I started at a local college and after two quarters was sadly disappointed in the curriculum and in the institution. I didn’t go back the third quarter and couldn’t decide what to do next. That is when I started hearing the advertisements for ComputerTraining.edu. My knowledge of IT at that time consisted of DOS commands, self taught PC repair, and a good familiarity of Windows but no network or server experience at all. I decided to go to the website and take the Online Skills Challenge just to see how I would do. The next day I was contacted by the local ComputerTraining.edu admissions department and found out that I actually had done well on the challenge. I went in for a tour of the facility and was immediately more comfortable with the people and environment than I had ever been during two quarters at another institution.

I went to every pre-class seminar and after six months of perfect attendance and definitely some hard work on my part, I was able to achieve my MCP and MCSA. I also decided I was going to push and get my A+ at the same time on my own. The only reason I was able to achieve what I did was because of the honest desire to see his students succeed and the hard work of my instructor and the entire staff. They all went above and beyond what anyone would have expected.

With a family, a mortgage, and two car payments I knew that I couldn’t take a cut in pay at that time so I would have to be a little more selective in my choices. The Career Services department worked with me, knowing my situation well and continued to do everything in their power to find what I was looking for. Their hard work paid off. I now have a position with a software company as IT Support Tech in their US division starting at $45,000/yr with three weeks vacation and excellent benefits. It was a 20% increase in salary, less hours, less stress, it has a future and I love my job!

This was one of the best decisions of my life and I recommend ComputerTraining.edu to anyone that is willing to put in the time and work to get a start in IT."

Jarrett Mahaffey
MCP, MCSA, A+ Essentials, A+ IT Tech
IT Support Specialist

I think the best thing about my new career is in knowing I can move up in the field very quickly with hard work. I really enjoy being able to have two days off a week. For the last two years, I had to work six days a week at my old job. So having an extra day off is a great thing and something I will always cherish. I always like dressing professionally and feeling like a true professional. Even when I was a manager, I still did not feel very professional.

The biggest fear and risk was how much it would cost in order to enter the program. The cost was actually the reason why I did not enter the program a year before. I went to another campus and could not find a cosigner for the loan. I guess going through the process with someone I knew helped me get through it easier.

My advice to future students would be not to worry about the future because they have made a very good choice. This field is very reliable and it is well worth the risk, but they must study very hard and try their absolute best.

This program has changed my life in many ways. Not only have I changed careers and moved into a different career path, I have also relocated. Moving to a bigger environment is definitely something that I will have to get used to, but I think this experience will not only make me happy, but will definitely me into a better person."

Chul Park
MCTS
Tier 1 Service Agent

"I graduated with a Bachelors Degree and was working as a social worker for a few years and I knew that this was not for me, so I spent the next couple of years trying to figure out what I wanted to do for a career when I heard the ComputerTraining.edu commercial on the radio. I took the Online Skills Challenge and read up on the school and all they had to offer and decided to give it a go. Meeting with my Director of Admissions really made me feel that this was the best choice for me.

I liked computers but did not have a ton of experience which is why the classroom experience was so beneficial. I really enjoyed working with the instructor and the rest of my classmates. It was great that there was so much hands on work to do in the class, it really made all of the knowledge I had been studying and learning really make sense. I worked really hard for six months and a week after graduating I was offered a great job at a high end car dealership as an IT help desk technician. Working with the Career Services Department was extremely helpful. They provided me with great guidance and tools to job search effectively.

I continue to work on receiving more certifications. I enjoy my work and what I do and I love knowing what it is that I am going to do for the rest of my career working days and the different avenues that I can take."

Tiffany Aryee
MCTS, MCP
Help Desk Technician

"My computer background before class was not much. I did some stuff with amateur radio and a little from time to time at work. I talked to my wife about going back to school and getting certified after taking the Online Skills Challenge. She was all for it. If not for her backing I would not be writing this now.

I was tired of coming home from work so dirty I had to go get a shower before I could eat dinner and fall asleep trying to watch the news. Getting up at 4:00am to go to work wasn't much fun ether. With my new career and skills I am now working 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. I can leave the house at 7:00 and still be on time.

I come home clean, I can sit down with my family, eat dinner and not fall asleep. No more aches and pains. My biggest concern was not being able to keep up with the twenty and thirty-year olds in the class. The last time I was in school most of them where not even born yet! I knew I had to work harder and longer just to keep up. I think I did ok even though I didn't make my goal of passing all the certifications. Had my wife and I not had a car accident, with me having a concussion for two months, I would have done much better but I still gave them a good run for their money.

