SetFocus News and Happenings.

What do you think -- is this company going to survive and thrive? Are they looking to expand their staff, or do you think layoffs are inevitable?

How does SetFocus stack up against the competition?

Does anyone know about this company or the details of the jobs ? How long is the contract in exchange for the training, etc. ?

I researched them. They are nothing but a school that rapidly teaches the technology. They have two options to pay back their fees. One is consultantship (fow lower pay), and the other is pay them back. Given the 5 figure price tag. I chose to shy away from it, learn it on my own with a book, while working for a company that did both so I can move over to this. Another option is to go to a local community college and get the same schooling for far less money.

That is my take. Do with it as you please.

anonymous anonymous in Fairmount, Georgia said: Does anyone know about this company or the details of the jobs ? How long is the contract in exchange for the training, etc. ?

First of all, set focus is a school, you sit and take an online IQ test then all goes well several interviews. If accepted you take several courses. The avg tuition is $28,000. They claim you will get a great education and a premium job.

Thank you for the information.

Do you know if they actually can get someone a job at the end of the training/education ?

And that they don't require payment for the education if the person consults for Setfocus ?

Thanks again.

The question was, will they get a job? Well, demand for what they are schooling for is high, so the probability of getting a job is high. So, they will likely get you a job. My issue is the price tag for the training. Many local colleges in my area teach classes that yield in the same thing. Even the most expensive school does not touch the 28K price tag. Granted, the 28K gets you accelerated classes; but I do not see the cost justifying the means. I'd recommend going to you local community college, meeting with an instructor, and asking for advice.

This is just another scam. Any company that promises a job is telling a lie. No one can guarantee you a job. Their "tuition" is outrageous. I can get to be a Certified Oracle DBA at my local college for under $3,500 and they want $28,000??? What a rip-off

Tom in Rockaway Park, New York said: First of all, set focus is a school, you sit and take an online IQ test then all goes well several interviews. If accepted you take several courses. The avg tuition is $28,000. They claim you will get a great education and a premium job.

The Master's Program is an intensive experience designed to help IT professionals keep their skills current, maintain marketability, and align them with organizations seeking specialized talent. The tuition for our Master's Program is currently $19,000.00. Please visit www.setfocus.com/mastersprogram/net-developer-training.aspx and/or contact me for more information - www.setfocus.com/ContactUs.aspx

Regards,
Jonathan Lefkowitz
SetFocus, President

anonymous anonymous in Fairmount, Georgia said: Thank you for the information.

Do you know if they actually can get someone a job at the end of the training/education ?

And that they don't require payment for the education if the person consults for Setfocus ?

Thanks again.

Our placement rates are exceptional - you may speak directly with a representative from SetFocus Career Services. They will review information on the job market in your area as well as your appropriateness for our programs.

We do offer several consulting positions every quarter –
Under the consulting option, the individual will not pay for his / her training costs, but may be obligated to work for SetFocus as an employee for up to 24 months. Essentially, we recoup the cost of your training through your consulting work.

Regards,

Jonathan Lefkowitz
SetFocus, President

Bud in Glen Burnie, Maryland said: This is just another scam. Any company that promises a job is telling a lie. No one can guarantee you a job. Their "tuition" is outrageous. I can get to be a Certified Oracle DBA at my local college for under $3,500 and they want $28,000??? What a rip-off

This is not a scam. We do not guarantee anyone a job. We have been in business executing on this model for 11 years and our placement rates are exceptional. Our tuition is $19,000 for 13 weeks of training and career development services. It's true that there are many options available for folks to get re-skilled – ours is not for everyone.

Jonathan Lefkowitz in Parsippany, New Jersey said: This is not a scam. We do not guarantee anyone a job. We have been in business executing on this model for 11 years and our placement rates are exceptional. Our tuition is $19,000 for 13 weeks of training and career development services. It's true that there are many options available for folks to get re-skilled â?? ours is not for everyone.

