Certification vs AAS

[BK201]

I've just recently started school this summer semester, going for my AAS (computer specialist: web programmer track). It is a local community college, that's my only option as of now. The thing that's frustrating me though is about half of the courses required to get this degree, I'm starting to lean toward just getting the certification... Looking for some advice on the matter.

 

My big.. rather pertinent problems with this AAS (64 credit hours):

Right now I'm taking some stupid Web Development class teaching me HTML, CSS, and Dreamweaver. I'm enrolled in the summer semester which is an 16 week course in 8 weeks and I'm doing this class with my eyes closed, I literally pop open my book the night before a project is due and finish the whole two weeks worth of assignments in an hour or two. Now that would be fine, but that's the ONLY class on HTML and CSS wtf? I can't to shit with what I'm being taught realistically, I already know the basics. The even bigger problem is there is no course on PHP in this "web programmer" ASS.. The only classes I'd be taking that are really applicable is an INTRO javascript class, and another non-advanced AJAX class. There's database classes I'll be taking which is great, I need those. But yet I have to take visual basic, advanced visual basic, and java, 3 non technical electives, speech, english, etc. Oh and I have to take intro to flash and flash 1 (ok that's fine, but not over advanced PHP, JS, AJAX, ASP.NET, etc. ). I feel like generally this is just a waste of my time, spending these two years and learning majoritarily things I don't need to know, while leaving out the things do.

 

On the other hand, regarding the certification (31 credit hours):

It hits on all the points I need to know, with technical electives. I'm really leaning towards getting this instead. My problem is that I'm really concerned that with just this certificate I won't be able to land any jobs. I've taught myself PHP, and become quite good at it. I fully intend to extend my knowledge on my own beyond the scope it seems I can be taught here. But I'm just curious if anyone has any kind of information on these, like do employers actually consider them when hiring; or is it just like a certificate meh.

[KevinM1]

Employers really don't care about the pieces of paper potential entry level employees wave in front of them.  They're more concerned with:

 

A. What the potential employees do know

B. If they're teachable

[kicken]

Sounds about like the community college I went to.  I seem to recall that the adviser's had said an AAS degree would transfer better if in the future I decided to try and continue on to a higer degree.  I never did so I'm not entirely sure if that statement is accurate or not.

 

I agree with KevinM1 though, the paper is generally less important than being able to prove your skills during an interview.  The only thing there is you have to be able to make it to the interview process in the first place.  Last time I was on the hunt for some work I had a issues with a few places pretty much ignoring my applications due to not having a bachelors degree listed. 

 

I'd probably say either get the certificate (maybe a couple if possible) or spend the time to get at least a Bachelor's level degree rather than AAS.

 

[BK201]

That's my real concern, I know I can prove that I'm the best choice IF I can get an interview. My fear is what you were saying, that employers won't even bother looking because of it just being a certificate. I think I know what I'm going to do. The web certificate is basically obtained while getting your ASS excluding one class. I'll focus on getting the certificate while figuring out which university I want to go to and talor my classes to what I need in order to transfer to the university.

[ignace]

If you don't have a bachelor's degree but you are, like kicken, over-qualified, just list one. The end justifies the means. At least it might get you in the job interview room.

 

They are not going to fire you because you lied on your interview if you have been delivering good work so far. Just hope they don't find out on day one

[.josh]

 

If you are looking to get hired as an employee somewhere (as opposed to freelancing/contract work), employers still very much care about that piece of paper, and you will most certainly be able to get your foot in the door with it, depending on how silver-tongued you are.  Now, whether you can keep afloat is another story...

 

Alternatively if you can provide an awesome portfolio of work you've done, and good references (business references, like from clients), then some employers might be willing to overlook a lack of degree in something.  It would help if you try to get them to try you out as a freelancer first.

 

But if you are looking to just do freelance/contract work, unless you are actually learning something, you are wasting your time and money. 

 

 

 

 

[Adam]

[...] then some employers might be willing to overlook a lack of degree in something. [...]

 

I disagree, I'm with Kevin on this one. From my experience the people doing the hiring are a little more down to Earth these days, and appreciate that a degree is not required to be good at the job. It's probably a regional thing though..