E-Careers.com (formerly .co.uk)

[JFOM]

Hi all,

I need to seek the advice of those out there in the know.

I'm sorting out my resettlement having (finally) decided the route I want to take which is a webmaster, web technologies route. I've been building websites for friends, relatives and clubs for the best part of 15 years, so I'm alright at it, but want some formal qualifications.

I discovered E-Careers.com (they've recently moved their website from a .co.uk address) and they seemed to offer qualifications for everything I was after (link) namely:

CIW Certified Internet Webmaster (Foundation)
CIW Certified Internet Webmaster (Security)
Java Certified Programmer
(MCPD) Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
(MCAD/SD) Microsoft Certified Application Developer/ Solutions Developer
(MCSA) Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
(MCSE) Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
(MCITP) Microsoft Certified IT Professional
(MCTS) Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
Course Completion Certificate

When digging deeper, I discovered that each of these accreditations were for very old technologies dating as far back as 2000 (when the latest versions in some cases were 2010). When I enquired, they came back saying that their website hadn't been updated and in most cases, they were all giving out the latest quals. However, I then noticed that the CIW quals and the Java Certified Programmer quals were completely removed (but they still run the course).

Enquiring further, I got the reply back saying that they didn't run the exams for CIW or Java anymore because they changed so much and they couldn't keep up but I was able to get the MS quals. However, I've noticed that the MCTS Course originally mentioned .NET, now it doesn't so I'm not sure which aspect of MCTS they're now teaching. It actually looks like a course where I can get lots of different MS Quals, but none of which is to do with Webdesign. I've now got alarm bells ringing. Is this not false advertising?

So, to my esteemed colleagues out in e-goat land. Should I be concerned at this Company? Has anyone else used them? And what about people in the know, how worthwhile are the MS Courses they are still offering and could I get by without the Java one (it was that that held the most appeal due to its cross over in other job roles).

It all seems a bit of a mine-field to get the best value for my ELC credits and I need some help.

Many thanks all!

 

[Tashy_Man]

Signed up...

Signed up...

I signed up with them through Groupon end of last month, not for any specific course but the package had 2 or 3 that I was interested in doing (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, HTML, etc.)

I haven't spent a lot of time on it so far as it's mainly for when I am at work on the ship for something to work on but I did start the CIW foundations course and so far seems ok (ish) although the course is split into very small bits and it looks like you can't do it all in one go. The first 2 "bits" said they would last about 30 mins each, both were done within about 15 mins. You can also do the "test" before doing the subject to know what you need to study up on.

Crack on................DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[JFOM]

Cheers Tashy,

So are you going to get the CIW qualification after it? As they've told me that they're not doing it anymore.

It's a shame as the whole webmaster course they do, IF it came with all the qualifications that they mention, is ideal and just what I'm after.

 

[Tashy_Man]

Cheers Tashy,

So are you going to get the CIW qualification after it? As they've told me that they're not doing it anymore.

It's a shame as the whole webmaster course they do, IF it came with all the qualifications that they mention, is ideal and just what I'm after.

When I signed up I knew there were no official exams included but you could always do them seperatly.....I dunno how much the courses cost now but I got a years access to all the courses (of a long list) so I can do as many as I want and if wanted or needed will do the exam seperatly.

I wanted to start with the CIW as it's not something I know a lot about so will be a good start to learning again for me.....like I said so far I know more than I thought

Crack on...............DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[iainrm]

exams

exams

If you are going to take the exams stick with the big boys Microsoft/ Cisco etc. They will give you the best option in passing through the HR filters and getting to the interview stage.

Also if you are looking at the exams have a look at "actualtests.com" it will cost you ~$100 for full access but they are remarkably close to the actual exams.

 

[JFOM]

Thanks Tashy and Ian for the advice.

It all seems to be a bit of a mine field. I think my my mind has been made up and I'll go for this company. Hopefully it was just a bad salesman that didn't really know what he was talking about.

Yeah I know, pot calling kettle hehe!

 

[Lisa]

Seeking advice for CIW

Seeking advice for CIW

Thanks Tashy and Ian for the advice.

It all seems to be a bit of a mine field. I think my my mind has been made up and I'll go for this company. Hopefully it was just a bad salesman that didn't really know what he was talking about.

Yeah I know, pot calling kettle hehe!

Hey!
I've done my MCTS course from e-careers and my experience of the entire course was just fine. I am seeking your advice for my cousin who is also interested in pursuing CIW course from e-careers. Have you bought that course..?? and if yes.. is the course content worth the deal....???

Your response is highly anticipated...

Regards
Lisa

 

[JFOM]

Hi Lisa,

I've tonight finally got access to the course so I can finally see what I'm getting.

The CIW side of it does not include an examination (only the MS ones do) although I have managed to secure a Java Programmer exam from them as well.

I would make sure your cousin asks them lots of questions regarding what he is getting. The website is not fully upto date and I only discovered this when I started to ask questions.

The package I went for is the MCTS Training Package which includes MS lessons and exams and lessons only for CIW, JAVA, CISCO and lots of others. It was after I complained and said I was going elsewhere they included JAVA as an exam as well.

Hope this helps and sorry for not being quicker with my reply.

JFOM

 

[Lisa]

Hey, thnx

Hey, thnx

Hey,

Thanks for reverting back. My cousin eats everybody's head so I don't need to tell him. He will definitely ask them tons of questions.

By the way, how is the course layout? Is the deal worth the money spent?

Thnx, yet again
Lisa

 

[mattheww65]

Hi Mate,

I'm working as a web designer/developer by trade at the moment for a large university here in Halifax. I went a slightly different route and got myself a BSc degree in Multimedia Technology which, once you cut through the crap, was basically a collection of individual courses in a whole range of things rolled under a BSc heading...

First off, I'd be wary of a company that offers a webmaster course, yet their own website has >500 errors in itself (http://goo.gl/o3PWX if you don't believe me!) and doesn't seem to keep its site up-to date... bad start...

As to the actual courses, you should choose the route you want to go down and focus on that. In this industry its far better to specialise in one area (ie. Design, Development, SEO, server management, Microsoft Specialist etc.) as opposed to doing lots of 'general' courses. There is no way in the short courses they are offering you could get any sort of useful proficiency in the areas they are offering, unless of course you was planning on using them as a stepping stone to improve your own knowledge, which then presents you with a whole set of new problems...

The only place I really see general courses being useful is if you are planning on working for yourself and 'blundering through' for the first few years. In that case the pieces of paper don't really matter so much anyway!

Sorry to rain on your parade a little mate, just don't want you to join the massive pool of semi-qualified webmaster's with a huge pile of paper that are so much a 'jack of all trades' they can't find a job for love nor money....

 

[JFOM]

Thanks Matt,

To be honest, I don't have the time to go for degrees or anything at the moment. So this was never an option.

The reason for the web design side of things is that I have built a number of websites so I can therefore prove that side of things. I'm an IT geek and can programme in JAVA, ASP and VB but all of this is self taught and so has lots of holes in my knowledge. The other quals listed are for other things I have experience in, but can't really prove.

I can see that the job market is crying out for JAVA programmers that are at least security cleared. Well I'm DV'd so that will help and that is the avenue I'll be pursuing (with web-design as a backup). In April, when I can claim my next ELC I'll be going for project management as I can see that with a lot of jobs it goes hand in hand with JAVA and SC. Although, a lot can happen in the next 9 months so who knows.

As for raining on my parade - well it's a bit late for that as I've started the course(s). But thanks for the advice.