organisation skills is: How would you break up this 1 week project into a timeline or set of tasks? Would you start on the front end design first? what would you use to get started? what are some useful software tools you could use for planning? What an iteration plan is? Have you ever dealt with requirements coming from various teams? What quality means to you? etc..
    - thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 22:13
      
      In a perfect world, I can expect a perfect job with a healthy work-life balance and a hefty salary. I merely want to enjoy what I do even if it means not having the most glamorous working life. I like to strive to be the best at what I genuinely like to do and if I choose engineering, I will ensure that I talk to the appropriate professionals and build some connections, rather than doing the degree for the sake of being an engineer.
      
      I will keep in mind the interview advice for the future. Thanks!
Icecold5000 on 15/01/2019 - 22:04

+2

Maybe you should choose an occupation and then check out LinkedIn to see how to get there instead of going by degree.
- thriftysach on 15/01/2019 - 22:10
  
  I am not certain with any specific occupation and have not really gotten around to actually researching on that matter. It is also important to note that currently, I am a high-school student. If I pick a niche career with very specific qualifications and my interests change later on, I will be in a sticky situation. Also, I am not considering any type of qualifications less than a University Level Degree as I want to experience University life.
  
  I am very well aware that most jobs are experience-based rather than qualification based. However, I will try the LinkedIn approach to gain more information on this dilemma. Thanks.
  - Icecold5000 on 16/01/2019 - 07:23
    
    +3
    
    Odds are you are not going to be be involved in AI with a degree in accounting yet that is in your list. The outcome of civil and EE are very different as well. I think your process is flawed.
    - thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 07:40
      
      I only mentioned Civil because it is prevalent with people more so than something like software.
      
      As for EE, I'm not entirely sure how different it is to Mechanical but I genuinely thought that a EE and a Comp Sci degree would qualify me to work in the A.I areas.
      
      I'll get more insights to all these engineering majors on university open days as thats when I will be able to speak to students doing these courses.
      
      Thanks.
      - sippah on 16/01/2019 - 08:50
        
        @thriftysach: EE would get you somewhere in the automation space.
        Most of my EE friends generally work on automating processes for large engineering firms or consultants, not quite AI but a close substitute. It may also eventually lead into the AI space as companies look to optimise their processes further.
        Word of warning though, EE is VERY maths heavy and of all the engineering disciplines, it consistently uses very complex maths.
        Good luck!
        
        thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:29
        
        @sippah: From what I have derived from EE, it is not something I will be able to excell in and enjoy myself. Thanks for your input, I honestly consider and highly appreciate any feedback I get!
      - Icecold5000 on 16/01/2019 - 09:38
        
        +1
        
        @thriftysach: We have AI guys at work here and they pretty much all have PhDs in something. I’d be wary of thinking a degree would necessarily qualify you which is why I recommended LinkedIn which would demonstrate how non linear the path between something like AI and the degree you do really is.
        
        thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:30
        
        @Icecold5000: Can you please suggest me some specific roles that are found within these fields, so I can browse them on Linked In or Seek.
        
        Thank you so much for the advice!
BertieBrown on 15/01/2019 - 22:24

+1

Do what makes you happy. Which could well be within the realms of the degrees you’ve listed, but my knowledge is limited in that regard, so I just wanted to pipe in and say that life is often unpredictable, so make the most of what you can, and maybe think about what you feel will make you happy.

If being physically active is important to you, maybe it’s worth focusing on an area where you can incorporate that, rather than on an area where you’re potentially likely to have the most job opportunities, if most of those jobs are likely to be sedentary? Not trying to tell you how to suck eggs, I mean we all must decide how to live our lives, but ultimately when you look back on your life you’ll probably wish, like many of us, that you’d spend more time doing things you found fulfilling and enjoyable.

That’s just my musings. At any rate, best of luck with the future degree :)
- thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 08:41
  
  I completely agree with you. Would you suggest getting some real life work experience in my desired fields, e.g. If the opportunity arises, spend time with someone who uses their Computer Science knowledge in their occupation.
  - BertieBrown on 16/01/2019 - 10:58
    
    +1
    
    Yeah, I would think that work experience would be a great idea, and absolutely I think it makes sense to see what sorts of work that can be applied with that sort of degree, if you have something in mind.
    
