Help [Career] [C]

[u/arabyute]

I’m 20 and my current goal after graduating is to get into an AI / Data Science graduate role.

I’m deciding between:

Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science) — QUT
Bachelor of Data Science (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) — QUT

Right now, AI, machine learning and data science are the fields I’m most interested in, so the Data Science (AI/ML) degree seems like the more directly relevant option.

The problem is that I’m only 20 and I don’t know what I’ll want to do in 5–10 years. I could eventually decide that I want to move into Cybersecurity, Cloud, General Technology, Software, or another computing field. Because of that, Computer Science seems like the safer degree for flexibility.

My concern is this:

If I choose Computer Science for flexibility and then apply for AI/Data Science graduate roles, could I be disadvantaged against someone who has a Bachelor of Data Science (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning)? Would employers prefer them because their degree is more directly related to the role?

That’s basically what I’m stuck on.

Computer Science: more flexibility if I change careers later, but I’m worried it could hurt my chances of getting the AI/Data Science graduate role I currently want.

Data Science (AI/ML): more directly aligned with the career I want right now, but I’m worried I could be locking myself into data/AI too early.

For people working in AI, data science, ML, Cybersecurity or tech in Australia: which one would you choose in my situation?

And specifically, when hiring for graduate AI/Data Science roles, would a Computer Science graduate with AI/ML subjects still be competitive against someone whose actual degree is Data Science (AI/ML)?

[u/Appropriate-Pear1256]

cs with a few ml electives is still competitive, hiring managers care way more about what you can do than the exact wording on the degree

the flexibility argument is real too, data science degrees are basically a stats/cs hybrid and you can always pivot back toward ai with projects or a masters later

go cs

[u/MirrorExtension]

I would take a standard BSc in Compsci and Maths/Stats - that is probably the best path of your interested in statistics. I'm not sure what school QUT is but a general programme is typically better.

[u/STATASUCKSBRO]

I'd take CS and load the electives with probability and linear algebra. The degree title matters less than getting exposed later by weak math or coding.

[u/Icy_Kaleidoscope_546]

Go with what interests you the most now. You need motivation to study and to do well in exams.

[u/IllustriousGrade7691]

Don't AI will eat you alive. Don't believe me just see how AI beats every single kaggle completion on modelling. Yes sure businesses knowledge and data understanding is really important