Hi guys,

 

I was wondering if any of you have experience with e-Careers.com. I've been sent an offer of a 19 course Web package, which seems to cover an awful lot, for £99. Its online, and supposedly offers 24/7 support.

 

I've tried an online course before, which was considerably more expensive, and a total waste of money, so I am a bit reluctant, as good as the e-Careers one sounds.

 

Any thought would be much appreciated.

 

Greg

a total waste of money

 

this.

a total waste of money

 

..just to emphasise the point.

Hi Everyone

 

I was thinking of this doing this course myself. Do you think it is a waste of money for a complete beginner or are you just refering to someone who wants a career in web design

 

Thanks

Paul

You will be able to learn more from doing free online tutorials - Google is your friend.

 

A good starting point...

 

http://htmldog.com/

http://net.tutsplus.com/

http://www.alistapart.com/

http://css-tricks.com/

50+ Useful resources

http://designbump.com/

http://creattica.com/

http://cssremix.com/

http://www.webdeveloperjuice.com/

Notepad++

Edited February 13, 201214 yr by Bomb

You will be able to learn more from doing free online tutorials - Google is your friend.

 

A good starting point...

 

http://htmldog.com/

http://net.tutsplus.com/

http://www.alistapart.com/

http://css-tricks.com/

50+ Useful resources

http://designbump.com/

http://creattica.com/

http://cssremix.com/

http://www.webdeveloperjuice.com/

Notepad++

 

GregF and Paul1111 are asking a very important question. E-careers doesn't seem to be reviewed in Review Centre, which though has over a thousand reviews for the Home Learning College. There are mostly favourable reviews for its web courses in Dreamweaver and Flash. The HLC is pretty notoriously expensive, though. The E-careers Web Design and Webmaster courses seem to have a very large amount of content. When this is offered for around £100, it doesn't seem like much to lose when there may be a lot of 'goods and services' for the price.

 

Oakleaves, Zed and Bomb don't say if they've done the course or not. They don't say much.

 

But, for a beginner, looking for somewhere to start, their reactions aren't helpful. To wade your way through the equivalent of 400 hours tuition (which e-careers claims) by just searching google and reading random free pdf files and watching youtube video tutorials - yeah, sure, it must be possible eventually to get somewhere. But this is not what a study course is all about. Firstly, it's about being able to know more or less nothing at the start, and being OK with that, because things are going to be presented to you. Secondly, you will be able to know exactly what you are going to learn and how that figures in a wider scale of knowledge in the area. Surely, a personal tutor will be able to tell you if you complete each area, how their content compares with entry level professional and so on. I mean how much more there is to learn in each area. Thirdly, it's being able to know that you will have the materials, easily locatable to reach a certain level, whatever that level is.

 

Going wandering about by yourself - look you can do that with any subject, it's not a web design speciality. And it's not new, 25 years ago you could go down to Waterstones at 16, buy 2 comprehensive A Level Chemistry books, and 3 more diploma Chemistry books, register privately in an exam and get yourself a Chemistry, or whatever, college qualification.

 

The point is - it's only £100 or so. They claim 400 hours, but even 200 would be good value. [Tefl courses at 100 hours (5 weeks 9 to 5) cost around £1000, I've taken both class and distance ones, the latter being easily as helpful to get you started]. Things are organised for you.

 

So how could this be a complete waste of time?

 

*** I think one thing to look at seriously, though, is one of the big selling points of the E-careers course is tuition in software, such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop and more. I know on this forum, many members will have this software as a matter of course, and won't think much about other people getting it.

 

But here, I'm not thinking of professionals, perhaps not even people thinking about becoming professional. They need to think how much is it going to cost for the software to be able to be taught it? E-careers say they give you an N.U.S. card, but I'm not sure if that's good enough for Dreamweaver student version (which is only £100, rather than £500 or more usual, full version). To register Dreamweaver student, you need to be on a full time course of education, not part time. Maybe E-careers fits the bill, maybe not. But then, what about Flash and other things you might need the very expensive Adobe software for? Photoshop isn't cheap.

 

Anyone looking at this course needs to have a list of the software required to complete full tuition, and find out if they can buy the student versions. I've just been reading someone reviewing the HLC Web design course saying the Adobe suite student version came with the course, but for anyone wanting to use the software as a professional afterwards, they'd have to buy the full version (£1000s), as the student version stopped being available.

thanks

Edited March 26, 201214 yr by oakleaves

 

So how could this be a complete waste of time?

 

 

 

didn't say time. said money. Let's put it this way, I don't need to eat a turd to know that it will taste like sh!t.

didn't say time. said money. Let's put it this way, I don't need to eat a turd to know that it will taste like sh!t.

