Are qualifications worth it?

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 17:49

As the title says, are they?

Currently I am qualified as a "master CIW designer" however I don't feel confident in my skills as a web designer which makes me wonder if the qualifications are worth getting.

And the next part of the course I am on features qualifications in
Microsoft Certified Applications Developer (MCAD)

and

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

I have to pay around £2500 to learn and take those exams on a course and I want to know if it is worth it? Or would it be better to self study and work from there?

saltedm8 · Mar 13th, 2008, 17:58

to be honest mate, in my eyes there are 2 sides to this coin

any qualification is a good thing

but....

The last time these so called 'teachers' were doing web design, the Beatles were at the top of the charts

in other words, its great for employment ( shows some aptitude ), but don't expect to know or be able to use todays standards when you leave

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:06

Thats what I have noticed and I could not build a webpage at the moment but apparently according to my qualifications I could. I don't really want to spend £2500 if I wont benefit from it,

I opted for this route instead of a levels got A/S in chemistry, physics, biology and maths but decided I didn't want to be a doctor and would give this ago.

However If I could get a job and make money from learning out of a book I would prefer that. Not saying it is easy but it would be better than paying £2500 for something I could of taught myself.

saltedm8 · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:11

you can teach yourself, or i have found that home learning courses are far more in front than colleges, that is another option you may want to explore, just ask someone here to look at the course details and we will soon be able to tell you if its ok

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:16

ok well here is what I am doing at the moment. http://www.ukittraining.com/web_designer_tracktwo.htm I have done the first half of it but do not feel I have benefitted from it much and I am required to pay for the second half soon so I want to know If I am getting ripped off or not.

As I am only 18 I do not exactly have money to throw around so to speak and I do definatly want to do this as a career I really enjoy it and seem to pick it up quick enough.

aso186 · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:21

Quote:

I could not build a webpage at the moment but apparently according to my qualifications I could.

I think you've answered your own question

IMO it's simply down to experience and knowledge - how you acquire that is up to you

I was self taught, and not a single client has ever asked me

How old are you?
Are you qualified?
What qualifications do you hold?

So long as you can give them a website, backed up by previous examples, you're on your way!

aso186 · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:24

If you feel that you're not getting what you want out of a course, and especially if it's costing you money, back out.

There's plenty of resources online and in books if you're confident at self teaching. Plus I'm sure you can get online courses for little next to nothing with many universities.

And of course there's always other designers and developers to help you out (like Webforumz!).

saltedm8 · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:26

Looks ok to me, it says xml and not html, it also says about mysql expert, this leads me to believe it involves all you scripting in those later courses

code wise their own website is quite good too, usually a good sign for anyone offering to teach web design

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:28

So would it be worth the investment? I just ask because it is alot of money and I don't want to spend it needlessly.

crackafaza · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:29

I Agree with all that was stated above, don't get me wrong having qualifications behind you is never a bad thing, and could get you web design jobs in certain companies.

But I truly believe that you don't really need qualifications, you just need the experience to show off you web portfolio of all the work you have done before now, then the employer would know what you are really made of, especially as someone like you, who has got the qualifications, but still doesn't feel like they fully know what they are doing.

I would keep learning from your qualification, but keep building different websites to show off your work

Even people proffessional in the business are still learning day after day

Cracka

saltedm8 · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:35

looks to me as if you are getting too worried, dont run before you can walk, they have probably shown you the basics of what you need to learn, next come the the important bits from what that description said

qualifications are an important aspect to getting any job, yes you could teach yourself, but it took me 5 years just to know what i know today, if i went to college to do it it would probebly have only taken me 2 or 3 at the most and i would have a broader knowledge in this area

it is always important to know old styles, just to understand new ones better

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:37

Do any of you have qualifications in this area how do many of you get these jobs? or are you all freelance? If so how do you attract keep & customers?

I really don't know whether or not to continue with this or not as if I don't it isn't exactly like I wil l have othe qualifications to fall back on.

I have 2 companies that want me to build them websites and will pay me but I am not confident enough in my skills to accept the jobs yet.

I guess I am just worried about getting this whole thing started off I don't really have the money to be wasting it and I just want to make sure I am not going to be.

crackafaza · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:42

Well, I am no professional don't get me wrong, because I am only 17, so still fairly new to this business, but I rolled upon a job about a year back at web design company who gave an amateur a chance, but year prior to this, I had been to colege, and they did all IT aspects, but only touched on web design, but knew this is what I wanted to do!

But right now I am working full time, making websites for companies day in day out, and going to colege for day release to do web design (even though its going over grounds I already know).
So not only am I getting the qualifications, I am gaining the experience and building up my portfolio, so in a few years time I can go freelance!

Aesir, I don't think this would be a waste of time, if you getting the qualifications, and if you work hard at it, and do online tutorials or read books, you will see how quickly you actually learn things!

I definately wouldn't suggest quitting at the first hurdle!
Well, if you take on these jobs, and become stuck, thats where this great community takes over, and helps you with any help you may need

Hope this helps!
Cracka

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:47

That sounds good. The course I am on at the moment is done in 2 halves and I just have to make a decision whether or not to pay for the second half pretty soon or I loose the opportunity.

I think I will take the 2 jobs and see how I go with them as currently I have nothing to add to a portfolio. I will just apply to jobs everywhere to try and get some sort of job and then atleast I can build my experience I guess.

saltedm8 · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:50

well, i am 26 no qualifications at all, take it from someone who has been there and went the wrong way, they will be very handy, if the worse comes to the worse you could teach yourself later, you wont get another chance to go to college - the qualifications on offer ARE very good

go for it

crackafaza · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:51

Aesir,

Well, I think something you need to ask yourself is, do you enjoy making websites? because If the answer is yes, then I think there is your answer, because You don't want a job that you don't enjoy do you?

I would firstly continue with this course, at least finish it till the end, I no it is easy said, because a money factor plays into it, but I would take on these two jobs you say you have, and if you do a good job on those, You will get the feeling of accomplishment, and that will make you strive towards bettering yourself in this field. Not only that but again building up experience and work for your portfolio!

In the mean time, I would create a personnal website for yourself! so you can learn and play about with, where all your work can be kept and shown off

And if you ever run into any problems, we are here and happy to help!

Cracka

Aesir · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:54

Ok thanks. Thats just what I needed to know. I will carry on with the course but also teach myself at the same time. I have a year left to finish the course and that should be ample time.

As you said I can teach myself later and to have the qualifications aswell would be preferable I guess.

crackafaza · Mar 13th, 2008, 18:55

Yeah, I think that is the logical thing to do, I wish you all the best in your web design life

Cracka