Online Software Engineering Degrees
Insider tips for choosing and succeeding in the right school and career
School Surprises
"Surprise: I Could Do My Assignments On My Own Time, I Never Had To Be Available For A Class Time...
What surprised me most was the flexibility as opposed to a normal class where you had to show up. I took both online class and 'in class' classes while attending ITT Tech so it offered me great flexibility since I worked the night shift at the time. I was able to turn in assignments at the very last possible minute if I needed to which at many times was very late at night or very early in the morning. It would have taken me much longer to graduate if I didn't have online classes available. The instructors were also very helpful and I liked the ability to read materials and take tests at my own pace." (Software Developer; 2013)
"Practical Work For Stay At Home Mom...
I was surprised that it took me so long to finish even if it was online I still had a lot of work and it took many hours of homework to get through it." (2000; 2014)
"Modern Instruction Techniques...
Some professors were willing to let go of the traditional classroom, others wanted to mimic it in an online setting. Personally I got nothing out of mandatory forum discussions. I follow the modern idea of, "Give me all the data and a few good analogies to map it to and I'll take it from there"." (software developer; 2014)
"Learning To Program Is Easier Than You Might Think...
I was surprised at how easy it would be to learn the Python programming language itself. I was also surprised (and impressed) that the Udacity software runs in a browser, meaning I didn't have to install an integrated development environment ($) to learn to code." (Archival Technician; 2014)
"Comparable To A Non-Online Setting...
I was surprised at how comparable the program was to a traditional university setting. Most of the program was very challenging and I didn't feel like I was getting less of an education by doing it online. I was able to go through all the coursework and I felt like I would be able to compete with any student that took the class in a regular setting." (IT developer; 2014)
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Best School Tips
"You've Got To Want It...
You have to be your own advocate, and you have to force yourself to want to learn it. Online instructors are less capable of hand holding / tutoring." (software developer; 2014)
"Share Your Code With The World...
Do not hesitate to look for information outside the class materials. Use Source Control software or a repository like GitHub to both track and share your code. This also gives you another form of resume for potential employers and coding partners." (Archival Technician; 2014)
"Just Say No To Student Loans !...
I would pay as you go do not take out student loans they will never get away from you." (2000; 2014)
"Get Your Work Done In A Timely Fashion...
I would advise you to keep up with the course material rather than let it build up and have to do it all at towards the end of the course. Many courses offer you flexibility to do assignments and tests as you please as long as they are all done by a specific date. I know many people that often let assignments build up until just before the due date and often didn't do as well in the class as they could have because they let assignments build up." (Software Developer; 2013)
"Be Strong, Show Some Character...
Take it very seriously and treat it as if someone was there to watch over you. It's very easy to start feeling lazy when no one pushes you but yourself, but you have to show some restraint and some willpower." (IT developer; 2014)