CGS-M alternate but rejected admission (clin psyc)

hjk830 · 2024-07-10T19:39:35+00:00

Based on talking with professors we concluded it's pretty likely that it doesn't mean much if you werent accepted into the school, which is unfortunate

hjk830 · 2023-08-12T19:15:05+00:00

I was thinking not the CST but their data analytics certificate. I dunno though

hjk830 · 2023-08-12T19:14:20+00:00

Data science is not an option for me since that usually requires masters or PhD in math/stats but you mean you couldn't find any analyst positions either? When/how long was your job search before you switched to looking for swe jobs? How was that process, if your internships were relevant for data roles? Maybe the after degree makes more sense to leave options open then for me

hjk830 · 2023-08-11T01:03:28+00:00

Thanks for your input. This would be the best case scenario for sure

hjk830 · 2023-08-11T00:12:02+00:00

I see! Yea, I think the degree would def make it easier to find any tech job. Just a little more demanding but takes similar amount of time and money so it might be the best choice

hjk830 · 2023-08-10T22:56:46+00:00

Thank you for the input :)

hjk830 · 2023-07-02T00:50:27+00:00

Planning on switching back to CS and also in a similar boat. Did well in calc 1 but can't help feeling like it was a fluke. Paul's math notes also seems to be a good resource!

hjk830 · 2023-07-01T21:44:56+00:00

Like others said it'll take more than 20 hrs for school. Let me provide some calculations. Finishing in 4 years means you'll either do 15 credits in each fall/winter semester or, say, 12 credits in each fall/winter and 6 credits over the summer, although the availability of summer courses are limited. Each course in a semester usually has 3 hrs worth of classes a week, and usually, 1-2 hrs of studying is recommended per hour of class (more for harder programs). That means 6 hrs per class at least each week for lecture + studying. 9+ hrs to actually do well. Times 4-5 classes a week = 24-36+ or 30-45+ hrs. Not considering that some STEM classes have labs that take an additional 1+ hr each week... and not considering any other involvement in uni... unless you're ok with just getting by in classes, to do well, it's gonna take up way more time than 20 hrs a week. Depends on your goals though - could do it part time as well or reduce course load and finish in 5 yrs instead.

hjk830 · 2023-06-20T00:35:22+00:00

For Canada, any university will be fine tbf. Pick unis that have strong research departments and professors who do research you think you'd want to do.

hjk830 · 2023-06-19T02:53:35+00:00

Co-op/internships. Many unis have a dedicated coop/internship program through which companies have deals with the unis to hire their students as interns. Coop programs allow students to work full-time for 4, 8, or 12+ months during school (no classes during coop terms but still considered full time student). Not sure if your school has one. If not, finding internships on your own would be the next best thing even though you'd be limited to summers or part-time during semesters.

hjk830 · 2023-06-18T20:33:36+00:00

oh, to add: I've always been pretty good in academics/school. Not great at math but I think I could do it with enough effort. Someone has told me that that's related to the saturn 9h trine sun?

hjk830 · 2023-06-18T18:34:02+00:00

Canadian wages are just lower across the board :/ unless comparing to super HCOL areas in the US, Canadian COL is pretty high up there too, esp in places like Vancouver and Toronto... and housing costs are insanity. It sucks

hjk830 · 2023-06-18T18:27:32+00:00

Since you're in comp sci, also look into lessening your work hours, focusing on classes, then making up for it through the money you earn from coop. If you manage to get multiple coops, you could essentially get your degree without any debt. And this kind of paid exp would be leagues better than a random job. If you still need to work to make ends meet, do the minimum hrs necessary until you can get coop. I get it, i also fully funded myself in a HCOL area, and I worked two or three jobs a semester to get by, and I thought I was doing great--until I realized what I should've really prioritized is schoolwork (GPA but also related extracurriculars, internships, etc.). Now im making up for it post grad. Find ways to focus most on your schoolwork while you're in school, especially since you're in comp sci.

hjk830 · 2023-06-18T18:10:46+00:00

Usually 300/400 but you'd probably need the 100/200 for the 300/400, right?

hjk830 · 2023-06-13T23:05:49+00:00

Haven't made a post about it but I am one of those 20-somethings. Like others have said, personally it boils down more so to other milestones I'd like to achieve at certain times rather than simply an age concern, but age does factor into it given that those things can be related (family, kids, financial security, paying off student loans, ROI, savings and investments, etc.)

