Minor in Economics/Computer Science/ Career Questions

I am going for computer science because I like programming and how computers work fundamentally. I have debated on computer engineering but I prefer software to hardware. Though I have some interest in. With that I was planning on minoring in economics because I already got two of the classes done in HS. Does a minor in economics help? Also an unrelated question, can If I take a few computer engineering courses can I show employers that I have taken specific classes or do they only look at degrees?

It's amazing how many people I've worked with who are programmers, without having a computer science degree. Frankly, I think employers are looking for good grades rather than subjects. Most of my computer science degree was academic theory, rather than practical. That was in 1991, so hopefully things have changed. In conclusion, a minor in economics must be a plus point for your résumé.

For some reason allot of companies they a physics degree is good enough to be a software engineer?

It's a little different here where I'm from. Sure grades are important, but everyone else going for jobs has the same degree. You need to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Extra curricular stuff, volunteering, employment, extra work etc.
If you think a minor in economics is going to help, then by all means, do it. Just make sure that you can justify it in interviews.
Personally I don't believe that subjects matter, they'd only look at what is on the paper and the number attached, maybe glance at your transcript, but not really pay attention to make sure that you have specific subjects. Every university has different names for subjects that cover similar material, so the employer isn't going to pour too much time into it. What they want to know will be discussed in the interview.

You make a good point with the extra curricular stuff. Makes you look like a more rounded person, rather than just a geek. I've worked in all sorts of programming environments and I've never been interviewed on the basis of my qualifications, but you have to have them to get a foot in the door.

I had an opportunity to study Stats & Computer Science at one uni, but decided on pure Computer Science course at another. That in hindsight was a mistake. Widening your options opens more doors.

Your choice of what credentials to pursue and to present will also decide where you will be eligible for employment. If you only present a bunch of papers, then you will be eligible to a job at a company that cares only about papers. If you only show something else (extra curricular, etc.) then you will be eligible at companies who only care about that particular area.

Example: I work as a developer (software) in a tad special company. We are interested in who you are and how you will contribute to make us better. We insist you have at least studied towards bachelor level courses, and we will look at your grades, but we don't care if you have a degree. Some of our neighbors are totally opposite. They will look at your credentials and expect you can deliver. What we do is, once we establish you are intelligent and have the right background, we find out whether you really can deliver or if you are only good at playing the system. We make sure we understand you before deciding. This makes it difficult to find and employ a new team member, but each team member is dedicated to doing their best. We believe this is better than wasting time managing clashes in personalities and work ethics. End of example.

In your case, if you pursue a minor in economics, make sure you clearly state in your job application for a programming position that you have a minor in economics. That should be one merit (out of many others) that can help you achieve an executive position later in your career. Also make sure to remind the others of that degree each time you demonstrate your knowledge of the subject (but do make sure not to make it sound like you are a know-it-all) - a year later, no one will remember what you have stated in your application, and you will always need to keep promoting your skills.

Anyways, both the papers you show, and what you are able to demonstrate, will be deciding in what job you end up with. But as a programmer with CS, I certainly can't imagine you will be unemployed.

This is because in a Physics degree you develop high level mathematical skills and logic which is extremely useful in programming. Programming doesn't need a degree to be done, but it seems to me that the degree provides you with the theoretical knowledge behind just writing code and how software functions. I might be talking out my ass with that, but from my few computer science classes its what it's seemed like.

This! You need to keep a lot of options open. You'll probably end up changing your mind about your minor a million times before you go to university, but keep it broad.

I must have been tired for that sloppy grammar.

thanks for the advice though.

I have another question though. If I take a few classes in something, for example just a few computer engineering courses to see if I could possibly like hardware stuff. If I come out with a CS can I show those classes or do I need them in a degree to be presentable? The reason I ask is because I want to dabble in a little hardware but I prefer software allot more. I would like some entry level hardware skill like some certification but I don't want to go all the way to EE or CE because that would take away from the software.

This is why I think that a higher education in programming is mandatory.

Having a degree in computer science is a good proof of one very specific particular achievement - the ability to apply scientific method to your work. Scientific method teaches you to see difference between fact and assumption. Most of the employers won't even talk to you without that proof. Some people may also make the mistake that a degree is a proof of ability to program. However, programming is a craft. You can't achieve great craftsmanship within ramification of taking a degree - there is simply no time for that within that scope. Also the theory behind programming is being taught before you start taking the degree itself. With your degree you specialize in a part of the subject you take degree in to an extent. But for bachelor's degree foremost the scientific method itself. Having a degree will display knowledge and interest in a specific area of computer science. This does not necessarily require writing one line of code to achieve.

Use your time to bask in the light of education. Embrace knowledge. Take all the certificates that do not detract from your mandatory grades. Same goes for additional courses. You may not know how well you will do. Maybe you will breeze through it. On some courses you may have an uphill battle. Focus on the mandatory courses. Embellish with non-mandatory courses. If you can get a certificate, get it.

Whether your employer will care about your additional courses, certificates, and exams depends very much on what you and they are looking for. That is, the job you apply for, and the company it is available at, and also how the company intends to treat your future as their employee. What everyone certainly should be looking at (unless they are fools) is how you manage your mandatory courses, and compare that to the other results you present them with your grades and CV.

A company may also be asking for personal references. If you show proficiency in some areas, a former teacher may be a decisive reference. Another may be if you manage to do some commercial work while at school. Everything can become a positive reference, any extra-curricular, or curricular activity. In this regard, I would say that the most important is the friendships and personal networks you will make during the studies. They all witness your actions and performance in real life situations, and they can all become your friends for life (and some of them likely will).

The fact is, some jobs are dead end, and not worth staying at. When that time comes to apply for job, perhaps you shouldn't want to accept work with an employer who does not care to acknowledge the achievements you think are important. Perhaps you shouldn't want to work with people who don't accept both your strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, you may take a dead end job if no other job is available just in order to gain working experience. You are not only going to be chosen, you are also going to be choosing.

And maybe you don't need to make all the choices now? Some you may take as they become available. You never know what's behind the next corner, because, life.

By dabble in hardware do you mean in hobby or employment? Employers will train you regardless and it'll be up to their discretion if you have a hand in doing the hardware side. In the workplace a university class doesn't mean shit. I'm sure if you expressed to your future employer they would let you do something about it. But for now, don't stress. It's not necessary and it isn't going to make you more qualified, in my opinion anyway.

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