Higher Learning, Online?

provell writes "An ad for the U of Phoenix online education program caught my eye the other day. I know the concept of online education isn't a new one but it seems to be growing more prevalent with each passing year. As an IT consultant at the age of 18, I didn't give myself much chance for college and I don't get much time in town to take part time courses. With the burst of the E-Bubble, I'm starting to notice an increase in hiring standards. Is a BS a necessary bargaining chip for the IT industry and are online undergrad programs widely accepted/adequate? Any thoughts/experiences would be much appreciated."

Comments

Learning in General

[darthBear]

I've always been of the opinion that learning is a contact sport. Meaning that accredited or not you are not going to get as much out of an online course as a real university program.
<br>
That being said there are legit practical reasons to go online but I think the point still stands that often it is not just the material but the other people in the class. A traditional classroom broadens the scope of the education, allows for more interaction and therefore responsiveness, and is in general more usefull. I realize you are asking specifically about technology degrees but again I think the point is still relevant
<br>
The key here is that a traditional classroom has advantages that an online setting cannot begin to eumulate.

I'll let you know in about 2 years

[bobm]

I'm currently going through the UofP program. I have a 2 year degree (from a long long time ago) and recognize that while this isn't MIT it is a degree. My take on it is that it may help keep my resume from being thrown out when the job requires a BS of some sort. I figure that there are front end people (you might even call them human resources) that look at a resume for buzzwords and key stuff (one of them being a degree) and chuck the ones that don't have them.

That said this isn't easier than going to class, they do pile on the work so beware that it's not something that you can do over lunch...

Yes and no

[Deanasc]

I'm not speaking from experience here but it would seem to me that the online learning experience is a tough sell at a job interview.

I go to a commuter college and don't feel like it's a real college experience. Sure I'll have a degree from a decent state school when I'm done but I don't have the dorm experience. Some might argue that I'm ahead of the game there but I feel like I missed out. I definately notice a difference in alumni spirit between my school and say a school like Umass Amhearst. Most of my peers I won't miss when I'm gone because they're more like coworkers. We never had the late night bonding/speakers-out-the-window kegger. We share no particular intimacy that comes from close quarters living. Again some may argue that I'm ahead of the game further still.

I do have a more independant method of problem solving. I have more science and computer toys and reference books at my home because the library isn't a walk across the quad. But every step of the way has been something of a struggle having to figure things out myself b/c I can't ask someone down the hall.

Now multiply what I've said by a factor of 10 as you won't know who your peers are in an online class. You won't even have the kind of social life a night school student gets. I don't mean social life as in party. I've learned a lot working through problems with my peers, some problems cannot be solved on your own.

You may think that the social aspect isn't important. It's not if you're trying to get a technical degree in as little time as possible. In which case as an employer I'd probably lump you in with the Devry Tech grads. Not someone who's earned a BS Degree. If I was hiring I'd want someone who can work out problems with a group.

Having earned my BS (I graduate in 8 weeks) I know that most kids who can't work out problems together don't graduate with honors, many don't graduate at all. In other words the BS Degree represents a certain measureable amount of technical skill as well as implies a grasp of certain intangeble skills.

I had a career out of highschool before I decided I wanted a college degree. It was weird at first but it got better. I'm 32 now I don't look, feel or act it. I think it's from being around 20 year olds all day long. This has turned out to be a longer rant than I intended but I guess my bottom line is you're better off biting the bullet and living in poverty for 4 years and get the traditional degree.

Do yourself a favor

[kevin42]

As someone who found a very good paying job in IT at the age of 16 (and graduated from high-school early) let me give you some advice.

Forget about the IT consulting for now unless you can do it part time, and spend the next 4-6 years in college.

I'm now 29, married with a 2 year old and working very hard to get a degree (ie. up all night doing homework). Not having the degree hasn't prevented me from getting a good paying job, but I know I could have done better with the degree. At this point in my career I don't think I can progress much more without it. I've sort of hit the "no degree ceiling".

When I was your age I thought "who needs a degree when people are willing to pay me this much without it". Don't give in to that reasoning, it's short term thinking. I don't care how smart you are, a degree is a must. You might not miss it 5 years from now, but I know you will wish you had gotten it 10 or 15 years from now if you don't. If for no other reason, because 90% of those you will be competing with for salary and jobs will have it.

I don't care if you have to get a loan and live poorly for the next few years, it will be worth it!