Becoming a Web Developer/Designer

[kittyspree]

Hi,

I'm looking to become a Web Developer/Designer, and i am a little confused about what I should major/minor in, and what type of courses i should take that will help me to be competitive in the field. :confused: Can anyone give me any suggestions?

Much appreciated. Thanks. :cool:

[Compguy Pete]

Do you have any technical colleges around you?

Most have a graphic designer or web department.

If there are websites to schools in your area post them and I'm sure the members here will get you pointed in the right direction.

[kittyspree]

I have only the University of Maryland in Germany near me. I'm currently deployed overseas with my husband, in Germany. The school offers a BS degree majoring in Computer and Information Science or Computer Studies. I can't figure out which is best. I need to figure out what type of classes i should take.

[Compguy Pete]

I guess then your going to have to look into distance learning... There are a number of places to take classes online.

Here is a couple of sites to get you started.
http://www.w3schools.com/
http://www.hwg.org/

I would start with graphics class, then HTML after that take a class about CSS...

From there you should look at another topic area. But get those basics down the graphics is a must for sure IMO.

[kittyspree]

Thanks for the tips...i'm going to definately look into them.
:)

[James L.]

www.weavingtheweb.net

[georgeandme]

I'm in California, and I am searching for a good school for Web Development.
I was looking into a tech schools like ITT and Devry, but I’ve been told they just sucker in people like Heald College. They say that most employers want teaching from universities, but what are some good ones in CA?

Anyone know?
Thanks

George

[MotherNatrsSon]

DeVry has changed from a "standards based" program to a M$ proprietary based program. I have a friend that goes to DeVry and anything he does only works in IE M$ ....javascripts, you name it......

MNS

[Compguy Pete]

OH well here I go... Let's see if I can sort this out.

I have yet to find a "university" that has a web developer program. I'm not saying their not out there but I just have yet to find one.

Let's take a moment and compare 2 of the schools here in Duluth, MN.

UMD - University of Minnesota, Duluth.
They have a graphics program however in that program they do not teach you how to use the programs of the trade like Quark, Photoshop, Illustrator and so on. On the flip-side you know the history and the how's and why's of ads and graphic design.

DBU - Duluth Business University
A school very much like ITT and Devry, it's a career school... Your trained to work a job and in the graphics program there you're taught the how and why's of ads and graphics but they focus on how to use the programs. This believe it or not is much more valueable to a company. Because they don’t have to train you or worry about spending extra money while you figure out how to use Quark or Dreamweaver.

From the Ad agencies I've talked with they prefer interns and new employees from DBU for that very reason. They know how to use the tools of the trade.

If I had it to do all over again... I would do this... Go to a 4 year program for Marketing then go to a trade school for web design and graphics.

OR if 6 years of school to do web deign doesn’t do it for ya... Just do the trade school and then intern at a couple of places once you’re done.

Good luck!