Student Experiences at Western Governors University (WGU)

petedude

erpadmin wrote: »

So, I take it your a sys admin at a shoe store and your name is Al Bundy?

Quit stealing my thunder! That's my job to tease everyone about their slips!

erpadmin

petedude wrote: »

Quit stealing my thunder! That's my job to tease everyone about their slips!

Hey, MWC is one of my favorite all-time shows....I couldn't resist!

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

earweed wrote: »

I've never received ANYTHING except a sticker. Maybe when I graduate they'll give me something.

They will. It's called a degree Sorry, I couldn't resist.

kkearney75

I did some classroom hours en route to the associate's, but mostly CLEP/DSST.

This is how I obtained both my undergrad degrees!

I just finished up my EWB on Friday, only took me about six hours of work. Most of it is pretty intuitive stuff.

Looking forward to my AAV on Tuesday and then moving onto my first course, Leadership.:)

erpadmin

Well 3/5 of LAT1 is completed. It's all about the draft paper AND final paper now! Got a whole week to do it, but I'm shooting for Wednesday at the earliest and Sunday at the extreme latest. When I'm done with this, I will give a final brief review of this class. Ebscohost [which I have through work, as well], Google Books and the WGU ebrary are definitely your friends for this task (plus a good google search for a couple of newspaper articles). LUT1 should be wrapped up as I have to get one more friend to do the BS presentation, and then all the English classes are done.

I scheduled 1d0-510 (WFV1) for Friday (please humor me and re-remind me that this is easy and aside from HTML, what else I should brush up on... ).
My plan of attack for this exam will be to answer the first 54 questions I find first that are "easy" and then go back answer the remainder as best I can. Only 54 questions are enough to pass this exam (63% of 85=54 [53.55). I will spend some good time on the HTML and I'm hoping for the pass. I will not waste bytes on listing it as a cert, but I will note it here that (when) I pass!

Really glad I took the week off for this. I really needed it!

veritas_libertas

What is your paper on?

erpadmin

veritas_libertas wrote: »

What is your paper on?

It's a study of gentrification and the pros and cons of what it does to neighborhoods. It's basically a "for-it" paper while removing the negative stigmas that come with gentrifying low-income neighborhoods.

I wanted my topic to be something unique in that I was somewhat familiar but not as familiar as, say, personal finance or technology. I did want to challenge myself a bit, and with this topic, I think I definitely did.

jmasterj206

erpadmin wrote: »

Well 3/5 of LAT1 is completed. It's all about the draft paper AND final paper now! Got a whole week to do it, but I'm shooting for Wednesday at the earliest and Sunday at the extreme latest. When I'm done with this, I will give a final brief review of this class. Ebscohost [which I have through work, as well], Google Books and the WGU ebrary are definitely your friends for this task (plus a good google search for a couple of newspaper articles). LUT1 should be wrapped up as I have to get one more friend to do the BS presentation, and then all the English classes are done.

I scheduled 1d0-510 (WFV1) for Friday (please humor me and re-remind me that this is easy and aside from HTML, what else I should brush up on... ).
My plan of attack for this exam will be to answer the first 54 questions I find first that are "easy" and then go back answer the remainder as best I can. Only 54 questions are enough to pass this exam (63% of 85=54 [53.55). I will spend some good time on the HTML and I'm hoping for the pass. I will not waste bytes on listing it as a cert, but I will note it here that (when) I pass!

Really glad I took the week off for this. I really needed it!

You will do fine. I only glanced over the MCMCSE study guide before I took the test. I never cracked the books. (Though I had recently recerted the a+, net+, sec+, and proj+). All of my questions wrong came from the HTML section. I've had HTML experience, just a little rusty. I pulled 100% on the other two domains. To me, the CIW exams are easier than Comptia.

jmasterj206

I'm really starting to think about changing my emphasis over to Security. I just don't know if Micro$oft will offer revised books for the exams since they changed over to R2. Though Server 2003-08 is probably a more weaker area on my resume. I've got a few months to think it over anyway.

erpadmin

jmasterj206 wrote: »

I'm really starting to think about changing my emphasis over to Security. I just don't know if Micro$oft will offer revised books for the exams since they changed over to R2. Though Server 2003-08 is probably a more weaker area on my resume. I've got a few months to think it over anyway.

