BlogUniversityPros and Cons of a Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology at WSU

Pros and Cons of a Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology at WSU

So, you’ve put a Bachelor of ICT at WSU on your list of potential degrees to apply for. But, you’re still looking for that kick to know whether it’s the right degree for you?

We’ve asked Ivy, an Information and Communications Technology student, to give us a few pros and cons about her experience in studying a Bachelor of ICT, so that you’ll have a better insight of the degree by the end of this article.

So, let’s dive in! 

Why should you study an ICT degree at WSU?
Top 3 Pros of an ICT Degree
Top 3 Cons of an ICT Degree
Things to Know Before Starting WSU ICT
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying WSU ICT
Potential Career Paths

Why should you study an ICT degree at WSU?

It is a good all-rounder degree that introduces you to different parts of IT (programming, networking, database management, project management),” Ivy first tells us. 

ICT is a broad field that encompasses everything in the virtual world from data, softwares to digital networking. In three years, you’ll get to learn the basis of all these components, as well as some contexts where ICT is needed in the real world!

The degree provides a business-oriented context of how ICT is used, in which Ivy explains how “it [a Bachelor of ICT at WSU] also gives you a good understanding of the application of IT in business.”

Top 3 Pros of an ICT degree

#1: Great for a career in Project Management

A Bachelor of ICT at WSU, as Ivy believes, is “a good degree to study if you would like to pursue a career in project management.”

Through units such as Social Web Analytics and Web Systems Development, the degree “teaches you the soft skills that you need in management, such as analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem solving.”

ICT plays an important role in project management; this is specifically to do with the digital development of efficient and streamlined communication lines and the automation of different business operations.  

#2: Strong impact on business world

Closely related to the first pro, graduating from a Bachelor of ICT often means entering a career where you’ll visibly see the positive impact of your analysis and designs. 

ICT focuses on how technology can solve business problems to make operations more efficient,” says Ivy. “This both provides an internal sense of reward and a list of quantifiable achievements to show on your CV.” 

#3: Competitive career edge

A lot of job roles often require you to be proficient in technology or a certain programming language,” Ivy says, “and this gives you that competitive edge in knowing the basics of programming.” 

Though not impossible, finding the right career role can be difficult — especially, in a time where every position has a high competition rate. By learning how to deal, solve and design with different digital technologies, it’ll give you leverage for the job you’d like to enter!

 

Top 3 Cons of an ICT degree

#1: Degree only works well as a double degree 

ICT WSU - Quote

Graduating with just a Bachelor of ICT, you may find that work experience will be one of the key factors to securing a job. 

“On the other hand, project management job roles often require someone who has worked in the industry for years and is usually not an entry level role, unless you get an internship,” Ivy explains.

#2: Only provides the basics 

The degree is only an introduction in development and focuses a lot on web development,” says Ivy. 

Because ICT encompasses a vast, if not the whole, spectrum of digital technologies, a three-year undergraduate will not provide you with specialist knowledge.

“If you enjoy programming and are interested in software engineering, this degree is not for you.” Ivy adds, “The degree does not teach you popular programming languages such as Python.”

#3: No built-in majors

Relating to Con #2, studying a major is optional for a Bachelor of ICT at WSU and its course structure does not focus on providing specialist skills. 

There is only space for 8 units to study a major. Therefore, ICT students may have to pursue postgraduate study for a deeper knowledge of their specific interest.

Any regrets? What do you wish you had known before starting ICT at WSU? 

“Though there are definitely cons, I don’t have any regrets choosing this degree,” Ivy says. “Even if I did know all the pros and cons, I personally would still choose studying ICT over Computer Science.”

Something Ivy wishes she’d known before studying this degree is planning her electives wisely and knowing which units would best suit her career goals. Though the degree only provides foundational skills in ICT,  she says, “You can always choose to enhance these skills by choosing related electives.”

So, plan ahead for your electives, as they may not be offered every semester!

What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities? 

The one point where a Bachelor of ICT at WSU differs from the ones offered at other universities is  that it is actively forward-thinking and entrepreneurial. 

For example, they are the only university in Sydney to offer an ICT major in Health Information Management. 

What inspired you to choose ICT at WSU?

For Ivy, she says, “A Bachelor of ICT ties in really well with my second degree; a Bachelor of Business. So, for me it was really beneficial in seeing the larger picture of how a business works.”

As for deciding on WSU, it was all about accessibility and convenience. 

“I chose this university because it was more accessible to me in comparison to going to USYD, UTS or UNSW. I can drive to uni, or take public transport. It is also closer to home,” she explains.

What are the possible career paths?

ICT WSU - Careers

As an Information and Communications Technology graduate, career pathways can be split into technical or management-based roles.

This is based on your skillset and interests; therefore, these are some career options that you might look into: 

    • Web analyst
    • Project Manager
    • Network administrator
    • Systems architect
    • Information systems manager
    • Software engineer analyst

Lynn Chen is a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is a Communication student at UTS with a major in Creative Writing. Lynn’s articles have been published in Vertigo, The Comma, and Shut Up and Go. In her spare time, she also writes poetry.

 

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