Hello, I'm Philip. I'm a freelance designer based in Toronto. My portfolio site:www(dot)philipmaccallum(dot)com or google search: "Philip MacCallum". I graduated a certificate program in Web design/development at Seneca with high honors(Webmaster Program). I recognized I still want to further my education in the field of web design/development. But, I'm in a predicament wanting to get a job as soon as possible so I can move out from my parents' house. I came across these three options and I just need advice/guidance from someone who is currently a computer programmer or web designer/developer.

 

First Option:

(Going to college to further my learning)

I was looking at these three colleges and began to wonder which program/college is better? Computer Programmer or Digital Media Arts at Seneca, Computer Programmer at Sheridan, and Computer Programmer at Humber.

 

Second Option:

(Online education to add incentive for employers/clients to hire me as a freelance web developer/designer )

http://www.zend.com/en/ I spoke with one of my professor in the Webmaster Program. I explained to my professor that in many of my jobs as a freelance web developer/designer I encountered that I'm dealing with PHP/MYSQL most of the time. He recommend that I take the Zend certificate program to add incentive for future clients/employers to hire me.

 

Third Option:

(Getting actual work experience as a freelance)

To rely on my job agency to find me a placement or internship so I can gain actual work experience as web designer/developer at a company/firm.

 

 

Thank you to the people who read this post and replies back. I really appreciate the help.

Edited July 20, 201115 yr by Phil527

I'd go for the Third option, but try to get yourself into a reputable, forward thinking agency.

That's absolutely critical, because you could easily end up in a dead-end 'we want to print money' agency - there's lots of them about. They are soul destroying places. I work for one currently

 

I have no knowledge of what colleges offer these days - when I started as a web developer, there weren't any courses!

One thing I do know, is that whilst a college education is invaluable and whilst it does allow you to 'climb the ladder' faster, inevitably, you'll learn more actually working in a commercial environment.