I am fairly technical (as working in a Support role, laid of back in May) - I think about going back to school, doing a bachelors preferably online (will have to work while in school) - I am in my late 20s. Can someone recommend a good online program for bachelors degree, I really need a job that will allow me to start a family as I cannot do it with my current wages (you all know that it's very hard to get a decent paying job without deep skills and education) - please let me know
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Avoid the University of University of Phoenix like the plague that it is.
good stuff bro, online rocks
One man's sarcasm is another man's epiphany. Just another means of delivering a message and, oftentimes, an effective one.
I believe Community Colleges are the way to go. Very reasonable tuitions (often less than the online schools and, IMHO, a better reputation). It's a route to Cisco Certifications that can open doors. However, bear in mind, your competing with offshoring and H1B Visa recipients if you go this route.
Another thought, civil service exams. The government still pays a living wage.
In regard to the previous dustup regarding censorship, I believe 673 was mistaken in attempting to suppress others contributions to this board. We should instead be promoting the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinions even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular, thereby stressing the importance of ensuring the availability of those viewpoints to all who wish to see or read them (including 673's I suppose). We all need to embrace open-mindedness, lest we get stuck in a rut with no new ideas forthcoming.
Technical as in CS? Here is the formula. Get a Java certification. It will take you 2-3 months. If you know programming may be less. Once you have that you should be able to find work. The other is to get a testing job with some PM requirements. To go about getting Java certification buy the book OCA Java SE8 by Finegan Oracle Press. Google Java programming in youtube. The combination of the two will get you through. The youtube videos are helpful in showing exactly how to program and the book will give good coverage. Once you have this on your resume, you will 100% get a programmer job. Once you are back in, in a year you can navigate to a job of your preference. Good Luck. I can mentor you but don't want to give out my details as I am still an active employee.
Personally, I didn't think the comment was off mark. 673, who made you the arbiter of all things clownish versus non-clownish anyhow? Why are some so programmed in their DNA to embrace censorship because they cannot wrap their minds around and see value in something.
Yes, the original poster asked an honest question regarding correspondence school, and another poster, honestly, put forth his/her opinion of the value in going that route without researching it thoroughly.
I think the response to the Argosy post was to stop littering the board with BS in response to an honest question a poster had. There's enough clowns with unnecessary sarcasm here, we don't need more of it. Thanks in advance.
Why so touchy about Argosy Anonymous203076? You graduate from a diploma mill?
Who's 449, asshole?
I received an MBA from UOP, and it worked out fine for me. The difference was that I attended classes on campus...if you could attend in person you would learn more.
As 201602 said look at online degrees offered by Brick and Mortar Colleges. IE Villanova University or CLU University. I am not recommending them just using them as examples. Last but not least look for scholarships or tuition aid, there is a lot out there going unclaimed.
Good Luck
asshole449.
Try Argosy University. Little fear of not being accepted, they have a ridiculously high acceptance rate. Also, real easy to get doctorates. Easiest way to be addressed as Doctor that I've come across. Best of luck, Doctor Smarty!
Grand canyon university has many different programs.
really stay away from the 'for profit' schools like U of Phoenix. Most accredited grad and undergrad schools now have online programs and have highly trained professional staff. Additionally, the technology with online programs has gotten much better in recent years. For the person who said to sit in a classroom to get more out of it, sorry you are way behind the times. With VZTAP I graduated from FlU's executive MBA program and the educational experience was highly worthwhile...moreover it required me to interact in a virtual world which is what most jobs are these days. Make sure the school is truly accredited. Good luck, you are making a smart career and life decision!