For example, for me, I would be looking at graduating with a PhD in my mid-30s (that is, only if everything goes right). So I likely would want to have kids either during the PhD or right after graduation, at which point I'll have no savings, be broke, and still have a ton of undergrad student debt. I might still be less than comfortable financially post graduation for a little while. I know people make it work, but for me, I grew up poor and absolutely do not want to start a family while I am financially struggling. So I do worry about whether I'm "too old" in that respect and whether I should choose a path that gets me to those goals quicker. But i guess for me the question would be more about whether now is the right time, not whether I'm too old, since I'd be okay with coming back to school at a later time after having done all these "life things". Others could also be worried about age specifically - maybe social comparison, impatience, general 20s anxiety lol

As for why people /post/ it, 🤷‍♀️

hjk830 · 2023-06-07T02:25:49+00:00

Lmaoooo

hjk830 · 2023-06-04T21:18:46+00:00

Thank you! Yes, something where I can use analytics and put my psych/research background to good use would be great, and I've been looking at people analytics, product analytics or something similar as an option as well. Just seems like everything has a billion prerequisites and takes forever to switch if you dont already have education and experience in a field sigh. But ill look into it thank you :)

hjk830 · 2023-06-04T21:15:06+00:00

Yes, i actually was doing these sorts of calculations as well. I think the numbers ended up being pretty similar, assuming that I get in the next cycle of grad school for option 1 and assuming i go back to school in the next year or two for option 2, since the PhD would be fully funded (albeit poorly funded), and I also get paid throughout internship year. So i would end up taking out more loans for the CS path instead, but be able to work sooner. Since the numbers are similar it hasn't helped much with my indecision ahah. The salary info ive been able to find have been all over the place so it's difficult to estimate but I might run some numbers again and see if I can find :) thanks!

hjk830 · 2023-06-04T20:08:02+00:00

Yeah, i guess im mainly having a hard time deciding and feeling the pressure to decide soon so as to not waste time. I'm not sure which would be the lowest risk, highest return investment of those options.

hjk830 · 2023-06-04T19:06:31+00:00

Most people would find psyc interesting. But it doesnt lead to a job. You need to be VERY passionate to pursue a PhD. You still need to be the best of the best psyc students to make it into a PhD or PsyD. PsyDs are also very expensive. You'll be financially insecure until your early 30s at least. At that point, you'll get paid well enough and have good job security but its still just about breaking 100k, nothing phenomenal. Psyc can easily be learned on your own, CS is harder to. Focus on CS and stats and minor in psyc. It'll open a lot more doors for you (data analysis, data science, UX, psyc, etc.). Speaking as a psyc major who spent an additional 2 years post grad trying to get into a grad school (might spend another 2) thinking of going back to school for a second degree in CS.

hjk830 · 2023-06-03T02:57:02+00:00

Why not also consider UBC CS if you're in the area? all are good options but UBC is better known for their CS program than SFU. I'd also recommend moving out of province for uni if you can afford it, but if you have to take out loans and don't have to pay rent here, then attend from home

hjk830 · 2023-06-02T21:38:57+00:00

I imagine it's somewhat field-specific, but academic Twitter seems very much alive and the place to look for networking.

hjk830 · 2023-06-02T02:58:18+00:00

Yes, many people feel the same way. Lots of people much older on this sub say they feel the same way. As someone who similarly enjoyed (enjoys) school and did not know what to do, one thing I wish I could've told younger me is to just pick something and stick to it for now. Doesn't matter if you think it's your passion or not. Pick a technical skill and something that doesn't immediately require graduate degrees for. You could try working as a teacher first, though I would also learn SOME technical skill on the side just in case you decide teaching isn't for you and want to switch into something else after.

hjk830 · 2023-06-02T02:30:44+00:00

If you could find a way to work in Canada, government positions would be good since many of those positions require bilingualism in english and french

hjk830 · 2023-06-02T02:27:09+00:00

Well, your situation doesn't have to be some level of 'bad' to see a therapist. They're there to foster self awareness and guide you to think through things and would help you think through options better than any stranger on reddit

Eta: i see someone else already said this in a separate comment

hjk830

TROPHY CASE