[wplug] OT: Going back to school (college/trade)

[Duncan Hutty]

scoob8000 wrote:
> So I'm back to thinking about taking advantage of my employer's tuition
> reimbursement program.
> 
> What schools can any of you recommend for someone that works full time and
> would like to go to class in the evenings a few nights during the week?
> 
> Classes will have to be geared towards the telecom/IT field, but would like
> to stay on the linux side of the house.  I've had enough "Windows Server"
> classes.

I don't think anyone here's going to recommend "Windows Server" classes:)

So the first thing is to decide what you want and why. Are you trying to 
achieve a particular goal? Obtain a particular skillset? Are you 
"merely" trying to improve your education in general? Or do you want to 
study something that fits in with your existing career goals.

If you're looking for training with particular tools ("linux side of the 
house"), then I think the universities will be mostly disappointing and 
you'll do better with training classes/certification prep (but pick 
carefully!).

However, I would consider the fact that tools go in and out of fashion 
quickly, but a good background and good grasp of fundamental concepts 
will be more beneficial and last a lot longer.

Nowadays there are lots of options for education particularly if you 
have varied interests. Several well respected universities publish 
audio/video of many different classes. http://openculture.com is good 
place to start looking. Of course there are advantages and 
disadvantages, but there is likely some value.

-- 
Duncan Hutty