New Horizons
- Anyone know about New Horizons as far as getting training and certifications?
Janet Heath
Answers
- I use to work at New Horizons Jacksonville as a Technical Instructor, Computer Services Manager, and Senior Network Administrator; so I guess I have some insight to your question! :)
Although New Horizons offers online training, their main source of teaching comes in the classroom. Being a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, Microsoft technical classes are taught by Microsoft Certified Trainer using Microsoft Official Curriculum. Depending on the class or subject you are taking, classes are normally 3 to 5 days long - starting at roughly 8:30am - 4:30pm. Night classes are also available normally going Monday thru Friday, 5:30pm - 9:30pm and Saturdays, 8:30am - 3:30pm.
Now the times and offerings are different per location. The above was for my center, so check with your local New Horizons for details.
Like every "For-Profit" business, New Horizons was established to make money. Account Executives (sales people) have monthly sales they must achieve. So they tend to offer you every certification in the IT field when pitching you. Be aware of this. Go in with a plan of your own. Also prices are negotiable. I knew some students that paid up to 50% less than others and received the same training.
Talk to the trainers. Talk to the students. Ask you account executive to speak with past students about their experience. Have a list of vauable questions to determine if New Horizons is right for you. Instructor-led training cost money. Make sure you feel comfortable dropping that money. Ask to evaluate a class. This is where you sit a class for free to determine if this is right for you. You may not know what in the world is being taught, but pay attention to the instructors and HOW they teach. We all teach differently!
Let me know if I can be of more service to you...
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate.- Proposed As Answer byMichael D. AlligoodModeratorMonday, December 15, 2008 5:50 PM
- Marked As Answer byKen Rosen_MSMSFT, OwnerThursday, January 08, 2009 5:09 AM
All Replies
- I use to work at New Horizons Jacksonville as a Technical Instructor, Computer Services Manager, and Senior Network Administrator; so I guess I have some insight to your question! :)
Although New Horizons offers online training, their main source of teaching comes in the classroom. Being a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, Microsoft technical classes are taught by Microsoft Certified Trainer using Microsoft Official Curriculum. Depending on the class or subject you are taking, classes are normally 3 to 5 days long - starting at roughly 8:30am - 4:30pm. Night classes are also available normally going Monday thru Friday, 5:30pm - 9:30pm and Saturdays, 8:30am - 3:30pm.
Now the times and offerings are different per location. The above was for my center, so check with your local New Horizons for details.
Like every "For-Profit" business, New Horizons was established to make money. Account Executives (sales people) have monthly sales they must achieve. So they tend to offer you every certification in the IT field when pitching you. Be aware of this. Go in with a plan of your own. Also prices are negotiable. I knew some students that paid up to 50% less than others and received the same training.
Talk to the trainers. Talk to the students. Ask you account executive to speak with past students about their experience. Have a list of vauable questions to determine if New Horizons is right for you. Instructor-led training cost money. Make sure you feel comfortable dropping that money. Ask to evaluate a class. This is where you sit a class for free to determine if this is right for you. You may not know what in the world is being taught, but pay attention to the instructors and HOW they teach. We all teach differently!
Let me know if I can be of more service to you...
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate.- Proposed As Answer byMichael D. AlligoodModeratorMonday, December 15, 2008 5:50 PM
- Marked As Answer byKen Rosen_MSMSFT, OwnerThursday, January 08, 2009 5:09 AM
Thank you Michael for your advice. I talked to the Senior Education Consultant in Denver, CO. Am going to meet her at their Broomfield, CO facility which is about 35 minutes from me. She sent me some information through email. I have 2 packages, one is MCTS: SQL Server 2005 and the other one is MCTS: Web Applications. I have opted to do the SQL Server 2005, I feel it is the one most beneficial to me right now. It is also $2,500 cheaper than the other one. This month only, they are selling at 25% off. However, they offer a graphics & internet club for 6 months at $1,799 which I feel that I can do without. I would have to go down to the facility to access the club and feel like I wouldn't be able to utilize it for the amount of money I would be paying for it. Anyway, she is taking that off. I will not get the 25% off but come out ahead. Total package price is $5,499 and I am getting it for $3700.00. I am going to take the courses in the classroom. It will not be a super long drive and I can get away from the house and focus on this. I can take the courses and then do the test. It will be easier for me to do it and get it out of the way.
