Expert: Rolland Puckett - 9/1/2000

Question
Hi
I am very much interested in studying ecommerce or/and ebusiness studies as they are the future. I am a graduate of an American university in Cairo which is City University with Business Adminstration degree. I am 24 years old. I am not thinking of taking MBA but enrolling in a learning centre that will help in teaching me the basics, the managment and the running of an ecommerce company. Is there any US centre or instituation that offer a package for learning ecommerce that doesn`t take more than a year to finish? The location of the learning centre is not important for me as I will be travelling from Yemen in the Middle East. Also, expenses will not be a big deal if the courses deserve it.
Thank you.

Answer
Dear Tarek,

You seem to be quite ambitious and know what you want.  Let me give you just the meager information I can.  You would be well advised to then ask the same question of those who are much more involved with the internet and e-commerce than I am.  I do keep my ear open to what's going on in that area of business and society as much as I can.  A study course in such a complex field which lasts only one year would of necessity be extremely intense.

Institutions of various kinds have been adapting to the ever increasing need for speed, but I have not heard of any center which offers a comprehensive course of study which will qualify (or certify) someone to meet the challenges of conducting e-commerce with true competence and capability.

There is a nationwide chain of schools owned and operated by ITT (International Telephone & Telegraph) which you probably know is a huge, multinational company.  They're simply called ITT schools, and they advertise heavily several times annually.  I know several men who've graduated from ITT schools, and everything I hear about them is quite positive.

To graduate from an ITT school, however, the course of study requires two years.  The classes normally meet in the evenings because most of the students are working full time.  Some classes meet on Saturdays.  They have numerous courses in several fields.  One friend of mine graduated from ITT, studying as a computer engineer, another studied computer science.  I would think that ITT has a course of study in e-commerce, but I'm not sure.  A visit to their website would provide that information, certainly.

ITT's course credits are not transferable to most U.S. colleges and universities which I think is unfortunate.  If you were to decide at some future time that you wanted to pursue a college degree you'd have to start over - UNLESS you passed a competence test, which a great many schools of higher learning gladly give.  They realize that many people have learned something on their own and ought to be given credit for it.  You've already graduated from the institution you indicated, but you didn't indicate if you received a degree, or which field of study.

I've been told, however, that in some fields the important thing these days is not a college degree as much as certification.  For example, my computer engineer friend has his two year course of study at ITT, and he is a certified MicroSoft engineer.  There is a series of tests which require two or three hours each (about ten or twelve) involving different aspects of that field.  Frequently, the company one works for will pay all or at least half the cost of the tests.  They are rather expensive.  That certification, however, is extremely important in his field - and there are other certifications as well, such as different software programs of large complexity.

My friend states that such certifications are more important than a college degree, as least for his profession.  My point, Tarek, is that there are certification requirements in so many of the electronic media professions these days, and that's one avenue of inquiry to investigate.

A great place to obtain some concrete information about such schools is the reference department of a large public library, such as NY.  They surely have a website.  Just ask for someone to help you to find schools other than four year colleges and universities, which are somehow accredited or well recognized.  That's what a good reference librarian is supposed to do: help people find the information they seek.

One last thought, my friend.  At twenty five, you're not an old man who has waited too late to get a really good education leading to the baccalaureat degree (four years).  In fact, it may surprise you to know that you would almost certainly be a much better student, learn more efficiently, and be able to cope with the rigors of a good college, than the other students.  There are many students in all colleges and universities who are freshman in their twenties and thirties.  Many of them have spent several years in the military, or they worked for a number of years and just decided that it is now time to begin higher learning.

If you already hold a degree, you might even consider pursuing a master's degree, which may require only two years - three at most.  That degree does not have to be in the very same field as one's bachelor's degree.  It must, however, be something related.

If money is not an issue you would be doubly well advised to consider a four year course of study or a graduate program.  A degree in business with an emphasis in electronic commerce would assure you of an excellent chance at a true professional pursuit.  You would not be compelled to earn money, as so many students must, so all of your time could be used to excel academically.  The other great reason for seeking a degree, of course, is the enormous personal and intellectual growth you would experience.  Four years (or two or three years for a master's) is NOT a long time, Tarek.  It would pass amazingly quickly, believe me!

Do look at the reference department of different libraries' websites, which should be very extensive.  Ask them for assistance, which they should readily provide.

Whatever course you decide, I wish you the very best in your studies and in your future!

Rolland Puckett