[Nykc]

Has anyone had any experience in working with this company. Recently I took some training courses through them when I was employed with my former company. They contacted me and want me to pursue an MCSE and some other certifications as well.

The cost to me was affordable and they also claim to help with job placement once the certifications are received.

Thoughts, suggestions?

[marcells23]

Nykc, on 6 Jul, 2008 - 10:10 AM, said:

Has anyone had any experience in working with this company. Recently I took some training courses through them when I was employed with my former company. They contacted me and want me to pursue an MCSE and some other certifications as well.

The cost to me was affordable and they also claim to help with job placement once the certifications are received.

Thoughts, suggestions?

I havent had any experience with job placement but the classes are pretty good and its a good testing center.

[Nykc]

That's good to hear then. I have an offer with another company, but they made me a real good deal to train for and receive a few of the Microsoft Certifications and the price was right. I just finished my bachelors and now I can earn some certs to top off the resume.

[KYA]

If you don't mind me asking, how much do they charge for the various MS certs you were looking at?

[Nykc]

I don't have 100% of the details as of yet but what I was quoted was $10.00 a month for the first year and $160.00 for the next year.

Including books and cert from my understanding. I will have more details around Tuesday.

[KYA]

Oh, it's a class rather then just the exam...

[Nykc]

Yes complete training and books as well.

[captainhampton]

I have taken A+ and NET+ both through new horizons, pretty straightforward and the price was cheaper because of my classes I was taking at the time. I have usually found vouchers and other various discounts for certifications through this company.

[Nykc]

Would like to follow up and shed some light on the recent events that unfolded since the last post I made to this thread. Anyone interested in this might want to hear what has happened.

I finally received a call about my acceptance in which I can pay the introductory rate of $10.00 a month for the first year.

What they fail to mention is the $268.00 a month after the first year. Yes a 15 year loan through Sallie Mae for $16k.

I told him I just graduated with a bachelors degree from my University in May and am in the hole for $50k as it is. Of course with these certs you can get a job making $75k and pay this off with no problem.

That was my red flag. First off I am in for $110,000.00 already with my Stafford Loans - after interest in tacked on. Now another $16k which amounts to $43k with interest when this is paid off. $153k for a career making $75k? Hardly sounds worth it to me. Besides, I never heard of certifications running 16 large. I understand the teachers will have to get paid etc, but for a few grand of my own or with a company that helps pay for that I can get certifications through self teaching and using google for a fraction of that price.

So now he invited me to a round table with some prominent people in the industry. I emailed him and respectfully declined at this time and explained my concerns.

Either way I don't want to totally burn my bridges, but I did stress to him the cost and timing are not in my favor at this moment.

Just a heads up for anyone who might encounter a similar scenario.

[KYA]

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. 16k for such a cert does seem pricey, especially when CISSP exams are what, ~$600?

[Nykc]

Yeah all of those certs are cheaper. Plus many companies will pay for the certs. They are trying to get you for the schooling portion of it.

[skaoth]

Have you tried looking into a local community college that may offer one of the MCxx certifications?

[Nykc]

As long as they offer the certification testing without the classes. or else the purpose has been defeated.

I already invested 48k in schooling. I don't mind dropping 2-3k in certs, but not another 16k in schooling.

[no2pencil]

The problem with certs being cheap (six to eight hundred) is if you don't pass them, you've waisted your money. I say, read up, & take the tests when you are ready. That school does sound like a complete rip off!

Thank you for the follow up, & sharing your findings.