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+--- Thread: Help planning my path (/Thread-Help-planning-my-path)
Help planning my path - Sennex - 08-09-2016
Howdy
So I am a 39 year old man, who has been working in IT for about 20 years now.
I have an AS in Web Design from Baker College already (Graduated back in 2009).
My current job is a SQL Developer for a large company, and while I enjoy my work, I am getting burnt out on IT.
I have been given an opportunity to attend Waldorf college online, for about $30/ credit hour. I would really like to finish out schooling and pick up a BS/ BAS.
The problem I have is that the degree program choice is limited, and even though Waldorf is regionally accredited, I will most likely transfer to finish out what I need elsewhere (Unless I am advised to just finish it there). The reason for this is after some digging, I see that the reputation that Waldorf has isn't very good currently, although I have read that they are getting better.
I was looking at going into the Business Administration degree program with a concentration in Management.
I haven't seen much specifically about this particular program to know how good it is, or how it will end up looking on a Resume. However it has to be better than just having an AS and 20 years of experience.
Thank you for your time in this. I am not really sure what all to ask as until this opportunity popped up, I wasn't even considering school.
Help planning my path - bjcheung77 - 08-09-2016
Sennex Wrote:Howdy
So I am a 39 year old man, who has been working in IT for about 20 years now.
I have an AS in Web Design from Baker College already (Graduated back in 2009).
My current job is a SQL Developer for a large company, and while I enjoy my work, I am getting burnt out on IT.
I have been given an opportunity to attend Waldorf college online, for about $30/ credit hour. I would really like to finish out schooling and pick up a BS/ BAS.
The problem I have is that the degree program choice is limited, and even though Waldorf is regionally accredited, I will most likely transfer to finish out what I need elsewhere (Unless I am advised to just finish it there). The reason for this is after some digging, I see that the reputation that Waldorf has isn't very good currently, although I have read that they are getting better.
I was looking at going into the Business Administration degree program with a concentration in Management.
I haven't seen much specifically about this particular program to know how good it is, or how it will end up looking on a Resume. However it has to be better than just having an AS and 20 years of experience.
Thank you for your time in this. I am not really sure what all to ask as until this opportunity popped up, I wasn't even considering school.
Mind me asking, how did you get that opportunity to study at that institution for $30/credit hour? That's amazingly cheap!!
They're not all that bad actually and they just became a "university" in March of this year, (like TESU did at the end of 2015)
IMO, Waldorf University, as I would rate it on par, if not better than the Big 3/WGU or the other Competency Based Degree providers.
If you can get a Masters at that university, and for $30/hour, go for it! Nothing is stopping you, as that would look great on a resume.
Help planning my path - KayV - 08-09-2016
OP, is this the program that you completed?
Web Development Associate Degree in Michigan and Online | Baker College
Do you have any other current IT certs? Any military or other credits?
Help planning my path - Sennex - 08-10-2016
KayV Wrote:OP, is this the program that you completed?
Web Development Associate Degree in Michigan and Online | Baker College
Do you have any other current IT certs? Any military or other credits?
Yes, that is close enough, mine was slightly different on the class load, but it was also a number of years ago. The core of it is the same though.
I do not have any Certs or military training. I was lucky to fall into my current position 10 years ago, and have been flourishing every since. so until recently I saw no need for Certs as my employer didn't require it, and I was moving forward in my career. Sadly I see how shortsighted that was now.
@Bjcheung77 - Thank you for the reply. The reason for the discount is some sort of partnership or deal with my employer. I don't know the specific of all the details, I just know the cost.
Help planning my path - dfrecore - 08-10-2016
Sennex Wrote:I do not have any Certs or military training. I was lucky to fall into my current position 10 years ago, and have been flourishing every since. so until recently I saw no need for Certs as my employer didn't require it, and I was moving forward in my career. Sadly I see how shortsighted that was now.
My husband has worked in IT for 17+ years now, and almost all of his certs have expired (he used to have tons). I would say that if you don't need any certs, it's not a given that you should take them anyway, because they expire after a certain amount of time anyway (3 years is pretty standard I think). Getting them just to have them when you don't need them is a waste of time and money. He now only goes and gets ones as they become a requirement or will enhance his career, and then only if his company pays for them. I think he only has 2 or 3 right now, but he has chosen wisely, and they have given him a huge boost up at his company into an area that he really wanted to get into.
Also, given that you're not even sure if you want to stay in IT, why would you spend the time and money on getting something you don't even have an interest in?
If you're thinking about taking courses at Waldorf because the price is right (and it definitely is), I would say that you should take as many courses as you can that will fit into the BSBA at TESU or COSC.
If you post your previous transcript info here, we can help determine which school will get you a better outcome between the two. Then, you figure out which courses you can take at Waldorf that will transfer over to the others, and then transfer when you're close to being done with one of the degrees - they are roughly the same price at this point in time.