What should I do next?

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by BMWGuinness, Nov 28, 2012.

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  1. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    I've got 20 years in my field (IT), 10 of those years in project management.
    I've got a Bachelors in IT
    I've got a Masters in Administration
    Tons of professional certifications (now working on PMP and MCSE 2012)

    I would like to continue as a student. I want to take 1 graduate level course at a time for something that will extend my loan deferment.

    I would like to supplement my income as an online adjunct, both for extra cash and to enrich students learning online.

    At this time, I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I was looking at AMU's IT Project Management Graduate Certificate, but that would be horizontal learning instead of vertical.

    I was looking at Liberty University's EdS and EdD in Educational Leadership, which makes sense if I want to eventually go into full time Academia.

    I'm really not sure right now, I'm enjoying the money I make in my field, but am tantalized at the idea of a 100% telecommuting alternative.

    Has anyone shared my sense of the unknown? Any advice?
     
  2. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    Well, I've been pondering my next move for some time now. I would really like to move vertically while still achieving a specialization in IT for online adjunct.

    I believe a Doctorate in Education is important and I think the field of Higher Administration fits me. I believe E-Learning would be suitable.

    I'm interested in philanthropy and i wonder if a Doctorate in E-Learning Higher Administration would help me to attain my goals of establishing affordable distance learning programs for 3rd world countries.

    So I'm going to continue to search for a Doctorate Program in Education (Higher Administration) that focuses on Information Technology.

    Does anyone know of such programs out there? My preference is 8 week quarters so I can take 1 class at a time. Fully Online preferred, No GRE requirement would be great but that is optional.
     
  3. jam937

    jam937 New Member

    If you want to teach IT courses don't you need a doctorate in IT? Are you thinking a doctorate in education to get into the administration/executive side of higher learning?
     
  4. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    If I can achieve the IT requisite at the early part of my doctorate (E-Learning, Technology, or similar) I would be able to teach IT at the undergraduate level along with business/administration. I already have 3 of the 18 credits needed in IT to teach undergrad.

    Yes, my future plans include administration/executive side of higher learning. I feel with my background and future aspirations, it would be an ideal fit.
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Do you want to consolidate your current professional situation? "Consolidate" as in becoming more capable and qualified in what you currently do. This is "growth."

    Or do you want to become something new and higher? This is "development."

    If you want to grow, do that IT-related stuff.

    If you want to develop, consider a doctorate. But do a doctorate with becoming something in mind. Then use the learning experience to do that. Then use the resultant degree to get that.

    That's the framework: growth and development. Once you decide which you wish to do, then (and only then) can others advise you regarding your options.

    Good luck!
     
  6. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    Thanks for the words of wisdom.

    I have enrolled in AMU's IT Project Management Graduate Certificate program.

    This is an 18 credit hour program (of which I am transferring 3) that will cost me less than $5000 to complete and will allow me to teach IT as well as Business (my first Masters) at the undergraduate level as an online adjunct while supplementing my IT Career.

    This will give me 6 months to consider my options for a doctorate in higher education administration.

    So far, I am pretty impressed with AMU's programs, worst case scenario I could continue to achieve other graduate certificates to expand my teaching options for the undergraduate.
     
  7. bigdanzer

    bigdanzer New Member

  8. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    Hey Folks,

    I have started my first course at AMU and will be taking my PMP shortly.

    My Masters will confer in February even though I graduated in December

    I am working on my CV, rounding up all of my certifications, etc.

    Any suggestions\tips on the CV? I will be transforming my current professional resume into a CV for distribution.

    Thanks,

    Eric

    I'm looking to maximize my "growth" before working on my "development".
     
  9. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    Update

    I have completed 1 course with AMU.

    Their Administration really sucks, I've had the worst time with them, getting different answers from different people.

    Long story short, I scored 100% in their IT Project Management: E-Commerce course.

    The good news, I was told that a PMP could qualify for up to 9 additional credits toward the certificate program. I went and took the PMP exam today and passed, so we'll see how many credits transfer.

    I could be done with their certificate program in 2 more months.
     
  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    What did you use to study for the PMP?
     
  11. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

  12. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    Congrats on the PMP. That is great that they offer credit for the PMP.
    I am thinking about doing the PMP in my copious spare time. I bought a Kindle book so that is a start.
     
  13. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    If you become a PMI member, you get the PMBOK guide for free (both the 4th and 5th editions).

    Additionally, you will receive a discount toward the exam which actually cancels out the price of the PMI membership.

    So if anyone is reading this and thinking about the PMP, purchase the PMI membership first, then pay for exam authorization second, grab the free PMBOK PDF from them, and study until you're ready to schedule the exam.

    I believe the exam changes in July or August so it is definitely beneficial to take the exam before that time.
     
  14. BMWGuinness

    BMWGuinness New Member

    Here is the information I received from AMU in regard to the PMP for the IT Project Management program.

     

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