    The reason I said about doing what you enjoy is that you flagged wanting to be physically active, and I’d imagine that a lot of computer science (though I’m not an expert at all, so you should definitely do as much research as you can) would be mainly sedentary, sitting at a computer terminal?
[Deactivated] on 15/01/2019 - 23:51

+2

NOT Bachelor of Arts - while it will make you smarter it does FA for your career prospects. Source: personal experience. Had to do another 4 years of study with honours, masters, and whatnot, just yo get a decent job. 4 years wasted I will never get back

Go for what makes most money with least risk: Dentistry - fix a tooth, charge $800, patient comes back, say sorry was not my fault, charge another $300 to fix up the original job. You can't go wrong.
- [Deactivated] on 16/01/2019 - 00:39
  
  +2
  
  NOT Bachelor of Arts
  
  Lol, I was going to suggest arts degree as a joke :) .
  Lots of people working at the uni (as receptionist, working in food places, working for student services, student health insurance etc) many of these people are stuck in such jobs because they chose an arts degree.
- Icecold5000 on 16/01/2019 - 07:26
  
  +1
  
  Medicine is the least risk follow by nursing because these industries are publicly funded. Dentistry is not being subject to market forces.
  
  Arts is crap tho which I personally know about.
  - thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 07:45
    
    From anything I have gathered, an arts degree is only useful to an extent if it is completed as a Bachelor Degree followed by a Masters of Teaching.
    
    But hey, they still need supermarket cashiers with arts degrees :)
- thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:49
  
  Money is not everything for me. The salary of dentists is overrated at times and a degree in dentistry is acquired over 5-8 years.
  
  I am aware that graduate dentists earn the highest amount on average out of all the other degrees, but dentistry or medicine for that matter require additional testing such as the UCAT which I am not entirely confident about acing. Thanks
belongsinforums on 16/01/2019 - 07:46

choice of uni is also something you should consider. some unis have no easy way to meet people outside your classes. meeting people is how you make connections
- thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 08:38
  
  For Anything solely engineering I am planning on UNSW since that is the best Engineering School in NSW.
  
  For Double degrees, I am considering USYD.
  
  Out of USYD and UNSW, I think they are both very capable universities and the best in the business.
  
  I'd put a slightly higher peferance for USYD since it takes 1h to get there instead of the 1h 30min to UNSW.
  - belongsinforums on 16/01/2019 - 13:27
    
    just know that having an engineering degree wont necessarily net you a job. universities churn out degrees more than the job market churns out jobs. you should be ok if you do comp engineering tho
    - thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:45
      
      That's the case with every field besides Teaching, Early Childhood Care and Nursing (the most obvious ones I think).
      
      There are some degree such as a Bachelor of Arts in American Culture or a Bachelor of Medical Science which will lead to no jobs with that specific degree alone.
      
      But I think that doing engineering with one of the best universities in Australia (UNSW) gives a solid chance of landing a job upon graduating as long as the candidate has some personality and professionalism.
      - belongsinforums on 17/01/2019 - 01:59
        
        +1
        
        @thriftysach: Lol. You can think that all you want. I sense some university snobbery too. You will have to market yourself unless you get amazing grades and get head hunted. Uni isn't what you seem to think it is. Good luck
        
        thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 13:14
        
        @belongsinforums: University snobbery is kind of inevitable for any school-leaver. I have very strong arguments for picking higher ranked universities compared to lower ranked universities.
        
        I don't have much information on his matter, but if they cost the same towards HECS then it would only make sense to choose the best available option.
        
        belongsinforums on 17/01/2019 - 13:37
        
        @thriftysach: Snobbery is never necessary. Nor is it helpful. Rankings take into account certain aspects of unis, and not just your desired course. Have you visited the unis yet?
        
        thriftysach on 18/01/2019 - 23:24
        
        @belongsinforums: I have visited UNSW, UTS USYD.
        I have a scholarship from WSU and guaranteed entry into majority of the courses. ($20,000 for 4 years at $5k/annum)
        
        I will pay the universities a visit on open day later this year and talk to the people doing the courses.
        
        belongsinforums on 19/01/2019 - 01:12
        
        +1
        
        @thriftysach: good luck! id go with the scholarship. had some classmates on one. really nice to basically be debt free after uni
        
        thriftysach on 19/01/2019 - 02:38
        
        @belongsinforums: I will ozbargain all the university scholarships and will apply for all of them to see how far I get. Its surprising how many people don't actually apply for them.
        
        Ive got my eyes set on a $18,200 a year scholarship + part time sponsored by UNSW.
        
        But generally, I'll go wherever I get a scholarship because I want to be debt-free for life.
Seraphin7 on 16/01/2019 - 09:28

+1

With the exception of doing some sort of engineering and working on site (such as construction sites, mines, etc.), all of those qualifications lead to office/desk based occupations.
- thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:42
  
  Wouldn't some network engineers be required to visit sites in order to create various topology for their projects. I.e. How would they connect wiring through two buildings ensuring safety requirements have been met?
CyberMurning on 16/01/2019 - 09:35

bargain hunter degree!
- thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:38
  
  @ University of Ozbargain!
Gandalf the Thrifty on 16/01/2019 - 09:47

+1

Data Science is mostly the application of statistics. Eg R/Python code to run visualisations, analysis or build machine learning models using various statistical methods.