I have been in contact with a representative. I was told, as an employee, I would be contracted for 2000hrs or 12 months (full time). Which is it 2000hrs or 24 months? Also, the rate of employment would be 13.75/hr, that seems a bit low for having such a specialized skill. Is there a guarantee that work will be found for me by SetFocus where I live and not elsewhere (non-commutable). If SetFocus does not place me after several months and I find work on my own how does that factor in, can I repay the tuition at $19,000 or is there a penalty? Finally, what is the contract buy back after working for SetFocus for 50% of my term?

Thanks and looking forward to your answers

Dear MK000,

You should have a lawyer read the fine print. This is a scam of epic proportions. At $13.75/hr, I can't see making a living on that and you are stuck with paying them back $19,000??? What a racket!

Actually, it is pretty clear... 2 scenarios.

1. Fee-based acceptance - 13 weeks of training. Tuition = $19,000. Upon graduation, students work with career development to secure employment opportunities with no further obligations to SetFocus.

2. Contract-based acceptance - 13 weeks of training. Tuition = $0.00. Upon graduation, students must work for SetFocus for 2000 hours at a reduced rate.

Bud in Glen Burnie, Maryland said: Dear MK000,

You should have a lawyer read the fine print. This is a scam of epic proportions. At $13.75/hr, I can't see making a living on that and you are stuck with paying them back $19,000??? What a racket!

I agree. Also, they are running a classic bait and switch operation. Go to any job site and search for .NET or Setfocus. You will see .Net positions offered by Setfocus. These are phantom .Net positions. You don't interview for a job. What you get is the opportunity to shell out 19K to learn .NET. Outrageous!

i took the SQL Server Course with them earlier later. they say they have 90%+ placement..and I REALLY did not see that. i think we had about 17 or 18 people for the class. i took it though the "grid" though a polycom equipment. so far i only know about about 3 people from my class who got work.

they definitely do teach you stuff in a very rigorous environment where everything is rush rush. the teachers were nice and wanted to help the students learn but there was hardly anytime to actually learn. i start off not knowing anything about SQL server and i definitely did learn quite a bit from the class both about development and about administration.

Personally, I was able to get a job ON MY OWN. they said they had "connections" to the industry..i really didn't see that. they gave me some names, e-mails and phone #s to recruiters and when i tried to contact them...they didn't reply back. they get their contacts from their OWN STUDENTS..if u get a job they send you surveys and asks for information on who you talked to, their e-mail, and so on.

many people in my class were frustrated..and many of them were not able to pick up the information fast enough so they felt ill prepared to move forward with the job interviews.

personally, i got a job within 2 months after graduation. i was lucky because the company i'm currently working for was looking a mixture of 2 things..one was IT another was a specific kind of business where i had my undergrad degree.

its really not worth 19k..however if it was offered for 1000k i would say take it because you definitely do learn stuff. i'm sure there are MANY other companies/courses that you can take where you will learn about the same. although, most of those courses..you will have to learn on your own, it is possible.

if anyone have any questions or anything about setfocus..feel free to send me an e-mail at johnsonblah@yahoo.com.

i have more to say but i can't really post it since i'm out of room.

The more posted about these phonies the better. Avoid this company unless you want to be ripped off. You can get the same training at a local community college for about $500 or less.

I'll be the yang to some of the ying in this forum. I went to Set Focus over a year ago after doing an abundant amount of research on .Net training. Every school I looked at gave you one or two weeks of training without teaching you how to actually program. I settled on Set Focus, took out a loan, and took a leap of faith. I struggled a little with the pace of the program at the beginning. The material took me a while to understand but it eventually sunk in and my projects grades improved. Toward the end of the program the career services rep, her name was Sunny, reworked my resume and met with me for mock tech interviews. She didn't pull any punches when she told me what I needed to work on. Long story short, I now work in NYC and I'm making a hell of a lot more money in a shorter period of time than if I paid $500 to go to county college and spend two years trying to cover the amount of material they covered. So if you think they're phonies so be it. But it was money well spent for me and my family and I would do it over again if I had to.

buddy8304 in Linthicum Heights, Maryland said: The more posted about these phonies the better. Avoid this company unless you want to be ripped off. You can get the same training at a local community college for about $500 or less.

