You may have heard people talk about a “specialized” vs. “general” education, and they probably had an opinion as to which was best.

In reality, however, the type of education that you should choose should depend on your needs, preferences—and the money and time you have available to spend! Here are the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why” of seeking a specialized vs. general education.

Who?

Do you know what you want to do and be, career-wise? Do you feel time shouldn’t be wasted when it comes to achieving your career goals, and that hands-on experience is the best kind? If so, a specialized education may be for you. A specialized education offers focused, practical training to students who have a clear career path in mind.

Students who don’t have a fixed career goal, don’t mind taking added time to complete their training, and want to develop their analytical skills and knowledge base in general could benefit from a less focused, general education. A general education requires students take many courses for breadth of knowledge—but these courses may not have anything to do with the student’s final job goal.

What?

A specialized education will require that you focus only on classes that directly lead to knowledge and skill building in your chosen career field. With the hands-on, focused practical learning many specialized educations provide, you’ll be job-ready as soon as you graduate.

Students pursuing a general education often take English, math, history, social sciences or other courses that don’t relate closely to their desired career goal. General education students often have to search for jobs that match their developed skill set, as they graduate ill-prepared to enter any defined job role.

Where?

You can find specialized training at private career colleges near you. If you want to become a paramedic, personal support worker, or manage a business, for example, a private career school like Trillium College has 8 campuses around Ontario at which you can train to achieve your goals.

University and college humanities programs offer general education programs for students.

When?

Trillium College is currently accepting students for its 2014 September start. It isn’t too late! Contact Trillium College today to take your first step towards a new career now.

Students often have to apply months in advance, on the other hand, for acceptance into university programs.

Why?

If you want to escape a job you don’t love, comfortably pay your bills and enter a dynamic career of your choosing, it may be time to enter a specialized program today.

If you want to broaden your understanding of the world and enhance your level of education in a general way, then a general education might be your best choice.

So, what kind of education is best for you? Make a change and take your first steps towards the career of your dreams now: contact Trillium College at 1.855.234.2008 to schedule your FREE Career Planning Session. We are still accepting students into our many exciting diploma programs, and with 8 campuses around Ontario, we’re here to help you succeed.

If you’re considering coming back to school to become a Network Administrator, we’d like to tell you you’ve made a great choice. And it’s true—you have. Our diploma program, which is 42 weeks long, gives you the knowledge and hands-on skills to plan, install, configure, maintain and secure networked computer systems, as well as write an array of industry-recognized certification exams. It prepares you for work in a growing industry, in an array of technical and specialist positions.

But the reality is, you’re probably going to appreciate the viewpoint of someone who’s “in your shoes” more: someone at your stage of life who’s experienced our program, or who has decided to pursue network administration as a career. This is where the importance of Trillium College reviews comes in…

Below are some of the questions we often hear from people like you—people who are considering a job in network administration, and who want to know more about our program. And following each question you’ll find Trillium College reviews real graduates have offered, following their experiences working towards our Network Administrator diploma. Read on, and call us at 1.866.661.2070 if our Trillium College reviews leave you with any questions, today.

Prospective Student: Am I too old to go back to school, or become a Network Administrator?

Trillium College Review: “When I started the Network Administrator program at the age of 56, I felt like I was behind the eight ball. My instructor, Rick McMaster, assured me that all would work out and he put me at ease. All the modules went smoothly and I passed with flying colours. Without Trillium College I would not have a future. I am on my way to better places now.”

– Serge Krisman, Network Administrator program graduate

Prospective Student: I’m interested in computers, but don’t know much about them. Does this mean I shouldn’t enrol in Trillium College’s Network Administrator program?

Trillium College Review: “I came to Trillium College knowing only how to turn a computer on. Thanks to Rick McMaster, the instructor teaching the Network Administrator course, I can now repair and/or build almost any computer system, and I also understand how everything works in computing and networking. I owe Rick and Trillium College a great deal of gratitude for all my career successes.”
– Serge Krisman, Network Administrator program graduate

Prospective Student: What are the instructors like in the Network Administration program?

Trillium College Review: “The staff members are outgoing, friendly and dedicated to seeing you succeed. My instructor, Rick McMaster, pushed me to not only believe in myself and my abilities, but also to succeed at all that I do. I owe him a great debt of gratitude and respect.”

– Shanna Miller, Network Administrator program graduate

Prospective Student: What if it’s too hard? Maybe I shouldn’t try…

Trillium College Review: “My experience here at the college as been beyond my original expectation. After three years of trying to succeed at other colleges my success here has—although tough and at times downright stressful—been the most rewarding in my educational career.”

– Shanna Miller, Network Administrator program graduate

Prospective Student: How can Trillium College’s Network Administrator program help me reach my career goals?

Trillium College Review: “Throughout the past 42 weeks I have learned more than just how to take care of a computer network. Rick has taught the class what it is to be a professional and go above and beyond the call of duty. The program itself has prepared me to follow the goal that I had set for myself when I started the course: to have the knowledge and ability to open my own computer business. Taking this course would benefit anyone who is thinking about a career in the IT field.

– Ryan Clapper, Network Administrator program graduate

Prospective Student: Coming to back to college seems scary. I’ve heard big post-secondary institutions treat you like a “number”!

Trillium College Review: “I found that in the larger colleges I attended I was treated more like a number, whereas here at Trillium College everyone made it a personal goal to learn my name. This attention to detail made a difference each and every day.”

– Shanna Miller, Network Administrator program graduate

It’s never too late to come back to school. While it’s important to keep learning in pursuit of our career goals, however, seeking out the right learning experience is an important step. Trillium College reviews help prospective students benefit from our graduates’ knowledge base. Who knows, but maybe you’ll be able to offer your own Trillium College review soon!

Call 1.855.234.2008 to book your Career Planning Session now. It isn’t too late to join our Fall 2014 programs, so what are you waiting for?