The changes aren't as drastic as many would have you believe between regular 2008 and 2008 R2. As long as you supplement your 2008 with the R2 materials from technet and other guides, you really will be fine for the exams. The major difference is that R2 can ONLY go on 64-bit hardware (there is no 32-bit 2008 R2). If you decide to stay the course, you'll be fine.

Personally, for me to go over to Security, I envision spending extra money on a Cisco lab. I am of the school where you do and learn it (in this case, Cisco) right, or don't do it all. A CCNA may be in the cards for me at some point of my life (not necessarily career), but only to supplement my IT knowledge, not to get that $500k a year network engineering guru job [Yes, Virginia, that was an exaggeration...a gross one at that--point is I won't be highlighting a CCNA prominentif/when I do get one on my resume.]

BTW, thanks for the prior post about the CIW exam. That's really what I was looking to hear. I do want to get at least one HTML question right, but if that's not going to be a deal breaker, then I think I'll be fine with the other stuff. The MCMCSE guide is very good for that, plus the SumITUp too. I'll be reading both of those up until Friday.

veritas_libertas

jmasterj206 wrote: »

I'm really starting to think about changing my emphasis over to Security. I just don't know if Micro$oft will offer revised books for the exams since they changed over to R2. Though Server 2003-08 is probably a more weaker area on my resume. I've got a few months to think it over anyway.

Another consideration is to just drop from having emphasis, period. I have considered doing that myself. Then you can just work on Cisco or Microsoft on your own time.

powerfool

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Another consideration is to just drop from having emphasis, period. I have considered doing that myself. Then you can just work on Cisco or Microsoft on your own time.

Yep, specialization seems to be a thing of the past. The key now is to have a good comprehension of many topics and the ability to dive in and learn specifics for your projects as needed. I know that many will disagree, but there are so many areas where this is the case: small IT shops where they cannot afford several specialists, consulting organizations where your billability matters and being more broad makes your more marketable, and jobs higher up the ladder.

Furthermore, if you are looking towards management, specialists seem to have a very hard time making that leap. Have a few areas with deep knowledge, and then focus on project and/or process management (PMP and/or ITIL).

veritas_libertas

powerfool wrote: »

Yep, specialization seems to be a thing of the past. The key now is to have a good comprehension of many topics and the ability to dive in and learn specifics for your projects as needed. I know that many will disagree, but there are so many areas where this is the case: small IT shops where they cannot afford several specialists, consulting organizations where your billability matters and being more broad makes your more marketable, and jobs higher up the ladder.

Furthermore, if you are looking towards management, specialists seem to have a very hard time making that leap. Have a few areas with deep knowledge, and then focus on project and/or process management (PMP and/or ITIL).

Agreed. At this point I'm only doing the specialization because it will force me to get the CCNA done in a timely fashion.

erpadmin

powerfool wrote: »

Yep, specialization seems to be a thing of the past. The key now is to have a good comprehension of many topics and the ability to dive in and learn specifics for your projects as needed. I know that many will disagree, but there are so many areas where this is the case: small IT shops where they cannot afford several specialists, consulting organizations where your billability matters and being more broad makes your more marketable, and jobs higher up the ladder.

Furthermore, if you are looking towards management, specialists seem to have a very hard time making that leap. Have a few areas with deep knowledge, and then focus on project and/or process management (PMP and/or ITIL).

You are actually kinda right and kinda wrong.

First of all, I came from a small shop in the very beginning, and it was always the case to know everything, because hey, there's only 3-4 of us. We couldn't just be a help desk guy, a server guy, a router guy, a web developer, etc., etc., we had to do all of it. The GREAT thing about that is you get to touch everything that encompasses IT (which is why you are right). Where the disagreement starts though is where you say specialization will be the thing of the past. What makes jack-of-all-trades BAD is that while you do touch everything, you won't have time to REALLY master a particular skill that's needed, but you will always be good enough (and that's at best) to just make whatever work. Which is why that setup doesn't work in large shops (and doesn't need to).

