thedarkwolf25

I'm looking at the colleges that are available for me to attend to get my IT career started and am feeling a little lost. At the moment I have 2 in mind, one is TechSkills which is looking like my first choice. The other is a school nearby (I live in Denver btw) that seems good as well.

My main concerns are: quality of learning
course duration (the shorter the better)
tuition fees (preferably no more than say 10k)
location to home
and job placement

I'm just wondering what else is out there, I know about ITT Tech but that seems expensive and lengthy which is really not what I'm after.

Feel free to check out the 2 I am looking at and let me know what you guys think.

Emily Griffith Opportunity School

TechSkills

Commander Data

I have a background in electronics design and EE. I checked out DeVry and IIT Tech and even back in the day, it was hella expensive.

Over all, I think TechSkills has a better name to put on a resume, it doesn't sound like a cook and sewing school.

HOWEVER, I looked at the programs, and to be honest, I wouldn't pay those prices to get an MCSE etc, when you can just get CBT stuff and do it at home in your pajamas.

I went to an elite training school where we flew through MCSE materials, but fortunately I didn't have to pay for it. 10 - 20K is a lot of funds.

Take a field trip to these places, and tell them you want to audit some classes. Don't just listen to BS from some sales guy called a recruiter, go see for yourself if this appeals to you.

Do you need to sit there and have someone show you slide shows while you click on course materials, or can you click on course materials in your own time?

Just my 2 cents.

thedarkwolf25

Where did you see the prices on TechSkills? That was the only thing that I couldn't find. And with TechSkills you can go as fast as you want, whatever speed you learn at is the speed you go at.

Commander Data

I didn't see their price specifically, but I've seen and been a part of several places that teach certification courses, and generally know what they go for. Community colleges don't seem to be any cheaper than private centers.

Techskills may also afford you the opportunity to network with people and do other sorts of internships etc. At some of these places you can barter your time for additional class time (more classes for free). Help them set up lab areas, clean up crap, RIS the PCs for the next class coming in etc etc. This will give you a but more hands on and confidence then just taking part in class discussion and being a bench warmer.

thedarkwolf25

Yes a couple of the winning points and why I am leaning so heavily to TechSkills is just that, I haven't talked to an admissions specialist yet but I believe it works out with me paying for 12 months of courses and I can complete as many as I can for the price they charge. I also know that they have great networking opportunities as well as Job placement (always a plus) and a 120-hour externship.

Plus they variety of ways you can learn is fairly large, they have video based learning, classes, break/fix workstations, online resources, hand-on classes as well as a large reference library.

They say they are affordable but I still want to know what grants they may accept (if any) and what kind of tuition fees and financial aid I might be able to get. I think the best part is that it's learn at your pace and I tend to pick things up pretty quick.

nedes

I am in my second year at DeVry. I am 50 and a certified remodeler(glorified carpenter). I made a decisision after much prayer to change my career path and pursue a college degree. I have about 30 hours of a 68 hour associate degree in Networking Systems Administration.
I work full time for myself and am getting the money through stafford loans, FASFA, and next session I am eligilbe for hope grants. The teaching at DeVry is incredible. I hadn't used algebra since 1974 and passed both my algebra courses with an A and a good understanding of quadriatic equations. They showed me the theory. DeVry also has a great track record for finding their graduates employment. I believe you get what you pay for.
Having gone from the Army to work I never went to college. For someone returning to education and getting a degree at my age, taking one or two classes a session and working full time, I'm very happy that I choose DeVry over everyone else.

thedarkwolf25

I thought about DeVry but in the end passed over it due to the cost and length of the course. I have heard great things about them but I'm somewhat crunched for time. I can't afford to be very picky due to the fact that I am currently unemployed and am only 24 so this is my attempt at getting my career off the ground.

My main goal is to get in a course that will teach me quickly and effectively without killing me with costs. Job placement is the only thing I am really not willing to skimp on.

I do want to go to ITT Tech at some point in my future but that is after I at least get my A+ and Networking+ under my belt. Then I plan on going for my MCP and from there it's looking like IT security would be fun. I like the idea of stopping hackers nad cyber terrorists, I briefly thought about Computer Forensics but I'm not convinced it would be for me.

JeffreyNYA

I have a good friend who runs a training company out of Phoenix. It is Accelerated training, but the trainers are fantastic and certification is guaranteed. I have no interest in the company just point it out to others as any friend would do. The thing with them is that the trainers actually write the courseware they teach.

They are mainly CCNA/CCNP and Microsoft based. For example the CCNA course is completely hands on. You have all your own equipment to work with. Nothing is virtual. This is essential to passing this test if you already have no or limited hands on experience. If you were to take a Cisco Academy course it would take you months to complete and the cost would be more.

Just take a look and talk to them. Can't hurt.

You can see there site at americaninteractive.com ( if this breaks forum policy please let me know and I will delete)

thedarkwolf25

Thanks Jeffery I'll look them up. They sound very much like TechSkills which also has hands-on courses, and state that 90% of their students pass their exams on the first try. If you don't pass the exam on the first try and you have completed that course they will pay for you to take it again.

Another little fact I like is that the campus is also a testing facility.

JeffreyNYA

Yep, that is the same thing with Americaninteractive, you can test right there and their pass rate is about 90%. If you fail a test to can retake it until you pass, no extra charge. You mentoring with your actual instructor before your class even starts. Hard for me to tell you everything they offer. Just call them up. You will talk to Tim. He is the owner, he will answer every question you have. Ask him why he is better than TechSkills.

Here is one thing they offer:

Free certification test drive - get your MCP for FREE: If we have the room in class you are welcome to take the first Microsoft segment for free. This means you can sit in on the entire first Microsoft exam segment at no charge. You can decide to pay for the exam yourself at the end of the first segment and walk away a Microsoft Certified Professional on us or choose to stay (in which case we will need payment of course).

thedarkwolf25

I looked them up but it seems that they are only located in Arizona and Boston. I'm in Denver and not really able or willing to relocate at the moment.

JeffreyNYA

Its not really a relocate as there CCNA is only like 6 days total. Its an accelerated training company. Not a 3 month one. You just take a week and go there.

thedarkwolf25

As much as I would like to my financial situation is very FUBAR. I'm currently unemployed with no decent prospects in sight. It's one of the reasons that I am looking at as many schools as I can.

The only reason I am even able to go to school is my fiance's father is the most generous man I have ever met and has agreed to help cover the costs if I need it.