I paid 5,000 to get my MCDBA at TechSkills. That was a rip off. Basically, I just memorized exams then went in and passed the exams...what a rip off.

I have a degree in Mathematics this is not a community college course. I'm in my last week at SetFocus and it has been incredible, the best training I've ever had. If you take this course you better hang on. If you have little or no experience in .NET or OOP then you might want to consider the evening track. I started off in the day track (13 weeks, 9 books, 5 projects and 7+ hours a day of classroom instruction) but having no experience in OOP I couldn't hang so I transfered to the Evening course. Bottom line I've never had training like this. It was worth every penny and the instructors are amazing.

I went through the course at SetFocus in the beginning of 2008. I had a background in Java but had ZERO working experience in development. I had gone through a one year Java course back in 2001, but when I finished that course there were NO jobs available in development (everything was being outsourced at the time). I ended up working in sales for 6 years, but I was always itching to get back to development. Long story short, I started doing my research, and found SetFocus.

I was EXTREMELY skeptical; there was very little info on the net, and the only people I spoke to were people whose email address I got through SetFocus. I was convinced it was all a sham. However, after going down there, and speaking to the people, as well as the career development team, I figured I'll take a leap of faith and go for it.

Well, I'm here to say that for me it was all worth it. I was actually one of the extremely lucky ones. The course was 13 weeks long, and I found a job with a month left to school! I couldn't believe it myself, because even while going through the course, I was still skeptical, but it is true, I did find a job with less than a month less.

Here's the thing though. SetFocus IS NOT FOR EVERYONE! It's really not. If you have zero knowledge of object oriented programming, you will struggle. Mightily. Now, since the course is so intense, if you fall behind, it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to catch up. Therefore, if you don't understand classes, objects, interfaces, inheritance, polymorphism etc etc.. STAY AWAY. You will struggle, and you will NOT be able to catch up. Also, if you're not a quick learner, you WILL STRUGGLE. I'm not trying to brag here I just want to keep it real. If you're the kind of person that needs to go over things a few times and needs a few days to digest new concepts, this may not be the best place for you.

GOT CUT OFF. Continuation....

For example: Anyone whose done any kind of .NET development in the past 5 years knows about generics and how powerful they are. We spent HALF A DAY on generics. It gives you a taste of what the topic is all about, but then you have to do some homework on your own time and learn more. Therefore, I want to stress again, it's an intense course, and not for everyone.

HOWEVER, if you can keep up, then I think it's absolutley amazing. They touch on all topics (we learned generics, reflection, ADO.NET ASP.NET etc etc sadly no LINQ yet as it was all .NET 2.0). So I must honestly say that although I did know some C# going in, the stuff I learned there was invaluable, and it really did jumpstart my career and helped me out tremendously when I started at my job. Obviously since then I've learned TONS on the job.

One final thing, when it comes to job placement, they will HELP you, but you will have to do alot of work on your own. Sunny did in fact help me get my resume to be as good as can be, and she had some mock interviews with me which helped TREMENDOUSLY, however they didn't get me any interveiws. I got that on my own through various job posting sites. So yes, they did HELP, but I did find this job on my own.

Hope this will help people out there trying to decide. Feel free to email me at datmonkey2002@yahoo.com with any further questions.

Indianx,Robert Olsen, Metal Head, you all have good things to say about SetFocus, would you be so kind as to email me petergsimmon@yahoo.com. I am a 25+ year veteran of mainframe assemble programming. I am looking to retool myself into the .net world. I need your perspective on the school, instructors, jobs you got, etc. Please contact me.

Has anyone out there ever attended Techskills? I have read so many complaints about them on ripoffreport.com, complaintsboard.com, my3cents.com and the list goes on. I read that their instructors are just other students who have completed the course and never really worked in the field so they really have no experience, so I wonder how were granted national accreditation.

I too am contemplating taking the SetFocus course. It is a tough decision. Checking out the Better Business Bureau, though SetFocus is not a member, they have had zero complaints in the last 36 months. I cannot find anything that would suggest that they are not legitimate on the web besides forum posts.

