ITEC or CompSci?

[Leela]

Hello everyone!
I am applying for the next year for several compsci related programs, and generally can't make up my mind whether to go for an ITEC or a Compsci degree. I kind of drawn towards the former, but scared that it will limit my opportunities. I am a 30 year old woman without any technical background, who just now became interested in programming and IT (I study Java and math for high school credits, both with ILC and on my own). My goal is - to become an IT specialist for business and financial industries, with focus on database administration, and perhaps security and/or networks integration. What would be the best choice for me?
Thank you all in advance.

[ali_dada]

Hi Leela (whoa...r u from futurama?!?)

Computer Science at Ryerson is not that hard and has a mix of young and mature students. It also has good reputation.

There is another program called ITM (Information Technology Managment) at Ryerson which matches 100% of what you desired.

[Tony]

The thing is that CS and IT are very different fields. You can't be a DBA or wire ethernet cables with just a CS degree; although a CS degree does put one into an excellent position to pick up on IT from a very technical standpoint.

[Leela]

Tony @ Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:45 pm wrote:

The thing is that CS and IT are very different fields. You can't be a DBA or wire ethernet cables with just a CS degree; although a CS degree does put one into an excellent position to pick up on IT from a very technical standpoint.

Hi Dan,
Why can't I work as a DBA with a CS degree? What else is requred?

[Leela]

ali_dada @ Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:33 pm wrote:

Hi Leela (whoa...r u from futurama?!?)

Computer Science at Ryerson is not that hard and has a mix of young and mature students. It also has good reputation.

There is another program called ITM (Information Technology Managment) at Ryerson which matches 100% of what you desired.

Hi!
Yeah, I like Futurama very much
I am applying for all GTA available CompSci and IT programs. My primary concern is that I won't be able to pick up on many jobs with just an IT degree. And it is usually not allowed to combine IT with CompSci. Or will I?
Difficulty of the program does not scare me. So far I've been doing very well with my self-study, and hope to keep doing so.
Apart from my main question, between CompSci (or ITEC) at York, Ryerson and UofT:
1. what is the better choice?
2. what universuty will give me more transfer credits from my previous degree?
3. does it even matter what university you go to (if I'm too old to nurture dreams of Google and Microsoft)?

[Leela]

Sorry, I meant Tony.

[Dan]

Leela @ 22nd November 2008, 7:43 pm wrote:

Why can't I work as a DBA with a CS degree? What else is requred?

I wondered this too, i have seen DBA jobs posted asking for CS graduates. Also i would say the worst case if you have a CS degree would be you just need to get some cerfticets to wire eithernet cables together but i think it would take alot more for some one with an IT degree to get a programing jobs.

In any case it comes down to what you want to do as a job.

From your posts i would acuatly suggest you look in to MIS (Mangment information systems). It is a business degree but you specialize in information systems and working with companys to implment them. You can also go for a MBA in MIS. If you want to work with businesses and not get your hands to dirty with code it might be a good choice.

[Leela]

Dan @ Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:37 pm wrote:

Leela @ 22nd November 2008, 7:43 pm wrote:

Why can't I work as a DBA with a CS degree? What else is requred?

I wondered this too, i have seen DBA jobs posted asking for CS graduates. Also i would say the worst case if you have a CS degree would be you just need to get some cerfticets to wire eithernet cables together but i think it would take alot more for some one with an IT degree to get a programing jobs.

In any case it comes down to what you want to do as a job.

From your posts i would acuatly suggest you look in to MIS (Mangment information systems). It is a business degree but you specialize in information systems and working with companys to implment them. You can also go for a MBA in MIS. If you want to work with businesses and not get your hands to dirty with code it might be a good choice.

Hi Dan!
I actually do want to code. I just want my degree also to be business oriented. This woman I know works as a DBA at a bank right after finishing her CS degree. That's exactly what I am up to.
And, I just realized, what if I go for a business/economics minor along with a CS degree? Might that be a better option than IT or MIS?

[Dan]

Leela @ 22nd November 2008, 8:57 pm wrote:

And, I just realized, what if I go for a business/economics minor along with a CS degree? Might that be a better option than IT or MIS?

That could work too, tho i am not sure how much a minor is valued by employers. I have also seen people get a bathlers degree in CS and then get there MBA in MIS or another business area.

The university i am going to right now (Lakehead) aucatly has what they call a business option for computer science where most of your electives are in business. It's not quite an minor but it is business oriented.

