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Web Design Course - it ist worth it?

by Lucky500
15 replies
Hello Folks,

got a question for you, and perhaps you could help.(not that I will base my decision in what I read here, but is always nice to hear people in the same situation, or perhaps someone that has been through it.)

I am trying to focus as much as possible on my IM Bizz. but I am taking online classes, plus the 8 to 5, plus the family.

I know the question popped up before, school or IM, but mostly are young fellas that haven't started a family yet, or have more time in thei hands.

I am currenty attending online classes (Full Sail) and I don't think I am getting much from the school. It is a good program, but at the end of the Web Design program I will have about 50k to pay back in financial aid. I am pretty confortable building simple sites and I have a membership to lynda.com which helps a lot. I am 33 years old, and although I always wanted to get a degree, in this point of my life (my oldest will be 12 this year, and I soon will have to worry about her college) I don't think school is helping much.


In your opnion, is it worth it?
#design #web #worth
  • Profile picture of the author CJ.Online
    Well honestly, getting a degree is definitely worth it if you're looking to get a new job in my opinion. But what you can learn attending classes, is the same thing you can learn on your own at the w3schools website and other places around the web.

    The degree just proves that you have the certification, so it really depends on what you want to do with that degree. If you're getting it, just to learn the material, it may not be worth it, but if you're looking into a new job and hoping for a greater salary, keep t up!
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    • Profile picture of the author M Thompson
      This might be simplistic but...

      If you want to make Im your full time income then concentrate on what will make you money. That is not going to be web design.

      If you need a designer hire one. Or buy some books from amazon and use them, then take the money saved from the online course and invest in your business..
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      • Profile picture of the author Lucky500
        Originally Posted by M Thompson View Post

        This might be simplistic but...

        If you want to make Im your full time income then concentrate on what will make you money. That is not going to be web design.

        If you need a designer hire one. Or buy some books from amazon and use them, then take the money saved from the online course and invest in your business..
        M Thompson,

        you a right in one thing, I need make money now, not the other way around. and the basics of web design I already have, even before I started the course.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucky500
      Originally Posted by CJ.Online View Post

      Well honestly, getting a degree is definitely worth it if you're looking to get a new job in my opinion. But what you can learn attending classes, is the same thing you can learn on your own at the w3schools website and other places around the web.

      The degree just proves that you have the certification, so it really depends on what you want to do with that degree. If you're getting it, just to learn the material, it may not be worth it, but if you're looking into a new job and hoping for a greater salary, keep t up!
      Thanks CJ. I definitely am still considering a degree, but I am probably leaning towards giving my all to IM right now and see where that takes me, and you right, there is nothing that they are teaching me that I can't find somewhere else for free or way cheaper.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucky500
    Originally Posted by Nathan Segal View Post

    50K in loans? That's insanity. Way overpriced, in my opinion.

    And a degree in art? You must be kidding. I went to art school and the so-called diploma wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. In the real world, it's less important what your degrees or education are. Instead, it's: Can you do the job? That's what counts. Personally I'd bail on that school as soon as possible. Something smells, in my opinion.
    It is rather expensive. they have a great program, but I not sure if it's worth the money. plus the first 4 months I had english, math, history and Photoshop...3 out of 4 courses worthless for my line of business...
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    get a degree in something that has broader appeal... like business. you can get a job anywhere with a business degree. an art degree, you're very limited with the number of options you have.

    you can learn web design with a $50 book from amazon. taking a course for web design is a waste of time unless you're the type of person who has a really hard time with that stuff. CSS and HTML are a breeze. If' we're talking PHP or something like that then yeah, a course might be worth while.

    also, if you're looking for future employment as a web designer... employers don't care about your degree as much as they care about your portfolio.

    A web designer with a business degree and a great portfolio has as much of a shot at getting a job as a web designer with an art degree.

    my scattered thoughts at 7am, good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucky500
      Originally Posted by jasonmorgan View Post

      get a degree in something that has broader appeal... like business. you can get a job anywhere with a business degree. an art degree, you're very limited with the number of options you have.

      you can learn web design with a $50 book from amazon. taking a course for web design is a waste of time unless you're the type of person who has a really hard time with that stuff. CSS and HTML are a breeze. If' we're talking PHP or something like that then yeah, a course might be worth while.

      also, if you're looking for future employment as a web designer... employers don't care about your degree as much as they care about your portfolio.

      A web designer with a business degree and a great portfolio has as much of a shot at getting a job as a web designer with an art degree.

      my scattered thoughts at 7am, good luck.
      Thanks for the great tips Jason. Your brain at 7am is functioning better than mine at 10am.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    I would not and didn't invest that kind of money in web design. I'm self-taught and if you're driven to learn, it can easily be done by free info on the web and lots of practice.
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    • Profile picture of the author AllThingsArePossible
      put up a quick site in one hour using wordpress or automated software

      there are some good courses in the private war room on how to use wordpress or other software

      go make sales now by using your website to market both online and offline
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      • Profile picture of the author koolphoto
        I have a BFA degree in Photography. Did I need it to get work? No. I started out as an assistant to a photographer. I worked with other assistants, some who never went to school. I got most of my training on the job. Looking back, I mostly learned Art History in Photography school . Did it make me a better photographer? Maybe. Though, I am not so sure.

        I have for the past 10 years designed websites. I learned everything by reading books myself. I learned a lot about Photoshop from books. I learned CSS and html. I even learned Perl and PHP from books. I tend to like, in the US, Barnes and Noble bookstores. I like to call them the Barnes and Noble University. I go to the cafe with a handful of books and read. The ones I like I buy and study at home.

        I have worked for well respected companies and clients. None ever asked me where or if I went to school. They just want to see a portfolio. In my opinion your best portfolio material comes from on the job training rather then a design school.

        If you are just designing for your own IM websites then I think school is overkill, especially if you can learn on your own.
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  • Profile picture of the author tbunch
    You are in Florida - correct? I live only a few states away and we have technical college that offers adult education classes, in a lot of net based subjects, only costing around $500. Are there no similar situations there? Local public schools, here, also offer similar but not as in-dept, imho, type courses for $35 - $50 - maybe another option if available.

    And yes there are also free on-line sources to learn almost anything also.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Its funny you know...

    I see this same mentality time and time again. "I want to get into Internet Marketing, but I dont know how to build websites."

    Do you want to be an Internet Marketer, or a web developer?

    Some of the most successful people I have met, have very little understanding of anything technical. Thats because they're focusing on whats important, running a BUSINESS. They dont get bogged down in learning the technical stuff, they OUTSOURCE.
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  • Profile picture of the author tbsweet52
    You don't need technical knowledge or any knowledge of HTML or CSS to make a pretty outstanding website.

    You can be OK at photoshop and use a WYSIWYG editor to make sites. I know people who make a good living just using this technique and they don't know squat about anything they teach you at those schools. Now if you want to make large website for large companies you probably couldn't get by doing this.

    But I would agree that if you want a job in that field, getting a degree could help I guess (even though degrees don't mean sh*t in this day and age)

    Some people would love to make $50k, let alone have to pay it back. Taking the time, teaching yourself, and just asking questions here can easily help you out with what you want.

    Wish you the best of luck!
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