Their training now is outdated. Some of the books are still in VS2003 although they have additional notes to supplement the VS2005 but it's not enough. I believe this course is only applicable during 2006 and 2007 when companies are moving to .net. Everyone then was looking for .net developers. In this economic times companies are looking for Sr level with multiples skills and using the latest techonologies like VS2008,WCF,AJAX, Silverlight etc.

If you considering this course try to talk to their graduates 2008 and 2009 first. This is just my opinion.

I am currently a SetFocus Student. we are using VS2005 in the class. The amount of information is intense. while there are chapters in the book that deal with VS2003, we have not covered those chapters. we have a full week course on the new versions. I am not sure who Roger Xing is, but if He has not taken the class, then how does he know weather or not the training is valid. I have been programing for 30+ years and am fully happy with the class. I will update this space as I go along in the course. as to the information we are learning I had a Web Programming friend of mine look at the syllabus for this course and he said it had all the bits and pieces needed to become a proficient web/windows developer.
long and short of it is I AM VERY HAPPY and if this continues, I will recommend this class to any person.

I did not say the training is NOT valid. I said OUTDATED. Also, I did not say they're using VS2003 I said some of the books. The first 2 books for 1 and 2 week are still VS2003 unless they change them now. During graduation this was discussed together with the Dean that some books were dead.

Some topics were not covered in detail like Generics, Reflections, Attributes, Delegates.

On the good side you will learn a lot but not enough.

Again, this is just my opinion and doesn't express anyone. Again again ask their newly graduates.

I just got off the phone with a SetFocus representative, and I'm very frustrated. I took their bogus 75-minute online assessment over a month ago, thinking that it would lead to a job. Then I got a call today about my test, and how I passed with flying colors, and then comes the sales pitch. I could not be more disappointed, and I'm considering submitting a complaint to the BBB for their bait-and-switch act. In this terrible job market, it's a very cruel tactic.

Dear JackNixon,

Yes.. they advertise as if they are offering paid jobs, but instead all they are offering is to sell you overpriced training. I would go directly to the attorney general of you state. They have a consumer protection division you can file a complaint with. The BBB is useless.

Thanks, I will do that.

This is awesome! I'm so glad I stumbled upon this. I saw one of these "phantom" listings for a .Net Developer position and applied. I get asked to take an online assessment - as if my numerous Microsoft certifications aren't enough for someone who values such assessments. I decide to give it a try and the assessment looks a lot like an IQ test - at this point I just back out because it seems like a scam. I get a call asking me why I didn't finish the assessment. I tell the guy on the phone that I wasn't interested anymore because their website doesn't list any particular positions. He gives me his spiel on how first I need to do the assessment so they know what my skillset is (umm...Jonathan if you're reading this: if you can't tell from reading someone's achievements and work history what you need to know about his/her skillset you're in the wrong business; alas, staffing is not your business). The guy on the phone claims they work with 400 or so clients and they don't shuffle resumes around - whatever, buddy.

I am really surprised that they are able to promote themselves as a Microsoft partner - I wonder if Microsoft is aware of the bait and switch model they have going. All I can say is that I'm pretty active in the developer community here and run into Microsoft folks pretty often. You can bet I'll be passing along my feedback, not just to them, but to the community at large.

Has anyone participated in the SetFocus contract option? If so, how woould how would you describe the experience of working for SetFocus?

Thanks for any and all replies

Robert Romano

Robert Romano in Cranford, New Jersey said: Has anyone participated in the SetFocus contract option? If so, how woould how would you describe the experience of working for SetFocus?

Thanks for any and all replies

Robert Romano

I would really like to hear from someone who has been accepted to work for them. Can you telecommute to work for them or do you have to move to New Jersey? What do they have you do? How long are you "indentured" to them? Is the rate really $13.75/hour? Where I live, that is really low ... hard to make ends meet. What percentage of the people go on contract with Set Focus to pay back the loan? What is the criteria? If you pay it out of pocket, do you have to pay it all at once, or is there an installment plan? If you start into their Master's program, through no fault of your own, have to drop out, how do they handle reimbursement?

