I'n Not A Dingbat After All, Lol

I've been looking hardcore into college classes that will help me boost my career. I like to tinker with things and was considering taking administrative classes until yesterday when I just so happened upon a website recruiting students for computer operations and repair. The classes sounded interesting and I took the placement test, not really thinking too much of it.
I got a call within 30 minutes and this guy was telling me my score was one of the highest he's ever seen, especially for a woman (whatever that was supposed to mean) He encouraged me to drive down and check the college campus out, and that he'd go over the program and financial obligations to teach me this stuff he feels I have a knack for.
He asked me how I knew so much techinical stuff about computers and I was like I just learned what I do know from the two tech's I've had work on my own PC when it crashed. He told me if I picked up that much information that easily that I'd be making a huge mistake to not at least consider these certification classes.
I went back and further reseached the website with Mickey and we both agreed this was worth me looking further into. Although nothing has been set in stone yet, I'm rather excited. I just had to tell someone, so thanks for reading!

Go for it. Can I pick your brain when you get some training? My computer and I fight all the time, and I don't win.

Just kidding. I have a son who builds his own computers. It's just finding him when his day goes from 10 pm. to 10 am.

Awesome Carey! Go for it.. what could it hurt?

Way to go Carey.

If I may, let me caution you a little bit. These days anything found on the net should be approached with caution. Check them out real good. Check with the local BBB. And there are sites you can go to to see how real people feel about a certain company like Ripoff.com.

Also be aware of high pressure sales. If they wont let you leave until you sign something. That is a good sign of something wrong.

One other thing I can think of is check to see if this is an accredited school. Should be able to find out through the state it is located.

Not trying to discourage you. Just would hate to have you sign something you may regret in the future.

If the place checks out and you feel this is the right choice for you, than go for it. Being smart with computers or anything is not a gender issue. I have been using computers since the first PC's came out. And I'm sure you could teach me some things.

Good luck, and we wish you the best.

Well mickey and I went and long story short, there were no sales pitches, just information about the program and how it will work. He even said we could take a few days to decide but classes begin next week for this session. After all I heard and talked about, I went ahead and signed up for the loan. if approved, I'm in.
the instructor told us for the rest of our lives, we can always call or come in for help with anything, and even take more classes at not additional costs, ever. They guarantee job placement, and when I asked about the Greensboro area, they said that'd be no problem. All we have to do as students is work hard, study and we're on our way. I really didn't see how this school is a scam of any kind. They have many, many students and grads who are working and sucessful, so I'm going for it.
Wish me luck on approval for student loan. I think I'll get it. I'm not wealthy but my credit is great.

Yeah, when I get computer savvy, I'd be glad to help!!

This is great.

I've been a Technical Support/Systems Administrator
for the last 15 years. It's a challenge sometimes dealing
with computers.

But if you have the apitude...it's never boring
and it will provide you a good career path.

Are these certifactions from Microsoft (i.e. A+ or MCP)

Yes, it's seven certifications, the first one being A+. I'm still waiting to hear about the loan approval, but the college was very nice. They are actually part of Univ. of Pheonix at Raliegh, I didn't know that till we visited.
It's a 45 min drive one way to get there, but for a great career and only 2x a week, I think it will be worth the gas money.

Hurdle #1. I cannot get a loan in my name. I'm not totally shocked but I'm worried mom and dad might not co sign. Especially mom. Because of my ad/hd she thinks I'm incapable of just about everything. I could always just go to the local comm. college for something else, but I really wanted this one. Sigh.
I'm really feeling stuck and upset now. Here's hoping dad will help.

Dont most colleges have computer classes? Dont know about certifications but perhaps you could get certified later. How about a tech school? Or some night courses to get you started.

Also might check with this college about grants and other funding. How about where you work, some places will reimburse for taking classes and/or college.

And you can takes classes online. Un. of Pheonix is on-line. Just pay for each class as you go.

This post has been edited by Hoosiercrusier on May 3 2008, 08:05 AM

It might be a no go for this particular class, but yes, there's another option for me in Greeensboro. Unless I can get my dad to cosign, I won't be going to school in Raliegh. Maybe this was supposed to work out in Greensbor?? It's closer and cheaper. I believe things happen for a reason. I had to remind myself this all yesterday as I was feeling really disappointed.
I work in a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, they won';t pay for classes, lol. That place barely keeps their own buisiness stocked with supplies. We have not enough silverware, glasses and they are ALWAYS out of something. That's why I'm desperately trying to get a better job. The only reason I've put up with it this far is the money's good and the people there are really really a great bunch. one of my better friends just graduatuated, and she'll be gone in one month.
Ok, I'm rambling. I'm going to do more research on classes offered and figure something out. The next round of classes starts in August, so I've got some time to get things figured out. I appreciate your suggestions!!! You guys are are great!

