5. The Cost of the Program
There are courses that cost thousands of dollars and courses that cost much less. What's best for your budget and your own needs? You don't have to go broke to get started in or enhance your advertising career. Check out courses that are affordable and fit into your budget.
6. Instructor's Experience
Look at the credentials of who will be teaching your course. If you don't have access to an instructor's credentials, you'll want to drop a line and ask. It's important you know who's teaching your course and that they have experience in the field.
7. Other Students
Look at the testimonials from other students and you can also request to talk to more of the students. Some programs will not allow you to speak to their former or current students. Others will allow you to speak with students who they've received permission from since this is an issue of privacy. Every company has its own policy.
8. Your Own Goals
What are you expecting to accomplish when you finish? If you're wanting to write commercials, you should look into a commercial writing course instead of a course that specializes in direct mail. If you're looking to enter the world of freelancing, you want a course that can help you attain that goal and that can give you tips throughout your course as well.
9. What Can the Course Do for Your Career
Is everything textbook or will you able to put your hands on real-life experience? For example, will you be learning about how to write great copy or design brochures or will you actually be able to create these materials through your course? If you're just studying and not applying your learning to actual materials, you want to consider how that will fit into your plans after the course. With some courses, you can actually have real materials you can use in your portfolio.
10. When You've Finished the Course
Does the program give you help along the way to get an ad agency job or start your freelance career? If you're not sure, ask. Some courses give you so much information you can use that's above and beyond learning the fundamentals. You can get career help that is worth so much more than the cost of the course.