 

You're talking about for yourself, with your experience, aren't you? You don't need it. There are people who do.

 

You may well be correct, with your experience, to say the course is certainly not the best way to get to where you are, what you know. But for people needing to be shown from scratch what to do, I doubt this will be a complete waste of money or time. (We're both guessing.) It's organising what probably is already out there.

 

Not everyone has the kind of mind that will allow them to learn by running here and there with not a clue what they're doing or even looking for in the beginning. More than that, most people haven't got anything like the time. They need it set out, what they need to know. When you don't know what you need to know, or if your free website tutorials are up to scratch, you can go around the bend.

Edited March 26, 201214 yr by gmc

to say the course is certainly not the best way to get to where you are, what you know. .. They need it set out, what they need to know. When you don't know what you need to know .. you can go around the bend.

 

 

Well said

 

But for people needing to be shown from scratch what to do, I doubt this will be a complete waste of money or time. (We're both guessing.)

 

Oh I doubt it. Given the amount of time and effort you're putting into defending them you probably work for them

Oh I doubt it. Given the amount of time and effort you're putting into defending them you probably work for them

 

In fact I'm interested in the course. Myself. And while I could accept it may be unlikely to be worth the standard price of £1200, when you can do it yourself, if you can, £100 doesn't sound bad. But I don't want to accept that because an experienced designer who doesn't need it doesn't rate it for himself, we should each feel the same.

First thing I'd do is look at how bad the e-careers website is and think why their course doesn't help them out.

 

I'd say save your hundred quid. Many many people pass through here on a daily basis looking for advice and a few months later most of these people (the non time wasters) get a pretty grasp on things a few months later. This forum is a great source of personal help and up to the minute best practices. Many of these e-courses are outdated and inefficient.

Here's my opinion:

 

2.5 years ago I looked at a couple of online courses, I thought they were riduculously expensive and mostly filled with **** I either didn't want to know or didn't need to. The problem with these courses is they're often dated, taught in a way that isn't dynamic enough to fit what you want to do and usually lacking the details.

 

While you may think that's pretty cheap, here's what I think you should do with your £99. Spend £45 on a 3 month Lynda.com subscription, where you can choose what you want to learn and get probably the best training DVD's in the industry on the web. Spend £35 on a 2 month Treehouse subscription, where you can learn what you want and learn best practises from REAL industry experts.

 

Then spend the remaining on a bloody good beer after 5 months of intensive training.

 

I went for a job interview recently, they wasn't the slightest bit interested in what courses I'd done or what qualifications I had, all they wanted to see was my portfolio and how it came to be. The fact I had taught myself everything was more impressive and showed more determination than anything a course will get you, and that's free.

 

Mike's right, people ask these questions a lot. They always get the same answer, search em up and you'll see. Although your comments are sound in theory, gmc, these courses are just not up to scratch in a lot of peoples opinions.

 

~evu.

 

eD: That's not to say you'll be a guru in 5 months far from it. But you'll have a definative understanding of web dev/design and you'll know yourself where to go next. Re-sub to Lynda and learn Fireworks prototyping? Read a book on responsive design? Do some PS tuts to solidfy your UI skills? Read blogs regarding Logo design? This learning process is endless...

Edited March 27, 201214 yr by evu

Hi guys,

 

I was wondering if any of you have experience with e-Careers.com. I've been sent an offer of a 19 course Web package, which seems to cover an awful lot, for £99. Its online, and supposedly offers 24/7 support.

 

I've tried an online course before, which was considerably more expensive, and a total waste of money, so I am a bit reluctant, as good as the e-Careers one sounds.

 

Any thought would be much appreciated.

 

Greg

 

Hey,

After reading the lengthy discussion down under... let me put forward my views on e-careers.com. Few weeks ago I had bought a specific web designing course and my experience was simply sublime. I have no complaints what so ever. The training layout is just fine and so is their customer support. I am now planning to buy this 19 course web package.

 

Piece of advice- Take a decision with a subtle mindset.

In other news, love this newly redesigned site www.spam.com

 

@kiara - what's your view of that site, is it too subtle?

Edited March 28, 201214 yr by oakleaves

Hey,

After reading the lengthy discussion down under... let me put forward my views on e-careers.com. Few weeks ago I had bought a specific web designing course and my experience was simply sublime. I have no complaints what so ever. The training layout is just fine and so is their customer support. I am now planning to buy this 19 course web package.

 

Piece of advice- Take a decision with a subtle mindset.

 

Can you elaborate on what was so good about the course? What were the pro's and con's?

What really stuck out that made you think... "Wow i'd really like to take this course further" ?