Any insight to these questions would be appeciated. Thanks.

Anyone falling for this scam is really stupid. This company misrepresents itself as an employer. It is not. It is just a company selling technology courses for inflated prices.

I have a friend that finished his BI Training at Setfocus. He said that the training was really intense lots of information. He took the contract option but Setfocus didn't give him any job yet as what had promised. What he did now is he keep applying for job in his area and if he will find one. He will then buy out from the contract which he will be paying 23,000 instead of 19,000 for those that are not in the contract option.

Initially, he expecting that Setfocus will give him a contract job and finish the 2000 hours at a reduced rate but this didn't happened.

tcarnahan in Fairfax, Virginia said: I would really like to hear from someone who has been accepted to work for them. Can you telecommute to work for them or do you have to move to New Jersey? What do they have you do? How long are you "indentured" to them? Is the rate really $13.75/hour? Where I live, that is really low ... hard to make ends meet. What percentage of the people go on contract with Set Focus to pay back the loan? What is the criteria? If you pay it out of pocket, do you have to pay it all at once, or is there an installment plan? If you start into their Master's program, through no fault of your own, have to drop out, how do they handle reimbursement?

Any insight to these questions would be appeciated. Thanks.

I am not sure with the rate but my friend said that it is almost half based on its regular pay in the Market. My friend said that two of them in the class that are in contract option and until now Setfocus still not give them any job (as what had promised). Actually, I am interested also to go to contract option but after hearing it from my friend, that he still don't have a job, I decided not to enroll since it is too expensive.

Setfocus, said that they can telecommute (if they are in contract option) and my friend says that their are some of the employee at setfocus that their student before (he assume that those are also in contract option last year). Maybe because of the economy today that Setfocus cannot provide work on their contract graduate and just wait until they will find a job by their own and buy out from contract.

If you stop in the middle of the class there is a certain percentage that you need to pay out of the 19,000. Depending on how many weeks that you attended before you drop out.

I hope this helps.

Very interesting thread about SetFocus. Here's a few comments/observations...

First, I found my way here after responding to a SetFocus ad. Like others, I was at first disappointed to learn that their job postings (there's lots of them) are a gimmick to lure students. However, I stop short of calling it "bait and switch" they're being creative in a tough market--just like a thousand other "bogus" job ads. SetFocus offers training and they're looking for students.

I took the test, too. Then learned that I'm well qualified. The test (logic / IQ) is difficult and time consuming (75 mins). The end of the exam tested familiarity with numerous IT acronyms--some familiar, some not. I left with a feeling that there are programming skills (or at least buzzwords) that I should know and SetFocus could teach me. Whatever...I'm sure they need to filter out some applicants given the way they advertise. Anyone who has spent an hour on monster.com dreaming of a computer job could wind up on the SetFocus radar screen.

The SetFocus recruiter invited me to an alumni conference call. Someone who had recently completed the SharePoint Masters program and had just landed a job. He sounded sincere as he talked about the intense training experience. He couldn't commend on other program tracks (several potential students on the call were interested in Business Intelligence, etc.) He made a point of talking about resume and job hunting help. With prompting he confessed to claiming SetFocus as an employer and reference. My recruiter also mentioned "lifetime" job hunting assistance and pointed me toward their website list of companies who have hired their students.

A Google search turned up an Inc500 article that shows reasonable growth in SetFocus's business. (Not totally sure how this happened-I thought SF was privately held) The have been in business for about 10 years and that says something.

...continued

Just reading this thread shows that there is a need out there and SetFocus has found a way to address that need. Now, we need to answer the question of value (or Scam).

I don't think of SetFocus as a Scam. They operate a school. It is expensive as schools go. You could probably get the same training at your local college for somewhat less. However, they do have a very focussed (pun intended) program which would be difficult to duplicate anywhere else. The ~13 week program targets specific skills that can go straight on to your resume--and they will even help you write the resume ;-) isn't that nice.

