Adult Colleges

[Rokkaholik]

I was terminated today from my job of 7.5 years. It was a complete BULLCRAP charge because... of the 5 people involved and that were all guilty of the same thing, I was the only one terminated... Oh well... I was determined to make a positive out of this situation no matter how it panned out so after looking through jobs in the last 2 weeks while I was on suspension, and realizing EVERY damn thing out there requires some sort of degree, I decided to go back to school!

 

Now... I'm 35 and have a wife and 2 year old daughter, so I need to somehow sustain a little income with a job of some kind while going to school. Looking into places such as ITT, National American University as well as a few others all aimed at ADULT learning and not the typical college where youngins run amuck. I want something career based where I won't have to waste time dealing with generals that have no application in my field of interest.

 

I'm in Minnesota just south of the Twin Cities metro area. I'm looking into PC related fields such as Networking, Programming, I.T., and similar fields.

 

Anyone here ever go back to school for a career change or midlife crisis? Any national schools you could recommend looking into? Good bad experiences?

 

 

Thanks in advance

Edited May 7, 2009 by Rokkaholik

[greengiant912]

I was terminated today from my job of 7.5 years. It was a complete BULL. charge because of the 5 people involved and that were all guilty of the same thing, I was the only one terminated... Oh well... I was determined to mae a positive out of this situation no matter how it panned out so after looking through jobs in the last 2 weeks while I was on suspension, and realizing EVERY damn thing out there requires some sort of degree, I decided to go back to school!

 

Now... I'm 35 and have a wife and 2 year old daughter, so I need to somehow sustain a little income while trying to better myself by going to school. Looking into places such as ITT, National American University as well as a few others all aimed at ADULT learning and not the typical college where youngins run amuck. I want something career based where I won't have to waste time dealing with generals that have no application in my field of interest.

 

I'm in Minnesota just south of the Twin Cities metro area.

 

Anyone here ever go back to school for a career change or midlife crisis? Any national schools you could recommend looking into? Good bad experiences?

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

STOPP!!!

 

ITT Tech and those other 'colleges' are on COMMISSION! They will charge you like $30,000 to get your two year associates degree! PC Pro schools charges like $30k for you to take have you take Certification exams with no guarantee that you will pass em

I'm going to school at a Technical College here in Wisconsin, a lot of adults attend school with us 'youngins'. A good buddy of mine is 38 and he has gone back for his degree.

 

Its a great idea just look for a technical college, a lot cheaper! Wisconsin has great schools, even our Technical schools our great as they transfer into the 4 year schools pretty good. Idk if you guys have something like that in Minnesota, you could check into something across the border hehe.

 

 

In fact in the past year I have seen more and more adults enrolling in Classes with this horrible economy. The age range in my classes is anywhere from 18-49.

 

Adult Learning is BS to try and sell on the idea that its aimed towards you. In reality Real Accredited schools are your best option.

 

 

I would look for a school that gives you the most for your $$. I really like the program I am in, http://wctcinf.wctc.edu:7777/progreq/reqco...progcode=101502

 

Check it out it will give you an idea for what you should look at when looking @ schools and programs offered.

Edited May 7, 2009 by greengiant912

[Rokkaholik]

ITT and NAU say that they are Accredited But I know what you mean about price... ITT said a 2 year degree in the firld I'm looking will run appx $48,000. My little brother went to school for 5 years at NDSU and he owes $75000 on loans

 

 

 

Also, what I meant by youngins, was the party-happy crowd, fresh out of HS and away from their mommies and daddies that are more interested in screwing off than learning

Edited May 7, 2009 by Rokkaholik

[greengiant912]

ITT and NAU say that they are Accredited But I know what you mean about price... ITT said a 2 year degree in the firld I'm looking will run appx $48,000. My little brother went to school for 5 years at NDSU and he owes $75000 on loans

 

Thats freaking crazy dude. My tuition is going to cost me about $8,000 for my degree. Yeah thats it! I am getting a good education with it too, my credits transfer to most state colleges with no issue as well! So I can get a 4 year degree if I wanted to as well!

 

 

Your right they are accredited but in my mind they shouldn't be.

 

Do you guys have any Technical or Career Colleges in Minnesota?

Here is the link to the Wisconsin ones http://www.witechcolleges.com your going to pay more out of state though :-\....

 

Its worth it to goto a regular school even if ya gotta put up with us kids hehe. I am trying to get my dad to go back to school and have him finish his degree as well. Alot of these schools offer night classes as well. I would just look for a state Technical or Career college.

 

As for your definition of youngins, you see that a lot more in the 4 year schools then the 2 year schools. I think its more because the kind of people who goto a 2 year school want to get into the workforce ASAP and get on with their lives. It depends though I guess... Like I respect most of the people in my classes and don't see anyone like that, in my General Ed classes theres a few people like that but in my program classes not so much. I myself live at home still and most people who attend 2 year schools do live at home. It saves on the dorm/housing costs as well.

