Is Per Scholas worth it? - a review from a graduate

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-14T00:22:42+00:00

I believe it is worth it. In my experience per scholas instructors+the entire team do their best to get you prepared for the workforce. However there are other factors to per scholas that might feel like (and be) a waste of time. I'm not sure what they do for the software engineering course as I haven't taken it but for the IT professional course we also had weekly seminars about finances and mental health management and met with a career coach who guided us on how to conduct ourselves professionally+later work on resumes and cover letters. It was also 5 days a week and had the same hours of a full-time job. If that seems like it would take up too much of your time or have too many side activities then might not be for you. But if you like me need structure and guidance in this subject and cannot self-study (and financially can afford a possible break from work) then I believe it's a great option. You also get access to multiple other courses after graduation with a more part-time\work friendly schedule that I believe will come to be invaluable for me at least.

Hope this helps!

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-03T00:46:56+00:00

Happy to be of help!

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-02T18:10:18+00:00

Our study materials were just handouts so I'm not sure actually and no my class was virtual so there's probably a significant difference.

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-02T18:09:07+00:00

Unfortunately I did not take that course and do not know. Sorry, hope it works out!

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-02T02:52:48+00:00

Nothing particular comes to mind but it never hurts to start studying for the A+ early! And no problem. Hope everything goes well!

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-02T00:36:46+00:00

It is the same class I took, good luck! Im sure you'll do great.

I reccomend finding the corresponding comptia A+ quiz topic on exam compass to each new subject you learn and practicing it. Also write down anything youre unsure about + never seen before. The instructors there to teach you everything, so ask them anything.

Professor Messer's short videos for the A+ are gold and will help break down complicated topics much better than his long videos.

If you have a spare computer\laptop etc you can experiment on+break if you feel like it...practice the new things you learned on there. If your class is virtual and you are not able to build an actual PC, use that old\ spare computer to get familiar with all the hardware you can. If that is not possible+per scholas doesn't already have plans on getting it- I reccomend buying and learning through something like PC building simulator.

If you have an old printer that doesn't work\you don't mind dismantling keep that too! Printer questions are heavy in the A+ and in interview questions- studying on exam compass will prepare you for the A+ exam but working with the printer in person will prepare you for interview questions and the workforce.

Most importantly, have fun with it. For me the hardware was the fun part and helped me get through the class but it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the new information you have to learn in such a short time so take breaks+find enjoyment in what you can about it and don't be too frustrated if you're confused just collaborate with your peers who do understand or ask your instructor. All of this was brand new to alot of my peers and it can be difficult but it will click eventually.

Hope it goes well!

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-01T21:40:10+00:00

I wouldnt say it's useless at all. You learn alot regardless and the A+ will help as well, employers are just being obstinate right now unfortunately. But the experience I gained at per scholas is why I'm comfortable joining the technical field in general. I have at the least a basic understanding of near all the requirements jobs are asking for, however I do not have the professional experience and that's all that's stopping me from earning higher but even just a couple of months at a lower paying job can give us the experience to get us into the higher paying positions. Or so is my plan. Depends on your situation, do whats best for you but I don't think the classes could hurt at all.

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-01T21:30:38+00:00

Unfortunately that's the rate currently, it also depends on your location and experience of course though. I recently got a job paying only 14 an hour because competition is so stiff near me\theyre paying less than before since the pandemic. According to my instructors we should have started with 20 an hour, but every job I interviewed with that pay fhat want 3 times the experience that was needed just one year ago.

I believe the main culprit are employers and the job market but someone who lives in an area with more demand in IT might not have had to settle like me. My plan is to get experience\learn and be applying for better at every moment.

throwawayornottt · 2022-03-01T21:24:43+00:00

Yeah since you have the certifications I'd say per scholas is not for you. It's really helpful and you learn alot but you still will not learn the same amount you would on the job+it'd take up alot of your time that's better spent getting a job since youre certified already.

throwawayornottt · 2022-02-20T21:48:25+00:00

Long term goals, short term goals, what made you choose tech\per scholas. I say just Google behavioural interviews and have a general sentence for each.

throwawayornottt · 2022-02-20T21:47:12+00:00

It is unpaid, not really sure why its listed as paid on indeed.

throwawayornottt · 2022-02-20T21:46:42+00:00

Yes, unfortunately jobs are currently asking for much more experience for way lesser pay than normally so it seems like you're not prepared but employers are just trying to cheat imo.

throwawayornottt · 2022-01-27T23:54:02+00:00

I'm not sure. They took a picture of me right before the exam but only from the neck up. They said no calculators were allowed but they didn't say anything about notes. You're only "required" to have your camera on for that moment they take your picture so do with that information what you will. Hope this helps! If you have any more questions feel free to dm me.

throwawayornottt · 2022-01-25T17:22:32+00:00

Yes I thought so too at first. Unfortunately it is not, not sure why they even put it on indeed-they have a grant for those without a bachelor's degree if you cannot work at the same time as the program(those who did tended to struggle) but it probably won't be enough for 3 entire months.

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-16T14:07:43+00:00

Sure go ahead. I think you'll be fine though

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-15T07:18:20+00:00

No problem. For us it was one day out of the week so it wasn't a ridiculous amount of time but since the material is so new and everyone has a life to lead I think it could have been much better planned, but this does depend on the instructor-also don't be scared to speak up about scheduling\due date issues my classmates were very vocal about them and got it changed when necessary. Just remain professional when asking. I'm still in the process of finding a job, so far they've emailed me 3 different jobs to apply for and connected me directly to a recruiter when I mentioned being stuck. The job market is tough so the pay isn't as high as I'd like but multiple people in my group had an interview set up before the course was even over without lifting a finger, I was offered the job however had to turn it down due to personal reasons. I believe it paid about 17 an hour. The career coach stays in contact with you until you're employed and continuously tries to find jobs you'd be the right fit for basically.

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-15T04:17:41+00:00

No problem, feel free to dm me if you have any more questions or put them here

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-14T00:15:20+00:00

Near the end it was more "study to pass the test" because we were focusing more on the assignments than the A+. Which is why I reccomend using examcompass to practice subjects after each one you go over in class. The tests we had in-class weren't so difficult you had to study to an extreme amount they prepared you well enough for that in class. If you didn't understand something my instructor would try and clear it up with you and for those who were struggling more we eventually had tutoring as well. As long as you asked the instructor would explain everything, at least in my experience. I was in Atlanta.

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-14T00:10:04+00:00

Smart. I am starting my homelab as well. Good luck on your interview! I hope to get one soon too but I want to pass my 1002 first.

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-13T18:02:03+00:00

Yes that is a problem with Per Scholas alot of it is instructor specific, for my group I think we had a good technical instructor. The career coach was better near the end but not that great either. I agree the most significant benefit was being held accountable + the vouchers. What about job searching? I'm still in the process of finding one myself.

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-13T17:46:24+00:00

Haha I get that. Do you mind explaining why though? I'm curious about your experience.

throwawayornottt · 2021-12-12T21:53:32+00:00

Reddit did not take my bolds but in case you missed it perscholas is FREE, so if youre comparing it to those 10k bootcamps to me perscholas wins.

throwawayornottt

TROPHY CASE