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I want to become a software engineer! I am Lebanese and I don't know about the job opportunities here in Lebanon and how much money I can get. I wish to work in Google or any other company that is world wide and will give me a good living. I have been told that as an Arab it is hard to get to these companies, is it true?
Even if it is, I must try. So, where is the best place to start? I am currently a 12th grader, did not determine which university I will go to. I am thinking of going to AUST and finishing my MS degree in computer science there. Well if I get high grades, get some experience, and have the skills required, will I be able to get into Google or any other good companies like Samsung or Sony?
Well if AUST isn't the best in computer science, then which university is?
The way you are thinking about this whole thing is totally wrong, everyone has to start from somewhere, and it is almost impossible to start working as a fresh graduate in Google or Facebook as many young teenagers dream.
First thing first, what you will learn in the university wont give you the skill and knowledge to work in a multi-billion firm, no matter where you go they will teach you generic stuff, though the choice of university is important but it wont make you a genius or an expert in the field.
Start from somewhere and build your career is the way to go, your experience and hard work will let you progress in your career, the you can advance and reach your ultimate goals, just dont imagine that as soon as you graduate you apply for an open vacancy in Google and await their reply eagerly.
High grades are good for scholarships, for moving to other universities abroad etc... but i have never seen an employer asking for your school or university grades.
Bottom line improve your experience, skills and dedications to work (get certified as well when applicable) and you should find a place that meets your expectations.
AliFakhoury wroteI have been told that as an Arab it is hard to get to these companies, is it true?
It is true because as a Lebanese you will need a working visa for countries where these companies have offices, and this is a difficult procedure, so it is much easier for the companies to hire people from where they are - unless you are special and irreplaceable for them.
One route you can go is immigration, if you have a degree and nice profile (including some experience and languages) you can apply to immigrate to Canada, or some other country - I don't know. Another route that some people take is study abroad, then when they finish study look for a job there. They are allowed to do so (depending on the country) and it is generally made easier for students.
I have two friends that worked at Google, they're brothers actually. They both graduated from AUB, I think, then went on to do a masters outside the country. One is still working for Google. But they have done business (or similar) studies, not engineering. I also think they have an European nationality - although I have to ask to be sure.
I don't think believe in discrimination against Arabs being mainstream across recruiters, although I am not naive and there surely might be some - yet your main difficulty as a Lebanese will most likely be visa and work permit stuff.

By the way, maybe we should make a sticky thread for such questions? Every week someone comes and ask where he (or she) should study :)
I don't have any other nationality though, but I am determined and really love this field. Do you think AUST is a good university? And one more question, can universities send some of its students to study outside?
rolf wrote By the way, maybe we should make a sticky thread for such questions? Every week someone comes and ask where he (or she) should study :)
Am kinda new here... :p What is a sticky thread?
AliFakhoury wrote
rolf wrote By the way, maybe we should make a sticky thread for such questions? Every week someone comes and ask where he (or she) should study :)
Am kinda new here... What is a sticky thread?
It's a thread that stays on top of the forum for everyone to see.
What I mean is have like a single thread where everyone can discuss this topic (what college to go to), instead of a new thread being created every time.

Welcome, by the way :)
AliFakhoury wroteI don't have any other nationality though, but I am determined and really love this field. Do you think AUST is a good university? And one more question, can universities send some of its students to study outside?
I believe that AUST is OK. I don't know that much about it but it's reputation is not too bad, but there are a bunch of other universities (the well known one) who have a better reputation, I did some research back when I was looking where to study.

I don't know anything about exchange programs or study abroad programs, but yeah it is possible and it has been done before. It depends on the university and if they have any such programs.
It is never the university, only the type of instructors.
I am in love with NDU, I am still studying Computer and Communication Engineering, for reasons I will not go through here.
However, to be objective as much as possible, currently instructors hired by NDU are of great substance.
Unlike the past years, like 12 years back, Engineering was thriving under the supervision of the most great doctors and professors, which were few. Now new breed of instructors are being brought in. I have attended some of their classes and I was in awe.
You can quote me on that.

The subjective part:
if you love programming, no university can teach you what you need.
It is a fact of life, and studying the first days of Computer Programming history, I found out that all this knowledge was haphazard.
The early computer programmers were just curious souls.

Summary;
It takes a special kind of person to take what is given to him or her and make something else which is of value.

As a fellow geek, my only advice, is research.
God knows what you find in your daily quest be it over the internet or be it by the old fashion and most honorable way the good old book.

