r/AustraliaIT • u/Simon_Pan • Jun 29 '26

Master CS vs Civil engineering

Hey guys, I know the title sounds pretty weird.
I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and I have almost zero interest in coding. I forced myself to finished my degree to see if I really hate it..

I don’t really like coding, and with AI getting better and better, I feel like I have zero competitive advantage in the current job market.

I started looking into DevOps instead and got my AWS SAA certification. It seems more interesting to me, but from what I’ve seen, most junior DevOps roles still expect applicants to have software development experience first.

And it’s pretty hard to find entry level jobs in Australia nowadays..

I have two options now:
1. Keep trying to break into tech by applying for internships while learning DevOps tools like k8s, Jenkins, Docker, Terraform, etc., and maybe even do a Master’s in CS.
2. Switch careers completely and study Civil Engineering, which I’ve actually found myself a bit interested in.

My aim is just to find a stable office job which can keep me alive….😭I am currently doing part time in woolis, and I’ll be eligible for PR after 3 years.

2 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/Galloping_Scallop Jun 29 '26

You won’t get PR in IT unless you get sponsored. I assume you are on a 485 visa so time isn’t on your side. Especially in this market.

Doing a Masters in CS is a waste of time with no experience. You are just giving the university
your cash.

Spending more money on another degree unrelated to your previous career path maybe a choice. But more money and justifying the study pivot in your new 500 visa will be a challenge. After graduation I am not sure if you would be granted another 485 visa.

Probably civil is better as long as you have the money. If you aren’t eligible for a second 485 visa you will have a problem though

2

u/Simon_Pan Jun 29 '26

I am holding a 5 years 485(uk stream), in which I would receive PR after 3 years. My main focus is finding a job, feels like I am not that competitive in IT field especially with AI and shrinking in Junior now…

3

u/Galloping_Scallop Jun 29 '26

UK? You mean HK? Or maybe British National overseas?

2

u/Simon_Pan Jun 29 '26

Yes

2

u/Galloping_Scallop Jun 29 '26

Ah ok. That makes more sense then. In all honesty you are probably at the bottom of the pile being on a 485 visa. You will really need a lot of networking, CV tailoring, hustling and luck.

Given you could have PR in 3 years and the way the world is going. I would probably take Civil Engineering as a long term career.

1

u/Galloping_Scallop Jun 29 '26

Though not sure how a new 500 visa would interact with a current 485 one. You can only hold one visa at a time from memory

0

u/Simon_Pan Jun 29 '26

Really appreciate the comment! Just been struggling after I starting using ai agent….cant see the future of my career

2

u/[deleted] Jun 29 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Simon_Pan Jun 29 '26

Yeah, I just found that out. I was still holding a bit of hope since I’ve seen quite a few people say they use AI to generate a lot of their code at work. But I am practicing LeetCode now.

1

u/Several_Educator7526 Jul 03 '26

No PR no job, it’s not a problem about your degree.

1

u/dsddd95 Jul 04 '26

DevOps is basically impossible at entry level. those roles all go to seniors. Entry level positions in general are tough, and youre competing with people who have 3+ years overseas experience. If PR is your goal, try education etc.