Web Programming - PHP and MySQL

Bobon

Hey lads,

It might not be the right thread but just wondering what people think about this part-time course in Senior College Dun Laoghairehttp://www.scd.ie/Web_Programming/Default.320.html on web programming?

I think it'll give me the basics and should be enough to continue on education myself but has anyone heard of it?

ocallagh

450 for 75hrs is cheap and the syllabus seems fine to me. I would go for it.

As is the case with a lot of these courses, it completely depends on how good the teacher is.

fatlog

yeah look grand. but as mentioned it depends on what the lecturer is like.

if you want a really good qualification you could look at doing a course that gets you a zend certification at the end. but thats probably overkill and likely to cost a lot more. plus i'm not sure if such a course exists in ireland! so you can perhaps ignore all the above!

Bobon

Hey lads,

Thanks for the replies.

Fatlog, whats this you mentioned about a zend qualification?

I wouldn't mind committing to something if it meant getting a recognised qualification at the end of it

daymobrew

Bobon wrote: »

Fatlog, whats this you mentioned about a zend qualification?

http://www.zend.com/en/services/certification/
Zend is the company behind PHP.

Bobon

Thanks Daymobrew

I've decided to get a PHP/MySQL book as I've done a bit of research and a lot of people seem to think it's the best way to learn the basics before forking out money.

However, I feel that if it was an area that I enjoyed and felt I wanted to work in, surely the best way is to get a qualification as it proves I have that piece of paper which companies tend to look for.

In your experience, do companies prefer seeing a piece of paper or would they prefer a prospective employee show them what they can do in terms of PHP programming?? In other words, would you get an interview based on just having an interest and not having an actual qualification??

Liam Byrne

Bobon wrote: »

In your experience, do companies prefer seeing a piece of paper or would they prefer a prospective employee show them what they can do in terms of PHP programming?? In other words, would you get an interview based on just having an interest and not having an actual qualification??

Having an "interest" : no.

Having a strong portfolio would, however, be better than a "piece of paper".

conor.hogan.2

and having both is better still. You at least need a portfolio.

ocallagh

Bobon wrote: »

Thanks Daymobrew

I've decided to get a PHP/MySQL book as I've done a bit of research and a lot of people seem to think it's the best way to learn the basics before forking out money.

However, I feel that if it was an area that I enjoyed and felt I wanted to work in, surely the best way is to get a qualification as it proves I have that piece of paper which companies tend to look for.

In your experience, do companies prefer seeing a piece of paper or would they prefer a prospective employee show them what they can do in terms of PHP programming?? In other words, would you get an interview based on just having an interest and not having an actual qualification??

A degree shows commitment. Experience/Portfolio shows you are both committed and skilled and with enough experience can trump the degree IMO.

A diploma or course is fairly useless without a portfolio, but can complement a portfolio.

If I was an employer, I wouldn't pay much attention to the FETAC course above.

Zend certification is a different animal to all the above... it is an industry standard qualification and shows skill and commitment in a specialized subject. If I was looking for a PHP Dev, regardless of the rest of your CV you'd get an interview just by having that cert.

mark renton

ocallagh wrote: »

A degree shows commitment. Experience/Portfolio shows you are both committed and skilled and with enough experience can trump the degree IMO.

No offence dude but this is tripe - your saying 1 years worth of work in one area outweighs 4 years in a range of areas

ocallagh wrote: »

Zend certification is a different animal to all the above... it is an industry standard qualification and shows skill and commitment in a specialized subject. If I was looking for a PHP Dev, regardless of the rest of your CV you'd get an interview just by having that cert.

again i wouldnt like you doing the hiring for my company and your above assumption that employers would go for a certification over degree / or competency in a range of subjects is misleading

ocallagh

john47832 wrote: »

your saying 1 years worth of work in one area outweighs 4 years in a range of areas

No, I never said that

again i wouldnt like you doing the hiring for my company and your above assumption that employers would go for a certification over degree / or competency in a range of subjects is misleading

Again you have misunderstood, I never said I put a cert ahead of a degree. I simply stated that a PHP Zend cert would be enough on it's own to get an interview for a PHP job.