Advice for new students: Go for it. I'm 57-years old and if I can do this anyone can. Just like the instructor says, it works if you do everything they say the way to do it and it works!

This really is a life-changing experience. It has to be or you will not make it. I gave up all my free time for six months to do this. I had to if for no other reason then to show my kids you’re never too old to learn."

Glenn Bartlett
MCTS
PC Tech

"Before ComputerTraining.edu, I had worked nothing but dead-end jobs. I had worked as a computer technician before, but with no certifications, I was drastically underpaid. The last job I had before ComputerTraining.edu, I would work outdoors about 50% of the time, and the only thing that would change that would be lightning, as I was usually hanging from a telephone pole for most of that 50%. I had recently gotten married and I was looking for something with a future for me and my family.

After starting class, I received my MCP in a matter of a few weeks, as I did already have experience with Windows XP. The Director of Placement was incredibly helpful and was always willing to fit me in her busy schedule. Within a month of getting my first certification, I had received a job offer at my present employer. The original offer was for 28K, and as I was making about 22K, I jumped on it. I now am making 34K and I have only been with my present company for eight months. I have two pay increases that I am eligible for in the next six months, and that is only the beginning.

My biggest fears I had when considering enrollment was “Could I afford this?” and “Will this really benefit me?” The Director of Admissions explained that the enrollment fee did not need to be taken care of immediately, and also explained the cost-effectiveness of the program. If I went to a conventional four year university, it would cost easily four times as much. When I sat in on a class, the question of “Will this benefit me?” was immediately answered, as they were discussing things I had never heard of before.

My advice to anyone considering enrollment is “If you are serious in bettering your situation in life, and you are willing to buckle down and study every night for six months, Go for it!” It is probably the best decision I have made in my entire life."

Jeff Hurckes
A+, MCTS, MCP, MCSA
Technical Support Representative

"I decided to get into the IT field because I was tired of working at an automotive parts retail store for less than what I was worth. I had been with several similar companies which all only offered minimal change in pay, no matter the position or distance from home. Once I realized that the "ladder" in that line of work was only so tall and I had reached the top, I scrambled to find something else to do. My last job had me driving a pick-up truck delivering auto parts, which offered a lot of time to think and a lot of time to listen to the radio.

All of that driving lead me to one place. That place was ComputerTraining.edu. After hearing the commercial over and over, I finally decided I'd give the Online Skills Challenge a shot. Surprisingly, I did well on the first part of the online exam, which meant I knew a little bit. After visiting the school, which was located only about an hour away, I decided to go for it. After all, computers run the world today, and the demand for people with the knowledge will only become greater.

My biggest struggle while attending class was trying to keep up and not fall behind. The course is very fast paced, and not a good match for someone who easily gives up, or gives up on themselves. But, if you do everything that you are supposed to do, when you are supposed to do it, you will not have a problem doing well in class. In addition to the instruction, I'm very pleased with the job placement services. Now I have a great first job, which I am very pleased with, especially after being out of work for ten months.

The biggest lesson I learned was that not only must you invest in yourself, but you must believe in yourself. Having a strong belief in your ability to achieve great things is the one thing that really encouraged me to work hard for this important change. And, the single most rewarding part of this entire experience is that now I have a career for my future and a future for myself.

I would urge all potential students to study, study, study! And then, study some more! Do not fall behind and you will do great!"

Jesse Talmage
MCTS
Help Desk

"I had help desk experience on a legacy system in construction along with network setup and maintenance. Construction was on the decline and I knew I had to find something better. After hearing the ad and visiting the facility, I thought it was the way to go, as extended school courses were not really a good option. After graduating, I got an offer for what I would consider my dream job as a network systems field engineer. What I like most about my new career are the great benefits, working conditions, pay and great people to work with.

My biggest concern before entering was what my future held for me and the opportunities that where available. I thought with certifications, I would be into a field that was growing with many more opportunities. And it has turned out that way. I actually had five or six positive offers and took what I considered the perfect fit.

Without the training and the help of the career placement staff, I would not be where I am. Just knowing that the placement staff is available in the future if need be is a great resource and relief.

After completing and starting my new career, everything is better. My wife is happier now that I am happier and living up to my capabilities instead of a dead end, underappreciated job!"

Chris Riley
A+, MCP, MCSA
Field Engineer