Programming College Advice

[mathgirl32]

I don't really think either school will be a waste of your money. I've seen plenty of jobs in both options. However, you indicated you want to develope software? If that is so, then go to school #2. I think it would be helpful to do some researching on your own if money is a really big concern. Look on some job search engines like flipdog, monster, and yahoo hotjobs, so you can see first hand what is available. There are so many variables in your decision....you should consider available jobs (as you've mentioned), feasibility, what YOU LIKE, etc....

My advice/opinion is to come to the table with a pretty good idea of what you want and then ask for specific objective advice.....most opinions (mine included) carry very little relevant weight when taken out of context.

[moby_duck]

if i were a Canadian looking at your options right now i would choose #2 because it looks more like a community college that might help me get into the University of Toronto. of course, i'm biased towards 4-year degrees. school #1 is clearly a trade school for IT. ultimately i wouldn't trust the opinions of strangers i met on AO.

[aeallison]

For what its worth... I never went to school for what I know, although I wish I were 20 years younger and without major obligations to distract me. School number 1 will give you the more impressive resume for a job search, school number 2 will get you into the courses you will need to fulfil your goals ( some of them anyway ). Number 1 will pull you in on most of the jobs in todays computer related networking jobs, an employer who is hiring some one for security or for a systems admin, etc. using MicroSoft's products will want to see all of the features of school 1.

Number 2 will mostly cater to someone who will be into business level programming, databases, etc., if this is where you have your mindset, then definately this school.

It would be a lot easier for us to give you a more positive recomendation if you were just a bit more concise about your future plans...do you want to progam games, or business/productivity genre applications?

Do you want to work for someone else? Or do you prefer to go it on your own?

I ask these questions because without the resume with all of those microsoft courses and certificates, considering today's job market in this field, I cannot find a lucrative job within 200 miles of where I live in the rural midwest. Employers here either expect a college degree, or several years experience with a "known" business/corporation, with valid references, or the application immediately gets filed under "T" for trash.
I have found that if I wish to remain in this field I need to go back to school and waste my money, and time, to get a piece of paper that says I passed all the tests needed to "maybe" be proficiant in whatever is printed on its face... Or go it on my own and try to compete with these large multi-million dollar corporations. ( Sad thing is I could teach most of the courses I would have to take. )

I highly reccomend going to school and getting that piece of paper whatever you choose.

[HTRegz]

Hey Hey -- SMiL3Y

TriOS is a great idea if you can do it.. I almost went there but the time constraints killed me... you're saying both will cost about $5000... I dunno where your getting those numbers from you must not be looking at the full year course at TriOS
They offer their two full year courses in Programming and Networking.. which you walk away from with a diploma and serveral certifications (I know the Networking was a Network Engineer Diploma and 7 Certifications) but the cost is 18,205... if you are looking at doing less than the full year course.. I'd say don't do it... Go for the college.. I dunno about Centennial. but I'm at Fanshawe College in London right now.. and their computer courses are great.... I'm not taking the CPA (Computer Programmer Analyst) course... I'm doing Networking. but i know programming here is going to be really decent.. I spent 2 years going threw Colleges and Universities in Ontario trying to choose somewhere to go... here's what I came up with if it's of any help to you

Universities
Networking - Carleton University (Ottawa)
Programming - University of Guelph (Guelph)
Programming - University of Waterloo (Waterloo)

Colleges
Networking - RCC (Toronto..Next to York University)
Networking - Fanshawe College (London)
Networking - Sault College (Sault Ste. Marie)
Programming - Fanshawe College (London)

Hopefully that will help you out a lil... I know it's not giving you an opinion on the two.. but that's because the schools you are comparing are way to different.. Centennial is a real college where as TriOS is a crash course... You have to have a VERY good understanding of computers to walk into a TriOS course... I'd spent 10 years in computers when I took their two aptitude tests (speaking of which if you haven't talked to them much yet.. you have to take 2 aptitude tests to gain entrance) I aced them both.. but they said no one had ever done that before.... and also they just recently gain acceptance as a place where you can obtain diploma's.. 5 years ago they were only certifications...

Like I said I looked into TriOS (i even have a keychain and still get email from them) but they're a private institution where as Centennial is public..... I'd say go with the course at Centennial.. I'm guessing yer from Scarborough and trying to stay in that relative area.... I'd look into RCC's programming course.. it wouldn't be that bad of a commute to get to York. and it'll be slightly more expensive but you'll get the best bang for your buck.. otherwise look into leaving the area and trying another school.. again I highly recommend Fanshawe... they cover everything.. provide you with a laptop (tuition is higher than other colleges because of that, but it's worth it) and all the software you need.. plus MSDN Academic Alliance access so u can download any MS product free of charge and have legal keys and all that crap.... as well they'll provide you with a SCO shell and they have plenty of other stuff.. it's great there..

There's my opinion for ya

[MrLinus]

Geez. And what about Seneca?

I'd actually stay away from Trios. I've worked as an instructor for another Private School (The Institute for Computer Studies) and Trios has a really poor rep when it came to instructors.

[owen76]

hey aeallison, that is sad about the school thing. If you have all the skills why won't they hire?
I am in school now and if I went in without knowing anything and relied on what was taught to me(like many of my classmates) I would be up a creek.