Is there anyone actually doing this course? I'm starting it soon

Discussion in 'CIW Certifications' started by AuRoR, Jun 13, 2011.

  1. AuRoR

    AuRoR Bit Poster

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    Hi all,

    I was just wondering if there is any mmebers actively studying this course here. I'm starting it soon and have noticed that this corner of the forums are dead!

    It would be good to post here when studying if anyone is around to bounce ideas off.

    Looking forward to seeing some life! :)

    Gareth
     
    Certifications: GNVQ ICT, Nat Diploma IT Practitioners
    WIP: Head above water
  2. zxspectrum

    zxspectrum Terabyte Poster Forum Leader Gold Member

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    Depends, im not sure what course your actually doing, unless im missing something ??

    ed
     
    Certifications: BSc computing and information systems
    WIP: 70-680
  3. csx

    csx Megabyte Poster

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    CIW I'm guessing...
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, 70-271 & 70-272, CCENT, VCP5-DCV and CCNA
    WIP: Citrix
  4. zxspectrum

    zxspectrum Terabyte Poster Forum Leader Gold Member

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    I didnt click on the CIW forum, i clicked on it in the homew page, which doesnt have the CIW bit

    Ed
     
    Certifications: BSc computing and information systems
    WIP: 70-680
  5. monk129

    monk129 New Member

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    Quite interested in the CIW, how does it stand in the industry? I can't help thinking that in the web design/development your experience/portfolio is worth more than any cert could get you ?
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2011
  6. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    Which CIW course are you actually doing - there are several...

    The CIW forum never sees much action. It doesn't seem to have a huge following, especially in the UK.
    And for those that do it, there isn't much to talk about. It's fairly straight forward, there's nothing that should require clarification and you won't need a lab partner or anything.

    That said, it's an interesting course, hope you enjoy it!
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  7. JonnyMX

    JonnyMX Petabyte Poster

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    You're quite right of course, but it is something to put on your CV.
    It's more academic than some certs - so it's more about learning as you go rather than testing your exisitng skills like most other certs.

    You won't see it as a requirement for a job - but as I say, it may be something you have on your CV that others don't, you'll learn something from it, and it will give you something to talk about in an interview.

    My take on this has always been that, yes, the most important thing to look for in a web designer is the ability to design or build websites. However, there is something to be said for someone who has learned about best practices, business considerations, legal issues etc. There are an awful lot of 16 year olds out there who can design a cracking website, but don't make model employees.
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCTS, i-Net+, CIW CI, Prince2, MSP, MCSD
  8. systempsyche

    systempsyche Nibble Poster

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    please tell us what course it is that your studying
     
    Certifications: A+, network+, server+, mcdst, mcp, ccent
    WIP: mac integration, ACSP, ACTC
  9. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    employer for web deisners prefer to see a portfolio instead of a CIW cert
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  10. AuRoR

    AuRoR Bit Poster

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    I'm starting on foundations associate (looks like a walk in the park) and then I will be doing the web design specialist cert. I may go on to the development specialist depending on how that goes.

    Yes experience and a portfolio is far more important than this cert. Can you get a job without CIW? sure. Can you get a job without experience and a portfolio? doubt it.

    I already work in web development so the aim is not to get a job with it. The aim is to learn. It's not the certificate that is important but what you learn on the journey to get that certificate.

    The reasosn for me doing this course are:

    - like Jonny said, to learn the areas that other web designers don't i.e. the business, political side of the industry.
    - business reasons:we can put a badge on our site and say I am certified. You guys may know that it isnt important but joe public will be impressed which may result in more enquiries
    - to fill in the gaps that i havein knowledge
    - most of all for self satisfaction and interest

    I enquired about this course a few years ago with skills train and signed a £3000 credit agreement before the salesman's tea had gone cold. Luckily I found these forums a day later and canceled the course within the 30 day period meaning I was only out of pocket for the deposit and module 1 book. Due to the course seeming out of date and other commitments I never 'got around to doing it' and instead took the typical route (non-cert based study). Now the course has been revamped Iand I'm a lot more experienced I feel I have 'unfinished business' with this cert and its an itch that I've just got to scratch!

    It would be nice to have a place to talk about the cert but this sub-forum is not very active. Just wondering if there is anyone out there who is also studying?
     
    Certifications: GNVQ ICT, Nat Diploma IT Practitioners
    WIP: Head above water
  11. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    There's nothing to stop you from designing websites at home and getting a portfolio of stuff that way. Infact many web designers I know (I say many I actually know 5) and they have all got into web design this way although two of them have computer science degrees whilst the others dont.

    There's a reason not many people study it and thats what I said ealier, you dont have to have experience and a portfolio of that experience but you can design at home and create a portfolio of your design etc at home.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2011
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  12. AuRoR

    AuRoR Bit Poster

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    I assume the above comment is aimed monk129, yes practice and a portfolio will get you a lot further than a CIW cert will get you so that's where I would concentrate your efforts if you are looking for a job in the web creation industry. However the cert wont hurt to have and will give you a track to follow unless the learning deliverables do not match up with what you are looking to do.
     
    Certifications: GNVQ ICT, Nat Diploma IT Practitioners
    WIP: Head above water

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