New to the IT field and have a couple ?'s

[akareem27]

First, I really was about to go to Devry until I found this site.What is a good school to go to that is entirely online? I'm 25,married with twins so actually sitting in a class is out.I got bills.
Second, I was interesting in making software(games,apps) but that seems like a hard field to jump into with no prior exp.I read that security and networking are the way to go.While I want to learn to program,I would rather get a degree in a field where I could actually get a job.So what's the best field to major in to find a job? I live in philly but are willing to relocate.
Thanks in advance for any help.

[akareem27]

I've done some googling on my own and I narrowed it down to either strayer univ. or devry.Out of the two which is best opinion,or do you know anybody in either one of those schools.Or maybe another school I overlooked.

[nemowolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akareem27

First, I really was about to go to Devry until I found this site.What is a good school to go to that is entirely online? I'm 25,married with twins so actually sitting in a class is out.I got bills.
Second, I was interesting in making software(games,apps) but that seems like a hard field to jump into with no prior exp.I read that security and networking are the way to go.While I want to learn to program,I would rather get a degree in a field where I could actually get a job.So what's the best field to major in to find a job? I live in philly but are willing to relocate.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Since you dont really know what you want to do, getting schooling is hard because schools have specialties. I would check out Dice.com and see what jobs are available and what sounds interesting. Your going to need math for a programming degree, so you may want to start out at your local JC and use them as an initial stepping stone. JC CIS departments are generally more informed then you might think, especially if they have someone who has retired from their old job and took up teaching to make some money.

In general, all jobs are going to make you money but since you have two little ones dont expect to be there after you get a job. I work help desk and im working 45 hour weeks, travel once a month for at least a day or more, and find myself working from home occasionally too. IT is not a get rich quick scheme at all, this is something your going to need to invest time and effort to start and then in 5 years you can throttle back.

[akareem27]

Not to be a "noob" but what is a JC school?
How much does a typically help desk employee makes?

[GroundZero3]

Junior College

[akareem27]

If I go to a junior college or "jc" I would have to go through the trouble of transferring after my 2 yrs.Wouldn't it be easy to do your four years in one place?

[nemowolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akareem27

If I go to a junior college or "jc" I would have to go through the trouble of transferring after my 2 yrs.Wouldn't it be easy to do your four years in one place?

No, its about the same and costs you FRACTIONS of what you would pay for a traditional four year institution.

Price comparison for you ...

Notre Dame De Namur University charges 530 dollars per unit for a class, typically 3-5 units depending on the class.

College of San Mateo charges 30 dollars per unit for a class, typically 3-5 units depending on the class.

The class is the same, both of them are say math classes and tough by equally entertaining and qualified teachers ...

Where do you go?

[akareem27]

I live in philly and I googled and ccp and delaware county jc's dont offer it courses.I also was under the impression that you couldn't get a degree from a jc, just a certificate,diploma or associates.

[sharder8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akareem27

I live in philly and I googled and ccp and delaware county jc's dont offer it courses.I also was under the impression that you couldn't get a degree from a jc, just a certificate,diploma or associates.

Also check out Community Colleges . . . I know COCC offers several specialties in different fields. My nephew will be graduating at the end of this quarter with a degree in Criminal Justice and is looking at becoming a PO. My youngest daughter just started and if she keeps her grades up, she'll complete the RN course in 4 years. (Currently RN's are making ~ $55 an hour here and there's an increasing shortage.) I know COCC also offers something in Computer Sciences . . . just don't know what.

(BTW, Nephew is disabled and a single father raising his 13yo son, daughter is a single mother and we're helping raise the Grandson, both found grants to cover all school costs and provide some of the housing and food costs.)

Harder

[akareem27]

It's alot more confusing than I thought this process would be just picking a school.I'm just looking for an 100%online school to get a degree in networking/security that is affordable(not 70,000) and respectable in the job industry.