If something has to be contracted out for something particular, we're not going to look for a JOAT. We're gonna look for someone who can do whatever it is we're looking for really well. It's a bonus if he knows some other things in general, but if a shop needs a guru, they're pretty much out there.

But bottomline, specialization isn't going anywhere in large shops.

The management bit is something I can definitely agree to. A good IT manager doesn't need to perform everything (and that's not his/her job to do anyway), but does have to be familiar with it enough...especially when he/she has good BS detector to call someone out.

It isn't the captain of the ship that pilots it, fixes it, or secures it; it's the people under him that do that. HOWEVER, if he needed to, he could do it under extreme emergencies, but his main job is to make sure the ship is in top shape so that he can go where needed.

pham0329

Anyone here have a contact for a supervisor or someone in management in the enrollment department? I applied for WGU back in September, paid the application fee, took the assessment and passed...and haven't heard from my enrollment counselor since. Left several messages/emails but haven't heard from anyone. Quite ****** off at the moment.

BlackBella

pham0329 wrote: »

Anyone here have a contact for a supervisor or someone in management in the enrollment department? I applied for WGU back in September, paid the application fee, took the assessment and passed...and haven't heard from my enrollment counselor since. Left several messages/emails but haven't heard from anyone. Quite ****** off at the moment.

Who was your enrollment person? I'll look for the # when I get home. I applied the same time and had no problem.

SephStorm

FYI:

WGU Student Services Extends Hours
October 4, 2010

We’re pleased to announce extended hours of operation in Student Services. We’re here to answer your call or email Monday through Friday 6 am – midnight MT, and Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 7 pm MT. We’ve teamed up with several other service departments to provide you with extended hours to get help with many different administrative issues. Expired TaskStream account? Can’t locate your authorization code for an objective assessment? No problem, we can help! Call (866)903-0110 or email studentservices@wgu.edu.

veritas_libertas

SephStorm wrote: »

FYI:

WGU Student Services Extends Hours
October 4, 2010

We’re pleased to announce extended hours of operation in Student Services. We’re here to answer your call or email Monday through Friday 6 am – midnight MT, and Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 7 pm MT. We’ve teamed up with several other service departments to provide you with extended hours to get help with many different administrative issues. Expired TaskStream account? Can’t locate your authorization code for an objective assessment? No problem, we can help! Call (866)903-0110 or email studentservices@wgu.edu.

Good for them!

veritas_libertas

I've been thinking long and hard about whether or not to pursue Cisco or Microsoft. When I first moved to South Carolina last fall I knew that I would need to survey the job landscape to see what was more popular, Cisco or Microsoft. I honestly don't have a preference one way or the other. After a year of watching Monster, Indeed, etc. it seems that Cisco is king in this area. If I don't fall in love with Cisco after the CCNA and CCNA:Security I will probably do at least the MCITP:SA since I own the books. I'm already enjoying playing with the CLI again.

Anyhow, my emphasis has switched to security, and I may even drop the emphasis before this all over. My biggest goal is to just finish the degree plan by the end of 2011.

erpadmin

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I've been thinking long and hard about whether or not to pursue Cisco or Microsoft. When I first moved to South Carolina last fall I knew that I would need to survey the job landscape to see what was more popular, Cisco or Microsoft. I honestly don't have a preference one way or the other. After a year of watching Monster, Indeed, etc. it seems that Cisco is king in this area. If I don't fall in love with Cisco after the CCNA and CCNA:Security I will probably do at least the MCITP:SA since I own the books. I'm already enjoying playing with the CLI again.

Anyhow, my emphasis has switched to security, and I may even drop the emphasis before this all over. My biggest goal is to just finish the degree plan by the end of 2011.

Veritas, I find it curious [at the least] that you would allow geography to dictate your career path (as opposed to what you want to do). I understand though you have multiple issues going on to consider, including a new baby.

Cisco is a good route to follow though. It's one of those rare roads where you have a fork and have to choose between Cisco and Microsoft and have to choose one, the choice is usually never a bad one.

Good luck with your CCNA studies, and I do look forward to reading about those.

veritas_libertas

erpadmin wrote: »

Veritas, I find it curious [at the least] that you would allow geography to dictate your career path (as opposed to what you want to do). I understand though you have multiple issues going on to consider, including a new baby.

