Explaining TESC or other DL schools

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by traci04, Aug 17, 2004.

Loading...
  1. traci04

    traci04 New Member

    Just wondering-
    I've been on a few interviews where the HR person has questioned the school I am attending which is TESC.
    Even when I tell them they are accredited I get a strange look.

    I did get a job, but I wasn't expecting to explain how legit my school is to everyone.
     
  2. blahetka

    blahetka New Member

    I took courses through the Electronic University Network. No one questioned them. At the time my resume referenced Regents (the name then) and no one questioned that it was a credit bank. I took some of my courses at UoPhx distance, no one questioned them. Part of my doctoral was distance, part residence.

    The only true brick & mortar degree I have is my MBA (San Jose State U), and that is the only one looked at suspiciously, by a Stanford MBA grad. Of course, the company (no longer amongst the living) had its own Hah-vahd club, but that's a different story.

    So, I wouldn't make a big deal of it. I was a hiring manager at several companies. The only thing I cared about was whether it was an accredited school or not. One company only accepted degrees from RA schools or their foreign equivalent as meeting any degree requirements for particular jobs. When they did the background check, and security (the group running the checks) did not recognize a school, they checked to see if it was RA or not. If not, you could still be hired IFF the degree was not a requirement for the job.

    There will always be some places that may not hire someone with a DL degree, but, IMHO, those places are becoming less and less prominent. Some companies may not 'recognize' degrees from some RA schools, but then they are likely not places I would want to work. As a past manager once said- some will, some won't- next!
     
  3. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    TESC

    Good Morning, TESC has a good reputation in NJ. I am not sure about the name recognition in other states. If you decide to use this school please feel free to contact me via e-mail. I am fairly well versed on the twists and turns. Hille
     
  4. traci04

    traci04 New Member

    Hi
    I'm in California..and TESC is not that well known. At least to everyone who I've talked to.

    In fact my folks did research on the school to make sure it was legit-AFTER I registered. Like I'd waste my money on a school that wasn't legit.

    So, yes I'm a TESC student.
    - I need 3 math credits, then I'm done with the AA at least.
     
  5. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    I am a faculty member at a state university in California. Many of my peers have graduated from USNY/Regents (now Excelsior) and TESC. They simply explain that Thomas Edison State College is one of the colleges in the New Jersey state system, just like California State University system. That usually suffices.

    Tony Pina
    California State University, San Bernardino
     
  6. blahetka

    blahetka New Member

    One thing to add.

    If you are planning to continue your eduycation to a Masters, then do not get too concerned over the undergrad degree. Just make sure it is regionally accredited.

    When I went on to my MBA I spoke to the education consultant that helped launch me back into school. She was pleased to hear I was able to get into an AACSB accredited program with a UoPhx degree.

    As Tony says, just say it's part of the NJ system. In an interview situation, just be matter of fact about it, and move on. If the interviewer wants more information, answer truthfully, but believe me, they will be more interested in experience and such.A degree is a tick markon a qualifications list. In the bay Area right now, it's a way of weeding out people and cutting down on the candidate search time.

    Good luck!
     
  7. JassenB

    JassenB Member

    TESC

    I have had lots of interviewers question me about TESC, and as previously mentioned, I simply state, "Thomas Edison State College is a small school that is part of the New Jersey state higher education system."

    I've discovered that by saying it's a small school and that it's a NJ state school, they simply say, "Hmmm, oh...ok...." and that's the end of it.

    And yes, I realize that enrollment-wise they're not that small of a school. :) But the campus is. :)

    -JassenB
     
  8. traci04

    traci04 New Member

    Yeah, I like that..alot
    Short and sweet
    I was going in saying that I needed to test out of a bunch of credits so I picked that school. Then Id get a ton of questions about testing and such.

    Thanks for the imput :)
     
  9. mdg1775

    mdg1775 New Member

    A bit of Overkill

    Hey,

    I am one of those guys who gets nervous and I want everything to go really smoothly on job interviews! I have a TESC BA and I received a dozen question about it on an interview before and what I have done is start to carry a little "all about me cover letter" along on interviews. It has a brief summary about me, my employment, and my education...including the listing of my schools taken directly from the RA Website (with the URL & contact information).

    Once the interviewer and/or HR person sees this, they know that they can verify quickly and my explanation is usually accepted without any further question.
     

Share This Page