Advice re:Graduate diploma to masters of commerce (1 Viewer)

[sunken eyes]

Hey all just looking for some advice.
I'm currently working full time as an engineer, but I'm looking to head back to uni to study. I've applied and been accepted for a graduate diploma in commerce at USYD, with a view to getting accepted to masters with a 65% or greater average. Which I'm planning on of course.

I have a few questions about this whole thing for those of you in the know.
1. Having finished this would I have the same chances or better of getting a job with "the big 4" or an international bank than someone who had done the undergrad course?

2. The workload - I'm planning on doing 3 units a semester at night. My job is not to strenuous so it won't eat into my time outside of the 9-5 so to speak and indeed I'm sure I'll find some time at work do a little uni work. However if this workload is not realistic then I should probably know now. Each course runs as a weekly 3 hour session, so I'm looking at 3 full nights to attend the lectures+tutes, plus my own time for study.

3. Any advice on the best areas/subjects to specialise in? My interest in commerce came about from investing my money in a managed fund as an 18 year old and obsessive compulsive contribution to it since, although it's nothing major. From there I started reading Money, then Smart Investor, the Economist when I could and I especially like the writings of the guys at The Intelligent Investor, a bunch of Buffet disciples. I like the analysis of companies carried out there, as well as the less aggressive approach to investing than that of charting or something similar. I tend to think that if you can't really outsmart the market, why bother trying. Not that it can't be done by some I'm sure, but you get the drift. Although I'm more than happy to study technical investing. I'm not convinced of it's efficacy at this point, but at this point I don't know shit so why would I take my opinion seriously.

4. Are there any other courses or uni's I should be seriously considering for this? I chose USYD simply because I know and like the uni and the surrounding environs. It's also sort of close to my workplace.

5. Am I right in choosing to go under a commerce degree and not an economics degree? From what I've seen the commerce degree is more flexible with only a few esoteric economic subjects out of it's scope while the economics course seems a bit more limited. I'm looking at something like finance or banking etc for myself. No HR, management waste of time stuff. No offense intended, it's just not for me.

I'm doing this with a view to either using the marks I get as entry to another course, but most likely as a chance to try my hand in a different profession. I would quite seriously like to snag a decent job in the field, so if this course is not going to give me that option then I wouldn't proceed. So to any and all who cast some light on this for me, I'm very grateful for your assistance.

 

[RogueAcademic]

Prior to the economic crisis last year and the years before that, I read in various places (newspapers, newsletters, Australian Financial Review and BRW magazine) that there is a worldwide shortage of accounting professionals, that is, CPA or CA qualified accoutants. So that would've been what I'd have recommended to you with no hesitation.

But the situation seems to be a lot less clearer now that we're neck deep in the economic crisis, with reports of corporations down-sizing and people losing jobs.

 

[sunken eyes]

I'm not really to interested in accounting. I prefer a more problem solving and evaluative take on proceedings, hence the engineering background.
Whether or not that incorrectly stereotypes the accounting profession I don't know, so I will consider it, although I must admit it doesn't appeal to me greatly right now. But food for thought.
Also I'm not to fussed about the economic downturn. I would be 2 years getting through the course and I'm already employed in the engineering field with that as a backup should nothing eventuate immediately upon graduating. Although I'd hope to do well enough that this wouldn't be an issue.
Of course I'm still sort of feeling this all out so more advice is always welcome. Especially with regards to how a bachelors versus a masters stacks up in job seeking and in the workplace.

 

[sunken eyes]

Bump.

 

[velox]

Should be fine. But bad timing, but can't be helped. Why dont you work in your preferred industry for a bit then do your masters of commerce and then work for an ibank analysing that sector?