 

Or is the fact you're on an Indian IP address, a one of poster and registered today a sign that you're talking rubbish?

Edited March 28, 201214 yr by MikeChipshop

Hey,

After reading the lengthy discussion down under... let me put forward my views on smelling rats. Few weeks ago I had bought a specific smelling rat and my experience was simply sublime. I have no complaints what so ever. The squeaking is just fine and so is their long tail. I am now planning to buy this 19 smelling rat web package.

 

Piece of advice- Take a decision with a subtle mindset.

Edited March 28, 201214 yr by Spitfire

When did this discussion in Australia take place? :/

You will be able to learn more from doing free online tutorials - Google is your friend.

 

A good starting point...

 

http://htmldog.com/

http://net.tutsplus.com/

http://www.alistapart.com/

http://css-tricks.com/

50+ Useful resources

http://designbump.com/

http://creattica.com/

http://cssremix.com/

http://www.webdeveloperjuice.com/

Notepad++

 

Hello sir, I also have another website i would like to introduce this websites offers support for PHP, HTML, HTML5, CSS and many more.

 

W3Schools

Hello sir, I also have another website i would like to introduce this websites offers support for PHP, HTML, HTML5, CSS and many more.

 

W3Schools

 

I personally wouldn't recommend w3schools.

For many reasons why, just google w3fools.

Can you elaborate on what was so good about the course? What were the pro's and con's?

What really stuck out that made you think... "Wow i'd really like to take this course further" ?

 

Or is the fact you're on an Indian IP address, a one of poster and registered today a sign that you're talking rubbish?

 

To begin with, let me tell you that although I don't owe you any explanation, yet I am replying to your comment for my own satisfaction. I bought dreamweaver CS4 and found the entire course is quite user friendly and well structured. With my experience it won't be a bad bet to buy the web package. For me the company has provided a satisfactory service so far and I hope to enjoy the same further.

 

After completing this short course, I am simply interested in learning web designing in depth as it is a technical work with a blend of creativity.

 

Oh.. yes,I am in India for few days as it is my ancestral home-town so my IP has to be Indian IP. You are no Sherlock Homes

To begin with, let me tell you that although I don't owe you any explanation, yet I am replying to your comment for my own satisfaction. I bought dreamweaver CS4 and found the entire course is quite user friendly and well structured. With my experience it won't be a bad bet to buy the web package. For me the company has provided a satisfactory service so far and I hope to enjoy the same further.

 

After completing this short course, I am simply interested in learning web designing in depth as it is a technical work with a blend of creativity.

 

Oh.. yes,I am in India for few days as it is my ancestral home-town so my IP has to be Indian IP. You are no Sherlock Homes

 

Errr did i ask if you had to explain yourself? Here's what i said...

 

Can you elaborate on what was so good about the course? What were the pro's and con's?

What really stuck out that made you think... "Wow i'd really like to take this course further" ?

 

See any reference to 'explaining yourself'? Do you see any reference to being in India or an Indian IP address? You my dear have got what we like to call 'A guilty concisions'. You also just outed yourself as a Indian spammer and not the smartest one at that!

So before you come on here acting all aggressive, answer my questions or GTFO!

 

If i'm Sherlock holmes, you must what Sherlock Holmes' dog crapped out.

 

Cheeky bitch.

To further this antipodean bickering, I think it's worth mentioning that a huge percentage of the working web designers and developers who frequent these boards learned from free online tutorials.

 

If you're interested in design, go to design school. If you wanna make software, go study computer sciences. But if you want to make websites, take the advice of those who do it for a living. Don't spend money on something you can get for free. It's a no-brainer.

 

..

 

One question though. If the whole of India is someone's ancestral home town, does that make them heir to the British throne? Kiara is actually prince Harry having one of his infamous pranks. Someone showed him how to use a proxy, and he's lapping it up!

As I'm not one of the huge percentage I thought I'd put my spin on it.

 

I did a multimedia course at uni so that I could develop my skills for the web, however the course was quite dated and most of what I learnt was through free online tutorials and my peers. Although I didn't do it for the qualification, I did it to meet other like minded people and the opportunities and doors that it could (and did) open.

 

Personally I wouldn't pay to do an online course simply because there are so many free online resources that are well structured, and if you are motivated enough to do it in your own time then why pay for it? Ok you don't get a qualification at the end of a free course, but most qualifications for the web industry aren't worth the paper they are printed on as even if the course is up to date when you do it they won't be in a few months time because of how fast web development is. Also it won't help you get a job in the web industry as most employers don't care about the certificates you have you will be judged on your portfolio and the skills you show within it.

New member here. I felt compelled to sign up and contribute to this. Any positives said about this company appear to be the exception. Upon signing up, I accessed the materials, and I immediately thought they were a joke and regretted it. But, for £99 I moved on a wiser man.

