Hi Person,
Since you already hold a bachelor's degree and have some skills with Adobe products I agree 100% that you should now look for specific courses or a bundle of courses (such a bundle is often called "a certificate")to meet your career goals.
For others, there is a great article here on picking between a second bachelors degree program OR a certificate. The points made in this article may help you as the piece follows your logic for what type of education would best match this career dilemma.
SEE: Should I Earn a Second Bachelors Degree (vs. certificate)
www.geteducated.com/expert-advice/careers/443-online-bachelor-degree-or-graduate-certificate
In this case you want portable skills that are tied to a single vendor product -- adobe illustrator. If I were you I'd start at the horses' mouth and look at the courses and certifications that are offered and authorized by Adobe training online and learning centers nationwide.
There are more than 25 different types and levels of certification for Adobe products which are available from adobe certified training centers. Check out the official Adobe course catalog online at
training.adobe.com/training/courses.html#
You can attend these training courses at a local center OR some are available 100% online.
The good thing about going with these courses are they are pegged to industry standardized certifications for using all types and levels of adobe products. Professional certification on adobe tool use can be a great resume and pay booster.
Another option is to look for a packaged online certificate from a college that incorporates web design and graphic virtual design that uses Adobe certified tools and exams as a part of the degree.
To find a list of these, search our guide to online degree programs for
Graduate Certificates
www.geteducated.com/profiles/search/online-graduate-certificate-diploma&SS=Search%20by%20Level%20%3E%20Online%20Graduate%20Certificate
Try also online undergraduate certificates:
www.geteducated.com/profiles/search/online-undergraduate-certificate-diploma&SS=Search%20by%20Level%20%3E%20Online%20Undergraduate%20Certificate
In both cases, use the FILTERS on your left to CHOOSE Computer Science and IT as your subject area.
I am not sure any of the above would be specific enough for your needs. Also, often colleges charge a large fee for 'transcripting' or awarding academic degree credit for certificate courses. This is great if you want to earn the certifivcate and apply it as credit to the major area of a bachelors or masters degree. In your case degree transcripting fees may well not be worth the extra cost.
What you really want is professional skills training that will stand up in the job market and add to your skills base in a very narrow area.
Corporate training tied to end of course certification exams would be the path I'd choose in your situation.
All the best
Vicky Phillips
Founder Get Educated - and all around online education geek
pers0n wrote:
I know there are video tutorials, blogs and vids on youtube that allow you to learn Adobe Illustrator, but I need assignments and an instructor that I can ask questions with and get answers. A structured online course in adobe would make me feel obligated to completing, whereas items offered randomly out there without a curriculum or any feed-back setup, won't motivate me.
Anyway, I'm not looking for a degree online, although I wouldn't be totally against it, maybe just a few classes or maybe even a certification. I already have a Bachelor's degree. I just need to build my skills in Illustrator, my weakest area since I already know Photoshop and other related skills.
Any suggestions on online schools, courses, certifications, tutors, websites or whatever that specialize in teaching this as I mentioned?
Thanks in advance. :)