Michael, thank you so much for your insight.
Janet Heath- Janet, can you provide me with further details that your chosen package includes; i.e. classes, included exams, etc.? I want to make sure that you are getting a fair price for what you are being offered.
You are correct in that you do not need the graphics and internet club for 6 months. This is a value added resale for them that is almost pure profit. Nothing wrong with a company doing this, but when you are trying to focus on your desired certification, that money can be used to further your development in your studies.
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate. - Michael,
Here it is:
Introduction to T-SQL $1,275
2779 Implementing a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database $2,125
2780 Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database $2,125
Test Pass Guarantee FREE
Graphics & Internet Club 6 months $1,799
Books 24X7 Access 1 year $399
Practice Exam Transenders - $99/each 1 $99
Microsoft Exam Vouchers - $130/each 1 $130
Total Retail - $7,952 Package Investment $5,499
She is taking the $1,799 off for me and I will be charged $3,700.
Janet Heath Janet,
Let me add to what Michael have told you, the SQL Server 2005 MCTS exams takes detailed knowledge of SQL Server Management studio to pass and a teacher cannot teach you that you need so start with the MS self prep book and get to know SQL Server 2005 before giving any money to schools because RDBMS comes with language and product you need to know both. The way to know both is start cheap on your own and take programming and admin classes to cover details.
Here is how you install the product step by step.
http://sql-articles.com/index.php?page=articles/install/insql.htm
Here is how you study with the self prep book. Spend some time with this then call the school this time you know what you are getting. I can also answer most reasonable questions about the product.
Asp.net MVP, MCPD Web C#, MCTS TFS, MCITP BI and DBA- Whoa Janet. Let's address somethings.
They are charging you FULL price for the classes. Nothing wrong with this, but as I said, you can negotiate this - trust me.
Books 24x7 access. If they are referring to E-Reference Libraries for Microsoft Press, that is only $249.99 for the COMPLETE library.
The practice exam looks good but I do not understand the $5 upcharge for the normal $125 Microsoft exam fee.
I would offer them $3,900 for the entire package (not including the club). That is with 20% off the full price class.
Here is another thing you can do. I see there are other New Horizons in Denver. Go to them and say this is what you want and see what they can do. I can almost promise you that you will get different prices all the way around. Play them against each other or another competitor. In this economy, it is a buyers market despite what you hear.
This is in no way trying to get something for nothing. Having been an employee of New Horizons for 3 years, I do know how they work. And there is nothing wrong with you looking out for yourself monetarily.
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate. - Hi Michael.
I have to meet New Herizon rep tomorow .I want to get Microsoft Cerified IT BI developer for SQL 2005 Server certification.I have been working on SQL Server 2005 past 4 months(doing basic things).She said (over the phone) that i need to take the following courses:
50027
2779
2780
2791
2792
2793
2796
2797
2794
2795
They are asking $6820(including $ 450 for exam voulchers)
Any advice?
Thank You Thanks Michael. I am getting the entire package for $3,700(not including the club). That is $5,499 less $1,799.
Janet Heath
- Oh, gotcha! I misread that part. Also, take a look Vardan above is paying for essentially 10 courses including exam vouchers. It is the strangest business. Almost like selling used cars! I remember teaching a class to 8 people. One of which paid 2 grand for the class and another paid $750... They both had different account executives and neither knew how much the other paid. I suppose it would have upset one of them!
The point being is that negotiating a price is not unreasonable. I love Intructor-Led Training. I learn the best in that environment. But get prices from competitors, or other centers.
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate. - Thanks Michael.
- Hope that helps. If you need anything more, just let me know!
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate. Thank you so much Michael for your help. I checked with another place here called Ameriteach and they are more expensive. I checked with another company called Global Knowledge which does not have a facilty here but is hosted at places. Anyway, my best bet is to go with New Horizons.
Janet
- Excellent, and best of luck to you Janet!
Michael D. Alligood,
MCITP: Enterprise Support, MCTS: Vista Configuration,
MCSA, MCDST, MCP, A+, Network+
The I.T. Classroom Blog
Start. Research. Plan. Perform. Finish. Test. Evaluate.