Edited May 7, 2009 by greengiant912

[Rokkaholik]

We have a tech college right here in town and there's another one in Dakota County which is about 40 minutes from me. I did request info from both, but nothing from them as of yet.. The ITT and NAU were quick. In fact, NAU called me about an hour after I requested the info... hahaha

 

I'm exploring ALL options though, which is why I posted this thread. I'm not settling for the first one that comes along. I prefer Bang For The Buck!

[greengiant912]

We have a tech college right here in town and there's another one in Dakota County which is about 40 minutes from me. I did request info from both, but nothing from them as of yet.. The ITT and NAU were quick. In fact, NAU called me about an hour after I requested the info... hahaha

 

I'm exploring ALL options though, which is why I posted this thread. I'm not settling for the first one that comes along. I prefer Bang For The Buck!

 

 

Which you should! Research is the best thing you can do when it comes to education.

 

You want to know why they got back to you so fast? Its because they are on Commission! They are like used car salesmen lol.

 

Check those school's websites for info, if their website is nicely laid out then they are likely a good school imo hehe :-P

 

As you can see im kinda passionate about his hehe. I had a friend get screwed by one of these ITT tech places and yeah never want anyone to drop all that money for very minimum education.

Edited May 7, 2009 by greengiant912

[Kamikaze_Badger]

Avoid ITT Tech and all other over-advertised colleges like that. Look into a local tech school, you'll often find plenty of adults in the courses who are doing the exact same thing you are: Getting better training for a better job. Also, it's not like you'll be living on campus, so why would you be that affected by the idea of a few students that are only there to screw off?

[Verran]

I think writing off "normal" colleges just because some of the people there are young and foolish is... well... foolish. Your experience at any college is what you make of it. Yours doesn't have to be that way unless you want it to be. Besides, employers generally hold degrees from large state universities in higher regard than "fast-track" degree programs. Just be careful that the degree you're getting (and paying for) actually means something when it comes to getting the job you want.

[Guest ajmatson]

I think writing off "normal" colleges just because some of the people there are young and foolish is... well... foolish. Your experience at any college is what you make of it. Yours doesn't have to be that way unless you want it to be. Besides, employers generally hold degrees from large state universities in higher regard than "fast-track" degree programs. Just be careful that the degree you're getting (and paying for) actually means something when it comes to getting the job you want.

 

I have to agree with Verran. I was considering ITT until talking to employers who mentioned the same thing. I currently go to University of Phoenix and all of my courses are online just as they would if I were physically going however, I am still able to hold a full time job because of not having to work around my class schedule. Sure I pay a bit more for convenience but it is worth it in the long run.

[LoArmistead]

I know a lot of colleges have Evening Degree Programs or similar that are basically geared towards working adults. The classes are typically three days a week, 6-7:30 at night, and the curriculum is geared around adults who have families to raise. Check out your local private and state schools, I'm sure they have EDP programs that will give you an excellent education towards a Bachelor's and are less expensive than ITT Tech and whose diplomas are just as worthy as if you had attended the day program.

Edited May 7, 2009 by LoArmistead

[fire_storm]

I think writing off "normal" colleges just because some of the people there are young and foolish is... well... foolish. Your experience at any college is what you make of it. Yours doesn't have to be that way unless you want it to be. Besides, employers generally hold degrees from large state universities in higher regard than "fast-track" degree programs. Just be careful that the degree you're getting (and paying for) actually means something when it comes to getting the job you want.

 

I'd have to agree to.

 

College isn't like high school were in class they let there students constantly interrupt the class and let them get away with it to with a passing grade. You may see people like that in some of your classes but they will learn quickly when they realize there the only ones acting obnoxious and that they have made a fool out of themselves or they get kicked out of class and realize that they have to take more time and money to take the class again.

 

Also make sure that what ever college degree you decide to get make sure that it is worth credit at the future job you want to work at. There's nothing more depressing then spending many years of time and money on a college degree and then finding out it is worthless in the job field you want to apply in. This is especially important in the IT field because an IT job or degree can mean a lot of different things like Programming, Web designe, Computer engineering, Network engineer, Network administrator, Server administrator, Computer repair technician.

[LoArmistead]

Also make sure that what ever college degree you decide to get make sure that it is worth credit at the future job you want to work at. There's nothing more depressing then spending many years of time and money on a college degree and then finding out it is worthless in the job field you want to apply in. This is especially important in the IT field because an IT job or degree can mean a lot of different things like Programming, Web designe, Computer engineering, Network engineer, Network administrator, Server administrator, Computer repair technician.

 

That's a biggie. Make it marketable. I always thought EVERYONE took this decision to heart when deciding on a concentration, but when I see how many people pay $30,000 per year to go to school and major in Theater... I sometimes wonder. My aunt was laid off from her Levi's factory a few years back, after ten years working there, so that the factory could move to Mexico. My aunt used the NAFTA government displacement benefits and was basically paid to go back to school and get a new degree. She chose Sociology. She now works at a gas station.