Applied Science (Web Development) (computer science, skills, degrees, careers) - Colleges and Universities -Higher education - City-Data Forum

Sensimilla · 09-30-2009, 02:55 AM

I have been going to college part-time for the last few years, and I am finally deciding on a major. I have been stressing out the last few weeks trying to figure out what to do with my life, and I thought about what I know and what I am good at, and it's computers.

I was looking around at degrees, and I found one that I feel I would be able to do, it's a Bacholer of Applied Science degree in Internet & Web Development.

I already know basic web/graphic design, I have been working with websites for the last year or so.

Do you guys think that this would be an appropriate degree for my interests? And what is my career outlook with a degree such as this one?

Huckleberry3911948 · 09-30-2009, 03:10 AM

competition is enormous. certainly not a trade.
ever thought about nursing?
jr college provides debt free LVN and RN vocational ed.

Sensimilla · 09-30-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

competition is enormous. certainly not a trade.
ever thought about nursing?
jr college provides debt free LVN and RN vocational ed.

What kind of careers could I go after with this degree?

I considered nursing, I know it pays VERY well, but the hours/stress I heard is unbareable? Plus I HATE hospitals.

toobusytoday · 09-30-2009, 06:18 AM

I think it would be hard to make a living doing web design, our IT guy where I work does web design on the side and maintains our website. Have you looked into Information Systems technology or Management Information Systems? These majors often combine business and computer science classes. Colleges often encourage students that major in this to minor in some point of interest, like marketing or accounting or even hospitality services.

Sensimilla · 09-30-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I think it would be hard to make a living doing web design, our IT guy where I work does web design on the side and maintains our website. Have you looked into Information Systems technology or Management Information Systems? These majors often combine business and computer science classes. Colleges often encourage students that major in this to minor in some point of interest, like marketing or accounting or even hospitality services.

No, I am not familiar with either of those, looking into it now. I am just trying to find a good all-around computer degree.

I am not trying to be an Engineer, I am horrible at math, it just doesn't seem to click in my mind, but give me something to put together and I can do it right away, my brain seems to work better with hands on work, rather than invisible numbers and long equations that take an entire piece of paper just to do.

I wouldn't mind being the "IT Guy" for a company, that actually sounds fun IMO.

toobusytoday · 09-30-2009, 09:51 AM

Here you go! http://home.nau.edu/images/userimage...726/ps-CIS.pdf

Have you looked here? I see that you are from Phoenix, so this isn't too far from home. We actually looked at this college a few years ago when we were doing a family vacation near the Grand Canyon and my oldest was looking at colleges. I liked the campus but son was not interested at being one of the few out of state students and wanted to stay on the East Coast.

Here's their home page - http://home.nau.edu/about/default.asp

Sensimilla · 10-01-2009, 01:24 AM

NAU is great, but Flagstaff is a expensive city with no jobs.

toobusytoday · 10-01-2009, 06:35 AM

There are usually on campus jobs for students, and financial aid if you need it... Office of Student Financial Aid - Internal Application The price for in-state residents is so low compared to our PA public colleges it seems like a deal to me.

user_id · 10-05-2009, 08:58 PM

You can most certainly make a decent living doing web design/development, but its not like nursing. You actually have to be good at what you do to succeed, you will be hired based on your portfolio not your degree or some certificate.

A degree titled "Applied science in Internet and web development" sounds completely phony to me. If you are going to do this and succeed you need to go into a good program and you need talent (and I mean....really have talent).

le roi · 10-12-2009, 10:53 AM

I went to a large state university. We didn't have a "Web Development" degree, but I can tell you that the web development curriculum we had was a joke. It was at least 5 years behind the curve. No emphasis on usability, whatsoever. Layouts coded in tables, classes on how to use FrontPage or MS Office for site design, etc. I'm sure there are good curriculums out there, but I'm skeptical you'll find them in a conventional state university.

I agree with UID that web development is a bit of a meritocracy. A degree means nothing, you need a creative streak, the skills to use the tools available to you, an entreprenurial spirit to venture out on your own and find clients, a good sense of style and aesthetics, a solid IT/technology background, and the ability to deal with PITA clients.