Hello again fellow Geeks, it has been a long time since i've entered this forum , but when in doubt i always come here for some rock solid information...

After a lot of thinking , i have finally made up my mind and decided that CCE is my thing, eventhough a lot of people encouraged me to go with CS, for the money and for the smaller learning curve, plus their argument was always the following :"a CCE in lebanon is the same as an IT" or "all you will do is fix laptops later on" no offence to anyone. But i have realised that i am very passionate about Hardware and everything related to the "low current" section. I mean , the pleasure i get will disassembling a piece of electronics and the need to find out what every little part does is incomparable!

Anyway, took me a while to realise that, but that's not the point here. As a first choice in Uni i have decided to go through LU roumieh , and go with "low current" engineering, and proceed with an exchange program later on... as i have been told by other members in this forum.
However , if i am to fail the entrance exam for any reason, i need to have a backup plan in mind, so USJ faculty of engineering (ESIB) came in mind since it is not so expensive compared to LAU and AUB.

So here are my questions :

-What should i expect after getting my degree? am i really going to end up fixing computers for a living? (in Lebanon? in other countries?)
-Do you advise me to go to ESIB?
The curriculum seemed very basic! i feel like we will miss a lot of important subjects (first link is prep, second is CCE , i have to go through both)
http://www.usj.edu.lb/admission/dipl.htm?cursus=1438
http://www.usj.edu.lb/admission/dipl.htm?cursus=1600
-Should i really consider travelling to get a decent formation in this field?

Again Thank You everyone, please note that i am a senior and extremely lost at the moment :D i guess it's normal but i hope i don't make the wrong choice and regret it later on...
I am a student at LAU majoring in CCE, this is my first year.
First, if you are thinking about the money you can always apply for financial aid for LAU or AUB as I did. I got 30% on my tuition fees and now I pay the same price as NDU for example. But I have to work 9 hours per week in the university but it's not like a real job you probably just sit in the lab or library.
Second, it all comes to what language do you want, if french then go to USJ.
And I don't really know about hardware, I am looking forward to software and I am looking to work outside Lebanon because the salaries are better there.
I am not an expert in the matter but I believe that the job (if you mean Computer Engineering) is about designing computer hardware, software, robotics etc. However, I think you can still end up as an IT or computer repairman. The difference seems important but I don't know if in Lebanon it is known.

As for the travelling question, it depends on your ambitions and your budget. Life abroad can be a lot easier and also a lot harder (especially without another nationality) depending on the country and the place you want to stay. In my opinion if you want to study outside Lebanon and ocme back to work here, your gains are minimal.

If you're motivated and ambitious, have the means and want to work hard for a better life, the answer is obvious.
Less than 1% of computer engineers in Lebanon are "laptop repairmen"
18 days later
Hi Guys.
@Larsa hope you made a choice that you are happy with now.

Concerning the topic, I am at a dilemma now also,in fact i have been in a dilemma about this subject for the last four years in my life after i graduated from high school in general sciences.
For four years i have been going on jumping from on job to another, not doing anything serious.
And in recent events,i decided that i will start again to continue my education.

Now i love computers,and i am always interested to know more about them.
That fact opens two majors in my doors,
Computer Science
Computer Engineering

I don't know anything about them, i need someone to explain to me whats the difference between them,what will i be taking in years coming in each major, and finally what kind of field of work will i be getting into after both majors.
And which one will be more easy for me, as i do not remember any maths/physiques/chimies since terminale.


Basically,my thought now is,Even if i end up doing something other than the two mentioned majors above.
I want to do a major,preferably an easy one, that i can finish it in 3-4 years, which will make me find a job easily in Lebanon.
That is my goal now,
I want to finish a major in University,any major, which will make it easy for me to find a decent desk/counter/office job in Lebanon, instead of jumping from one job to another.

So what do you guys advise?
@AVOlio

I can tell you the difference between those at AUB, I think it applies to other universities as well:

ECE or CCE requires a lot more math and a lot more physics than CS.
In ECE/CCE you have to take 2 courses in circuits and 2 courses in electronics and 1 course in physics and 5 courses in math and 1 course in chemistry and 1 optional science course (chemistry/physics/biology/...) and also a course in Signals and Systems.
The remaining courses in the major can be all in Networking, Programming, Computer Architecture (you can choose what you prefer)

In CS:
You have to take 1 course in physics and 2 optional science courses and 3 math courses. Most of the remaining are just CS courses (similar to Programming courses given in ECE/CCE and a few more).

You can see for yourself the different courses that are required in each major at AUB or at any other university.

My Advice, since you are interested in computers is maybe to go with CS which has less math and physics required. You can also finish in 3 years instead of 4.
@Larsa

You Need to Look for three main critical long term issues and not short term issues which is shorter vs longer , physics vs math , hardware vs software etc.. :

1-Jobs' Market Trend (CCE vs CS)
2-PayScale
3-Your Passport (Citizenship)

-Job Market

From Experience

Go for Computer Science (I finished at LAU and chose your electives wisely (OLAP Tools / Advance Data Bases /Artificial Intelligence / Neural Networks / OOP / Networking / Computer Organization / File Processing = the Last Three will give you a Hardware Overview in addition to an Assembly Language course will not hurt.

