Help choosing college program-which would make me most employable? 2

[forthewars]

Hello...

I am trying to figure out which IT program to enroll in. I'm pretty clueless about this stuff so I was hoping to get some advice from people who aren't total newbs. There are a few programs offered in my province, I'm wondering which would make me most desirable to employers, if any will. I'm kinda leaning towards the first one.

Program 1: Programmer Analyst (Business) Co-op - College of the North Atlantic - St. John's, NL

Semester 1
CM2100 Workplace Correspondence
CP1120 Fundaments of Programming
CP1920 Computer Hardware and
Troubleshooting
MC1805 Software Applications
MA1900 Problem Solving for Information
Technology
SD1460 College, Career and Portfolio
Preparation

Semester 2
CM2300 Report Writing
CP2130 Fundamentals of Programming II
CP2481 Microcomputer Database
Programming
CR1100 Network Fundamentals
CR1510 Web Site Development
EP1150 Business for Information Technology

Semester 3
WC1150 Work Term I

Semester 4
EP1140 Business Operations in
Information Systems
CM2200 Oral Communications
CP2280 Object-Oriented Programming in Java
CP3410 Fundamentals of Database Design
CP3421 Fundamentals of Systems Analysis and
Design
SD2410 Personal, Professional and Portfolio
Development
CR2800 Security for Programmers

Semester 5
WC2150 Work Term II

Semester 6
CP2190 Unix
CP2560 Advanced J2SE Programming
CP1950 Object-Oriented Development with
UML
CP1330 Windows Server Administration
CP4411 SQL Using Oracle

Semester 7
WC3150 Work Term III

Semester 8
PR2460 Comprehensive Project
CP4461 Database Programming using
ADO.NET
CP4471 Emerging Trends in Software
Development
CP3561 Java Database and Web Component
Development
SD3410 Portfolio Completion and Career
Preparation
Elective (minimum of three credits)

Program 2: Web Site Administrator - College of the North Atlantic *Offered online only*

Semester 1
CM2100 Workplace Correspondence
CP1310 Windows NT Administration
CP2190 Unix
CR1100 Networking Fundamentals
MA1500 Mathematics for Computer Studies
MC1150 Productivity Tools

Semester 2
CM2300 Report Writing
CP1120 Introduction to Programming I
CP2510 Unix Management
CP3410 Fundamentals of Database Design
CR1500 Website Development
MM2500 Computer Graphics I (2D)

Semester 3
CP1400 Website Analysis and Design
CP2460 CGI Programming
MM1950 Workplace Professionalism
Intersession course hours per week are doubled to
accommodate the six-week period. Credit value is
based on a fifteen-week semester.

Semester 4
CM2200 Oral Communications
CP2280 Introduction to Object-Oriented
Java Programming
CP2440 Web Server I
CP2480 Microcomputer Database
Programming
CR1450 TCP/IP

Semester 5
CR1200 Computer Security
CP2170 Windows Server Management
CP2450 Web Server II
CP2610 Scripting Language
CR1550 Website Trends
PR2110 Project
SD1140 Business General Knowledge Seminar

Semester 6
WC1330 Work Term P/F

Program 3: Internet Application Developer- College of the North Atlantic - Corner Brook, NL

Semester 1
CM1320 Communications Skills
MC1800 Software Applications I
CP1910 Internet Fundamentals
MA1900 Problem Solving for
Information Technology
CR1100 Network Fundamentals
EP1160 Introduction to Business Functions

Semester 2
CM1400 Technical Report Writing I
MC1801 Software Applications II
CP1920 Computer Hardware
& Troubleshooting I
CP1830 Programming I
CP1310 Windows NT Administration

Semester 3
MA1910 Introduction to Numerical
Problem Solving
EP1170 Business Information Fundamentals
CP1831 Programming II
CM2200 Oral Communications
CP1930 Introduction to Systems
Analysis & Design
Elective 2-3 hrs/wk

Semester 4
CP2830 Programming III
CP3410 Fundamentals of Database Design
CP1940 Website and Web Server
Development
CM2300 Report Writing
CP1950 Systems II
Elective 2-3 hrs/wk

Semester 5 (Intersession)
CP1960 Microcomputer Database
Programming
CP1970 Java I

Semester 6
WT1180 Work Term P/F

Semester 7
CP2370 Multi-User Database Programming
CP1951 Systems Project III
CP1980 Website Scripting
CP2831 Programming IV
CP1971 Java II
Electives
CP2190 Unix
HR2400 Professional Development P/F
MR1210 Customer Service
CR1200 Computer Security
MM1950 Work Place Professionalism
LW2400 E-Business Law and Regulations
MR2630 E-Commerce Trends
SD1450 E-Business Career Development

Program 4: Computer Support Specialist - Acaedmy Canada - St. John's, NL
Duration: 6 semesters plus 8 week work term

