Colleges: 4 Year University vs. 3 Year College?

[Pimped Out 4 LYF]

Im heading off to college but still not quite sure about what is better. Do 3 Year colleges like Devry University or ITT Tech work for your future? I mean i dont want any of that bullshit first 2 years general crap beause thats basicaly high school all over again. I want to go straight to my field, Computer field, not sure exactly what though, probably networking. So im deciding ITT tech and Devry would be a better choice for me, but then again when you get your degree and its time for a job, will they look at you with equality whether you got your degree from ITT Tech or some 4 Year University? Has anyone here went to ITT Tech or Devry so you can tell me if its worth it, if its good or not? Pleasse its starting to get grind time 4 colleges. Any opinions would be gooood thanks

[YogsVR4]

I know when we go through resumes, the first thing we go through is work experience, after that, it’s the education they've had. Institutions like ITT and Devry are not high on the list. I doubt we'd even consider hiring someone who’s only training is from there.

I am not saying that people who don’t go to a college can’t do the job nor are the people who went to a college always better qualified, but in general, people who have graduated have proven the ability to learn. Very few jobs in the marketplace match up to course work at any institution. There are always differences and things that are unique to the job. Not only do I want to know that you have the technical skills to do the work, I want to know that you can learn and adapt to things you weren’t trained on.

At this point, I have enough resumes to go through to filter out the people I want to talk with in an interview. If all you have on your resume is ITT then you probably wouldn't be getting a call. Sorry, it may sound harsh, but with the number of experienced people and college grads available to pick from, that’s the way it works out.

Of course, any education beyond high school is a plus when entering a technical field. I don’t know what part of computer science you’re thinking of entering, but there is a lot more to writing software then just being a code jockey.

[Pimped Out 4 LYF]

wow, thanks that helps. I guess i wont even apply to Devry or ITT Tech. I mean i want a good future, with good money, so im not going to a 3 year just to save myself a year or 2 from a University. Computer programming, i dont think its for me because i have a really shitty memmory so i probably wont be able to remember all the codes. My uncle works with networking, and he talked to me about it. It sounds pretty good to me. If you know anything about it can you please sum it up for me or somethin. I know theres computer engineering, and web site devolpment and all that stuff but right now from what ive been told im focused on networking.

[Marc-OS]

As I recall, there were a few network admin's on this board. I've heard it's a nice job.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by Pimped Out 4 LYF

wow, thanks that helps. I guess i wont even apply to Devry or ITT Tech. I mean i want a good future, with good money, so im not going to a 3 year just to save myself a year or 2 from a University. Computer programming, i dont think its for me because i have a really shitty memmory so i probably wont be able to remember all the codes. My uncle works with networking, and he talked to me about it. It sounds pretty good to me. If you know anything about it can you please sum it up for me or somethin. I know theres computer engineering, and web site devolpment and all that stuff but right now from what ive been told im focused on networking.

Computer Programming is not necessarily just about remembering the codes...you have to understand what they do also. Plus, most important of all, you must be able to understand the basics of programming logic, no matter what language you program in.

If you keep a big enough reference of online/actual resources and books, all you need to be able to do is plan where you want or the client wants to go with the software...once you get that, it's easy to figure out what code goes where to do what you want.

To emphasize on understanding programming logic, it oftentimes happens where you have to follow behind another developer to either work out bugs in his code, or improve on his existing one...and it's a language you have never programmed in before. If you understand the basics, it'll just be a matter of getting the resource to understand the syntax of whatever language you need to work with, and I guarantee you'll learn that language within a day. You won't be an expert, obviously, but you'll get by.

As for the schooling thing, there are three things that, as far as I know, are most important upon first review to employers. This is coming from one of my instructors that owns/operates her own software company, and is well-connected to other companies. You either have a Bachelor's Degree, or a Certification, or a MINIMUM of three years work experience. Any combination of those increases your chances doubly.

I chose a technical school myself, as I wanted hands-on experience as opposed to mostly theory. At least in my school, they teach you by making you develop programs as you learn...which you can put down on your resumé as such...programs developed by you.

I've heard some bad things about ITT, due to the fact that they overload their classes (mo' money)...don't even know if they teach programming. Devry is WAY too expensive...although you do end up with a Bachelor's Degree. I know of somebody who recently graduated there and is currently working a help-desk position, because she can't really show development experience. It's nice to be taught...but it pays to do.

I'm only going for a 15-month, Associates program, but with a good Certification review curriculum. The school also has an agreement with a local University, where they'll take my Associates of Science and allow me to work for a B.S.

So basically, I'll be up and running, and ready to work within 15 mos., and while I'm working, I can go for my Bachelor's, all the while earning experience.

I'd tell you about my school, but they're phasing-out their Programming course. I'm one of the last students in it. One of the factors being that about only one-third of most classes make it all the way through, which shows you how intense the training is. The ones that make it have a 99% placement rate in their chosen field.

WOW, that was a novel...

[Pimped Out 4 LYF]

wow thats an interesting story carrnut. Appreciate it.. i guess im sticking with 4 Year university. Now moving on to ACT or SAT lol.. which do colleges look at better. A low SAT score or a high ACT score.. im thinkin about taking both because what the helll lol, i have time to take 2 SAT's and 1 ACT so il jus sent the highest of all scores i guess

[Pimped Out 4 LYF]

gee... thanks lol..

[damir831]

Shiii, I was thinking about going to DeVry too, but they were gonna charge me 60 thousand for 3 years

Why would I do that when I can go to a community college for free plus on top of that, the Army is gonna pay me a thousand dollars a year just for going to college for free, and do nothing. After about 3 years, I wanna transfer to Michigan State, I heard they have a good Computer Science program. I was gonna study Computer Information Systems at Devry, but I viewed it more as them recruiting me, just like they do in the army, and once you're in, you can't get out - so once you get into Devry, you have to realize that you'll owe them big bucks if you plan on getting out after a year.

[Pimped Out 4 LYF]

Wow, ok i was hoping financial aid but not 60,000 bye bye devry. Still mite apply to ITT Tech 4 the hell of it on top of applying to like 3 CSU's, if i dont get in none, then well time 4 community college

[igor@af]

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