Forum Moderators: mack
I'm taking a class right now at a local community college on Dreamweaver MX 2004 and I'm really excited about getting involved in web site design and maintenance.
Any recommendations on pursuing this further: (ie. additional classes to take, vocational cert. or go and get another 4-year degree?)
Thanks for your help
KL
IMHO any 'schools' that teach website design, development, marketing, optimization, etc... are only good for the basics (if you're lucky). All of the schools that I've looked at are about 2-3 years behind the curve or are taught by people who either think they know the material or are wannabes. I've yet to find one school worth coughing up the cash they ask for.
You'd be better off squirreling away time to educate yourself using online classes, reading, and experimenting. WebmasterWorld covers everything you need to get started in any of the directions you wish to pursue. If you don't know which direction to pursue (or even what they are) you can start researching here to find out what they are or post a question to get some help.
The biggest issue with a formal classroom setting is going to be how dated the material is. It's very hard for an instructor to teach to a fixed curriculum let alone one that moves with the changes in the industry. And our industry is very fluid.
All that being said, if you really want to take a class then find the students that have graduated from the class you're interested in and ask them for their opinions of the class, the instructor, and the teaching methods. Be critical - memorizing HTML elements is not the way to spend a semester! Also ask them what they learned and if they would take it again. In some cases, and for some people (because we all learn differently), a formal setting may be just the thing to get your feet wet and get your headed in the right direction. Just don't count on what you learn in the classroom to be the final word.
The biggest lesson to be learned in this industry is how to think. Critical thinking and the ability to research and locate answers is the biggest part of learning how to work in this industry and it's an ongoing process. I once had fortune to read a report put out by the Association of American Colleges. In it they described 9 points they felt were the minimum elements that should be taught in any undergraduate school. The number 1 point was "Inquiry, abstract logical thinking, and critical analysis". Keep these tools in your kit bag and you'll go far.
I've been reading up on HTML and will eventually get to JAVA (kinda slow with it right now, but I'm sure I'll get it).
I'm looking into doing web develop./maintenance as either a part-time or full-time gig for the near future, so I appreciate the advice.
There is a scenario I can imagine though, where a paper qualification would be invaluable. Lets imagine you are applying for a designers job. They have shortlisted you and another developer for the position. Both your work is first class and your abbilaties are on par. You have a qualifation , the other designer doesnt. That may well be enough to swing it in your favour.
Mack.
