Are votechs worth it?
March 24, 2010 6:38 PM Subscribe
I'm thinking of heading back to school in network management/IT, but I'm thinking of going back to a vocational school. So would something like Keller/DeVry be worth it?
I already have a couple of master's degrees, one in lit and one in library science, experience with databases, working in management, building websites, etc., and have been out of work for the last few months. I'm wondering if adding some vocational network/IT experience would look good to employers (because simply telling them I can do it with a library science degree doesn't cut it lately).
I'm looking specifically at Keller at the moment because it offers a Graduate Certificate that could give me a general base in the field. I've also looked at Associate's Degrees, but I'm not sure if they're better. Since I have real experience, it seems that the certificate is a better move as a job seeker (please correct me if I'm wrong).
So, I'm wondering if Keller or some other tech school is worth it? I don't need theory or another degree, I need vocational experience. Would this be a good career choice and enable me to get a job in a different field in the Pacific NW or would it be just a waste of time/money?
I already have a couple of master's degrees, one in lit and one in library science, experience with databases, working in management, building websites, etc., and have been out of work for the last few months. I'm wondering if adding some vocational network/IT experience would look good to employers (because simply telling them I can do it with a library science degree doesn't cut it lately).
I'm looking specifically at Keller at the moment because it offers a Graduate Certificate that could give me a general base in the field. I've also looked at Associate's Degrees, but I'm not sure if they're better. Since I have real experience, it seems that the certificate is a better move as a job seeker (please correct me if I'm wrong).
So, I'm wondering if Keller or some other tech school is worth it? I don't need theory or another degree, I need vocational experience. Would this be a good career choice and enable me to get a job in a different field in the Pacific NW or would it be just a waste of time/money?
I'm not sure where you are located but in California both the community colleges and the adult education program of the local school district offer IT certification classes and they are much less expensive than the private schools. Also, there is a history of vocational schools being very, very good at helping their students to get loans to pay tuition, not so good at helping them get work to pay back the loans.
posted by metahawk at 7:25 PM on March 24, 2010
posted by metahawk at 7:25 PM on March 24, 2010
I suggest a community college or state college. For profit vocational schools are very expensive and not any better than public colleges.
posted by fifilaru at 10:04 PM on March 24, 2010
posted by fifilaru at 10:04 PM on March 24, 2010
Yup, check out the community college or continuing ed at a state university.
posted by Good Brain at 12:00 AM on March 25, 2010
posted by Good Brain at 12:00 AM on March 25, 2010
Nthing the community college / nearby state. The vo-tech schools can be more expensive with lower job placement rates (although with your other degrees you'd likely have a better chance.)
I'm not sure if this is unusual, but here's one example continuing ed program that gives you credit for your first bachelor's, and streamlines the second in IT.
posted by lillygog at 5:15 AM on March 25, 2010
I'm not sure if this is unusual, but here's one example continuing ed program that gives you credit for your first bachelor's, and streamlines the second in IT.
posted by lillygog at 5:15 AM on March 25, 2010
Best answer: Hey Pete, try your local community college and see if about getting into the CCNA certification program. Here's what Cisco says you can expect from their networking courses. Best of luck to you!
posted by Lynsey at 9:25 PM on March 25, 2010
posted by Lynsey at 9:25 PM on March 25, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks to all of you for the great answers. It's helped a lot.
posted by sleepy pete at 9:50 PM on March 25, 2010
posted by sleepy pete at 9:50 PM on March 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dayintoday at 7:16 PM on March 24, 2010