Web design, a new career interest

Q:  I am interested in a new field.  I have an undergraduate degree in history but I have recently developed an interest in web design.  My work experience has been in office management and now community relations for a large non-profit.  Do you recommend that I return to school and earn another undergraduate degree in web design?  I would need to continue working and return to school part-time at nights and it would take me quite a long time. Are there alternatives?

A: Returning to college and earning a second undergraduate degree is a significant financial commitment unless you have a very generous employer who offers a liberal tuition aid program.  Further, your tuition reimbursement program must be willing to support your new career interests in web design. which would be unusual.  Most tuition aid programs only support courses or programs which are job-related to your current career interests.

An alternative would be to pursue a web design certificate, which would be a shorter program targeted to those who have already earned an undergraduate degree but who may want to pursue a career in web design.  Some of these programs are six or maybe ten courses in length and less expensive than a second undergraduate degree.  It would be unusual for your employer to assist you financially with such a program unless they hope to train you for such a position and then retain you in a web master role.  In short, the financial investment may be yours.

Some, or all, of these course may be available online.  Before enrolling in such a program, ensure that the program is an accredited program.  It would also be wise to contact the advising office of the college or university to ensure that they program offered would meet your needs and you are able to meet the program requirements as well as the financial requirements.

There are several options available in Massachusetts.  One program that is highly regarded is the Certificate Program in Website Design and Development at The University of Massachusetts Lowell.  Visit http://www.umassonline.net/degrees/online-certificate-website-design-development for more information.   Bunker Hill Community Hill Community College also offers a Web Development Certificate Program –  http://www.bhcc.mass.edu/programsofstudy/programs/webdevelopmentcertificateprogram//. Finally, another option is available through Harvard Extension School.  For more information about the Web Technologies Certificate visit https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/professional-graduate-certificates/web-technologies-certificate.  Harvard’s program is a bit more extensive because it is a graduate certificate program so 23 courses are required.

The job outlook for web designers is promising.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 27% growth in this job category.

Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.