 

I tried to access them again, but my password wasn't working. I reset my password. The one they provided did not work either. I tried this again the next day. Still no luck. I used the Livechat feature on their website and was forced to endure a massacre of the English language. I was offered (I have all of this on a log) an "easy password in case you struggles with numbers and punctuation in a password". This was the last straw. I asked for a refund, only to be told a £75 + VAT administration charge would apply. So that would be a £9 refund on a £99 purchase. I was then told that I was not even eligible for this as "You open course before now". And no, I am not exaggerating the language for effect.

 

My saving grace is that I ordered this through Groupon and when I contacted them, they immediately processed a refund. I got the sense that they had previously had similar complaints about E-Careers. I walk away a wiser man who will not be so foolhardy in trying to develop my skills.

 

I can only advise people to heed the warnings of this thread when dealing with them, I wish I saw this first! On the bright side, it has brought me here and I sha be using the resources previously posted to enhance my awesomeness!

Edited April 30, 201214 yr by CoachJack89

Great post! I was going to use that groupon then the advice here said dont and thanks to everyone who advised that

hmm is this an inverted way of advertising the fact that there is a groupon deal for this

 

hmm is this an inverted way of advertising the fact that there is a groupon deal for this

 

Not from me. I will not use Groupon again after they willingly advertised something as appalling as this. BUT, they at least did the right thing and rectified the situation.

I'm glad to here you got your money back

Hi all, just joined in direct response to the discussion in this thread.

I received the invite from the above mentioned company with the same offer, and arrived here searching for opinions. Very greatful to see a range of comments expressed. Then, phoned the company to clarify some of the issues raised made my own decision and signed up. My learning account will be active by 11 am tomorrow morning. With your indulgence, I shall resolve all discussions and bring peace and harmony to the world by letting you know how I get on. :-)

Hi all, just joined in direct response to the discussion in this thread.

I received the invite from the above mentioned company with the same offer, and arrived here searching for opinions. Very greatful to see a range of comments expressed. Then, phoned the company to clarify some of the issues raised made my own decision and signed up. My learning account will be active by 11 am tomorrow morning. With your indulgence, I shall resolve all discussions and bring peace and harmony to the world by letting you know how I get on. :-)

 

I am sure we will be most humbled by your harmonious findings.

I bought this off groupon a while back and I have to say that although the information is good, there is a tonne of it and a lot is not very relevant. I find it hard to stick to it tbh although I guess that is just me.

 

Defintely good information though. Iwould prefer a more interactive study if possible.

 

While you may think that's pretty cheap, here's what I think you should do with your £99. Spend £45 on a 3 month Lynda.com subscription, where you can choose what you want to learn and get probably the best training DVD's in the industry on the web. Spend £35 on a 2 month Treehouse subscription, where you can learn what you want and learn best practises from REAL industry experts.

 

Then spend the remaining on a bloody good beer after 5 months of intensive training.

 

 

 

I'll second this comment. When I first started in web design I was working in marketing and SEO for an online company. But I was sooo envious of the web designer sat next to me - because that's what I wanted to do. Little did my company know, that on the sly, I'd spend about 2 hours of each day ploughing through Lynda.com CSS and HTML tutorials. It's a great way to get you on the right track to begin with..

 

I have to say, I did look at treehouse too, and it seemed a little dumbed down for my liking.

Stay away from this company it is a SCAM! I had activated my account purchased during a promotion and then went back to access it a month later and was told that they had no record of my signing up and wanted me to pay a $75 administrative fee to reinstate me. FRAUD!!!!

Have you any evidence of this?

I like the face some of the 'Get Started' links are 404.

 

I love getting started with a 404, it gives me a sense of purpose.

I like the face some of the 'Get Started' links are 404.

 

I love getting started with a 404, it gives me a sense of purpose.

 

Hell, everyone's got to get started somewhere

I like the face some of the 'Get Started' links are 404.

 

I love getting started with a 404, it gives me a sense of purpose.

 

Face? I meant fact, of course - I blame the iphone!

I bought a voucher for an online course from e-Careers. I missed the redemption date by a couple of days, but was not concerned as on the e-Careers website, it clearly satiate "Missed your redemption date?- Dont worry, just call our redemptions team and we will do everything we can to ensure that your voucher is not wasted."

On contacting e-Careers, the first reply I received told me that as a favour I could rebuy the voucher at the same price I had paid the first time. When I pointed out the claim on their website (and voucher), they responded with an offer to reinstate my voucher if I pay a 10 pound admin fee!

 

I have since found a number of scam reports on various websites for e-Careers.