Hello everyone,
I am currently a MIS (Management Information Systems) student at CSU Long Beach, which is in Southern California. This semester, I added a minor in computer science and I feel that I have reached a fork in my career path. My original goal was to be a DBA, and a very successful DBA told me to add a minor is CS because the MIS degree does not cover enough programming. Now that I am taking some intro to programming classes, as well as an Android development class, I feel that programming might be a better direction for me.
Here is what I understand about the two careers.
I will need a significant amount of schooling and experience with databases before I am able to become a DBA. I believe it’s almost expected for me to have an MBA before I can be a successful DBA with a high salary at a good company.
To be a programmer, I don’t think the educational requirements are as important, which is a plus because I won’t be expected to have a graduate degree. However, the salary potential is not as great either. I do think that being a programmer would be more exciting that being a DBA. I also believe there are more jobs for programmers than for DBAs, so getting work out of University is not going to be as hard.
If I am mistaken about any of the above statements, PLEASE TELL ME!
Now, there are two things that are very important to me. Job availability upon graduation, and potential salary in 8-10 years. I am under the impression that things would be better if I look for a Jr.
java or c# position, than if I look for a position working with databases.
One question that I have is, will I be at a significant disadvantage looking for a jr. programming position because I did not major in computer science? Remember, I am a MIS major (which is under business administration) and am minoring in CS. I still have two years before I graduate, so I will have time to do internships.
Anyone’s input on my statements and their personal experience would be appreciated.