A CS degree deftly gives you lots of options, but it might not be necessary if you just want to be a DBA. Most CS degrees are 4 years long and only cover databases in one or two classes at most in that time. It might cost less and be faster to do a collage program aimed at being a DBA but thats less felxiable and less impersives on a resume.

[Leela]

Dan @ Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:43 pm wrote:

Leela @ 22nd November 2008, 8:57 pm wrote:

And, I just realized, what if I go for a business/economics minor along with a CS degree? Might that be a better option than IT or MIS?

That could work too, tho i am not sure how much a minor is valued by employers. I have also seen people get a bathlers degree in CS and then get there MBA in MIS or another business area.

The university i am going to right now (Lakehead) aucatly has what they call a business option for computer science where most of your electives are in business. It's not quite an minor but it is business oriented.

A CS degree deftly gives you lots of options, but it might not be necessary if you just want to be a DBA. Most CS degrees are 4 years long and only cover databases in one or two classes at most in that time. It might cost less and be faster to do a collage program aimed at being a DBA but thats less felxiable and less impersives on a resume.

Thanks.
I think I should speak with the counselour of the place I choose to go to about econ options. I don't need to do 4 years, since I'm doing a second degree, and expect to get all the electives tranfered. At York, for example, I probably, would be able to graduate in a year or two. And Dba is only one option, I really do want to be able to do more than that.

[Tony]

Dan @ Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:37 pm wrote:

Leela @ 22nd November 2008, 7:43 pm wrote:

Why can't I work as a DBA with a CS degree? What else is requred?

I wondered this too

Dan @ Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:43 pm wrote:

Most CS degrees are 4 years long and only cover databases in one or two classes at most in that time.

That would be why.

[Dan]

Tony @ 22nd November 2008, 11:18 pm wrote:

That would be why.

Good point, however i still see alot of job posts asking for CS grads to do DBA work and know some DBAs that just have a CS degree. I guess it depends on the kind of company and the kind of database work they are looking for and how much excperice the candiante has.

[ali_dada]

@Ryerson University: You can, in your 3rd and 4th year, take courses in databases.

I am taking Databases I now and will be taking Databases II next semester. I am also going to take Data Mining next semester. Maybe, I might end up taking Web Programming II which deals with using databases with websites.

So, you can see that CS program has a fair amount of DB courses. The beauty of it all is that at Ryerson, since we don't have a specific option thing going on, you can mix and match your courses.

See, the thing is Leela, it is one thing about having an aim right now but once you have taken say 10-20 courses in a program, that is when you can actually see what are your strengths and weaknesses, what you actually like or don't like.

Besides for the Business minor option, at Ryerson, comp. sci. students are allowed to take some optional business courses in the summer (for 2 summers) and thus they get a certificate in business management with their degree.

If you decide to do a IT degree at Ryerson (ITM), your degree will be split between business courses (accounting,finance,HR,management, etc.) and at the remainder of the courses would be the courses dealing with IT material. On top of that, you can, if you want to, take some computer science courses.

Both in ITM and Computer Science, you learn the fundamental of introductory and advanced programming. The difference is that Computer Science deals with lots more theory and mathematics than the ITM program which deals heavily with business applications and the world of business.

Both Computer Science and the ITM programs are housed in brand new state-of-art buildings at the Campus. The location is great - Downtown Toronto and the Professors are very experienced and helpful. We also have great facilities in our numerous computer labs.

To top it off, Computer Science program at Ryerson has an optional Co-op program as well.

Finally, as to your concern regarding getting a DBA (database analyst) job with a CS degree, yes you can definitely get the entry level DB jobs as well as any other IT/Comp. Sci. jobs.

And relax, you are not 'old' to stop dreaming about Microsoft or Google or IBM - but I don't think they hire a lot of DB related entry level recruits. From what I have seen, they are more interested in software engineering (at least Microsoft is) while IBM currently seems more interested in IT analysts and the likes.

[Segmentation Fault]

I would go CS degree imo since it would leave your options open. But definately look into university programs that allow you to tune your degree to the types of jobs you are interested in. Your CS Degree will get your foot in the door for an interview and your knowledge in other areas should get you all the way in.

[Leela]

Thank you very much for your opinions, everyone. I have come to the conclusion that CS degree is indeed what I am looking for.
Cheers!