It is the latest buzz but some gartner talk that AI can do it all by mid2020s…

Base IT degree shouldn't matter much. Rather do subjects you like, intererested in or as base for where want go eg networking/graphics/calculus etc, and look to get some industry work experience.

IT industry as whole is constantly changing, so you mainly need to be adaptable which ever path you take and expect ongoing learning throughout your career/careers.
- thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 13:00
  
  The low university admission cut-off for an IT degree is a bit of a discouraging point for me. I am aware that the entry requirement is based on a demand basis and if demand for a particular degree increases so does the minimum mark required. Thus, IT having a low requirement only means that not enough people are doing it for it to be considered as having a higher requirement.
  
  This confuses me because whatever I have heard so far, IT often leads to a better career than say an individual with a commerce degree.
[Deactivated] on 16/01/2019 - 13:41

+1

Pick a trade or be a train driver.

Train drivers - well paid, secure job, predictable routine, air conditioned and you can run a business whilst at work.
- thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 21:37
  
  I like hands-on stuff and enjoy most trades. However, due to social stigmas and reputations as well as the copious amounts of hard labour required in some of the trades. I cannot deem them as feasible in the long term.
  
  Besides that, I wouldn't mind taking an apprenticeship focusing on Toyota car repairs so I can easily repair my future Toyota Corolla or Camry (its a hard choice).
  
  As for train driver, I see real potential in this but wouldn't necessarily pursue this unless I can work it around my university schedule.
  
  Can you please advise me on what is required to become a train driver? Thanks!
  - [Deactivated] on 16/01/2019 - 22:38
    
    +1
    
    Can you please advise me on what is required to become a train driver?
    
    To be a train drivers, you need to have train driving experience.
    
    Sadly, I'm not kidding.
    
    As for hard labour, there are worse things in life. Having a career die before you even leave uni will not compare to remembering this reply, that some random internet person was right.
    - thriftysach on 16/01/2019 - 23:25
      
      It is true that blue-collar jobs will remain in demand and contain a hefty salary but the need for engineers will not deplete either.
      
      Surely, doing a 3-4 year degree will place a smart, intuitive and clever person in a good spot after graduating. It is quite uncommon, but the top graduates do sometimes strike it lucky with $100k+ jobs, over here I am referring to University Medallion Holders and the like.
      
      As for careers dying before uni, I completely agree with that because now degrees are so easily accessible and readily available that a very significant portion of people leaving school do end up with a Bachelors degree or higher. It creates unneeded over-saturation of fields and Australia just doesn't have that much of a population to accommodate these many "professionals."
      
      I will seek my careers advisors at school on this matter and am hoping to make a wise decision. Thank you for your valuable insight, I really am so lucky to be getting so many different opinions on this matter.
[Deactivated] on 16/01/2019 - 23:45

Surely, doing a 3-4 year degree will place a smart, intuitive and clever person in a good spot after graduating.

I'm not top of my class but it is very obvious, grades do not even correlate to wealth, much less equate to it.

graduates do sometimes strike it lucky with $100k+

First job out of school matter not, and matters even less is the income. Wealth is not made by increasing income, it is made by decreasing liabilities and increasing tax deductions. A tradie has lots of potential for deductions. Holding an office job as an employee doesn't.

I will seek my careers advisors at school

If you're in a public school, one day you'll learn the irony of your sentiment.
- thriftysach on 17/01/2019 - 00:31
  
  I mainly need the career advisors to send the relevant applications to the relevant posts in the areas whereby the principals approval is required.
  
  It is funny however, that the careers advisors usually a) don't know anything about what they are talking about and/or b) give the wrong information.
  
  Can you please advise me on the different types of trades available and would it be possible for me to secure an internship straight after finishing the HSC which will be around November this year.
  
  Thanks!
[Deactivated] on 18/01/2019 - 13:37

But taking into account all above comments…

Consider a trade. Many tradies today earn well in excess of many tertiary graduates, upwards of $200k/year
- thriftysach on 18/01/2019 - 23:30
  
  With all due respect, I want to work in a white-collar job. I am aware that tradies make a lot of money but money is not everything to me. I don't think it would be socially acceptable for me to go into trade and I really cannot deal with the stigma's that will be associated with me for choosing such a career option, especially from family and family friends.
- Bargain4Days on 24/01/2019 - 17:08
  
  Lol dont know what trade of tradies your on about, but they definitely dont earn over 200k, most Sparkies I know earn 100k + OT even then is a high pay

Which University Degree to Pick?

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