CONA Computer Navigation
ISTE Introduction to Service Technician
HTXM Programming in HTML/XML
BUDE Business Development
TCSU Technical Communication and Support
EOMA Electronic Office Management
WP02 Word Processing Comprehensive
SP02 Spreadsheets Comprehensive
DM02 Database Management Comprehensive
FTIT Future Trends in IT
DICD Diagram Creation and Design
PSLO Programming Structure and Logic
PRVB Programming in Visual Basic
SADE Systems Analysis and Design
APTR Application Troubleshooting
NCIN Network Configuration and Installation - Network+
STA+ Advanced Service Technician - A+
MMWS Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server
ISVB Introduction to Scripting with VB Script
PRMA Project Management
SCAS+ Security, Configuration and Analysis- Security+
IMWN Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server Network
ICAW Installing, Configuring and Administering Microsoft Windows Client Operating System
IMES Implementing and Managing Server Slide E-Mail Messaging and Collaboration Software
Work Term
Program 5: Information Systems Specialist - CompuCollege - St. John's, NL

Computer fundamentals with keyboarding
Software fundamentals
Operating systems fundamentals
A+
Novell NetWare
Windows XP Professional 7-270
Manage and maintain Windows server 2003 environment 70-290
Implementing a Windows server 2003 network infrastructure 70-291
Implement & maintain Windows server 2003
Active directory Infrastructure 70-294
Plan & maintain a Windows server 2003
Network infrastructure 70-293
Design security for Microsoft Server 2003 70-298
Introduction to Cisco routers
Exchange server 2003 administration
Implementing ISA server
Unix/Linux
Student success strategies
Professional skills
Career planning and preparation
Field Placement (8 weeks)
TOTAL WEEKS: 83

 

[gbaughma]

Any degree will make you more employable right out of college than I am, with 30 years of experience.

Meh.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[DonQuichote]

It is a bit like judging a book by its cover. After taking a look at the programs, I do not see anything excellent or crappy. But off course everything is in the details of the course. And I am afraid you will only learn those details by taking that course.

On the other hand, I had to learn everything on the job, while you have an opportunity to see the big picture beforehand.

As an example, "Object Oriented Programming in Java" may be a mainly java course with some object oriented examples (which would be bad) or an in-deep course in object theory with some hands-on examples in java (which would be good).

Likewise, "computer security" may be about user management and virus scanners, or cover all kinds of injection and hijacking attacks.

My only advice is to get yourself a good theoretical basis (but not just theory, because you can probably only grasp the theory by seeing what can go wrong in practice). Also, be prepared to never stop learning. When you complete the study and get a job in the field, you will continue learning day by day.

I do not see anything about methodologies in the programs. If you learn nothing about different methodologies (especially agile methodologies), I would consider that a serious drawback. But I know hardly any IT teacher has even heard about them or takes them serious.

Also, when I would teach somebody to program, unit tests would be in the first lesson, not in the very last "extras" chapter. So if they are in the first "introduction to programming", that would be good. If they are in the last lesson of the last "introduction to programming" course, that would be bad. But then, you may be lucky to have found a course that covers them at all.

So, in short: just pick one that feels good and is not too specific. Is there a direction that you prefer (network administration or programming, for instance)?


+++ Despite being wrong in every important aspect, that is a very good analogy +++
Hex (in Darwin's Watch)

 

[tfg13]

I think the first thing you should consider, is why do you want to get into computers? Which course do you think is the one that you want to get into? Which one do you think is more interesting, and you will follow to the end? Don't think of employers needs, think of yourself. If you are not happy, then your employer won't be either.

We can't tell you which one we think is better because we don't know the teachers of the curriculum, don't know you, and don't know your aspirations of what you want to be....

 

[flapeyre]

I am trying to figure out which IT program to enroll in. I'm pretty clueless about this stuff so I was hoping to get some advice from people who aren't total newbs. There are a few programs offered in my province, I'm wondering which would make me most desirable to employers, if any will. I'm kinda leaning towards the first one.

This raises a red flag. Are you thinking of going into IT because you like working with computers, or for some other reason?

If you enjoy working with computers, fine. As tfg13 said, if you don't enjoy something, you won't be good at it.

If you are thinking of getting into this for another reason, my advice would be to choose a general studies, science or math curriculum. Take a programming course or two along the way. If you find that you like it, you can change your major. If not, you haven't lost anything.

I was almost 40 when I started to program. It's never too late to change directions. But don't do that for the wrong reasons.

-- Francis
I'd like to change the world, but I can't find the source code.

 

[gbaughma]

The other thing that I would ask in this whole scenario, is what, if any, certifications can you get with certain courses?

For example, can you get your CompTia Security+ with the Network Security class? Can you get your MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administrator) with one of the Server courses?

I would ask which, if any, courses directly relate to getting some standard certifications. What would be even BETTER is if some of the classes were certification classes, and you would have your certification at the completion of the course.



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[bigchiefdan]

since it a co op program, you will gain some OTJ experience, which is a good thing.
However, what will you have in your hand after you complete the programs - will it be a two year tech degree or a certificate of completion.
Something else I would do is contact some local corporations and speak to their tech leaders for advice, yeah some will not take time to speak with you, but those who will can give you an idea of what the local industry is looking for - that is if you want to work locally.
none the less, any type of accredited education is always a star I look for on a resume.
Good Luck