ONE MORE THING:
NDU has exchange programs with the other NDU abroad. How you like them apples?
In addition, avoid technical schools, they get you nowhere.
Until AUST gets its UNI credentials set up, don't bother.
Life of a technician is stagnant never in progress unless with too much effort that is more in difficulty if not through a uni.

As a fellow student, there were times i wish the academic system would be understanding and forgiving but that is never the case.
You better have income, family that can support you and most of all, patience and drive to sustain your curiosity if you have one.

It does make a difference also if you know what you need and want.
Not all of us have a round perspective of life and whatever merits we want to reap while we are here.
Some may seek fortune, some knowledge, and by God some chase after fame.

I don't have white hair but I think I am overdue, not entirely sure I earned it yet.
Thus, I pray you earn yours one day.
xdrone wrote In addition, avoid technical schools, they get you nowhere.
Until AUST gets its UNI credentials set up, don't bother.

Thank you so much for replying! It's my first day here and so many questions were answered! But, what exactly do you mean when you said UNI credentials, and technical schools(you mean like ma3had?).
Speaking of programming, I am actually learning it now and won't wait till I go to university, I have to do freshman too so that is too much time wasted. I was talking to a relative who studied CS in AUST, and apparently it is very good when talking about CS. AUB and LAU have good repetition in Lebanon I believe, my family can afford these universities, but will for sure put them under financial pressure. There is so many universities out there and I can't count on my own research. Knowing that I will do freshman, it means that I have one more year to determine where I should study CS, I have time, but I want to gather as much information as possible!
Thanks again for replying!
Technical is ma3had, as you may have gently posted.
UNI credentials, i mean to be registered as a university, an academic institution is approved by the government that the school resides in its borders and that approval grants the institution the caliber by which it must operate in order to graduate students at the university level.
They need a license to operate as a university.

I feel for your grief when speaking of financial burdens. But better now than later my friend.
You will help them later on when you are over 30. Until then, and meantime, no one will take you seriously anywhere.
Force their hand to get you educated and push and tug with both your feet and hands, you need this (not want).
Do it now while you still can.
AUST got the license few years ago, in 2013 I think. Their licenses are at university level.

The computer science department is well organized, and has great professors.

However, AUST's reputation is still far from the other known universities.

I would say, if you can get in LAU or AUB, go for it.... It seems employers in Lebanon drool over graduates from these two universities.

Also, if you're hoping to get scholarship offers from your university, AUST is not the place to go.
I studied at NDU. I was considering AUST before enrolling at NDU. I asked to someone who worked at admission at ESA (the one next to AUB), and they told me I'd have a better chance enrolling there with an NDU degree. It all doesn't make much sense but bottom line is it did not go as planned at NDU because I did not complete my degree.
I would not recommend it to anyone. But then I don't know much about the alternatives. I went to LAU before going to NDU and I had much better grades when I was there.
But many people go to NDU and get out well from it. Many good graphic designers graduate from there, for example.
And it is cheaper.
Hybrid wrote I would say, if you can get in LAU or AUB, go for it.... It seems employers in Lebanon drool over graduates from these two universities.

Also, if you're hoping to get scholarship offers from your university, AUST is not the place to go.
Even if the content was the same? I mean computer science is computer science in AUB or LAU and AUST, right?
Also, by scholarships do you mean like traveling abroad to continue my MS degree for example?

AUST has many international affiliations and Cooperation agreements with many universities around the world, is it possible that if I am a special student and have very high grades that I get the chance to travel abroad and continue my MS degree in one of these universities?

Thank you :)
AliFakhoury wrote
Hybrid wrote I would say, if you can get in LAU or AUB, go for it.... It seems employers in Lebanon drool over graduates from these two universities.

Also, if you're hoping to get scholarship offers from your university, AUST is not the place to go.
Even if the content was the same? I mean computer science is computer science in AUB or LAU and AUST, right?
Also, by scholarships do you mean like traveling abroad to continue my MS degree for example?

AUST has many international affiliations and Cooperation agreements with many universities around the world, is it possible that if I am a special student and have very high grades that I get the chance to travel abroad and continue my MS degree in one of these universities?

Thank you :)
I Graduated from AUST in computer science. The content is almost identical. However, being in the industry working for years, employers always prefer graduates from LAU or AUB over any other graduate. Why? I don't know, it's just how it goes... Probably cause those 2 unis have a good reputation overall.

AUST is affiliated with many universities abroad, in USA, Canada and Italy, but I've never heard of anyone getting an opportunity or a scholarship to go study there, and no professor ever mentioned to us (the students) how can someone get there and continue their studies.

I know that in AUB and LAU, if you have high grades, they will help you find or will find for you a scholarship in other countries in Europe or America to continue your studies. You don't even have to ask, they will propose.