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Does a Degree in Computer Information Systems have little value?

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  • Computers
  • Systems
  • Business Computing
Last response: in Business Computing
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August 28, 2013 1:25:58 PM

I am a CIS major with a year left before I graduate. I switched from Biology 2-3 years ago because I wanted to pursue a career in technologies not science (pharmacy) thus a career in the IT world was best for me.

It wasnt til recently I started doubting my major because ive heard and read that employers are not caring towards CIS/MIS/CS degree's as much as Expierence/Certifications. Even with expierence, it will still be hard for recruiters to take a CIS degree seriously. Someone I know told me that those degrees are laughed at and would rather employ someone with a engineering degree. At the same time Ive talked to other people that say a degree in IT related fields such as CIS is needed inorder to advance with big companies.

Too be honest even if I didnt find out what people think about CIS degrees, if I could go back in-time, I would have gone after a degree in either Computer or Electrical engineering. But ive been in school too long wasting money / adding to debt cause of my student loans.

What are your opinions on a degree in CS/CIS/MIS?

More about : degree computer information systems

August 28, 2013 1:43:26 PM

CIS degree's are still highly regarded. lots of places look for fresh grads. My company hires em all the time. With an engineering degree you typically don't get the hands on experience that you want from a CIS degree.

For instance, if you got a computer engineering degree, I doubt they would give you hands on in CISCO networking or pc administration, which is what most college grads get jobs using.

it's true, that experience can be held at a higher regard, but that's only for people who know their shiznit REAL well (the ones who get paid +$80K). (if you were one of those people, you would not be asking this question)

so, yup, ur degree is still good. mine was/is ;) 

but after college that's when u gotta start studying for damn certs (ugh the continuing education credits!!!)
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August 28, 2013 2:04:47 PM

I would stop worring. Most of the people doing the hiring either don't know or don't care what the difference between CS/CIS/MIS/IT/TCOM/... is. They are happy to hire someone with a tech degree. Degree alone, no matter what it is is only going to get you a junior position. From there you get the experiance and certs and build your career into what you want it to be.

I started college with a friend of mine. He went CS and I went IT. I finished in 4 years while it took him 6. CS might be a better degree (I'm not saying it is), but the classes were a lot more demanding. I went on and did my masters degree in Telecommunications in 2 years. We both finished our college careers at the same time. Him with a BS in CS and me with a BS in IT and a MS in TCOM. Do what gets you the degree, then move onto the next thing. Don't look back and have no regrets. If you want to do something else, do it after you are done with CIS.
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August 28, 2013 2:09:42 PM

ittimjones said:
CIS degree's are still highly regarded. lots of places look for fresh grads. My company hires em all the time. With an engineering degree you typically don't get the hands on experience that you want from a CIS degree.

For instance, if you got a computer engineering degree, I doubt they would give you hands on in CISCO networking or pc administration, which is what most college grads get jobs using.

it's true, that experience can be held at a higher regard, but that's only for people who know their shiznit REAL well (the ones who get paid +$80K). (if you were one of those people, you would not be asking this question)

so, yup, ur degree is still good. mine was/is ;) 

but after college that's when u gotta start studying for damn certs (ugh the continuing education credits!!!)




Ive been holding off getting certs because ive had alot on my plate with taking 15-18hrs of classes and working. But I recently quit my recent IT support job so I could focus on my last 1.5 years and maybe study to get certs as well as focus on getting a internship with one of the big companies that attend my University career fair for College of Technology students.

Also been holding off getting certs hoping Id find a employer who would pay for them (have friends that had their company pay for whatever certs they wanna get). But then again how would I get that job without certs or enough expierence lol.

Im not worried as much about finding a job with good pay as I am about finding a job that was worth getting a degree for. In short, I dont wanna regret my decision on pursuing a CIS degree down the road.

What I regret the most was not thinking what I really wanted to do for MYSELF coming into college cause since ive wasted time in school, Ill have close to $40k in student loan debt to worry about after I graduate.
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August 28, 2013 2:43:37 PM

Regardless you need to do what you enjoy or all of it is a waste of time and money.

I can tell you from experience that it simply depends on the company and HR manager. Some will not even consider someone without a degree. Others will not consider someone without certifications. Others will not consider anyone without both. Then there are some that simply dont care.

I personally would be concerned with 2 things when reviewing candidates: 1.) Their appetite to learn 2.) How much they appear to be able to learn. Degrees and certifications mean absolutely nothing in the real world. They only look good on a resume.

The best thing you can do to get experience is try to get on with a tech sourcing company. Then you can get contract work here and there and get some experience in different areas and see what it is you really like. Then there is always the chance that you end up with a permanent offer by one of the companies.
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