Tech Schools

HipRodriguez · **Post subject:** Tech Schools **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:01 pm

Hi Everyone,

I've been reading these forums for the last 3 weeks or so. Anyway, I'm goingthrough a career change. I have a few friends that are in the IT field. My question to everyone here is, what do you guys think of the tech schools out there to get some certifications in order to get in the door?

Marathonman · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:40 pm

I use to teach at a tech school. They will let my 5 year old in if I have him the money. And unless you are paying for each class the, teach will have a lot of pressure to pass you no matter what you do.

My advice to you is talk to the students. Sit in on at least two classes. First an intro and 2nd an exit class (last few classes they offer) if there a lot fewer students in the exit class. Don’t go. No matter what the reason is for the difference. The real reason is because the students get fed up with the BS and get tired of getting ripped off.
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HipRodriguez · **Post subject:** Tech Schools **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 5:48 pm

What would be a better way to get in the door? I've never done well in self-study?

mellowd · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:05 pm

Self study and set up a lab. Even if you only have one pc you can use virtual machine software and run it on a virtual network. Thats how I do it
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Marathonman · **Post subject:** Re: Tech Schools **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:22 pm

HipRodriguez · **Post subject:** tech Schools **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:03 pm

I totally agree with going back to college. I'm already attending a community college to finish my general courses.

But, I was looking for advise on getting in the door.

Marathonman · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:15 pm

Well a college degree will go far. When and if you take IT in college become friends with you Porfs. Get your self an internship/first job. They will help you in your area more then anything even if it is some call center.

I have done some work in Chicago (home of the toll both) you will find a job there with no real problems.
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HipRodriguez · **Post subject:** tech schools **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:25 pm

So your advise would be not to go to tech school. Rather finish up general courses (about a year and a half going part time) then start with IT classes and then get first job.

wlassalle · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:52 pm

I agree with the school thing. I got my Bachelors of Science in IT and I am starting my MBA in June.
It makes a very big difference especially if you are in a program that will teach you other skills in IT.
Will
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Marathonman · **Post subject:** Re: tech schools **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 11:35 am

jsprague · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Tue May 01, 2007 9:26 pm

I agree with the above.. A college degree will go much further than going to a training school. Like Marathonman said, get experience while you are in school through an internship, work study program, volunteer work, etc. Having something relevant on your resume will make getting your first real job infinitely easier.

As for certifications, you are going to probably have to develop motivation because most people self-study for their exams unless an employer pays for classes. Smile

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HipRodriguez · **Post subject:** Tech Schools **Posted:** Wed May 02, 2007 12:25 am

Thanks everyone for the advise.

Ericwaycotx · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Wed May 02, 2007 3:39 pm

sscollins · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Thu May 03, 2007 10:42 am

Check out ITT-Technical Institute before you write off any "tech" schools.

ITT offers AAS and BS degrees, not just "certificates" like some tech schools. You have to take all the requisite general education courses like College Math I&II, &III for some majors. And you pay by the semester so there is no pressure for the professors to push you though. If you don't pass, you get dropped.

A lot of people underestimate the school. The first semesters are easy, but they get tough pretty quickly. People dropped like flies once the courses started to get tougher. I am now 2 semesters away from my AAS and I would guess that roughly 50% of the people that I started with are gone. People think it is going to be like Vo-Tech or some easy tech school like CHUBB..... but you are getting an actual accredited college education.

And while some of the private colleges don't accept their credits, most state schools do. My campus only offers AAS degrees and not BS or MA in IT. But one of the guys that just graduated is going to SUNY Albany for his MA and they took all his credits.

Plus all the courses are geared towards whatever you major is, so you don't have to take too many unrelated courses. Of course there is no way around it totally if you want the degree.

I admit I didn't think it was going to be as good as it is. The tech courses are really in depth. I've talked with a friend who has a BS from a state 4-year school, and they got off easy in some aspects. He had no idea what I was talking about when I asked him how he liked learning the TCP/IP structure breakdown......

Ericwaycotx · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Thu May 03, 2007 12:44 pm

The only BAD thing about ITT Tech is that it's a "Private" college, so all of your college credits are strickly for that school and can not be transfered to any other college.
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