Ask Me Help Desk - Is it a bad idea to go to college online?

Is it a bad idea to go to college online?

I am 25 and been thinking about going back to college after I left a few years back due to financial reasons. At that time I couldn't afford it and wasn't getting any support. I found an online school that is affordable since I work part time. I am not sure what I want to major in but I have an idea. I want to study Computer Support Tech but thinking things thoroughly.

I totally don't agree with taking an on line course in computer support tech. Can't you go to a community college for this at night, or in your spare time. Theory does not equal hands on experience which you would not get on line; another point is, it would have to be an accredited on line course.

Not everything online is accredited.. and anything that's not is a waste of time as they won't count for a Degree that companies will accept.

I also agree with Tickle... there are many things you just can't accomplish on your own online... And labs with equipment you don't have access to actually restricts what you do learn... because not everything translates well from the Text (theory) into practice.

Just an FYI... I'm a degreed Engineer.

I'm still thinking about going to a community college. I can go at night but I really don't think it's an option for me. I work at a grocery store standing on my feet for 5-6 hours I'm going to be too tired.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothy

Not everything online is accredited..and anything that's not is a waste of time as they won;t count for a Degree that companies will accept.

I also agree with Tickle....there are many things you just can't accomplish on your own online...And labs with equipment you don't have access to actually restricts what you do learn...because not everything translates well from the Text (theory) into practice.

Just an FYI....I'm a degreed Engineer.

The school I found is accredited. Both answers have good points. I have a lot to think about.

Computer Support TECH? As in the technical branch of a cell phone carrier, or cable company like Comcast?
You could get a CSR job in those places right away, and they may train you for tech support. (Whenever I have to deal with comcast, I have to go through about 5 reps before I am finally transferred to tech support, where I get someone who fixes the problem in 2 seconds.) Those jobs are very specific to the company as much as the equipment. Knowledge of basic electronics is probably required, and a knack for learning more. Would you say that you are very good at setting up electronics right out of the box? If not, I wouldn't even get into this field.
Countless companies have sit down CSR jobs... eBay... catalog sales (clothing, shoes, housewares), you name it. I think most of them pay $10/hr to start.
You may find that you hate it, because customers mostly yell at you. At the very least, you have to work non-stop. If you take your phone off the hook, a supervisor is all over you in 2 seconds (they can monitor that from their desk). You are expected to handle a quota of calls, and if it's sales, a quota of sales. You have a little training but not much, and are expected to learn as you go, which is stressful.
But it's a good sit down job! While you take a course online or in a classroom or on the job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpie88

The school I found is accredited.

Accredited by whom? Online schools are very cagey and show their "accreditations" that have nothing to do with the real world. Your certificate or degree will mean nothing if the accreditation is fake.

If you have to to partial... do the humanities online (IF your local school will accept their credits.. ) and save the critical theory and labs for your local school...

But talk to your brick and mortar school first to see if they will accept transfer credits from your online school before you start taking them.

Not every school will accept transfer credits from every other. Even if they are accredited and both brick and mortar schools. That's always been true. Even 30 years ago when I got my degree..

Quote:

Originally Posted by joypulv

Computer Support TECH? As in the technical branch of a cell phone carrier, or cable company like Comcast?
You could get a CSR job in those places right away, and they may train you for tech support. (Whenever I have to deal with comcast, I have to go through about 5 reps before I am finally transferred to tech support, where I get someone who fixes the problem in 2 seconds.) Those jobs are very specific to the company as much as the equipment. Knowledge of basic electronics is probably required, and a knack for learning more. Would you say that you are very good at setting up electronics right out of the box? If not, I wouldn't even get into this field.
Countless companies have sit down CSR jobs... ebay... catalog sales (clothing, shoes, housewares), you name it. I think most of them pay $10/hr to start.
You may find that you hate it, because customers mostly yell at you. At the very least, you have to work non-stop. If you take your phone off the hook, a supervisor is all over you in 2 seconds (they can monitor that from their desk). You are expected to handle a quota of calls, and if it's sales, a quota of sales. You have a little training but not much, and are expected to learn as you go, which is stressful.
But it's a good sit down job! While you take a course online or in a classroom or on the job.

Thank you. I hope to find a job as a computer support tech pretty much in any company that needs them. I want to take this major because I am into computers and technology. Since you said it could be stress that scares me because I don't want to deal with all that lol. I think I am good with setting up electronics out of the box lol ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Accredited by whom? Online schools are very cagey and show their "accreditations" that have nothing to do with the real world. Your certificate or degree will mean nothing if the accreditation is fake.

When I looked on the site it said by the BBB if I remember correctly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpie88

When I looked on the site it said by the BBB if I remember correctly.

Check with some companies (or the type of companies) you might work for to find out if that is good enough. Doesn't seem like that would be good enough as an accreditation. It just means they belong to the BBB.

I looked at your resume from 2 years ago, and I don't think that 'basic computer knowledge' is going to be enough to take a tech course online. You need hands on hardware and software courses.
I would see what is available as a CSR before you try to be a tech.
I'm worried that you will pay the online tuition and struggle too much to finish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Check with some companies (or the type of companies) you might work for to find out if that is good enough. Doesn't seem like that would be good enough as an accreditation. It just means they belong to the BBB.

Oh OK thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by joypulv

I looked at your resume from 2 years ago, and I don't think that 'basic computer knowledge' is going to be enough to take a tech course online. You need hands on hardware and software courses.
I would see what is available as a CSR before you try to be a tech.
I'm worried that you will pay the online tuition and struggle too much to finish.

Haha yeah that was a resume from 2 years back but I have a new one now. I'll take what you said into consideration :)