Stuck between the BIG names schools and the small name schools!

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by RudeyMvp, Aug 13, 2003.

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  1. RudeyMvp

    RudeyMvp New Member

    Okay, heres the bottom line!
    I'm 36, I have a AAS in Computer Programming 2002.
    The problem I'm having is choosing between the big name schools and the small name schools.

    First off, I have NO DESIRE AT ALL to move to a big city and work in Corporate America. I like the midwest, and small cities like Desmoines, Iowa...Oamaha, Nebraska. All i want outta life careerwise, is a PROGRAMMING JOB! Ya know, Web developer or a Java programmer, Visual Basic etc etc. Just the run of the mill decent programming job that pays 50k a year.
    Remember, I'm talking midwest here! 50k a year in Iowa is decent bucks.

    So, being that those are my career goals and where I wanna live,
    am I putting too much stress on name recognition?

    The Washington State MIS has the KILLER NAME! and even a FOOTBALL TEAM! lol But looks like only 40credits will transfer over.
    So it would prolly take me 3 years!!I allready spent 4 years getting my AAS going the traditional route!

    Bellevue University MIS looks good, will accept all 70 credits and its accelerated. Take about year and a half.

    Indiana Weslyan will take 60 credits, take 2 years.

    Baker College will take all 70 credits take 2years.

    Also looking at UMASS Lowell

    I guess my main concern is....will i get a JOB from Bellevue or Baker? Cuz thats the main issue here!

    Does anyone know anybody that has gone through the smaller schools like BAKER and BELLEVUE that have gotten jobs after graduation???

    Maybe its just me and I'm having an inferiority complex that if I went to a Baker or a Bellevue that it wouldnt be GOOD ENUFF than if I went to a Washington State or a Troy State.

    But then again BAKER and Bellevue are regionally accredited so WHY AM I SO WORRIED??

    Any help into this matter is appreciated.

    RudeyMvp
    AAS Computer Programming, Kirkwood Community College,
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
     
  2. themode

    themode New Member

    I've worked in this area ( software engineering and solutions consulting ) for several years and don't have an IT or CS degree. The critical factor is work experience , 3-5 years of experience will trump a BS in most instances. The exception to this is larger companies in which HR governs all hiring - HR is the programmer's natural enemy.

    I don't intend to dissuade you, but programmers age in dog years - ie. 36 is old for a novice programmer. The industry is renown for its age bias.

    my advice would be to focus on building your portfolio and resume. This can be done by taking on small contracts , contributing to open source projects, doing pro bono work etc..
    You might also consider industry/vendor certs. These are cheaper than a degree and will often get you an entry level position.

    Truthfully I don't think that the big school v. small school issue is as relevant in your situation. Programmers are renown bootstrappers. It's the one area of engineering where a significant number of practitioners don't have formal degrees; this is one reason that certs were developed.

    also , as you've probably encountered, transferring to a 4 yr means that you have to take a range of course prerequisites unrelated to your goal - more money , more time.

    Frankly the fact that you want to work 'off the map' is to your advantage. The IT job market in the coastal metro areas is abismal.

    Think of yourself as a small software company - RudeySoft. Apply guerilla tactics to network , position yourself , package your talents , and sell your 'services' to an employer. If that doesn't work you just might find that the networking and small contracts leads to a viable career as an independent contractor.


    $.02
     
  3. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    If your goal is a bachelor's degree I would definately choose Troy State University. It is a true CS degree(at least in name). They will accept CLEP and DANTES tests to fullfill degree requirements. Even if your AAS credits don't transfer well the major courses would be easy for someone with your experience. You could finish the degree in 1-2 years depending on how much time you can devote to it. Like you mentioned the state school name will provide added utility. The biggest question would be if it is challenging enough for you.
     
  4. wfready

    wfready New Member

    Definately. The length of Troy State's course terms aren't quite as short as, say, Univ of Pheonix, but they are definately accelerated and occure often (5 terms a year). You can be fulltime (ie 30 credits a year) with 2 courses per term. I am in the BSCS program there, and I am enjoying it. I had some prior programming experience so it was kind of easy until my second term (this term), so it's getting a harder. They are pretty cheap (they just raised tuition from 135 per credit to 140). If you have an AAS in programming. I would check this program out. Be prepared NOT to know what the hell transferred from your degree until a LONG time after you enroll (they are taking forever for me). Even though you can see what they transferred online, you still don't have an official transcript and admission until atleast 2nd term from what they are telling me.

    So, you have to start somewhere, right? He needs to find a job to get the experience. I'm sure the guy hasn't been doing nothing for work in the last 18 years of his life. What ever he does for a living now, maybe he can convince someone that it will apply to a software/systems related job.

    So, Rudey, what do you do for a career right now? I may be in the same situation as you. I am 30, and I have been in the electronics field for 8 years. My plan, once I finished this degree (provided I have this job still :eek: ), was too look for an internal opening for a software engineering job. I have hardware experience on the equipment I work on, maybe I can convince someone that I would do great on the software end of it. Maybe you can do something similar? Not all CS jobs are strictly IT type jobs. Try to stay in your field, except being on the software end of it. Of course, this is probably easier said than done... I am just sharing what I am going to try and do... If, I strike out? I'll stay in my field of work for the time being... No biggy. I may not have specific experience for the degree I am seeking, but, I DO have experience..

    Also, themode mentioned doing small contracts or projects. Suppose you develop some software that helps you and other coworkers do something at work.. (I don't know new passdown system if you work shift) Maybe that can be something to throw on the resume..


    Just my 2 cents too

    Best Regards,
    Bill
     
  5. wfready

    wfready New Member

    Another thing,

    Don't sweat the name thing, man. I really don't think it is as big of an issue as some people think. Odds are (sobeit Excelsior College, Troy State, or BKU), if it isn't Harvard or MIT, I don't think the guy hiring you is going to know much about your school of choice ya know? I think we degreeinfo guys/gals take for granted the time we invest reading about schools, distance, learning, etc. What we think is common knowledge is probably not to distance education lay person :D (just because you know the school you chose is one of the "big three" assessment schools doesn't mean the interviewer will know about your school, know what an "assessment" school or a "big three" is, or even care!).

    Best Regards,
    Bill
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 16, 2003

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