They offer loans or their reduced rate consulting option. This seems like another way to make sure they get your money (if not more of your money) They will get their money--guaranteed. They operate a business. No matter how nice, friendly, sincere and helpful they sounded offering that first job that got you interested--they are after your $19,000. For that price you will get an intense learning opportunity that's reasonably up-to-date (not 2010) program and someone to hold your hand while job-hunting. The new skills will help. It may be worth it--especially if you land a good job. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee. We have to take the chance...

Good luck

Yeah, you're right. I know a graduate that has not found a job for more than 8 months and still looking. He said that they don't really have network of companies. Most of the job placed were from student themselves thru their own effort.

Roger Xing in Sumter, South Carolina said: Yeah, you're right. I know a graduate that has not found a job for more than 8 months and still looking. He said that they don't really have network of companies. Most of the job placed were from student themselves thru their own effort.

My friend told me that the training was good. He expected that SetFocus will give him a job since he is under contract option. As what they told him that he will work at SetFocus in Low Pay in order for him to pay the 23,000 (cost of the training if you are under contract). It is already 7 months after he finished the training but Setfocus never give him job yet. Instead Setfocus encourages him to apply in careerbuilder, monster, dice, etc.. In this case, if ever he will get a job he will pay Setfocus $23,000 instead of $19,000. I think what he want is to work at SetFocus for 18 months even in low pay, in order for him to pay the $23,000 and will be in debt free, but this is not the case. He will have 23,000 debt for them after he will find a job.

It is very interesting to hear this side of the story as it is sooo...much different from what comes out of SetFocus. Again, this week I was invited to a conference call hosted by an alum. This guy went through the program about 1 year ago. He reported to us that he found a job immediately upon graduation with resumé help from the company. This guy could not have been more positive about his experience. Like others, he described the intense training. He made a point of saying that he had little time for anything else. Of course the entire program was worthwhile in his opinion--he immediately landed a job he loves.

One issue about working is location. The recruiter I spoke with mentioned this as well. Some people living outside the major metropolitan areas have a big disadvantage. The market for the type of job that SetFocus training prepares you for may not exist in rural or remote areas. The guy hosting the conference call lived in Denver and he got his job just as the economy began a downturn. Anyone with different circumstances could have much more trouble on top of a ~$20K bill.

This program requires a big leap of faith...

Well it's a tough one.... you want the training for the job...but the job may not be there (especially in this economy) - at 5 days a week for 13 weeks with a minimum shelled out of $20,000 (including equiment - not including interest or any financing charges) comes out to about $308/day for the training. Somehow that seems a little steep for me. If you've got the money great. But that's a lot - even for buying a job. And from what i'm hearing around the net...........that's certainly not guaranteed...even if one is optimistic. Thanks to all of you for your input.

A complete rip-off. Save your money.

jblah in Manassas, Virginia said: i took the SQL Server Course with them earlier later. they say they have 90%+ placement..and I REALLY did not see that. i think we had about 17 or 18 people for the class. i took it though the "grid" though a polycom equipment. so far i only know about about 3 people from my class who got work.
etc..."]

I completly agree with everything this poster said. I went through their BI class and had their "contract" deal...
They claim high employment rates 98% for BI, but I know that out of 10 people in my class only 3 got a job so far and it has been a few months. I never got a contract gig with them and i have not had a single interview in a few months after graduation... I don't understand how they can still claim such high employment rates. One should ask them employment rates within the last year - probably at best 30% OR if it is more - how many actually got a BI developer position and what is the average time people got jobs after training.
I do agree that training is good - but people pay money based on the assumption of relative ease of finding a job - which is not true. Prepare to still look for a job doing what you used to do - Probably 1% of employers if that considers this training "experience" as they claim.
If the economy was booming - I bet one could get a job with their training in a snap - but not now. What I find amazing that you have to fulfill your obligations to them - but they really offer no garantees - and even if you have to get a job as a waiter after their training - you still have to pay them - for what? oh, Yeah - the training - but you would not have taken it if they would not tell you 98% get jobs - which are bogus figures.
So think not twice - but 15 times before you pay them money (that kind of money).
Oh, they also say you get free lifetime career service - well, when you don't have to pay - think what kind of motivation they have to REALLY help you when you are not paying them anymore.

