Here are some tips on how to choose a good computer course and avoid being tricked by the Institute.
This review is for computer institutes in general. I couldn't find an appropriate category to fit it into so I put it in this category.
I worked as an Instructor at a computer institute for 3 years. I started teaching graphics and after two years I taught software.
I wouldn't name the institute, but I would guide you how to choose a computer course and how to beware of the tricks and promises of the counsellors.
The most important thing in doing any computer course is the Instructor, the person who is going to teach you. He can teach you well or teach you nothing at all. The name of the institute and curriculum and everything else is secondary.
How does one know a good Instructor?
That's the difficult part. One way is to get an opinion from someone already doing a course at the institute. Only after a person completes the course (or a particular topic) can one know how good he/she has been taught. So don't go for the opinion of someone who has just joined.
Have a good rapport with the instructor. Spend some time after class if possible to talk to him informally. He will go out of his way to teach you well if he knows he is appreciated.
Why do computer institutes not have good instructors?
Firstly, they are paid pathetically low. Most of the profits go into the pockets of the owner. Since instructors are paid meagre salaries, they have no option but to get out as quickly as possible, so they only teach till they get a better paying job.
Secondly, students who have just finished their course are absorbed to teach. Experience instructors cost more.
Students who join institutes know nothing, so they are unable to judge the quality of the training they receive until later, by that time their course is almost come to an end.
If you are lucky you may get an experienced instructor, maybe with 6mths - 1 year experience. If you get an instructor who is taking his first or second batch you are in deep trouble.
Join only those courses that you need. But for that you have to know what you need, possibly someone who will guide you to get a job will tell you what you need. Most students join the whole lot of courses and end up paying for courses that they will never work on.
Pay attention in class. Practice lots. Take your practical time seriously.
Keep pressing for what you have been promised during the admission time. Many institutes promise lots (curriculum, study material, jobs) before the admission but don't deliver much once you join.
Now for the tricks and promises of the counsellors.
Firstly, beware of the deceiving smile and sweet talk. Not all that looks good is good. Counsellors will promise you anything to get you to take admission. Their job depends on the admissions they get. Each counsellor has a target to reach for the month (target in terms of money not in terms of the number of students admitted, so they try to sell you the most expensive course), if that target is not reached they could end up losing their jobs.
Counsellors know nothing about demand for the course (software) or any practical aspect of the course, they are trained to talk and that is what they do.
Counsellors get paid more than instructors. That's why they stick longer and talk sweeter. Once you pay for the course who cares about the rest.
Secondly, beware of what the counsellors promise. Most of them promise things that are never delivered. Partly it is not their mistake, they tell what they are told to say by their bosses. If their boss tells them to promise jobs to increase admissions, they will promise the students jobs, the boss may have no intention of providing any jobs (even if written guarantees are given).
Thirdly, during admission the counsellor may present an exhaustive curriculum, the faculty may not be trained or experienced enough to provide that kind of training. But once you pay and join the course there is little you can do about it.
Counsellors change all the time, so you cannot chase them later you have to be careful before joining the course.
Fourthly, beware of dead lines for admissions and discounts. These are nothing but a way to trick you into taking admission. Many counsellors try to trick their students into taking early admission by telling the student that the course begins next week, and the next course will be only after a month or two. This is a trick to try to pull the student into taking admission. They will give you admission anytime you want to join (no one will refuse the money you will pay).
Make sure you get all the study material that you are promised. Sometimes you may have to be persistent in demanding them.
Fifthly, do not be tricked into joining the most expensive course. Counsellors make it look like your career would be made if you join a particular course. All they are trying to do is trick you. Get an opinion from someone who is working in the computer field to know which course is good.
Computer Education is nothing but a business. Sadly they often put the careers of the students in peril by misguiding them to the wrong courses.
Never believe in advertisements or personal testimonies of students presented by the counsellors. I've seen personal testimonies falsified (most of them are).
All affiliations (even foreign ones) and other certificates of honour displayed by the institutes are worthless. Don't be tricked by them.
In my opinion for a basic computer course join a small institute with an instructor for 2-3 students, that way you learn more than joining a big institute with 15-20 students per batch.
For more advanced courses you have to careful as to which institute you join, spend a lot of time and effort deciding, there is no point in regretting later.
Take care!
