Online education

[Skyhigh4by]

Just wondering what you guys think about it? Ive heard that its gaining popularity and is getting respect in the industry.

I am bitterly un-happy with my line of work as a drywaller, I actually just dont like the construction industry as a whole. I would like to get a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering but I am to far into adult life to drop everything and go to school full time. Online I could do the courses in my spare time while still having a full time job.

Anyone have any opinions or input???

 

[jmaz268]

It is a great thing.....but I can tell you statistics that will scare you on actual completion rates.

I was a Guidance Counselor for Civilian education for the army and our rate is about 65-75% who sign up, don't finish. That is the National Guard side too.....so they have free time.

It takes alot of motivation and drive to actually finish the classes you sign up for.

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

I don't attend an online college but I take online classes at my local college trying to get my mechanical engineering degree. I too work full time in the construction industry, I am a heavy equipment mechanic for Caterpillar. I want to get out of the industry. I have been taking classes 2 at a time every semester. I will say that it takes a ton of discipline to make yourself do your homework everyday after working an 8-10hr shift. I pretty much don't have a life outside of work and school. I really hope that is gonna be worth it in the end. At 2 classes a semester, its gonna take me right at 7 years to graduate Thats a long time to be committed to something. I firmly believe that you will never regret furthering your education. Best of luck:thumb:

 

[Sledhead]

I taught some electrical courses using a blend of classroom and online activities and was actually surprised at the effectiveness. Ensure the institution is reputable, some don't last as long as the course.

 

[496 BB]

I actually just dont like the construction industry as a whole. I would like to get a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering but I am to far into adult life to drop everything and go to school full time. Online I could do the courses in my spare time while still having a full time job.

Anyone have any opinions or input???

Man I feel ya on this. Its all Ive ever known. Its just too much effort/headache anymore running a business. All these double dipping idiots on unemployment out there undercutting and everything else its just not worth it. This industry has really gone down hill in the last 5 years. Its hard to complete with the mexi's and the sanford and sons. Wife says I should get out of it because she knows Im unhappy but I wouldnt know what else to do that pays as good or has the satisfaction level of completion as this does.

I knew I should have been a porn star.

 

[Skyhigh4by]

LOL its pretty easy to see completion as a pornstar :rofl:

One thing for us in Canada is we dont have the mexicans to compete with. Ive heard things about it down there though and it sounds tough. The industry here is as busy as its ever been I would say. The economic downturn didnt seem to last long but like you I found that there were just to many "losers" in the industry and it makes it hard to have any self respect for me doing this.

One thing Ive thought about is that if I was paying for these courses myself then I would have more motivation to complete them and maybe not want to drop out.

7 years is a long time and I could only imagine how hard it must be to keep up good work ethic knowing that its going to be that long. One thing I have going for me is the flexibility of my current trade being self employed. I have the option to only work as much as I need to pay my bills and the pay is actually decent for what I do(55K+/yr), the rest of the time I could focus on school.

 

[496 BB]

Yea you drywallers are getting paid. I know I only use American drywallers here and the guy I got now is really good...but hes really pricey too. But for me thats fine cause I dont have to babysit his ass when Im not there.

Hell the construction industry here is shot. Noone wants to pay the premium for good quality work with a GUARANTEE. People are either too dumb to realize the estimate they just got that was 80% lower than mine is too good to be true or they tackle themselves because it only takes 30 minutes on Home & Garden TV to tile a shower area. I used to be so busy I was scheduled out for 8 months. Not anymore. I guess I need to start advertising since Ive never done that in the past but I just cant wrap my head around the ROI in this economy.

Maybe I'll just file for welfare and drink beer all day like everyone else seems to be doing these days

 

[403turbo]

I took "distance learning" courses as part of a traditional engineering BS degree. Mind you most of these were not core courses, they were the liberal arts fluffy BS that I had to take. I hated them! I struggled to stay focused and get them done. I would much rather have a live class room then a video, or computer based class any day. I have a feeling that it depends on each person, how you learn, what your strengths are etc.

I also really got miffed caused I didn't feel like I was getting my monies worth.

 

[millerman04]

I really have a lot of respect for you all. Im only 24, and it seems you have more gumption then what i do to go back to school. id like to go back, but i just dont know what for. Id much rather be on a dozer all day working. Or where i am now selling beer!!! But anymore i know the construction industry is about a thing of the past. Its hard to find a happy medium anymore i think to where you make the money and are happy with your career choice.

 

[custom8726]

You could always just do evening classes, I spent 5 years working full time in the logging & residential tree removal buisness, while attending classes 4 nights a week. On top of that I was comuting 100 miles a day between work and school.. I tried a couple on line courses and just could not stay focused and or motivated enough to keep good grades.. Good luck which ever route you choose:thumb:

 

[Skyhigh4by]

It seems alot of you guys are saying that its tough to focus online. That worries me a bit as I feel I could be easily distracted. My first step coming up is moving back in with family to do some upgrading because I was a real turd in high school and was to busy with girls, drugs, and drinking to bother with it. So that will be the first test to even see if Im ready for it.

Alot of people around here go on about how these are the greatest times theyve ever seen to be in the construction industry. I wasnt around for the big downturn in the 80's but I hear it was pretty bad. In the past 10 years more custom homes are being built and alot of extravagent things that keep people excited to go to work each day. I just dont feel that way about it myself. To each his own.

By the way Im also 24 years old.

 

[Sledhead]

It will only get harder (ie: impossible) to go back later. I went back a couple of times at least and it has payed off.

From an Instructor, please listen to some advice; Do not dive into something without doing a lot of research. Look into your career ideas and examine the job duties, shift requirements, rate of pay, travel requirements, hours of work, steady employment, etc. What you think a job involves may not be the case.

When you have it narrowed down, go to employers and ask them what credentials they look for and from which schools. DO NOT take a schools word that this is the course to take.

Do not rule out something related to your trade. You have a lot of knowledge, skills, and contacts which are very useful.

Don't expect to get a job after schooling and that will be it. "Careers" seem to only last 5 years these days. I've had 5 employers in the last 6 years. I'm 44 years old.

You may find this interesting (not necessarily my views); http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

Sorry for the long post but I really want to help.

 

[Skyhigh4by]

Thank you, I will just have to see what happens after I go through with my upgrading.

I know I have many options. One thing that I havent ruled out is the Canadian Forces which is part of the whole engineering thing.