Newbie Needs Advice!!!

Hello everyone! I am a newbie to the whole website design/development world. I will be starting school winter 08' for a diploma in website design. Below are the classes I will be taking to obtain this diploma. I would like to get some feedback on what everyone thinks about these classes and if they are what I will need? Also, can I ask once I do take these classes, what will be the possibility of job prospects? I live in Alpharetta, GA, about 45 mins north of the city of Atlanta.

Thanks so much everyone!
Jeff

Internet Specialist - Web Design ( Diploma)

COURSES :
Program Design & Development
Computer Concepts
Network Fundamentals
Internet Business Fundamentals
Html Fundamentals
Web Site Design Tools
Web Graphics And Multimedia
Design Methodology
Javascript Fundamentals
Fund Cgi Using Perl
Database Connectivity
Introduction To Computers
XXX XXX Specific Occupational Guided Elective
XXX Xxx Xxx Operating Systems Course

Hey,
I know several Web Firms in Atlanta, GA and what they are usually looking for is people who know PHP, MYSQL, CGI, JavaScript, and most importantly XHTML / CSS. Some good things to learn also is XML, and basic database concepts.

I have several friends who have web design degrees and none of them are actual web designers. One is a VERY successful Vet Clerical Manager. The rest are bagging groceries or cooking fries. I myself am about to obtain a CS - Programming degree and all I do is websites. Where did I learn my stuff? Well I learned from here mostly. When I came here I was using old technologies and had horrible design schemes. But the members here set me on the right path, gave me some good articles, and helped me when I needed it. Long story short, Webdesign is not something you can study and then be good at. It's something you have to work towards.

That list looks good..
Not sure about the Fund CGI Using Perl? CGI seems like it's on it's way out being replaced by PHP or ASP. But I might be way off.

Just to clear things up for members, I'm not discouraging getting a degree, I actually encourage it. I think it's great, but I think web design is like an art degree. You can go and pass the classes and still not be an artist, its something that you have to work towards on your own or you will never be good unless you try and experiment. Through PMs we have discussed this matter further and basically I encourage a degree and a nice portfolio.

Yes, Justin and I emailed numerous times today and he was a TREMENDOUS help in answering all my questions. I feel much better about both getting a diploma and building a portfolio. I just need to find the people that have websites that are willing to hand them over to me or for me to build from scratch. I was thinking about posting on Craigslist to offer maybe 4-5 businesses in my area the opportunity to have a free website built for them. Any thoughts on this???

Great idea. I built three for free when I started out. That got my career going!

I built only 1 for free, after that I think I lost a little money on hosting and all that jazz... But hey, now I got some clients :P