| Author |
Taking Courses or Self Study
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| chihtan 2002-03-01, 10:12 am |
| I'm pursuing the CIW Site Designer. I don't have any computer academic background but have been doing site designing for 2 years. Is it better to go to those training classes or I can just buy books and self study? Besides, job wise, do employers prefer to hire people with experience or the certificate? | |
| Drummer 2002-03-01, 11:46 am |
| Experience is always better than a cert but both will help you out a lot and a cert can help you if you are lacking in experience. The problem is that CIW is still trying to make inroads. If you don't have work experience, you might want to try some volunteer work for a while.
As for classes vs. self study, it's totally up to you. I preferred the discipline and structure of classes. The Prosoft CIW books are pretty good (although I've heard that Web Languages assumes you have a programming background) overall and are written in plain English. I've only just gotten to look at the CIW Bibles and they seem pretty good as well. I took classes, spent a fair amount of $$$, but I have no regrets. I needed to get out of my old career and I have done that successfully. | |
| SunshineGirl 2002-03-01, 5:30 pm |
| I think if you already have some experience with design self study will work fine for you. Try to get your hands on the official curriculum from ProSoft (eBay is a good place to check). For the most part all questions come from their books. I don't think it is worth the money to take the classes, as you seldom get any info that isn't in the books.....and that extra info you do get is rarely helpful for exams. Just my opinion....hope it helps. | |
| wbafrank 2002-03-02, 5:00 am |
|  Though I am all for self study, I am not against attending classes.
You may want to go to your local centre/school and ask if you can sit in on a class to see what they are offerring - if you like what you see and hear go for it!! If you find that it is not for you then get the Bibles and go the self study route. At the end of the day you are investing in your future so make sure you get the best for your pounds/dollars!! | |
| dmor13 2002-03-02, 12:59 pm |
| Self-Study for me. I think board like this give you the kind of interaction you can recieve in a classroom of students. Just my 2 cents | |
| jrdaparker 2002-03-02, 1:53 pm |
| Classes are the way to go IF you can get someone else to PAY for them 
Since I can't get somebody else to pay, I'm taking the self study route. So far, I like the Cert. Bible books.
I also agree with dmor13, the interaction through the message boards helps.
Good Luck!!! | |
| Drummer 2002-03-02, 9:03 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by dmor13
Self-Study for me. I think board like this give you the kind of interaction you can recieve in a classroom of students. Just my 2 cents
Ironically, I found this board thanks to an instructor. I never would have been aware of a lot of resources out there had I not signed up for classes and I would be miserable and possibly unemployed. | |
| chihtan 2002-03-03, 8:30 am |
| Thanks for all your advice. I really appreciate your help. |
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