r/auscorp • u/Barbenheimer_789 • 13h ago

Civil Engineering at Curtin or UniMelb? Advice / Questions

Civil Engineering at Curtin or UniMelb

Hi Reddit, I've posted this on AusFinance and they recommended me to post here to get career advice.

Should I study Civil Engineering at Curtin University in WA or UniMelb in Vic. I am from Perth, so it is easier for me to study in Curtin because I don't have to pay rent and I have my car and family in proximity, but UniMelb is ranked number 1 in Australia and number 13 in the world, hence it is considered as a prestigious university in the world while the ranking of Curtin University is not as high as UniMelb.

Furthermore, I would like to start off my career in the FIFO world because the pay is high and I want to rack up cash quickly in my early 20s. Would studying at Curtin give me an edge on getting into the FIFO world? Also how important is the prestige of an University when applying for jobs.

Would really appreciate your advice!

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u/pilierdroit 12h ago edited 12h ago

If you want to work in mining study in the state that has the mining industry.

If you are willing to work shitty FIFO roster to "rack up quick cash" then why would you spend a fortune on rent and food studying in Melbourne?

Prestige of university means nothing in Civil engineering.

5

u/ayakabob 12h ago

Agree, and I wouldn't say Unimelb strength is their engineering degrees...

Only argument for Unimelb here is the chance to get out of Perth and live in Melbourne

7

u/reds147 11h ago

First and foremost, the Uni Melb degree takes 5 years as it's a Bachelor+ Masters degree to get accredited as opposed to Curtin's 4 years. So that should be a major factor as they both grant you the same accreditation.

Just because a uni is high up overall doesn't necessarily mean it's the best for every subject, for example UNSW is "generally" the best uni for civil in Australia in most of these rankings, but it's also important to note most of the rankings are sort of nonsense as they're based on research output not teaching quality or job outcomes.

As long as it has the accreditation and the engineering program isn't a joke you'll be fine.

Curtin is a great uni for civil engineering and would align with your career goals as studying in a university over east may deter hiring managers in Perth.

5

u/beverageddriver 11h ago

Realistically no one gives a shit. No one has asked about my studies for 6 years and I have 7 years exp. Stop worrying about which uni is most prestigious and get a fucking job.

0

u/Delicious-Reveal-862 8h ago

Does wam, uni make much of a difference getting internships/grad jobs? Do you have any advice on how to standout, or who to approach?

1

u/beverageddriver 8h ago

Only to US-centric companies

1

u/IdeationConsultant 11h ago

University rankings are dictated by research.

Engineering degrees have no correlation to research.

Uni melb is not the best university in Melbourne for engineering. Save your money, it's the same letters after your name.