ihateslowjams Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Im trying to determine which field i should enter between anything in finance or computer engineering. Currently, I'm attending a community college and have already taken classes towards computer engineer. However, I've been working in the retail banking industry for the past 8 years and have gained customer service and sales skills. I understand that choosing a career field would be based on my own preference and what I'm comfortable with, but Im asking here to see other people's insights/experiences. Im open to obtaining a financial degree and am considering to aim for an investment banker/financial analysts/financial manager. I have taken a majority of computer engineering classes so far and i should be accepted in a university next year for it, but i don't have any experience in any computer engineering job yet. Can you guys give me your opinions and advice please? Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Which pursuit causes you to stay up late at night simply due to interest, curiosity and the desire to learn? Also, do you feel more synergy in a group environment or pursuing a career in a more individualized manner? Link to post Share on other sites
Author ihateslowjams Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 well, to be honest, both subjects interest me to that extent. I prefer a group setting better. I have no experience in both subjects, except i currently work in the retail banking industry. Both computer engineering and finance has always been an interest of mine, but i never pursued either until now. Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 If a balance needs to be tipped, I'd focus on engineering as primary with a finance/economics minor. Link to post Share on other sites
Feelin Frisky Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Success is often a matter of whom you know rather than what. Which field do you think will bring you into contact with people whom night make a difference? Link to post Share on other sites
anne1707 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Success is often a matter of whom you know rather than what. Which field do you think will bring you into contact with people whom night make a difference? But that only works if they can see you are genuinely committed. You have to WANT to do that job before others reward you for doing it. Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Good point...... if you were to desire to chew the fat over beers, would it be with engineers or finance types? A lot of business and employment opportunities turn upon social contacts and a 'network' of colleagues. As an example, even though I have an engineering background, I tend to connect better with the guys on the shop floor and have grown a circle of business colleagues who are like-minded. I just never fit well socially with engineers, even back to when I was in college. How does it go with you? Link to post Share on other sites
Author ihateslowjams Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 "Good point...... if you were to desire to chew the fat over beers, would it be with engineers or finance types? A lot of business and employment opportunities turn upon social contacts and a 'network' of colleagues. As an example, even though I have an engineering background, I tend to connect better with the guys on the shop floor and have grown a circle of business colleagues who are like-minded. I just never fit well socially with engineers, even back to when I was in college. How does it go with you?" Well, i connect better with people that has the business mindset. Ive talked to others with the engineering background and goal in mind, but its just not that interesting compared to people that have the business mindset. Mind you, i have more classes towards computer engineering and haven't even begun taking any classes for finance. I just have some experience in it since I've been in retail banking, not saying i have much experience. Im starting to wonder if computer engineering is for me or if i just chose it because its a "safe" field to get into. Link to post Share on other sites
anne1707 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Im starting to wonder if computer engineering is for me or if i just chose it because its a "safe" field to get into. And finance isn't??? If you are not genuinely committed to your next move, you need to give it some thought. Don't take yourself down a route which you will be regretting on the day you graduate. Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Scorpio Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I would try to talk to HR at your current job and ask them what advacement opportunities might exist for you if you pursue a degree in finance. Already having your foot in the door and having even somewhat relative experience could be huge for you in this economy. Heck, if the company is big enough, there is a slim chance they could even offer tuition reimbursement. Also, try and conduct some "informational interviews" with people who hold the careers you would eventually want. University alumni associations are great resources for finding such contacts. Explain to them that you're an undergrad student considering a career in what they do and offer to buy them lunch. Is the financial manager working 65 hours a week? Does the guy with the Master's in computer engineering have a wider array of potential jobs? Are banks going to layoff people when the European situation collapses? Are there more jobs in your area for one field over the other? If it were me, I would go with computer engineering. I would also expect fierce competition academically, and plan on going to graduate school for it. America needs engineers badly. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ihateslowjams Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 And finance isn't??? If you are not genuinely committed to your next move, you need to give it some thought. Don't take yourself down a route which you will be regretting on the day you graduate. Anne, thats the thing, I'm unsure and thats why I'm asking. Ive only had one job in my life and thats working in retail banking. I chose computer engineering as a major to pursue only because i like computers and am very interested in programming. However, I'm also interested in finance because I'm already in the field and i like talking to many different people vs working on my own like a programmer. Im very interested in both and will do additional research on both fields this summer. Im not making a final decision anytime soon, and just wanted additional insight so i can make a better/educated decision down the line. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ihateslowjams Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 I would try to talk to HR at your current job and ask them what advacement opportunities might exist for you if you pursue a degree in finance. Already having your foot in the door and having even somewhat relative experience could be huge for you in this economy. Heck, if the company is big enough, there is a slim chance they could even offer tuition reimbursement. Also, try and conduct some "informational interviews" with people who hold the careers you would eventually want. University alumni associations are great resources for finding such contacts. Explain to them that you're an undergrad student considering a career in what they do and offer to buy them lunch. Is the financial manager working 65 hours a week? Does the guy with the Master's in computer engineering have a wider array of potential jobs? Are banks going to layoff people when the European situation collapses? Are there more jobs in your area for one field over the other? If it were me, I would go with computer engineering. I would also expect fierce competition academically, and plan on going to graduate school for it. America needs engineers badly. True, i will look into my current company for future growth with a finance degree. Ill try to meet up with people from both fields to learn their own personal experience. If i do happen to get a bachelors in computer engineer and decide to stay into the field, id probably get a masters in mechanical or electrical afterwards. and maybe i could minor in finance? but do people even look at minors nowadays? Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 If you don't mind destroying people's lives, become a banker since banks rule the world. Link to post Share on other sites
