ADVICE! Deciding between 2 Degrees

[6a_lau]

Hi all

Having a dilemma now. I graduated with a Diploma in Aerospace Electronics in SP couple years back. Was really uninterested throughout, though I still got a good GPA.

Now, I'm offered Bsc in Aerospace Systems by SIT (UOG). However, I have always been interested in mathematics since secondary school and I had actually applied Bsc in Mathematics and Economics in SIM (UOL).

So what I want to gather feedbacks are:
1) To the people who had jumped from an engineering discipline to maths and econs, what were the difficulties you had met? This can be related to other disciplines as well.
2) I am quite ignorant on the mathematics and econs sector. What are the likely job positions I can look at if I do choose this?
3) How does having a mathematics-cum-economics degree help in my future? Is the future bright?
4) Does anyone have good links to salary comparisons between this 2 different sectors?
5) To the people who had graduated/studying in Degree program, what are the chances of weighing a part-time job while studying? What is the coping like?

Awaiting for all feedbacks

 

[rollbread]

I can only help answer to 2 questions.

1) I think shouldn't have any problem switching to other field of study, just that you have to put in more effort in the beginning. Just like JC students studying new things in uni.

5) it depends on the number of module you taking in each sem, so if you want to work then take lesser module but might take longer time to graduate.

Personally, I will prefer SIT in terms of the school. I guess you have to go for the briefing or open house to know more info about it, most probably will include the future prospects of the course.

 

[Havok_ex]

Well, if you wanna talk about salary between the 2 degrees, SIT Aerospace Systems will definitely earn you more money. Just my opinion though but UOL grads usually have a hard time finding a well paying job. You are more or less totally cut-off from the civil sector because of your private degree. Dont have the UOL vs bla bla debate here okay, this is just what I see from my friends. Some of them take about 8 months to a year after graduation to get a job that pays about 2.4k. Furthermore, most degrees that UOL has faces alot of competition from other local universities and private institutions. Unlike the SIT degree which has not much competition and SIT also has industrial attachments I believe, hence, getting a job won't be a problem. And there will always be money in aviation.

 

[bugmenot45]

Well, if you wanna talk about salary between the 2 degrees, SIT Aerospace Systems will definitely earn you more money. Just my opinion though but UOL grads usually have a hard time finding a well paying job.

If you're comparing SIT-Newcastle, SIT-TUM or other SIT-Glasgow courses (CS, mechatronics, mechanical design) vs SIM-UOL business, then yeah, I agree SIT is a better choice. But honestly, prospects in aero industry is quite limited in singapore. And on the flipside math & econs is a high demand area esp in finance industry. So I don't think the choice is so clear cut esp since TS doesn't have interested in aero. What's the point of pushing yourself through something that you have no interest in? You'll just burn out really quickly.

 

[Havok_ex]

If you're comparing SIT-Newcastle, SIT-TUM or other SIT-Glasgow courses (CS, mechatronics, mechanical design) vs SIM-UOL business, then yeah, I agree SIT is a better choice. But honestly, prospects in aero industry is quite limited in singapore. And on the flipside math & econs is a high demand area esp in finance industry. So I don't think the choice is so clear cut esp since TS doesn't have interested in aero. What's the point of pushing yourself through something that you have no interest in? You'll just burn out really quickly.

Thats true. I think TS should do abit more research on the maths and econs modules in UOL. See if he will be comfortable with the subjects first. I was thinking since he is already used to aero subjects, such a big shift might cause his grades to suffer in the first year.

 

[6a_lau]

Pardon me, but how will UOL graduates be less-savvy in finding well-paid jobs? Is it because like mentioned, local Unis have programs similar to UOL?

And yes, is interest in a program more important than prospects of a certain sector like aerospace?

Is it really true maths and econs are high in demand?

 

[cjfalk]

Pardon me, but how will UOL graduates be less-savvy in finding well-paid jobs? Is it because like mentioned, local Unis have programs similar to UOL?

And yes, is interest in a program more important than prospects of a certain sector like aerospace?

Is it really true maths and econs are high in demand?

Employers will always favor local uni students over DL students.

Regarding interest, it depends. Most importantly you must have aptitude in something. If you are confident in getting good honors (2.1, or best FC) then go for UOL.

This is because if you pursue a general degree (which Math and Econs is), employers will always favor those from local unis. If you are pursuing something specialised, it matters less. In addition, if you are for math and econs, you probably want a job either in the civil service or in the financial sector, both of which strongly favor local uni grads (unless you go into sales-like roles).

 

[6a_lau]

Thanks for the feedbacks thus far.

Just checking, what are the kind of jobs and companies for graduates in math and econs?