Re: IBM Education Card

----- Original Message -----
From: Eric Kempter <NOERICK.NORCAL@CLEANCITY.COM>
To: <midrange-l@midrange.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 6:17 PM
Subject: IBM Education Card


> Has anyone purchased the IBM Education Card?   Is it worth the 5K? Your
thoughts pelase.

Eric,

I had one about two years ago.  At that time you could take any course or
attend any Technical Conference where the course/conference fee was less
than the cost of the card (which was almost all courses/conferences offered
at that time -- I didn't find any I could not attend that I wanted to).
Since then, they have made several changes, including some courses not
being covered.  They have also changed the AS/400 Technical Conferences
such that Ceritifcation Exams are reduced pricing insead of free as they
were when I had the card.

We purchased an application that required an AS/400 which required me to
become the resident exper as quickly as possible.  I took approximately
$13000 in courses over the year with most of those in the first six months.
I also attended one AS/400 Technical Conference where I took (and passed)
four Certification Exams.  I am fortunate in that I am within easy driving
distance of the Dallas Education Center, so there was not lodging or meal
cost and I just "ate" the gas cost as I felt my employer was increasing my
"worth" enough by letting me attend several weeks of training.  If you are
in the same situation, where a training center is nearby, it is a GREAT
DEAL even with the "restrictions".  If you have to travel, it would depend
on how many courses you will actually be able to take.  But, it only takes
2 or 3 one week courses and you've "broken even" on the card.  Also, with
regard to IBM courses, if you have never taken one, I found that all but
one of the course I took were excellent and that one was good.

Another great education source is COMMON.  I learned of it late last year
and attended my first conference in March.  I will attend my second in
October.  My total cost will be about $2500 with reg., hotel, travel and
meals and I am sure that it will be very well worth every penny, just as
last March was.

Good luck,

Robert E. Burger
Information Systems Coordinator
Tarrant County CSCD
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
=============================
AS/400 9406-620 running OS/400 V4R4
AS/400 9406-170 running OS/400 V4R4


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