Nohbody Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 There are three integral components of a business: Marketing, Operations, and Finance. You may have noticed a lack of computer engineering. That is very astute of you. I do not mean to imply that CE is not worthwhile, but if you want to work for a company, and you want to progress in the hierarchy, you may want to consider Finance - because without efficient management of capital - it all comes crashing down and your Computer engineering job gets outsourced by decree of the Finance executive. Just my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Scorpio Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 but do people even look at minors nowadays? I wouldn't think so, but I've never worked in HR. Now, combining unrelated undergrad and grad degrees can lead to interesting things. Just saw a friend of mine for a wedding who has a B.A. in non-profit administration and a Master's in pottery. He's interviewing for a museum curator position. Perhaps you could find a way to combine the two? Of course, it would clearly take a while to get that much education. Still... Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 If you really can't choose and have the time and financial ability to do so, consider a double major. Many places offer them, so you can take both with just an extra year or so, if you're willing to work harder than the others. Link to post Share on other sites
Engadget Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Computer engineering, Economics and finance isn't as in demand as computers are. Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Computer engineering, Economics and finance isn't as in demand as computers are. This depends wholely on where the OP lives, what sector of both he intends to go into and what sort of career he wants. Link to post Share on other sites
EasyHeart Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Not really. Entry level financial analysts are a dime a dozen right now, and realistically you'd better have an MBA in order to get a halfway decent job. I know lots of unemployed/underemployed finance MBAs. There's still a big demand for computer engineering majors (I'm assuming you mean computer engineering and NOT computer science; there's a huge difference). You might want to get a BSEE with a computer emphasis if you want more flexibility. Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Not really. Entry level financial analysts are a dime a dozen right now, and realistically you'd better have an MBA in order to get a halfway decent job. I know lots of unemployed/underemployed finance MBAs. There's still a big demand for computer engineering majors (I'm assuming you mean computer engineering and NOT computer science; there's a huge difference). You might want to get a BSEE with a computer emphasis if you want more flexibility. FWIW, in my experience employers are not terribly fussed about the exact sort of degree you have. Usually they require 'a BSc in IT/computer science or the equivalent' - at least, in all the ads I've seen. Most CompSci and CompEng majors are really somewhere in between, just that they take a higher number of their respective major's classes. But in the end, it boils down to practical knowledge and experience with certain systems/languages, in the industry at least. Link to post Share on other sites
Engadget Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 This depends wholely on where the OP lives, what sector of both he intends to go into and what sort of career he wants. Computer engineers will be more in demand in the future and are now, for sure. I can rattle on about how many people with business/economics/finance degrees who aren't in the field or can't get a decent job in the field. Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Computer engineers will be more in demand in the future and are now, for sure. I can rattle on about how many people with business/economics/finance degrees who aren't in the field or can't get a decent job in the field. Like I said, depends on where the OP lives. Back where I come from it's easier for finance/economics degree holders to get jobs. I don't expect he will come from THERE, but it behooves him to do his own research about how things are in his individual location rather than taking peoples' word for it. Link to post Share on other sites
Engadget Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Like I said, depends on where the OP lives. Back where I come from it's easier for finance/economics degree holders to get jobs. I don't expect he will come from THERE, but it behooves him to do his own research about how things are in his individual location rather than taking peoples' word for it. Unless he lives in a backwater town with no technology, computers is STILL the way to go. It's only going to expand more and more. I wish I had originally gone for IT stuff, but I didn't. Link to post Share on other sites
Els Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Unless he lives in a backwater town with no technology, computers is STILL the way to go. It's only going to expand more and more. I wish I had originally gone for IT stuff, but I didn't. Well, you're in luck. If you really want to start with IT jobs, teach yourself hardware/systems skills and/or programming. Employers are more likely to hire someone with a portfolio and several years of experience in a particular language than a fresh grad out of college with nothing else to show. CompEng related jobs are not necessarily a huge industry in many countries. You're assuming that he lives in the USA, aren't you? Link to post Share on other sites
Engadget Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Well, you're in luck. If you really want to start with IT jobs, teach yourself hardware/systems skills and/or programming. Employers are more likely to hire someone with a portfolio and several years of experience in a particular language than a fresh grad out of college with nothing else to show. CompEng related jobs are not necessarily a huge industry in many countries. You're assuming that he lives in the USA, aren't you? I'm assuming he lives in the western world where there's internet and they speak English. I know plenty of stuff about computers, but getting a job in IT without a degree is not easy at all. Link to post Share on other sites
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