Courses that have highest % of graduates finding jobs? (1 Viewer)

[ffutsdoog]

I've heard subjects like engineering for example have a high % of graduates getting jobs once they've gotten their bachelor degrees.

However, Im wondering what other degrees also have high rates of employment and how much the university that you go to affect this.

I'm quite undecided on my choices. I have put down economics @ UNSW as a first choice and 'design in achitecture' @ UTS second. However, I've heard that its pretty difficult to get a job off a archi degree due to high competition. How about commerce at Macq? Oh, and I know that the key to succeeding is interest in a subject, and honestly I'm interested in areas of commerce or architecture, so it comes down to job probability for me.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[dactylonomist]

Well, I initially studied architectural design at Monash University, then decided to study economics at the University of Melbourne. I found that architecture at an undergraduate level was way to arts focused; i.e. in my opinion, not enough emphasis was placed on technical drawing and maths which is *really* important in the real world. It was very spacial and abstract...
As for job opportunities, economics is probably far superior; starting salaries are higher (according to unimelb) than for graduates of most other disciplines, plus, it's not as if you *must* practice as an economist after studying. Investment banking firms, government departments, consultancies etc all hire economics graduates even without an additional specialisation such as accounting or finance. This is because economics is more of a way of thinking than a discipline in its own right. You get this sense very quickly in an economics course.
Of course, I am biased because I love economics and strongly disliked architecture (i.e. I gave up a full scholarship because I thought than an undergrad architecture degree would lead me nowhere )
But in terms of job stability as well, economics is probably the way to go. How many people can afford architects in a recession?
Best of luck with your course decision!

 

[kenny.]

Well, I initially studied architectural design at Monash University, then decided to study economics at the University of Melbourne. I found that architecture at an undergraduate level was way to arts focused; i.e. in my opinion, not enough emphasis was placed on technical drawing and maths which is *really* important in the real world. It was very spacial and abstract...
As for job opportunities, economics is probably far superior; starting salaries are higher (according to unimelb) than for graduates of most other disciplines, plus, it's not as if you *must* practice as an economist after studying. Investment banking firms, government departments, consultancies etc all hire economics graduates even without an additional specialisation such as accounting or finance. This is because economics is more of a way of thinking than a discipline in its own right. You get this sense very quickly in an economics course.
Of course, I am biased because I love economics and strongly disliked architecture (i.e. I gave up a full scholarship because I thought than an undergrad architecture degree would lead me nowhere )
But in terms of job stability as well, economics is probably the way to go. How many people can afford architects in a recession?
Best of luck with your course decision!

Because we're moving into a world where computers>everything. clients pay architects by the number of hours they spent on the project, who are often given ridiculous deadlines. so everyone wants everything to be done fast.
Also you don;t reaaaally need a lot of maths in the real world. anything that's too complex for architects themselves are done by engineering consultants these days anyway.

With architecture, you'll be able to find a job anywhere in the world. its one of those professions where travelling experience (working overseas etc) counts A LOT.
If you're prepared to slave through archi at uni and then the initial stages of ur career then you'll be highly sort after (and verrry well paid) for the experience that you should have by this time.

 

[Uncle]

Also you don;t reaaaally need a lot of maths in the real world.

architects and arts students think that.

 

[me dumb]

architects and arts students think that.

lol... true

 

[kenny.]

architects and arts students think that.

Yeh. and the fact is, we actually don't.

 

[dactylonomist]

Yeh. and the fact is, we actually don't.

Not exactly a great rebuttal! Don't you see any irony there?
True, maths is being outsourced to engineers and you could always argue that an architecture degree (via a bachelor of 'environments') at Melbourne is more 'work-ready' than the Monash equivalent which is based in a fine arts faculty...
I just see demand for planners and engineers far outstripping demand for architects if our population continues to grow...
In terms of overseas opportunities, I would think economics would actually be the better choice (i.e. World Bank, IMF etc).
But we are all entitled to our own opinion (!)

 

[ffutsdoog]

Thanks, I'm hearing good things about eco/comm degrees in terms of getting jobs.

However, I hear a lot of people comparing unis. How important is this really? As long as I go to one of the 'larger' unis (UNSW, USyd, UTS, Macq) would that still matter?

Do employers really place a lot of emphasis on just your studies?

Cheers.

 

[dactylonomist]

I would have thought that, so long as you go to a G8/major university, employment opportunities don't really vary (within disciplines that is)...especially with relatively industry-ready degrees like architecture and economics. I've been told time and time again that interviews are the *key* to everything, especially if you demonstrate a *personal* (in addition to a professional) interest in whatever you're studying, which, by your own admission, doesn't seem to be a consideration.

 

[ffutsdoog]

I would have thought that, so long as you go to a G8/major university, employment opportunities don't really vary (within disciplines that is)...especially with relatively industry-ready degrees like architecture and economics. I've been told time and time again that interviews are the *key* to everything, especially if you demonstrate a *personal* (in addition to a professional) interest in whatever you're studying, which, by your own admission, doesn't seem to be a consideration.

Ah, so G8 meaning just UNSW and USyd and not UTS and Macq?

However, I've actually heard that Macq commerce/eco is more highly regarded than that of UTS and Syd.

 

[ATARded]

Ah, so G8 meaning just UNSW and USyd and not UTS and Macq?

However, I've actually heard that Macq commerce/eco is more highly regarded than that of UTS and Syd.

If you're set on studying commerce/eco and want the uni with the best industry reputation, go for UNSW.
Exceptions:
- if you plan on working overseas, USYD.
- if you plan on majoring in finance, consider Macq.

 

[loler]

Economics @ UNSW is a hard course, especially since core is changing in 2010, commerce now has an easier core and more flexability. if ur good at maths ull do reali well especially for QMA/QMB, and also in later econometrics subjects, so if ur not that flash at maths consider architecture.

 

[rx34]

For me, what I've learnt in Economics, you are either good in economics or you're not. All my friends always get HDs in economics, and I always just get a low distinction for my economics courses. You can memorise the textbook but whether you can interpret it well and draw the graphs well is a different story.