I really want a new job.

[Shockwave]

The one I have is changing so much that it was time to move on a long time ago.

What's the best way of geting into employment as a web designer or something?

[Hotshot]

You could learn web designer as it isnt that hard to do. Dreamweaver (I dont know if I have spell it right but that what I used long time ago) is best to learn.

[combatking0]

Dreamweaver is one of the most accepted industry standards.

I'm currently on the CIW (Certificate In Webdesign) course through Skills Train. Some people have had a bad time with Skills Train, but I am about 75% of the way through the course, and have not seen anything bad myself. They have promised to find me a local job in web design with a salery of at least £25k on completion of the course.

I believe Dreamweaver is on the course.

[benny!]

@Shocky:
Sorry to hear that dude. Hope you'll soon find a job with makes
more fun.

Webdesign ... hmm ... as far as I can judge from my experiences
the term "webdesign" can be a vast field. Do you want to specialize
just in HTML, FLASH and CSS topics ? Which is more or less the "view"
or presentation layer of the web application - or do you want to write
the business logic itself using Java, PHP and stuff writing object orientated
applications ?

Well, if we take the term "Webdesign" by word it would "just" deal with
CSS, HTML, FLASH and maybe even with Photoshop related stuff (icons,
logo etc).

I would at least choose between those two fields and if you feel comfortable
with it - apply with some references (if possible) at web agencies.

I know web agencies which has employees for example who are only doing
CSS styles. So maybe it might be interesting to specialize in some way.

Besides, more and more web agencies seem to work with certain Enterprise
Content Management Systems - so some knowledge of popular CMS could
be good, too!

Anyway, good luck, mate!

[Shockwave]

Web agencies?
Do they work like other employment agencies? Sorry if I sound a bit thick.

Lots of interesting information here though, thanks.

Combatking, I see these courses advertised on the tv all the time and I must admit I have been tempted but have bee a little bit sceptical, most of them need a pretty large chunk of money to get them going.

I hadn't heard of Skills train before.

What employment opportunities would you get with the CIW?

[benny!]

No idea if web agencies is the right word for it.

But lets put it the other way around - which fields
would you like to concentrate on as a webdesigner ?

[ ] Flash
[ ] Actionscript
[ ] CSS
[ ] Javascript
[ ] HTML
[ ] PHP (ASP, JAVA, .NET)
[ ] Photoshop
[ ] CMS (Typo3, ...)
[ ] ...

(multiple answers allowed ;-)

[combatking0]

@ Shockwave:

The jobs range from being a member of a web programming team, specialising in one or more web languages (the more you know, the better), to team manager, and even project managers.

As Benny! has said, there are many areas of web design, so it is probably best to start with HTML, and then decide to specialise in either server technologies (CGI, PHP, ASP, PERL, databases, etc) which can be used to write HTML, or client technologies, such as CSS, JavaScript, ActionScript, Flash.

Then there's the openings for Graphic Designers, Animators, and even Sound FX people on the team as well, depending on where you live and on which companies are based near where you live, but with web based companies, you could even work from home.

This is probably the best place to start looking for information on the CIW course through Skills Train: http://www.skillstrainuk.com/web_designer.html
They offer other ICT and non-ICT courses too.

[benny!]

@Shocky:

And do not be frustrated if the list of different techniques,
systems and languages might appear very long. This should
not discourage you. In all this web business the majority of
ppl do not have a big technical background. Lots of them
are old marketing / advertising / multimedia / print agencies
which have big customers and want to supply them solutions
for the new online media.

[Shockwave]

It sounds very very good. Thank you Benny and Tony

I am 60% decided on this as my career change.
Things will be changing in work again soon so I will need to make up my mind.

[combatking0]

Personally, I'm thinking of going into teaching. Science or primary, either would be good.

With the lack of male teachers in primary schools, I should be able to land a job quite easily after training.

Have you thought about teaching?

[p01]

Being a standards-nazi, I would advice against DreamWeaver.

In my book it's like those MicroSoft certifications. Any one can do it, so there's no added value. No offence intended.

I know DreamWeaver can produce okay code, but it doesn't encourage/enforce it.


If you want to go into web design/development, I encourage you to learn the real deal : (x)THML and CSS. It's not difficult. One very efficient way to get started on the right track is to :

Take a couple of days, download the specs/recommandations, and make a few pages web site as best as you can by looking up to the specs every time your are unsure about something, anything. It's a tedious process but it pays off. A lot!


If you're interested I could point you to the specs you need and some web sites listing best practices.

HTH

[benny!]

Being a standards-nazi, I would advice against DreamWeaver.
...

Yeah - and after learning the standards - start to learn that
a lot of browsers do not follow the standard and/or have
bugs in its implementation. 

[Shockwave]

With the lack of male teachers in primary schools, I should be able to land a job quite easily after training.
Have you thought about teaching?

Yes, I did think about teaching, my original plan was to do something along those lines myself and before I met Mel I had started my Mathematics degree with the Open University. I didn't want to teach in a comprehensive school but I could have seen myself lecturing in a college somewhere.

I've had some friends who are teachers and they all reccomended either teaching Primary school kids or College lecturing because of all the hassle that goes with Comprehensive school teaching.

Unfortunately it would take me too long to finish my degree now to change my carrer in this way (work commitments and home life has changed) so I need something I can study and learn in maximum 1 year.

I've done a bit of web design and I have learned quite a lot from setting up and running this site and also got a great deal of enjoyment from it but I am under no illusions that I have the wrong skill set at the moment to get consistent work as a web programmer / designer.

If you want to go into web design/development, I encourage you to learn the real deal : (x)THML and CSS. It's not difficult. One very efficient way to get started on the right track is to :

Take a couple of days, download the specs/recommandations, and make a few pages web site as best as you can by looking up to the specs every time your are unsure about something, anything. It's a tedious process but it pays off. A lot!

If you're interested I could point you to the specs you need and some web sites listing best practices.

HTH

Yes I am definately interested in this, I really appreciate it. If nothing else it would make interesting reading for me, and most probably would give me a better idea if I am cut out for this kind of work.

[warters]

Allright Bro.

I've got some stuff in work that I can lend you that will get you started. I'll give it to you next time I see you!

Got a few options you could explore! 

[Shockwave]

How about getting me a job at Gladiator?

[combatking0]

How about getting me a job at Gladiator?

From what I hear, they're not bringing back Wolf, so there may be a job vacancy there. You'll have to train hard, if you haven't already though.

Shockwave Contender

[Shockwave]

Shockwave Contender

Lol, I am far too tired to fight! 

[combatking0]

They've filled the presenters' jobs. And the bloke with the whistle is back. You could be the guy in the audience who is there every week. I can't think of any other job there.