Brown college

[Genofish]

I wasnt sure where to post this so i thought i would start here. My son is looking at Brown college in MN for graphic/animation/web design program. Does anyone have any experince or comments on this school?? or any other schools in MN with similar programs???

Thanks

[muddpuppy]

I went there back in 97 for PC/LAN So I do not have a current idea of how it iss run now but back then the teaches for the most part were washed up and couldn't hold a job in the real world. I even had a teacher go through a sex change during the year. He had a name before x-mas break and she had a differant one after.

The one thing that I know has not changed is they are way expensive. I am not so sure their name caries as much weight these days. I would check some of the local tech schools. save some money and use the credits twords a degree instead of a certificate.

[heavyduty]

My wifes coworker's son was also looking at the same type of programs and found the schools in the cities were nice they could not afford them. He looked in to stout in Wisconsin and found that loved he the campus and the courses offered and will be starting this fall. My wife works in web and video in a large medical setting in southern MN and their department has had several summer interns from stout and have been real happy with their work and knowledge.

[spearchucker]

Stout is cheaper than Brown?

[muddpuppy]

Stout is cheaper than Brown?

I would say yes, to same simular

[spearchucker]

Originally Posted By: spearchucker

Stout is cheaper than Brown?

I would say yes, to same simular

I never would have guessed that. Isn't Stout a 4 year school?

KQ Morning show always references Brown College as "13th Grade or High School with cigarettes", but I know nothing about it.

[muddpuppy]

Well back in 97 I paid 12-14 for a 1 year program. I am guessing prices have gone up. Last I looked 4 year schools average 12-14k per year for a full time student. I guess it all depends on what you go to school for but that was the average we came up with while planning for our kids collage funds. I think when my 2 year old and newborn attend collage prices are projected to double what they are now. So 100k + for a standard 4 year degree. WOW

The money in my opinion is better spent in the 4 year environment vs the certificate schools. I think employers these days want the fully rounded students. Most of the people hiring today went to collage and will only hire those who have also went to collage.

I am a person with a certificate background and no collage degree, with 14years in the industry. I am not saying the other schools are bad. I just don’t think you get what you pay for in the long run.

Maybe things have changed and you can you’re your credits put towards a 4 year degree now. But in my case I was not able to do so.

[hydro]

As someone who has both a two year degree from Browm (electronics) and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State, I would have to say that education is no magic bullet for finding a job. It is, however, a tool that can help open doors, and that can build a mindset that will teach you how to learn and be able to understand the tasks at hand better than those without education.

Brown College has a good reputation as a technical school, particularly in the creative business areas, but employability and success is primarily driven by talent and initiative, not by education.

[muddpuppy]

employability and success is primarily driven by talent and initiative, not by education.

Well said Hydro,

I like to agree with your comment.

But the reality is the majority of corporate America demands a 4 year degree.

[Bigbartguy]

I'd definitely recommend a 4 yr degree from Stout over any Tech school degree/cert.

I have a 1 yr Tech certificate from a Tech school, an AA Degree (2yrs) and Bach of Science degree (4 yrs). The tech cert/diploma did little to help my income when I was younger. I finally realized the easiest way to make 'good' money was with 4 yr degree and I went back to school. I wish I wouldnt have wasted my time/money on the Tech college.

Please dont think that I'm knocking Tech schools, I think that if youre going into an actual 'trade' - Tech Colleges definitely have an huge advantage.

Mudpuppy is right: a 4 yr degree is pretty much a requirement in corporate America. My company doesnt really consider hiring anyone without one. You can be the smartest guy in the world - but if you can't even get your foot in the door then youre out of luck.

[perchking]

Well said BartGuy, I have 2 AA's and it was OK but you could never move up. I went back and graduated from Stout with a Bach of Science degree, and it seems so much easier now to get interviews when you are looking for them. It is still up to you to close the deal, but at least you are getting a chance at that position.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Good idea to have him interview some people at companies that do that type of work and ask them what they think about Brown and also where they would suggest.

I sometimes get the impression that Brown is more interested in trolling for the money of undecided youth, then providing them with a real education.

Video game designer... give me a break.

[BoxMN]

Video game designer... give me a break.

I am one but I have 4 year degree... in biology and enviro studies!!! No kidding

(I am a "producer" actually, but part of that is design, and I have designed many games over the years, good and bad, ha! It is a real job though, really it is but sometimes my wife doesn't think so, haha! )

[CJH]

Any "Corporate" situation is going to require an AA to get hired and a BA to move up past that. Smaller companies aren't quite as picky.

[chief]

genofish,

I'm a former sales pro who worked with Minnesota's private trade schools, and tech colleges for over fifteen years. They all have their strengths, but ultimately it's up to the individual to parlay an education into a job/career.

Having said that (and assuming the desired curriculum is offered)I would look first to an Area Tech College. These accounts are supremely focused on what area employers are looking for in graduates. As a result, their curriculums are sharply focused on the real world skills/nowledge that translate to employability. As a bonus, most credits earned in the MNSCU vo-tech system are highly transferable to MNSCU's 4-year schools--if that's an option down the road.

Our weak economy has caused enrollment explosions in career ed schools of all kinds, and competition is fierce. Be sure to explore all options. Consider cost, location, and schedule flexiblity (in case your son wants to work part time). Better yet, identify your son's "Dream" employer and ask them what school gives him the best chance of being hired there.

[perchking]

"Better yet, identify your son's "Dream" employer and ask them what school gives him the best chance of being hired there."

Great advice...

[nofishfisherman]

I wasnt sure where to post this so i thought i would start here. My son is looking at Brown college in MN for graphic/animation/web design program. Does anyone have any experince or comments on this school?? or any other schools in MN with similar programs???

Thanks

Which of those 3 areas does he want to focus on? Graphic design, animation and web design have some overlap but can lead down very different career paths.

I have a degree in graphic design from a 4 year university and it seems with more and more competition out there in these fields a 4 year degree is becoming more what employers are looking for.

If animation is his focus I would caution that there are VERY FEW jobs available in that field. There are only a handful of companies in Minnesota that do serious animation and its a popular field since every student dreams of designing video games or working for Pixar.

My wife used to work in the career service department of one of the local arts colleges and placing animation students we very difficult.

Graphic and Web Design have a broader range of applications but just being a good designer these days may not be enough. One thing that I did to help set myself apart is to develop my written communication skills. Now when a company hires me they don't need to hire me as a designer along with a copy writer to write all of the copy for me. They can just hire me and I can do both. Not many designers can do that coming right out of college which might be a reason to consider a school that offers the design curriculum as well as a good writing curriculum.