After you finish work for 2-3 years in the domain for practical experience then go for:

-Then Go for Some Professional Certifications such as:
Computer Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Information Technology Infrastructure Library v3
Microsoft Operations Framework 4.0
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associates

After you fulfill your CV for BSc Computer Science + Some Professional Certifications + Couple of Years of Experience you will be ready to apply for MS for example or Oracle --- At this journey you can attain an MBA for gain some management aspects and you will a cross functional (IT + Management) potential CTO / Director / Consultant in some big companies not necessarily IT bounded rather consultancy to such as McKinsey , Strategy& (Formerly Booz & Company but PWC Purchased), Bain & Company etc...
titled "Engineer" and can enter the syndicate is not a norm to get paid in the Telecom/Engineering Industry ;

I know my friends who followed that approach with a BSc in Computer Science as a Start & now getting paid USD 8000/ Month at Microsoft/Oracle; you may have a look at their LinkedIn profiles to have an overview about their educational/career history & progress.

https://ae.linkedin.com/pub/rola-khoury/53/639/8ab
https://ae.linkedin.com/pub/kareem-okeili/14/533/27a
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/mazen-abdallah/18/302/5b2
https://lb.linkedin.com/pub/ihab-issa-m … 81/1b8/445 (My Profile)

Big Companies now seeks certified people (Globally Recognized) along with academic degrees.


2- Pay Scale:

A CCE working at MTC (Zain Group) or Alfa (Arascom) in BTS , MSC , Cell Planning or Working at Siemens (Operations) get paid in Lebanon an average salary of USD 2000 (with minimum 2 years of practical experience as Intern or practical one) , a CS + 2 years of Experience in Practical Development + a Certificate from MS get paid around 2000 - 2500 USD in reputable local Development companies. Knowing that a CS is not limited to software , you can do a CS + CCNA + CCNP etc...

An IT Manager in UAE for Example (Usually has 5-6 Years of Experience + CS + CISA/MSCD) get paid for about 25,000 - 30,000 Dh. USD 6800 - USD 8200). My friend get a similar offer 2 weeks ago.

3-Traveling Abroad

Lebanese Passport is very weak added with the repercussions of the Syrian Crises , Lebanon Relationship with It , The Perspective of others towards us,political stagnation etc... You will have a more than 50% chance either in UAE / Saudi Arabia , or trying a Skilled Worker Visa for a Canadian Migration. But again the market is highly competitive now with Indians , Egyptians , Europeans , Americans , you need to be very competitive with your qualifications/experience.
And what about the other majors, other than computer and computer engineering.
What are ther majors, easy and simple major that I can do, finish it in 3-4 years and then easily fine a job in Lebanon? Some desk or office job.
@AVOlio

Office / Support Work:

Go with HR do 1-2 Years of Experience than do a PHR Certificate and after 4-5 Years You do a SPHR - Every Company needs an HR Person and Reputable Companies (Multinational Usually) the HR Manager /Director/Generalist has power in the company he can go with major Development Policies, PDRs, Staffing etc...

or Go with Marketing- Hundreds of Jobs I am spotting in the Gulf for Business Development Executives which is an entry experience jobs that opens for you many opportunities for Business Development / Sales/ Marketing and since you have the IT Passion you can combine both competences and be a Business Development Executive in an IT Company (Selling Software Solutions , ERPs, Hardware Solutions Re-seller), even big names like MS , Schneider , Oracle , Cisco , SAP need these guys to sell there solutions to key clients in the retail , corporate, or Oil &Gas Fields.
@Larsa @AVOlio
i am a computer scientist graduated from AUST

Below is the CSI courses given at AUST
http://aust.edu.lb/Faculties_and_ProgramsFaculty_of_Arts_and_SciencesUndergraduate_ProgramsBS_in_Computer_Science

Below is the CCE courses given at AUST
http://aust.edu.lb/Faculties_and_ProgramsFaculty_of_EngineeringUndergraduate_ProgramsBS_in_Computer_and_Communications_Engineering

you can always contact any university and they will tell you the difference.



as you can see there are a lot of common courses.

for CSI it needs 4 years as an average and CCE 5 years.

CCE needs more physics and math and it is more related to hardware, CSI is more related to development and networking stuff.

as for work, there are a lot of opportunities for computer scientist in lebanon, for CCE they are working in networking or development since the opportunities to work as CCE are very few in lebanon. but as a CCE you will be in the Syndicate and it is a good thing.

both majors need researches and practice but CCE is a bit harder.

@Larsa i think you should also check the ICT major
http://aust.edu.lb/Faculties_and_ProgramsFaculty_of_Arts_and_SciencesUndergraduate_ProgramsBS_in_ICT

@AVOlio regarding your search for a quick major...

i recommend that you take into consideration both: what you love and what the market need, loving what you do is verry important for you to be productive.
I don't think HR is for me, also marketing.
@MAD, i am a person now that is broken by motivation, because it was impossible for me to actually do what always i wanted to do.
But forget about that, currently, i am just seeking a quick major that i can do, that will provide me with a steady indoor (office etc) work,with a steady income. It wont matter to me if i will love it or not.

So could you guys list all the other available easy to do majors which will grant steady and good income jobs IN LEBANON?
Thank you for all your help.
AVOlio wroteSo could you guys list all the other available easy to do majors which will grant steady and good income jobs IN LEBANON?
Thank you for all your help.
prostitution
the job has a lot of perks you can pick your own times and make up to 1000$ a day.
Since he's a guy, i don't think that would work unfortunately
Well i asked for Majors to do in Uni which will find me jobs.
And prostitution doesn't have majors in Uni, its self-learned.
So Ha!