College WEB DEV Electives: Which Courses Would You Take?

12 years ago

All of web services deal with XML, so it's safe to say that it is not useless. I suggest you stick with the coding i.e. PHP/XML because that's how you're going to get your foot in the door.

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DeskCoder

12 years ago

Originally Posted by thelearningman

All of web services deal with XML, so it's safe to say that it is not useless. I suggest you stick with the coding i.e. PHP/XML because that's how you're going to get your foot in the door.

This is so wrong. XML is being phased out as the format of choice, and JSON is quickly taking over.

You can learn XML in like 5 minutes ... I wouldn't waste my time with it.

I would choose PHP and IT Project Management. Having management experience and training is invaluable in the field ... especially if you want to work for yourself.

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lovboa

Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by DeskCoder

This is so wrong. XML is being phased out as the format of choice, and JSON is quickly taking over.

You can learn XML in like 5 minutes ... I wouldn't waste my time with it.

I would choose PHP and IT Project Management. Having management experience and training is invaluable in the field ... especially if you want to work for yourself.

This is what I was hearing from a lot of people. And when I look at job boards, most of them list the basic languages they want you to be familiar with and I never see XML.

I was thinking of taking the Drupal course because a lot of companies seem to use Drupal as their CMS. IT Project Management is nice, but probably nothing worth bragging about seeing as it is one of the shorter courses (1.5 credits)

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DeskCoder

12 years ago

Originally Posted by lovboa

This is what I was hearing from a lot of people. And when I look at job boards, most of them list the basic languages they want you to be familiar with and I never see XML.

I was thinking of taking the Drupal course because a lot of companies seem to use Drupal as their CMS. IT Project Management is nice, but probably nothing worth bragging about seeing as it is one of the shorter courses (1.5 credits)

Here's my thing. I bet you could easily learn a lot about Drupal from the Internet. But it would be a lot harder to learn about project management from the Internet.

I am a big believer in being taught how to program, not programming languages. Data Structures, Algorithms, Design Patterns, etc ... that is what you should be learning, not just a class on PHP.

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WebdevelopmentGroup

12 years ago

XML for Developers .....3 credits

all the way.

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jaasmit

12 years ago

Php and IT project management would be the solution for you. It will also help you to develop your career in this sector as an expert person.

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mlab

12 years ago

If I could go back...I would pick...

Server Side Web Scripting with PHP level 1 .....3 credits
Server Side Web Scripting with PHP level 2 .....3 credits

and I would take all of these as well...
IT Project Management .....1.5 credits
Writing for the web .....1 credit
Content Management With Drupal .....1 credit

It's a difficult job market - you NEED to specialize and diversify <g>. Seriously. Learn and do and make all you can while in school. And wherever possible - make your projects/homework double as your resume.

Personal note : The class on IT Project Management will help YOU your entire career..managing your time/setting goals/priorities..please do yourself a favor and take that one for you.

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lovboa

Banned 12 years ago

I'm surprised by the majority of people choosing IT project management.

I wasn't even considering it. I guess I thought that having XML or Drupal listed on my resume would look better than having a course on IT project management completed.

Thank you everyone for your replies.

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mlab 12 years ago

Ever notice that IT projects are often late and over budget????
Notice that the industry kinda gave up on the old fashioned kind of deadlines and we have redefined the word 'finished'. LOL

Most techies (myself included) are all about saying yes, we can! Then as scope creep gets introduced to a project (you will discover it is inevitable so just expect it) we keep saying yes..I can do that too - great idea!

You have noticed that it has even become acceptable for live products and projects to remain in Beta - often for years?

I promise you that an IT Project Management course will save YOU so much time and frustration in your life that you will return here one day and insist that others do it as well.

Anything is possible in IT..but it is not always cost or time effective. And sometimes it does not even support the mission or goal.
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autotradex

12 years ago

I recommend any management courses would be essential in this digital world.
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webpeon

12 years ago

Unless you want to specialise in drupal - im guessing not - don't even bother with it.

PhP 1, PhP 2 and.... IT Project Management for me as well, I'd also run with the web writing one if you can fit it in remembering that content is king in the IM world.

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Web 2 Mobile
The Future of The Web

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jakebvs85

12 years ago

Hey lovboa Here's my recommendation:

Writing for the web
Server Side Web Scripting with PHP level 1

But that would go if you think you are cool with the second one.