Networking Classes or Visual Communications Classes?

Ari, are you looking for a distance course or brick and mortar? I too found my 35 year old education a little outdated.

I took a couple courses here, the PLC and EMT, online:

http://www.georgebrown.ca/disted.aspx#bell

I know they don't offer the course you are looking for,(distance anyway), however, my experience was positive with this school and the on-line format. Believe me, these were no easy courses, I had to work quite hard, and put in a lot of time. And they weren't cheap ether, at $1600 each, (my company picked up the tab though).

Despite my existing debt and my illness, ITT Tech will fund it, to the tune of 43,000.00usd for 3 years study.

I taught myself NT 4.2 on the job. Unfortunately, my partners robbed me for 68,000.00 and disappeared. That was over 10 years ago. I've been collecting disability, 920.00/month. I need about 200.00/month more.

Retraining is not an option, it's a necessity. The problem is this:

Whether I take Networking or Digital Communications, I will be entering the workforce during a recession, and, at an entry level position, and 53 years old.

I've had a lot of experience in business, but that was 10 - 30 years ago. Besides, I don't fit in to the 'normal' corporate structure. I'm quiet awkward around people. However, understanding networking and it's intricacies and eccentricities will get me a job faster than Visual Communications.

Networking is, or can be either very boring or very distressful. Visual communications will lead me to website deign and maintenance, much less stressful and less responseability, and less money as well, but I only need 200.00usd/week.

The question is one of balancing stress level with environment and pay scale.

Given all that, what advise would you give a 50 year old man seeking an entry level position in IT?

/Ari (Orpheuse)

"I will be entering the workforce during a recession, and, at an entry level position, and 53 years old."

Don't sell yourself short. You will have much more to offer than just your new training. Combining your old and new skills could very well make you a viable job candidate.

Dear Bricktop,

You are a Human Being. God made a lot of people, he made very few Human Being.

I guess, at the end of the day, you pays your money and you takes your chances, even if this is your last chance.

You are wise and optimistic, which makes me think you are rather young. But I think Jesus said it best, "and a small child shall guide them".

For that, you get a cookie.

/Ari (Orpheuse)

Na Ari, I just look young, must be all that clean living and single malt.

Actually, I'm 55 years young. When I get to interview an applicant, grey hair is an asset!

From your posts here at CR4, I can tell your no dummy. As stated in other posts here, it's all about selling yourself.

Oh, ya, when I take classes, a 4.0 grade is the only one acceptable to me.

If you are not offered this in your networking curriculum, bone up on script languages and XML.

Ari...

I would look beyond ITT Tech for other possibilities if I were you. A friend of mine taught in community colleges in Southern California for many years and retired. After he moved to the northwest, he took a job teaching at ITT Tech in Portland. His opinion of them is that they are nothing more than paper generators. They take your money and issue you a diploma. Everyone gets an "A"... Flunk no one!!

It was definitely against his style of teaching. I have worked with him teaching Extra class amateur radio courses, and he teaches real theory. He does not teach "How to beat the test".

BUT... If you can do it with someone elses nickel, go for it!! I personally would go for the networking end of things. The other communications thing you mentioned reminds me of a speech class on steroids. Definitely not my bag.

Good Luck

Bill

ah, Bricktop and you are all studious.

should learn from you all.

if I would have found some sponsors I would have attended some courses as well.

with regard to version communication, you may come to NI, TI or etc web sites, there are lots of documents on it. yahoo group has also such discuss group,

are you going to build up your hardware or develop software based on the avaliable equipment?

Hi, CNPOWER

what and where is NI and TI? If I'm in corporate, I won't have the choice of designing equipment or using 'off the shelf stock'.

Please answer back.

Thanks

/Ari (Orpheuse)

Ni-- National Instuments

TI--Texas Instruments

and other many bbs for digital communication.

Before you invest in any training, find out what field is hiring 50 somethings.

Hi ari, aka orpheuse.

I would think that the networking and ability to set up, trouble shoot, and maintain security of small networks for smaller enterprises would be an ideal "gig" for you given your situation.

Our 12 person office doesn't have a full time IT person, we have an outside 'expert' who has grown our system, selected our hardware, and sets up security, policies, and the like. We have one part timer on staff who coordinates with our ISP/ Web provider.

The visual communications would certainly require more interaction with clients than the network admin type of work, to my way of thinking.

And besides, Visual communications is about "fashion trend cool" which those of us who remember the Carter recession are least likely to be thought of as purveyors of...

Most everyone today is self supporting on most software packages, and if they need photoshop or art , they either probably know how to do it themselves or have some one who can delegate to. It doesn't look like thats a good fit.

Regardless of anyones talent, if the damn network is down, they are too. I'd go for the network training, and eventually you'll be able to ratchet up your billings to a respectable rate. Networks are indispensable and can be maintained with minimum client interaction; Provision of visual communications services is more a discretionary decision, and requires substantial client interaction.

An all black wardrobe, raybans, sporty car, and a VERY EXPENSIVE WATCH, box or loge tickets to local sporting events are also an essential part of the "artsy fartsy" tool kit. A good looking babe to handle the client contact is another key piece of the visual communication business plan. You'll be competing with ad and pr agencies in that area.

my 2cents.

milo

Hi, Milo,

You made one mistake. The Carter recession began with the Regan 'trickle down economy' model of economics. They are still trickling down on us.

Thanks for the response,

/Ari (Orpheuse)

Not to put too fine a point on it, but by calendar time the Carter presidency (1977) was actually ahead of (before) the Reagan presidency (1981). Carter preceded Reagan, so how Reagan's model of trickle down economics can be blamed for Carter's impotence escapes me.

If you truly meant Regan as in Don Regan, Reagan's sec'y of treasury/chief of staff, That version of Reaganomics was in the years 1981-1987 TEN YEARS AFTER CARTERS INAUGURATION.

The day after President Reagan was inaugurated he sent Jimmy Carter to welcome home the hostages that Carter hadn't been able to free during his term.

here are some dates:

January 20 1977
Carter Inaugurated President

October 5 1977
Signs International Covenant on Human Rights

September 17 1978
Camp David Accords Signed

June 12 1979
Carter proposes National Health Plan to Congress

July 15 1979
Address to the Nation--the "malaise" speech

November 4 1979
American Embassy in Teheran overrun

December 27 1979
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan begins

March 14 1980
Anti-inflation program announced; balanced budget sent to Congress

April 11 1980
Decision to attempt hostage rescue mission

April 24 1980
Rescue Mission fails

July 16 1980
Republicans nominate Ronald Reagan

November 4 1980
Reagan defeats Carter in election

January 20 1981
12 noon - Ronald Reagan inaugurated as President
12:20pm EST - hostages released in Teheran

January 21 1981
President Reagan sends Carter to Germany to welcome hostages home

Regardless of my one "mistake," the need for network help is likely to be the more robust basis for your personal economy in our (and Your) personal situation.

milo

Milo,

You are The Man. I've stuck my head in the bear trap and you're gonna keep me on track no matter what.

Sir, I thank you. I called into ITT Tech and I'm set to start school in Networking on December 1, 2008.

Now I have to go and update my internal chronometer. I just remembered why the mid '70's to mid 80's is a sort of fog. Oy.

/Ari (Orpheuse)

It was the 60's- 70's for my personal fog.

I predict that networking will be perfect for you.

And profitable.

milo