Cisco is a good route to follow though. It's one of those rare roads where you have a fork and have to choose between Cisco and Microsoft and have to choose one, the choice is usually never a bad one.

Good luck with your CCNA studies, and I do look forward to reading about those.

LOL, I should have done a better job explaining my intentions. Just because I'm starting with Cisco doesn't mean I will stay there forever. I'm looking for something to help me boost into network/system administration from there I don't know what will happen. My long term goal is security, so I don't want to get stuck on a single hardware/software vendor.

jahsoul

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Anyhow, my emphasis has switched to security, and I may even drop the emphasis before this all over. My biggest goal is to just finish the degree plan by the end of 2011.

*back to my evil laugh*

I am really enjoying the Security track. I wanted to graduate that early but I will end up being done around January 2012. I am taking the next year real slow for the CCIE.

veritas_libertas

jahsoul wrote: »

*back to my evil laugh*

I am really enjoying the Security track. I wanted to graduate that early but I will end up being done around January 2012. I am taking the next year real slow for the CCIE.

CCIE and College? You sir, are crazy!

jahsoul

veritas_libertas wrote: »

CCIE and College? You sir, are crazy!

That's how I roll. I am taking some cupcake classes the next 2 terms so I can focus on the CCIE.

erpadmin

jahsoul wrote: »

That's how I roll. I am taking some cupcake classes the next 2 terms so I can focus on the CCIE.

Jah, can you define "cupcake"?

(And by "define", could you tell me which WGU classes you think are easy? LOL...)

Also, do you have a CCIE Blog on TE? I would definitely like to read it. I don't read them to aspire to be a CCIE, but I am terribly impressed with the level of study that guys have to do for a CCIE.

Also, as a CCIE, would you still live in Alabama? I only ask because I can't see any entity (corporate or public) that would pay CCIE money there, that's the only reason I ask (not trying to talk crap or anything...really). .

BlackBella

Got all my classes verified and everything ordered today, so

Registered for 17 CU's this term.

Fundamental 2 and 3 first

Fundamentals 1, and followed by GTT1 and GUT1. If I have time left I will try AKV1.

I am trying to stress to my mentor that I am free from 7am-7am everyday to study.

No kids, job ( I don't count my PT training), no man, and no fur baby to deal with.

erpadmin

BlackBella wrote: »

Got all my classes verified and everything ordered today, so

Registered for 17 CU's this term.

Fundamental 2 and 3 first

Fundamentals 1, and followed by GTT1 and GUT1. If I have time left I will try AKV1.

I am trying to stress to my mentor that I am free from 7am-7am everyday to study.

No kids, job ( I don't count my PT training), no man, and no fur baby to deal with.

If all you got is WGU going for you, that's a very doable plan of study. You could do A+ and Network+ in one month (I did). Fundamentals 1 I would advise going through the coursework if you have no IT experience. ALL of the materials you will get will prep you for the course. Make sure you go to mcmcse.com and get the CIW v5 study guide.

You will want the Mike Meyers All-in-One Study guides for both A+ and Network+. They are very good.

I don't know what the GXX1 classes are, but the course of study for all of your classes will put you on the right path.

Good luck in your studies.

BlackBella

erpadmin wrote: »

If all you got is WGU going for you, that's a very doable plan of study. You could do A+ and Network+ in one month (I did). Fundamentals 1 I would advise going through the coursework if you have no IT experience. ALL of the materials you will get will prep you for the course. Make sure you go to mcmcse.com and get the CIW v5 study guide.

You will want the Mike Meyers All-in-One Study guides for both A+ and Network+. They are very good.

I don't know what the GXX1 classes are, but the course of study for all of your classes will put you on the right path.

Good luck in your studies.

I have the CIW v5 kindle ebook on my blackberry, but I will get the actual book. I heard great things about the Mike Meyers all-in-one study guide, so I will find that one too.

The other two classes are Intro to programming and design.

Danke

earweed

When you take AKV1 (JavaScript) be sure to check out the study guide on MCMCSE.com as I could have almost passed with just that study guide.

BlackBella

I like my mentor! She really gets back to me very fast.

I almost want to send her some homemade cookies