Engineering and Commerce...

[kwheattt]

So for a long time I have wanted to do commerce with a major in either actuarial studies, economics or finance...
And recently the idea of engineering (civil) became increasingly appealing as i love maths, the way things work etc interests me.

Fortunately, I received a much higher atar than I had anticipated (94.3).
In my eyes, I have two options;
The double degree of Commerce/Engineering at Monash - 5 years - in which the atar is 94
OR Completing a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne with a bredth sequence in Engineering and then completing a Master's of Engineering - this is also 5 years in total.

As a career outcome however I do not want to confine my job prospects to just engineering or a project manager and am interested in being an economist, analyst (something that is purely commerce) too...

So my question is, what do you guys think of this plan?
Which option (Monash or Melbourne) would be better?
And is the idea of Melbourne actually feasible as I have heard that the Masters is difficult to get into?

Lastly, my parents have said that being a girl in engineering which is male dominated it could be better to go to melbourne purely for the prestige...

What are your thoughts? and any advice is extremely appreciated!

[aes_999]

My advice is to go to Monash to take the double degree. I do know that Masters of Engineering can be very tempting, but as a whole, if I were you I'd put Monash since their comm / eng. is already established and has a really good reputation. For example, AN mod taiga is doing his comm. / eng. at Monash. As for the idea of being surrounded by guys...that will be most likely if you major in civil engineering. However, should you choose to major at other things (such as chemical engineering), maybe there would be more girls.
Whatever you choose, best of luck, and congrats in getting that 94.3 ATAR.

[taiga]

What you want to do sounds like it's very much in line with the uni courses you're tossing up between. I'll start off by saying that it's definitely going to come down to much more than just your university when it comes to getting a job, it's moreso what you've got yourself involved in, what groups you've joined, what work experience etc, so in the end going to either one will not harm you.

I personally chose Monash over Melbourne because their system is already well established, you can do honours without having to do an extra year, it was more convenient for me, and the extra-curricular activites at Monash really appeal to me. The masters at Melbourne isn't really a Masters in my opinion, you do the same, if not less subjects than a Bachelor of Monash, and employers are going to be smart enough to realize this as soon as the uni starts churning out these graduates. The Masters takes what I think is a 65% average, which isn't too hard, but will require some work, and it is possible that you could slip below.

The prestige of Melbourne University in my opinion will not help you that much, and has nothing to do with your Gender. There are plenty of programs and additional opportunities that they give to girls in engineering, and I think you shouldn't be too worried about it. You'll find yourself surrounded by guys no matter which uni you go to if you do engineering subjects, but hey, that's not necessarily a bad thing is it? Your commerce subjects will be more even.

In response to your PM, I'm definitely enjoying my double degree at Monash, and definitely do not regret it at all. The workload is manageable, you seriously don't need to put in anywhere near as much as you would have in high scool for a 94, as long as you can learn effectively.

Either way you're not going to be making a mistake by giong to either uni, but from where I stand have no regrets choosing Monash over Melbourne

[kwheattt]

What you want to do sounds like it's very much in line with the uni courses you're tossing up between. I'll start off by saying that it's definitely going to come down to much more than just your university when it comes to getting a job, it's moreso what you've got yourself involved in, what groups you've joined, what work experience etc, so in the end going to either one will not harm you.

I personally chose Monash over Melbourne because their system is already well established, you can do honours without having to do an extra year, it was more convenient for me, and the extra-curricular activites at Monash really appeal to me. The masters at Melbourne isn't really a Masters in my opinion, you do the same, if not less subjects than a Bachelor of Monash, and employers are going to be smart enough to realize this as soon as the uni starts churning out these graduates. The Masters takes what I think is a 65% average, which isn't too hard, but will require some work, and it is possible that you could slip below.

The prestige of Melbourne University in my opinion will not help you that much, and has nothing to do with your Gender. There are plenty of programs and additional opportunities that they give to girls in engineering, and I think you shouldn't be too worried about it. You'll find yourself surrounded by guys no matter which uni you go to if you do engineering subjects, but hey, that's not necessarily a bad thing is it? Your commerce subjects will be more even.

In response to your PM, I'm definitely enjoying my double degree at Monash, and definitely do not regret it at all. The workload is manageable, you seriously don't need to put in anywhere near as much as you would have in high scool for a 94, as long as you can learn effectively.

Either way you're not going to be making a mistake by giong to either uni, but from where I stand have no regrets choosing Monash over Melbourne

Thankyou so much! I suppose I was finding it difficult to look past Melbourne's prestige, but in saying that Monash is still part of the group of 8.
It's just the location, Melbourne is about 30 mins vs clayton about 90 mins...

Thanks for your help!

[aes_999]

You can opt to live in the dorms or live off campus near monash.
Prices are 200 p/w in dorms, or 400 - 500 p /w if you rent houses.

Monash Clayton Accomadation Options

[kwheattt]

you can do honours without having to do an extra year, it was more convenient for me, and the extra-curricular activites at Monash really appeal to me.

Also, what did you mean by doing honurs without an extra year?

and out of curiosity, what are the extra-curricular activities or things you can be involved in that Monash offers?

Once again, thanks!