Westwood College

I visited the Chicago Loop campus of Westwood College to research their program in Network Management. I met with an admissions representative and we discussed the program, the admission process, financial aid, and received a campus tour.

As to the admission process I was partially through it before going to the interview because I had completed my application online. I was automatically admitted because I have a bachelor's degree already. I do not have to take the entrance exam or placement test. They waived my application fee for me to enroll in August for the Fall term. I completed all enrollment documents and I was originally going to meet with the program director for the IT program to ask questions about which certification exams are covered in the program and if there was virtual lab software such as Element K to supplement classroom and lab instruction.

I also completed the financial aid process and took a very informative campus tour. We saw all the state-of-the-art computer labs and learned that Westwood was both a Cisco Networking Academy (CCNA Exploration)and a Microsoft IT Academy. This is excellent for a prospective IT professional.

I went home and completed some extra research and found some not so pleasing items. My first stop was a website called Ripoff Report and Westwood had four full pages of complaints about different issues. There were a few about Illinois campuses, although it seems that most were about out of state campuses and the online campus. I saw links to lawsuits from state attorney generals and settlements for obtaining student loan under false pretenses. The parent company is Alta Colleges, Inc. The Better Business Bureau has revoked its accreditation of the school because it did not honor its agreement with the agency. ConsumerAffairs.com also has a lengthy page including an IT professional who was caught by surprise when he could not pass his certification exams. A search of ComplaintBoard.com yields these results.

I will not be attending this institution and I will also take my mom and bother with me because none of us will be scammed.

Interview Skills Bootcamp

I met with my Employment Services Representative today and we discussed the job leads assignment that he had given me two weeks ago, a position for which I had applied, and tacking interviewing skills because he knew that the interviewer for the position was a tough interviewer.

We are going to work on crafting answers to common interview questions, answering them with proper tone in audio format, and then videotape the practice session and rate it. we will be sharing this information with my Inspiration Corporation Career Specialist so he can polish my skills.

Roosevelt Graduate and Undergraduate Openhouse

I attended the openhouse today from 10:00AM - 12:00PM and received much useful information. I spoke with student services, admission, financial aid and the computer science department. I also received a tour includin the amazing new building.

First, I spoke with the Counseling Center, Academic Success Center, Career Development, Admission, Financial Aid, Residence Life and the Computer Science & Information Technology department. I learned about the BS in Network Computing which is the type of program for which I am looking.

I will set an appointment with my admission counselor in order to receive an unofficial evaluation of my transfer credit.

Transfer Expo

I attended the Truman College Transfer Expo and talked with many potential schools which had excellent programs. The most promising were Robert Morris University, AmericanIntercontinental University and Western Governor's University, and Roosevelt University. I got much information.

• Robert Moris University has a Bachelor in Applied Sicence Computer Networking Program
• American Intercontinental University is an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in Network Administration
• Western Governor's University has a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology--Network Administration
• Roosevelt University has a Bachelor of Science in Network Computing

These are added to the other programs intowhich I have already been looking. They are the following:

• DePaul University has a B.S. in Network Technologies
• DeVry University has a Bachelor of Science in Network and Communication Management
• Westwood College has a Bachelor of Applied Science Information and Network Technologies: Network Management

Training Reinterview

Today, I also visited the campus of Computer Systems Institute to learn about the Networking Career Program. This training program Network+ MCP and MCSA.

We discussed costs, courses, and length of program after a confusion was resolved. I had been up there on two other occasions to discuss separately the Business Career Program and the Networking Career Program. I still posses copies of the documents from when I researched and visited the program for WIA.

We toured the campus and I spoke with the instructor of A+/Network+ and was informed that we do use many of the tools we study in the lab sessions during the training. The virtual/blended learning software they use is element K which includes labs, practice tests, practice questions, and many other features.

After the tour we discussed  training grant process and why my career manager advised me not to borrow money in addition to the grant to make sure my training was complete. Someone just starting out should not be placed with a training provider that is a corporate training center. The program I am in now is perfect for those who only need certifications, but not for me because I need more hands on training than is provided.

Career Change Advice

Today I spoke with the CDM Career Advisor about my career change and further education. This discussion helped because it clarified in my mind why I am committed to the course upon which I am about to embark. She was supportive and offered to assist in any way she could.

I am looking at earning a second bachelor's degree in computer networking. The potential programs are DePaul University: BS Network Technologies (Standard), DeVry University: BS Network and Communication Management, Robert Morris: BAS Computer Networking, and Westwood College: BAS Information and Network Technologies (Network Management).

Potential starting points are Certificate - Network Career Program (Computer Systems Institute) or Network Systems and Technologies [AC or AAS] (Harry S. Truman College).

I am in the process of researching programs.

Major Discovery

Today, I attended a workshop entitled "Discovering Your Major" at Harold Washington College. This workshop is meant for students who are intending to transfer to DePaul University weather or not they are in the DAPP.

We discussed how to choose a major and why choose a major. We also learned of exercises we can do when choosing a major including an informational interview with students and faculty about the major.

I am not eligible for DAPP because I have more than 44 quarter hours of credit. However, DePaul is one of the schools on my list for obtaining my education in networking.