# Online Education Advice
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [January 3, 2013, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908 "2013-01-03T01:24:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/22 "2014-04-16T09:56:41Z")
> [@bobkitty](#):
>
> What Dewey said. You’d be a year into a degree program if you hadn’t dismissed it out of hand; now, presumably, you’re a year older, still stuck, with no change and no plan. What’s different about your outlook now that people can use to point you in the ‘right’ direction? Did anything at all change?
I’m 51.
My degree (Bachelor Of University Studies) never helped me at all, and I just don’t want to waste what’s left of my life in a classroom.
---
### Author:  [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/23 "2014-04-16T12:28:56Z")
Online classes aren’t going to do what you are hoping they will do. It’s like asking what the best broccoli is for making lemonade. You aren’t thinking about the right tool.
Very few things, even with proper credentials, can guarantee you a new career out of the box. In pretty much 100% of cases, a career change requires gaining hard skills, building a professional network, and paying some dues. It can be done, but not in a way where you’ll be making big money with little work in a short amount of time.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/24 "2014-04-16T13:49:13Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#):
>
> > [@bobkitty](#):
> >
> > What Dewey said. You’d be a year into a degree program if you hadn’t dismissed it out of hand; now, presumably, you’re a year older, still stuck, with no change and no plan. What’s different about your outlook now that people can use to point you in the ‘right’ direction? Did anything at all change?
>
> I’m 51.
>
> My degree (Bachelor Of University Studies) never helped me at all, and I just don’t want to waste what’s left of my life in a classroom.
Well, did you do anything suggested last year? For example, I suggested you investigate what the local community colleges and state universities offer. You dismissed that out of hand, saying “local curricula are stunted & backward.” Now I realize that you live in East Bumfuck, Tennessee, but surely people still manage to acquire educations there. Someone suggested a project management certification. Did you investigate that?
---
### Author:  [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/25 "2014-04-16T15:01:46Z")
What’s a ‘bachelor of university studies’? I’ve never heard of it before. Is it from a college or a university? What school did you get this from? What’s it meant to prepare you for, career wise? Is it just another name for a liberal arts degree perhaps?
Anybody know?
---
### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/26 "2014-04-16T15:07:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> Well, did you do anything suggested last year? For example, I suggested you investigate what the local community colleges and state universities offer. You dismissed that out of hand, saying “local curricula are stunted & backward.” Now I realize that you live in East Bumfuck, Tennessee, but surely people still manage to acquire educations there. Someone suggested a project management certification. Did you investigate that?
I’d prefer something a little less vague than “managing things”.
The local University, quite frankly, is noisy, but useless. Pure crap.
And yes, I’ve been haunting the halls of the local university. (Their website is designed solely to buff the egos of department heads, and nothing of value can be found via search engines.)
The local tech college, believe it or not, does not offer evening classes.
Yes.
You actually read that.
Our brilliant Republican-dominated Legislature eliminated their evening classes, as a cost-cutting move.:smack:
As I work full-time, hours are important.
Tennessee is poor. And I’m beginning to realize why.
---
### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/27 "2014-04-16T16:13:29Z")
> [@even\_sven](#):
>
> Online classes aren’t going to do what you are hoping they will do. It’s like asking what the best broccoli is for making lemonade.
[Broccoli lemonade recipe.](http://mommyofamonster.com/2013/08/broccoli-recipe.html)
> [@](#):
>
> He calls it “lemonade broccoli” because you squeeze lemon onto the broccoli before serving it. It’s so yummy and a quick and easy go-to.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/28 "2014-04-16T17:02:59Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#):
>
> I’d prefer something a little less vague than “managing things”.
A good project manager isn’t just “managing things.” It’s an important role in the enterprise and, in my opinion, good ones are worth their weight in gold (while I want to strangle the idiots). Now, a [PMP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Management_Professional) is one possible qualification for the role; there are others and there are certainly good project managers who are uncertified.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/29 "2014-04-16T18:25:58Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> A good project manager isn’t just “managing things.” It’s an important role in the enterprise and, in my opinion, good ones are worth their weight in gold (while I want to strangle the idiots). Now, a [PMP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Management_Professional) is one possible qualification for the role; there are others and there are certainly good project managers who are uncertified.
This is [THESE FOLKS?](http://www.pmi.org/)
y/n?
---
### Author:  [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/30 "2014-04-16T19:37:27Z")
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that yes, project managers are the same folks as project managers.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/31 "2014-04-16T21:11:05Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#):
>
> I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that yes, project managers are the same folks as project managers.
I was asking **Dewey Finn**.
Your answer has so much snark in it, it is valueless.
