Getting an Undergrad IT Certificate from an Online College

EchoedTruth · #1 03-05-2013, 10:01 AM

Hey all,

I am aiming to get a Computer Information Management undergraduate certificate from Ashworth College ( ashworthcollege.edu ) as I want something on my resume that shows I have some IT education experience (I already have significant but not very long work history in IT). I'm just looking for opinions on this. Would having that cert on my resume help in y'alls opinion? Or would it look bad as it is from an online school? Not sure what route to take as I want "some" formal IT education to list, but I'm not about signing up for another undergrad degree (already have an AB from UGA).

Thanks!

Prince · #2 03-05-2013, 10:11 AM

reach for the sky DEVRY

Peatree · #3 03-05-2013, 10:31 AM

Get what ever basic degree you can that will get you a job in the type of company you want a career.

I know several people that have a four year degree, hell some even have a MBA, that cannot find a job. They spent to much time getting their degree and not focusing on working your way up in a company.

Get a degree, hell even a cert if it gets you the job, then prove yourself by working hard, using off hours to further your education and work your way up.

Swish · #4 03-05-2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peatree [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

using off hours to further your education and work your way up.

Great advice, wish I'd done it that way.

Peatree · #5 03-05-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swish [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Great advice, wish I'd done it that way.

Agreed! I started with a 2 yr degree from ITT which landed me my first real "job" in Austin (company known as National Instruments).

Now 20 years later I have earned/maintain several more certs, my bachelors, and thinking about earning my MBA as well. Still working in same field, but much higher up and even better compensation.

EchoedTruth · #6 03-05-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peatree [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Get what ever basic degree you can that will get you a job in the type of company you want a career.

I know several people that have a four year degree, hell some even have a MBA, that cannot find a job. They spent to much time getting their degree and not focusing on working your way up in a company.

Get a degree, hell even a cert if it gets you the job, then prove yourself by working hard, using off hours to further your education and work your way up.

Thanks for the advice! As stated in the OP, I already have a 4 year bachelor's degree from UGA. I'm just looking to put some education on my resume that is computer-affiliated, to back up my work experience. (I'm a sociology major that was planning on law school but fuck that, my roommate was doing law and it was [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] ). I was mainly wondering what people think about the for-profit, online schools like Ashworth, ITT, etc.. I see some saying its a waste of money, and some saying it helps. If it matters, this isn't for a degree, just taking 5 classes which in turn give me a "Computer Information Management undergraduate certificate".

Peatree · #7 03-05-2013, 12:37 PM

UGA? There's your problem. Should have gone to TCU!

EchoedTruth · #8 03-05-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peatree [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

UGA? There's your problem. Should have gone to TCU!

................................ lol

Klendathu · #9 03-05-2013, 02:19 PM

IMHO, for IT, the degree is what a company will look at when they need to fill an entry level position and you have no experience to put on your resume. If you can get a job in the field without the degree, save yourself the tuition money. Not dissing the degree, but you can get somewhere without it, and paying back student loans can be a real bitch. Stick with it, maybe cop a cert here and there, you'll do ok. Experience is the key, though. I'd rather hire someone who can show me, for example, router configs and WAN stuff on a paper napkin than some jerkface with a Bachelor's and a CCNA who doesn't know shit from shinola.

EchoedTruth · #10 03-05-2013, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klendathu [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

IMHO, for IT, the degree is what a company will look at when they need to fill an entry level position and you have no experience to put on your resume. If you can get a job in the field without the degree, save yourself the tuition money. Not dissing the degree, but you can get somewhere without it, and paying back student loans can be a real bitch. Stick with it, maybe cop a cert here and there, you'll do ok. Experience is the key, though. I'd rather hire someone who can show me, for example, router configs and WAN stuff on a paper napkin than some jerkface with a Bachelor's and a CCNA who doesn't know shit from shinola.

Yea that's what I figured/believe as well. From my perspective though - an employer might see my two degrees in Sociology (Associates & Bachelors) and be like... well where did he learn IT stuff? So even though I have work history as an IT guy, I figured it would help just to have "some" sort of formal education. In this case a cheap (~$1000) certificate in computer information management.