IBM course in Centennial College

I am from Delhi and I did my Engg in Electronics from Pune and having a work exp of 3.5 yrs as a Software Engineer in HSBCSoftware Development India, Pune with a 6month work exp in canada in 2008.Currently, I planned to come for IBM course in Centennial for May Intake.What would you suggest me for the same?

I have applied for IBM(2859) course in Centennial college for May2010 Intake .It would be great, if you could pls advise on this course how good is it doing from Centennial and how about the 4months Internship and Job prospect thereon in IBM?, thanks!!

Answer:

You must have gone through my blog post, where I have already mentioned about the differences in years of work permit you get if you do one year course and two year course. So, if you have not read it yet, please go and read it in detail.

The IBM course that you are inquiring about is according to me an average course for a person like you with such a good profile. I would rather advise you to go for master degree in computer science and management so that opportunities will be more when you graduate. The reason why I am saying so is:

First, the course is mostly designed for individuals who have difficulty to get admission into universities. So the level of education is different compared to university and so does the opportunity level once you are finished with it.

Second, you will be restricted to one year work permit, whereas a master course will get you three years work permit, which is enough for you to settle here and get permanent resident status. I know many students who have worked in Canada for one year after IBM course but had way too much difficulty in extending their work permit. The reason is the employer would not extend your work permit due to lots of paperwork and difficulties involved. On the other hand, with three years of work permit after doing masters course, you don’t need any employer for up to 3 years for extending your work permit.

If you have a Bcom or other Arts undergraduate degree, I would recommend you to go for centennial college IBM course. But since you have engineering degree and good work experience, you should opt for master course. The only drawback to entering university is the tuition fee. But instead of enrolling to college twice in order to extend your stay and pay college tuition fee twice and getting nothing out of it. It is better to get a solid and valuable masters degree. The reason I am saying so is because, I have seen many students taking admission in one year pg diploma course, then working for one year and again going back to student visa. This is all done in order to maintain legal immigrant status in this country and with a hope of getting eligible for permanent resident status.

Talking about the IBM course, it is a very good course as it promises internship and students are placed in internship for real. But they also charge good amount of internship tuition fee which cannot be ignored. But let me warn you, this year centennial and other Canadian colleges have increased their intake capacities for international students. As a result they have introduced three or four intakes a year, am not sure of the exact number. When I entered centennial college for PG diploma in marketing management in May intake, I only had 5 students in my class. You might be facing a different scenario, you will have good amount of students. The reason I am emphasising on this is, if the intake of students increases, the college will be placing more students in internship program, which might become competitive. The assurance of internship might go down. The students who studied in intake of 2006 and 2007 of IBM course did secured internships of 4 months. Only a very few of them got opportunity to continue at the same company while others had to look for a new employer.

The best intake for college admissions is fall intake, September. Most of college events and information sessions happen during this period only.

The job prospects after doing IBM course is not as bright as compared to computer engineering degree. You already have this background, better look for studying further related to the same field. If you are looking for a mix of management and computer science, opt for such master degree in university. It would be beneficial, valuable and easy for further legal status into this country, if you are aiming for permanent residency.

If I have missed anything, let me know through comment.

Best of luck.