Considering a career change

[student75]

Hi,

I have been thinking of going into graphic design for at least five years now. I am now finally making the move.
Problem is I work full time and need to continue working full time. I need to either take the program part time or online. Here in Toronto I can't seem to find any schools offering part time programs. I found an online program with International Academy of Design & Technology. The program is double if not triple in price than a college program but I apparently get all the programs and tools needed included in the price.

My question is will I be taken seriously in this field if I were to get my education thru this program? I have asked a friend that is a Graphic Designer and she implied that the order people are considered for jobs are as follows: Sheridan College,Ontario College of Arts and then other colleges and universities. She said I would be considered last and with the field being saturated, I probably wouldn't be considered.

Please, anyone, give me some advice. I feel defeated.

Thanks, S

[morea]

Hi and welcome aboard.

I'd recommend a look over the following thread before making any final decisions:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32942


In GD, your odds are getting hired seem to be as much about what your personal portfolio looks like as where you got your training. There's some helpful information on that subject posted here:

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048

[gigabitz]

morea is right
your portfolio outweighs your education and experience. however your portfolio relflects your education or exp.

[budafist]

I found an online program with International Academy of Design & Technology. The program is double if not triple in price than a college program but I apparently get all the programs and tools needed included in the price.

What programs would that be exactly? Post the programs on here and we can let you know if they are usefull or not. Is it really worth the triple price tag? Do your homework and try and work it out yourself if you are getting a good deal. Student prices on software is substantially cheaper than standard pricing.

My question is will I be taken seriously in this field if I were to get my education thru this program? I have asked a friend that is a Graphic Designer and she implied that the order people are considered for jobs are as follows: Sheridan College,Ontario College of Arts and then other colleges and universities. She said I would be considered last and with the field being saturated, I probably wouldn't be considered.

People look see first if you have an education and experience, then if you have a killer portfolio that gets you an interview. If you interview well too, then what school you went to never even needs to come into it.

[Craig B]

Buda, i think the OP meant the "course program" not "software program" ...

;)

[Typically]

i don't know about IADT online courses but i went to IADT in tampa. It was a decent school and kind of expensive. Of course they remodel and get a new building the year i leave but that's how life is :D

it's more about what you can do rather than where you went. of course this isn't always true but if you can put having a good portfolio will get you farther then where you went to school

[budafist]

Buda, i think the OP meant the "course program" not "software program" ...

;)

Oh ok. We had an animation course here that gave students a computer with software loaded as part of their course fee. They only got to take it home when they graduated though. That way all students had exactly the same computer and same programs. Basically during your study years you got a brand new computer with no programs. As you learned each program, it was bought for you and installed so that when you left you were set. It's not unheard of. Not sure if they still do that now though. That was about 7 years ago.