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### Author:  [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/32 "2014-04-16T21:13:14Z")
> [@elbows](#):
>
> What’s a ‘bachelor of university studies’? I’ve never heard of it before. Is it from a college or a university? What school did you get this from? What’s it meant to prepare you for, career wise? Is it just another name for a liberal arts degree perhaps?
>
> Anybody know?
Sounds like (from what I read on line) it’s just another name for a liberal arts degree. Like a Bachelor of General Studies.
**Bosda** , yes, it’s the same people. I work very closely in my career with Project Managers and have for years. Let me know if you have any specific questions about what it is they do. “Manage things” doesn’t even begin to address the breadth of things they do.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/33 "2014-04-16T21:24:28Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> A good project manager isn’t just “managing things.” It’s an important role in the enterprise and, in my opinion, good ones are worth their weight in gold (while I want to strangle the idiots). Now, a [PMP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Management_Professional) is one possible qualification for the role; there are others and there are certainly good project managers who are uncertified.
I have **no** project management experienc.
So, as I understand it, I cannot even take the exam.
---
### Author:  [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/34 "2014-04-16T21:32:55Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#):
>
> I have **no** project management experienc.
>
> So, as I understand it, I cannot even take the exam.
You can get the [training.](https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=project+management+training+nashville+tn&gbv=2&oq=project+ma&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3.0.35i39j0i20j0l8.1358.4056.0.5150.18.11.2.0.0.2.359.2014.0j1j6j1.8.0....0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..10.8.1592.a498eSSoEYY).
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/35 "2014-04-16T22:12:20Z")
I think he is referring to the requirements listed in the Wikipedia article I linked to above, “Candidates must have completed a high school diploma or an associates degree with 60 months (7,500 hours) of project management experience, or a bachelor’s degree with 36 months (4,500 hours) of project management experience.” In other words, you already need experience as a project manager before you’re qualified to take the exam. But he can get training and work as a project manager without being a PMP.
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### Author:  [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/36 "2014-04-16T22:15:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> I think he is referring to the requirements listed in the Wikipedia article I linked to above, “Candidates must have completed a high school diploma or an associates degree with 60 months (7,500 hours) of project management experience, or a bachelor’s degree with 36 months (4,500 hours) of project management experience.” In other words, you already need experience as a project manager before you’re qualified to take the exam. But he can get training and work as a project manager without being a PMP.
That’s what I was getting at - he can get the training and then the experience - you just know how to make sense when you write and I apparently have not mastered that just yet. 😃
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### Author:  [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/37 "2014-04-16T23:48:50Z")
I am told that the “experience” requirement for a PMP can be astonishingly broad, and most people who are older than, say, 25 likely have more than enough stuff to count.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2014, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/38 "2014-04-17T00:16:05Z")
Have you ever run projects in your previous jobs? How did you like doing so? Are you really organized? It’s important to think about if this is the right thing for you. Someone upthread suggested phlebotomy as a potential career. And [here](http://www.southwest.tn.edu/radiology/) is a program leading to certification as a radiology technician.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [April 17, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/39 "2014-04-17T11:52:30Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#):
>
> I have **no** project management experienc.
A career in proof reading, perhaps?
ETA: I know people who proofread ad copy for a living. Stressful job.
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### Author:  [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/40 "2014-04-18T20:41:38Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> A good project manager isn’t just “managing things.” It’s an important role in the enterprise and, in my opinion, good ones are worth their weight in gold (while I want to strangle the idiots). Now, a [PMP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Management_Professional) is one possible qualification for the role; there are others and there are certainly good project managers who are uncertified.
This is just as worthless as saying to get a job ‘managing things’.
Why not tell him to get a ‘good job’? Or a ‘good education’?
I have been in the same boat as **Bosda**. Most of the advice in this thread sucks. Wait, I take that back. It’s not even advice-it’s a catalog of half-hearted suggestions, pulled out of the air, or off of one of Yahoo’s “5 Great Jobs…” articles.
A move, in this case, needs more than a general career name as ‘project manager’. I suspect that anybody suggesting that career path couldn’t find a job for such that will take a PM certfication as all that’s needed. The few PM jobs that I’ve seen need a skill, or else some super talent that would have already manifested in the OP by this time.
PM’s need more than just…whatever it is that \*\*Bosda \*\*has, and a new cert or degree. If he goes to a PM program, after time and expense, the hiring manager is going to ask him WTF he knows besides what he got from the class.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [April 18, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-education-advice/645908/41 "2014-04-18T21:22:11Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#):
>
> Most of the advice in this thread sucks.
I bet you didn’t try the broccoli recipe.
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