Kendré landed a job with a large local web design firm before she even graduated!
The Experience
Q. Tell me how the experience of taking a home-study course from CD-ED was for you?
“It was amazing in so many ways, and hard in even more ways! People think that taking courses from home is easy, but there is a LOT of work involved! You have to read and teach yourself as you go, and that is really different from ‘going’ to school. But the staff at CD-ED is great, and the instructors are very helpful. I enjoyed my experience, and wouldn’t change it for the world. It prepares you, in a way, because you have to be self-motivated, and that is something that employers look for.”
Q. What was the highlight of the last year for you?
“Each time I overcame a hurdle. There were a few points where I got ‘stuck’, and needed extra time to understand. But when I finally did understand, it was the best feeling. Graduating was pretty great too ;)”
Q. Do you have any advice for students taking the Web Page Design program with CD-ED?
“I would have to say, that in order to do it, you have to love it. Be passionate and be determined. Never give up, no matter how hard it seems, and always ALWAYS ask for help when you need it. Also, remember that Google is one of your best friends. :) The industry is always changing, problems arise, and the internet is a endless resource.”
Q. Why did you decide to take a home-study college program from CD-ED?
“Well, though I’ve always done really well in school, I hated classroom settings, and I needed to work to support myself financially. Distance education was the perfect answer for me. With CD-ED I got my solution. I was able to do the work on my time, around my work schedule, AND I didn’t have to wait long periods for someone to teach something that I understood right away, because when I understood it I moved on to the next topic.”
Q. How did you schedule your study time?
“Like I said, I had to work. First it was only part-time, and then more recently full-time, so I did the majority of my work at night and on weekends. I made sure that when I got home from work, I ate and then settled into ‘work-mode’. It was definitely hard, and took a lot of sacrifices, but SO worth it!”
Q. Was the Web Page Design course at all what you expected? If so, how? If not, why?
“It was and then some :) I knew only a little about the field, and it was really exciting to learn everything from the ground up. It starts you off with the very basics as a foundation and then builds on it. That was great.”
Q. Which part of the Web Page Design course did you find the most challenging?
“Without a doubt, Javascript! It was only a short chapter, but I got stuck with it. Thankfully, Gayle is amazing! She crafted up an awesome tutorial (refering to cake haha) that allowed me to understand it.”
Q. Which part of the Web Page Design course was the most enjoyable?
“I loved learning XHTML. Most people don’t really understand/think about what’s behind the page that they’re looking at, it’s just a visual thing. I was really excited to understand what goes into building a site, and then to be able to DO it.”
Q. Do you have any goals/future plans set for yourself, now that you’ve graduated from the Web Page Design course? If so, what are they?
“Well I definitely want to continue learning, and also hone my skills. Web design is an ever-growing and constantly changing industry. New standards, new browsers, changing society…there are so many factors that affect it. You have to keep growing and evolving with it. That’s also something that I learned.”
Q. Landing a job position as a Web Page Designer, before even graduating from your course, do you offer any advice, to other students, who may want to begin their search before graduating?
“Get yourself out there and let people know! Use every resource available to you, and never forget the power of ‘word-of-mouth’. It is one of the best publicity tools out there.”
Q. Do you have anything to add to this interview that you would like other students to know?
“Yes. Never ever give up, even if you fall behind. Remember that your instructor is there to help you, and use that help! As long as you work hard they will understand and work along with you to help you catch up. Oh, and always read the instructions fully BEFORE beginning the assignment…it can save a lot of time and confusion!
Send a smile, make someone laugh, have some fun! Start now!”