This will all work our for you Carey.
Even online classes would be a good start via the Univ. of Phoenix
or a local community college.

I have always found that if you really want something it always seems
to have a way of happening.

Here is my story:

I got an "F" on my 1st computer class i ever took in High School.
teacher said i wasn't paying attention and/or didn't do the work

I chose to believe that i was just "bored" with the class as it
didn't challenge me enough (unfortunately she won that arguement)

Needless to say my parents were proud of me (ha ha ha)

I went to a local community college after graduating high
school...for 2 years to try and "figure out" what i wanted to do.

All this time i was working at a restaurant/bar probably
not unlike yours.

Then somewhere along the way it hit me....I wanted to
be a computer "nerd".

So without asking permission or even telling my parents
i went to go visit DeVry Institute of Technology and signed up there
for the Computer Information Systems degree (3 yrs. of school
for a 4 year degree...no summers off)

I told my parents...and they were like "YOU DID WHAT!!!!!!"
and started asking me....and how exactly are you going to pay for this?

Not long after starting there I found a job about 2 miles
from the school where i worked in the computer field
from like 4 p.m. till midnite or so.

Then school started at around 8 and lasted till around 2-3
so that's pretty much all i did for 3 years.....school...work...sleep (repeat)

after graduating....i changed to another job...then got
transferred to Indianapolis for a year...then came back to Illinois again
and have been at the same place here in Chicago now for about 11 years.

Have changed job titles and learned new things
every step of the way....i would have never imagined what i am doing
now when i started 11 years ago at my current company.

It's amazing what you can learn and how you adapt
with any job in the technological field.

This school is a lot like DeVry, but it's an actuall campus, not online. I know I can do this, but the loan is in the way. Tomorrow my dad and I are going to sit down and discuss it. One thing I've got in my favor is he's cosined for me before and I alwyas paid the paymts..but I'm still worried he'll say it's asking too much.
I cannot work and school as much as you descrived, I have kids now. this is why I wanted this school, it's just 2 nights a week and the lectures are online so we can read in our spare time. a local comm college is offering "quick job" classes that are 2 or 3 nights a week, so that's my plan B. Only problem there is nothing excites me as much as the computer "nerd" class.

Yeah...having kids would change things a little.
I've never had that problem.

To go along with the fact I got an "F" in my
1st computer class.

I also barely passed my 1st accounting class.

Now i support the accounting system at my company
on an AS/400 computer system (to which you'll say....A WHAT!!!! )

don't worry...i'm used to it.

Not alot of small/mid-size companies use an AS/400 or
as they now are called iSeries or even i5 systems.
IBM keeps changing the names of them.

Hope that it works out for you with your dad and the loan.
keep us informed.

What size iSeries you run, Jim? I run their cousins - a collection of pSeries boxes.

As far as finding your way in this field - it's always through an odd path. I dropped out of college, worked in a lumber yard, a furniture shop, and a boating factory, now I'm a system & storage admin.

Anything's possible.

It's more than likely a no go on the school I've been talking about, but like I said I have a plan B. Today however, my dad set me up to take a postal exam in hopes to get a job with him at the post office. The pay is great, but I admit it's not what I really wanted. If they hire me, I'll take it tho...at least until a better opportunity comes.
Dad cannot sign for me, so Mickey is going to attempt to get a loan in his name and let me go to school off his name instead of mine. It's a shot in the dark, but worth it. I'm not counting on it because I was so upset last week and I don't need to go thru that again.
Either way, I feel something good will work out for me, I just don't know what yet. This is one of those things that I especially feel it's good to just relax and pray about, and whatever happens, happens.

A few of you asked that I keep updates on my college hunt, so here's the deal:

Dad won't cosign, so the school in Raleigh is out, but tomorrow I'm going to ECPI and sign up for the A+ certification there. Once completed, I can land a much, much better job. My plan is to save up enough where they will give me loan in my name and then go to Raliegh. Of course plans can change, so nothing is written in stone yet. I could be that I just go back to ECPI and earn a Bachelor's degree there instead. But first things first.

Tuesday, dad got me in to take a postal exam. If they hire me, I might just work for them and get ALL the education before becomming a computer whiz. I would say computer nerd, but I don't see myself as a nerd, hehe.
What actually will happen remains to be seen but I have high hopes for the summer class. It's only a 10 week certification, so if nothing else, I'll be working a new job by as early as September. What a birthday gift to myself that would be!

This is going to be a great week. I'll be working on my future, plus I'm seeing some friends I haven't seen in a while and going to the meet and greet Friday, then the race on Saturday.

Sounds good, Carey. I wish you well with all your plans!

Well, congradulate me, everybody!! I'm officially a college student!!!
The only thing pending is do I get in as a two year student (earning the Associates degree) or just taking the 10 week A+ certification. If the loan is approved, I'll graduate in Dec. 09. If not, I'll just take the certification program and work from there.