The OP here - thank you all for your kind and thoughtfull input
As someone with a Masters degree, I will offer the following advice. Get a degree. Any degree. Roughly 12 seconds after you leave school, no one cares what your degree is in. A degree gets you a check box on a form, and keeps you from being excluded from jobs. It does not get you the job, but it gives you options. Which degree? I would say math, computer science and finance travel well, but almost anything. The last article I read said about 27% of people the graduate with a degree actually work in their field of study. But those three seem to have wide ranging application. Where to get it? The cost effective answer is to go to community college for the first two years, and a 4 year school for the last two. On your first trip to the community college, go see the Registrar or a counselor and ask them about transferring your credits to a 4 year school. They will help you plan it out. Do not get an Associates degree. Full degree, or don't bother. If you want to get a Masters, find a job with educational benefits and have them pay for it while you are working. And, just as with Verizon, many companies will want you to get industry certifications as a part of your job, so the "learning" never stops. The certs seem to be what many employers are looking for, so they do pay off when looking for / changing jobs. Hope that helps! Good luck!
Western Governors is non-profit and has really flexible programs.
For the love of god stay the hell away from University of Phoenix. I used to work there. They hard sell and lie their asses off and they won't stop calling until you hell freezes over.
University of Phoenix is a great school and they have been focusing specifically with working adults. VZW has had a great partnership with them from the getgo which means that obviously they are producing good enough candidates to continue funneling $10k a yr towards a school like univ of Phx. Close to 1 million alumni out there as well. Don't listen to all the negatives here. If you find a program you know you can commit to then do it without worry. All in all, you'll have a great education and vzw would pay for it. Quite honestly this is the way it should be with every employer.
Many "normal" universities have online programs, which I think are great compared to the big name for profit options. I got my bachelors and my masters 100% online (lucky to have VZ pay for both). I researched programs at all universities in the country that had online programs in my field of ibterest, then checked out the curriculum, then chose the one I wanted. I never looked at for profit places like U of Phoenix, etc.
The curriculum were every bit as challenging as classes when I got my first bachelor in traditional university. In fact, possibly more difficult because you MUST be disciplined enough to do the work or you will fail. Once I got my online groove I loved it. Any education has value, so please don't listen to the person who said return on investment isn't worth it. And today, most places don't even want your resume if you don't have a degree, so it's a necessary evil. I have no regrets whatsoever. Good luck to you, I'm excited for you.
Online schools are seen for what they are, a person looking to take a shortcut. Sit in a seat. You'll learn more, and it will be deemed an accomplishment.
Whatever you do please stay away from for-profit schools
@Anonymous201554 is correct - I would go for a certificate first, you will improve your skills and you may land a good job with a fairly limited investment. Once you have a better paid job you may want to work less and do school faster. I've done school and work in parallel for six years, it was not fun I can tell you that. Online degrees can be tricky so you need to do your research - be careful, they will promise you a lot (schools and enrollment counselors) but in reality a lot of people lose time and money on fake degrees that lead nowhere
Saint Petersburg College in FL. It is a State school and it is fully online. You can take express courses. You can earn a certificate along with degree. They have one of the best online programs out there.
I read somewhere that Arizona State University has a decent program, you get an MBA in 4 yars, not bad. Good school, good name, you may want to research that - I think MBAs are always in demand but I am not sure if that's 100% online degree or you need to show up there
Not sure if you've been paying attention recently but companies like University of Phoenix and DeVry are increasingly under government scrutiny because they load students with incredible levels of debt and provide low employment opportunities (some employers openly steer away from stunts attending for-profit colleges as they perceive them asd diploma mills) - you need to be very careful on this one - I went to a state school, so I am very much biased, but maybe some of our fellow VZ folks who went to University of Phoenix or some other for profit school maybe able to chime in and provide some career advice (or school / major selection)
ROI on online degrees sucks big time - I'd go the regular community college / state college route. It'll take longer but you'll learn more and it's going to be easier to find a job later
489 - there is no need to be hostile dude, all what the OP wants a is a piece of advice. Be nice to him/her - we make typos, today 90% of people is accessing this site on mobile phones and mine as spellchecking turned off
You may want to use spell checkers first