What to study at Uni?

Evan · Coal Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 11

Hi, im trying to decide what to study at university, I am very interested in computers and know alot about them so it was an obvious option for me to study a computer related course, but i've recently discovered peakoil and i think that the demand for IT specialists will be much smaller in the future.

I've been considering studying something else like mechanical/electrical engineering.

Do you guys think there will still be IT jobs available in the future?

Ainan · Heavy Crude Joined: Feb 18, 2008 Posts: 207

Hello Evan, I myself am going into my third year of a Computer Science degree. If i was in your position i would be going into mechanical engineering, indeed thats what i plan to do informally after University and getting an IT job. Being able to build someone a wind powered mechanical water pump will be a very desirable skill in the future.

Also don't make the same mistake i have in going to a University in a large city, try to go somewhere out the way a bit so you can learn some useful countryside skills.

I don't want to tell you not to do a Computer Science degree, just that you can still enjoy computers as a hobby for a while yet.
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DoomWarrior · Heavy Crude Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 224

Major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Agronomy.

3aidlillahi · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 590

I'm not sure if this would fall under CS or EE but one of the two could be very useful in an energy-poor world. We'll still be getting energy but just not as much which means we'll have to be more efficient with the energy that we do capture from wind, solar, etc. One of the ways to do this is computers which can compute the optimum conditions which we need for maximum energy output, storage, use, etc.

I'm just saying, don't completely discount CS as a job but I wouldn't expect to be living as a tech for large corporations for much longer. There will be a need for computer whizzes for other things though.
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Mincan · Coal Joined: Feb 02, 2007 Posts: 6

get into the medical industry... we are going to need a lot of doctors shortly... im going to get into neurobiochemical research or neuroscience personally.

Evan · Coal Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 11

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm still only 16 but next year will be my last year at school and i have to start thinking about university. I will graduate in 2012.

Mechanical engineering looks interesting and valuable but i feel i am more prepared for CS, I currently make about $15 an hour doing freelance web-programming which i consider REAL easy money.

I'm thinking about studying in Portsmouth, which is very attractive to me because it is a pretty small city (around 120,000 i think) but everything is very close together, so you can get to everywhere within a short walk.

Evan · Coal Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 11

outcast · Heavy Crude Joined: Apr 21, 2008 Posts: 168

You guys do realize that the PC industry was founded in the 70's during the last oil shocks, right? The Apple II in the late 70's had been introduced and by 1980 had become wildly popular, making it the first successful PC.

Evan · Coal Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 11

jedinvest · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: Re: What to study at Uni?

I'm over 50, in the computer programming business, but I have studied various engineering/science fields.

1. You do NOT need a CS degree to work in software development/programming.

2. Learn useful McGyvor type skills: chemistry/physics/earth sciences/biology/agronomy, etc.

So, make money with CS, but learn about the real world.

DoomWarrior · Heavy Crude Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 224

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 728

allenwrench · Intermediate Crude Joined: Apr 23, 2008 Posts: 728

TreeFarmer · Heavy Crude Joined: Jun 26, 2007 Posts: 300

It is great that you are thinking about the future at 16. My first degree is Mechanical Engineering and that degree will definitely help you to understand how the physical world works.

However, there is a lot to the world that Mechanical Engineering will not teach you. Over the years I've read lots of books (I also have a master's degree in business and a Ph.D. in business). Of all the books I think you could possibly read at your age, here is the one I think would help you the most.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Magic-Power-be-Rich/dp/1585425559/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212346878&sr=8-1

I know you will look at that and think, "what in the hell is that book?" Don't worry, "Rich" in the book is not wealth, it is accomplishing what you want to accomplish in life. I'm 47 now and I dearly wish I would have read that book when I was 16.

TF

Evan · Coal Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 11

@jedinvest
you're idea of making money with computers but learning about the real world is very appealing to me and is probably what ill end up doing if things work out.

@doomwarrior
always good to hear im ahead of the game, lol. I've never watched a Mcgyver episode, but i think you're suggesting being a jack of all trades?

@allenwrench
thanks for the list, ill definitely look into some of those although most of them seem to be geared towards living in a mad-max type world where you'll have to escape to the country side and live off the land to live? That also seems to be a commonly shared opinion of people on this forum, im not quite sure that living that kind of lifestyle would be very effective.

@treefarmer
How hard did you find youre mechanical engineering degree? Were there any real abstract concepts(im thinking physics)? or were the phsyics/maths mostly applied to the real world?

Also, ill definitely see if i can get a hold of that book. I always like to get 'i wish i would have _____ when i was youre age' advice.