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airjuggernaut

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 16, 2007
535
0
Hey everyone.

I'm in High School, just finished Grade 10, now going into Grade 11, and I need a little advice.

I don't know how High School is in the States, and abroad, but in Canada Grade 11 is the primary year Universities look at, if you want to get early acceptance.

So right now I pretty much have a balance of courses chosen for next year.
I have to take English and Functions (Math).
I then have to choose 6 optional courses to take, so I took:
Biology and Chemistry.
Canadian Law and World History.
and finally Gym.

Now I have one more course I have to choose. I was going to take Drama, but that got cancelled out our school due to the lack of students signing up for it.

So I have narrowed down two choices, both of which are tech courses.

1. Computer Science (Programming).
or
2. Communications Technology (Video Editing).

Now I have taken both courses in my Grade 10 year, and have had good and bad experiences with both, so this is why I'm stuck.

In computer Science we are getting nice Core 2 Duo computers, and were going to do Java (Which would help in learning Cocoa) and VisualBasic next year.

I had a pretty decent mark in the 80's. which could have been higher if the teacher didn't mark so hard. I did fairly alright with all the concepts, but did struggle a bit with conventions and arrays. I liked computer science because it let me understand how programs work and appreciate all the work that goes into them. I personally have always wanted to delve into Unix further and eventually make Applications for OS X and even maybe work with the SDK coming out soon. I want to truly let the inner geek in me show :D

In Comm tech we are getting new Alu iMacs with Leopard,Final Cut Express, The CS3 Suite, Production cameras, mics and lights (The whole shebang).

I'm again pretty decent with Comm Tech and had marks in the 80's, again would have been higher if I didnt have the same teacher that taught me Computer Science for comm tech. Comm tech is fun, and I love Mac's beyond comprehension so it makes it fun. I also enjoy doing video editing (Minus the Audio which is always a huge pain in the a**) and photoshop can be very interesting at times. This course also allows me to make up for the loss of Drama (which I'm good at, not to be conceited or anything :p) at our school, because in Comm Tech you have to act and direct your own movies. Overall Comm Tech is something that could possibly turn into a fun career in the future.

Now I ask you all.
Many of you are professionals in either Computer Science or Video Production/Graphics Design.

My questions is, I always want to keep my options open and might even pursue one of the above as a career, which course should I take that would lead me down a path with a rewarding future and a good pay?
 
What do you think you'd like to study at university? Maybe you could choose between the two based on that.
 
I wouldn't place too much emphasis on jobs right now. Programming and Video editing are both great career moves if you're talented and reliable. Also, if you do head into Comm Tech, don't rule out getting out your inner geek through eventually automating and otherwise getting under the hood of FCE, etc. By the same token, if you get into Graphic Programming for Apple down the line, you'll find that the practical experience you get in visualizing time and space in the Comm Tech may make programming easier. I agree with it5five. What university are you heading to? What are the university strengths in both of these programs? Re: grades, what does 80's mean if they're weighted as in Quebec?
 
I wouldn't place too much emphasis on jobs right now. Programming and Video editing are both great career moves if you're talented and reliable. Also, if you do head into Comm Tech, don't rule out getting out your inner geek through eventually automating and otherwise getting under the hood of FCE, etc. By the same token, if you get into Graphic Programming for Apple down the line, you'll find that the practical experience you get in visualizing time and space in the Comm Tech may make programming easier. I agree with it5five. What university are you heading to? What are the university strengths in both of these programs? Re: grades, what does 80's mean if they're weighted as in Quebec?
Well Uni wise, I'm still not completely sure what I want to do.
But I'm thinking about becoming a Lawyer, which would mean I could get an undergrad in pretty much anything.

I was thinking about getting a Business Degree and a Minor in Drama.

But obviously nothing is set in stone.

I just kind of wanted to know which course would lead to a more promising possible career, if i ever decide not to be lawyer.

In terms of grades, most universities for video production look for mid 70's to low 80's

Computer science goes from 80 or more, 85 for Waterloo (one of the best Comp Sci Uni's in the world)
 
Honestly, both of these areas - Computer Science and Comm Tech can become law specialties. Comp Sci = patents; Comm Tech = intellectual property, entertainment law. There is also a lot of programming for proprietory software in the animation/CG industry, so both courses are not only useful, but will converge at some point.
Waterloo is a great school to aim for in terms of law and business. Do what you love (I'd go into Comm Tech and pick up some Art and Film knowledge along the way), get into really good study habits, and you'll do fine.
 
My preference would be computer science, but take whatever you're more into to make it easier and more enjoyable for yourself. :)
 
i would say commtech, but that my opinion.
i took commtech in grade 10 and 11 and i am taking it next year. its probably different at my school but its a nice "enjoyable" class to have.

BTW what high school do u go to? cus my commtech class is also getting new alu iMacs next year:confused::D
 
i would say commtech, but that my opinion.
i took commtech in grade 10 and 11 and i am taking it next year. its probably different at my school but its a nice "enjoyable" class to have.

BTW what high school do u go to? cus my commtech class is also getting new alu iMacs next year:confused::D

Stephen Lewis Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario. lol

Well guys after reading all your feedback I'm thinking that comm tech might be right for me...because with computer science it can get pretty tough later on, and I want to have the best possible mark for Uni....

Well I'll continue to think about it, but thank you everyone for your feedback, I really appreciate it. :D
 
Stephen Lewis Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario. lol

Well guys after reading all your feedback I'm thinking that comm tech might be right for me...because with computer science it can get pretty tough later on, and I want to have the best possible mark for Uni....

Well I'll continue to think about it, but thank you everyone for your feedback, I really appreciate it. :D

o haha well im in alberta so.....
well what ever you choose make sure its what you want to take and not what others want you to take
 
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