Is my degree's name going to hurt my employment oppurtunities? (CS/IT/MIS)

College Majors Business Major
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<p>Hey folks,</p>

<p>I'm 23 years old and I'm a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).</p>

<p>I'm current an Electrical Engineering student but I'll be switching majors next year. I've always considered working on computers as a possible career option.</p>

<p>Like many people who make a career from computers, I grew up surrounded by computers hardware, software, games, and people who need help to fix those things. IT seemed like a natural place for me to go to. I selected Engineering because I wanted to learn how to work with and design those components. However, the engineering program was very intense. I realized I would not be content with myself working with engineering as a career and that it was something that I was only interested in learning as a hobbyist or entrepreneur.</p>

<p>I took a few months to look in the CS program. While I haven't had much coding experience, I've always had a curiosity about it. However, I had no intentions on making a career out of heavy software development. The more I looked into CS the more I realized how heavy it was in mathematics (something I'm don't particularly excel at) and computer theory. While I have a deep appreciation for both of those topics, It was not something I wanted to go into. Compounded with the fact that I have already completed my Gen-ed requirements and would have to take 2.5 years of courses purely in core computer science and mathematics, I decided against CS and a life of coding. (I know I can learn coding in my free time provided I remain focused on my career, however it might not be as in depth as a someone who is a CS, which is okay with me).</p>

<p>I continued searching for a major that suited me and I have found one (in the college of Business Administration) that seemed to fit me well. It was a mix of business administration and information technology (I also have an interest in business and entrepreneurship). However, the name that the degree carriers is quite unusual. In most colleges I believe its called Information Technology (IT) or even Management Information Systems (MIS). At my school the undergraduate degree for this topic is called Information and Decision Sciences (IDS). Additionally, if I complete the IDS undergraduate program at my school, I can go to graduate school for an additional year to get my masters in Management Information Systems (MIS).</p>

<p>The IDS program appeals to me, however the name seems a bit uncommon and like something that a Human Resources person might skip by while looking at a resume. I've Googled the program name and have only found about 2-3 forum/discussions about it. None have been helpful or informative. Additionally, I have found that only about 3-5 colleges have their IT/MIS program by this name. These facts have me thinking twice about taking this program and I'm now seeking advice.</p>

<p>Would I be better off transferring to another college in my area that has the IT program by a better name? Or should I apply myself to this program and get the degree? Would I be better off going the extra year and getting the masters in MIS? If so, should I do that while working or after I become employed?</p>

<p>Thank you very much for your time in responding to my questions!</p>

<p>Additionally if you're a CS major please refrain from heckling me about my choice of career. I understand that the CS degree is a stronger degree but its embodied in something that I cannot completely engulf myself in for 2.5 years (mathematics and computer theory).</p>

<p>Optionally, if you respond, it would be very helpful if you could add some authority and weight to your response by sharing some credentials or some experience you have had. Sorry if this sounds picky but I've read so many forums where people just jump in and say something absurd. It becomes impossible to tell if they're someone who should be taken seriously or not.</p>

<p>Here's the program at my school: BS</a> Information and Decision Sciences</p>

<p>Once again, thanks a lot folks!</p>

<p>TL;DR</p>

<p>Is a BS degree in Information and Decision Sciences (IDS) a credible and reconzible degree compared to something like Information Technology (IT) or Management Information Systems (MIS) or even Computer Science (CS)? Thanks!</p>

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<p>A name shouldn’t be the deciding factor for why you go into a program. Most recruiters don’t know what a program entails but only know the buzzwords for the industry which is why they ask for them in a job posting. </p>

<p>Let me give you an example: while Computer Science does cover a lot of computing theory and mathematics that would certainly be useful outside of CS, CS seems to focus mainly on courses that will benefit those going into Software Development. There’s no getting out of it - a CS degree really is meant for Software Developers. The dilemma though, is let’s say you wanted to go for a job in a more hardware oriented role, the recruiter would still ask for a CS degree even though other certifications or other degrees like IT might be more applicable. Thus, from my personal opinion and experience, a CS degree will not help you land many jobs outside of programming but recruiters will stay ask for it because they assume a CS degree will be useful for other positions like Networking, which for the most part, it’s not.</p>

<p>I was planning on majoring in MIS but then I realized a lot of the career options available to MIS majors were those like Systems Analyst (the guy who writes out the specs for a software system). I’m not familiar with Chicago’s MIS curriculum but a good majority of MIS programs don’t include enough programming courses to prepare a student for the jobs available for this major.</p>

<p>Again, getting back to your dilemma, based on what I’ve said about recruiters only knowing buzzwords, I wouldn’t worry too much about the programs name. Unless you’re going to apply for a programming or similar job, it really doesn’t matter what the name of the degree is as long as your skills are on par with what the job description is asking for.</p>

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<p>Information and Decision Sciences, really lol! I’m sorry but there are just certain things that should be uniform. It doesn’t even sound like a IT/MIS degree.</p>

<p>Unreal, here’s my advice to you, if you are having concerns about the name, consider applying to other programs. Think about it, you are about to invest the next couple years and finances into this degree, don’t you want to be 100% certain that you’re making the right decision. If you feel the way you do, then consider that there might be some in HR who might feel uncomfortable with the name and it might hurt your chances of landing certain positions.</p>

<p>Personally I would not feel comfortable with the program because it sounds off. And just think you will be forever explaining to the rest of the world…</p>