I wanted to reply to jblah in Manassas, Virginia, but my comments got small - so I am reposting my reply.

I completly agree with everything this poster said. I went through their BI class and had their "contract" deal...
They claim high employment rates 98% for BI, but I know that out of 10 people in my class only 3 got a job so far and it has been a few months. I never got a contract gig with them and i have not had a single interview in a few months after graduation... I don't understand how they can still claim such high employment rates. One should ask them employment rates within the last year - probably at best 30% OR if it is more - how many actually got a BI developer position and what is the average time people got jobs after training.
I do agree that training is good - but people pay money based on the assumption of relative ease of finding a job - which is not true. Prepare to still look for a job doing what you used to do - Probably 1% of employers if that considers this training "experience" as they claim.
If the economy was booming - I bet one could get a job with their training in a snap - but not now. What I find amazing that you have to fulfill your obligations to them - but they really offer no garantees - and even if you have to get a job as a waiter after their training - you still have to pay them - for what? oh, Yeah - the training - but you would not have taken it if they would not tell you 98% get jobs - which are bogus figures.
So think not twice - but 15 times before you pay them money (that kind of money).
Oh, they also say you get free lifetime career service - well, when you don't have to pay - think what kind of motivation they have to REALLY help you when you are not paying them anymore.

Nothing but a scam. I applied for what I thought was a job and had to take their stupid test. Then they called me and told me how good I did. They kept trying to find something I didn't have experience in, but every time they said something I had worked with it - VB, Dot Net, VFP, SQL Server. Finally they said some off-the-wall platform and I said I had never heard of it. Then they tried to convince me I had to have it to get a job, like 24 years of IT wasn't good enough. They offered to give me a class for only 15k or 9 months of discounted development. Total BS. After all those years in IT working with hundreds of people, I know that even a qualified school barely gives you enough to hit the job market. I have worked (and fired) those DeVrie idiots who learn less in 3 years than I learned in my first semester of college.

Avoid SetFocus at all costs - they will take your money and have nothing to offer in return but promises.

James Denney in Springfield, Illinois said: Nothing but a scam. I applied for what I thought was a job and had to take their stupid test. Then they called me and told me how good I did. They kept trying to find something I didn't have experience in, but every time they said something I had worked with it - VB, Dot Net, VFP, SQL Server. Finally they said some off-the-wall platform and I said I had never heard of it. Then they tried to convince me I had to have it to get a job, like 24 years of IT wasn't good enough. They offered to give me a class for only 15k or 9 months of discounted development. Total BS. After all those years in IT working with hundreds of people, I know that even a qualified school barely gives you enough to hit the job market. I have worked (and fired) those DeVrie idiots who learn less in 3 years than I learned in my first semester of college.

Avoid SetFocus at all costs - they will take your money and have nothing to offer in return but promises.

I am one of those "DeVrie" idiots. By the way, its spelled "DeVry". There's no need to condemn hundreds of thousands of people that are trying to improve themselves because you ran into a couple of idiots. And I hope I don't work for an ass like you. Of course, this "idiot" knew better than to fall for the Set Focus scam.

xyz1234 in SanJose, California said: I wanted to reply to jblah in Manassas, Virginia, but my comments got small - so I am reposting my reply.

I completly agree with everything this poster said. I went through their BI class and had their "contract" deal...
They claim high employment rates 98% for BI, but I know that out of 10 people in my class only 3 got a job so far and it has been a few months. I never got a contract gig with them and i have not had a single interview in a few months after graduation... I don't understand how they can still claim such high employment rates. One should ask them employment rates within the last year - probably at best 30% OR if it is more - how many actually got a BI developer position and what is the average time people got jobs after training.
I do agree that training is good - but people pay money based on the assumption of relative ease of finding a job - which is not true. Prepare to still look for a job doing what you used to do - Probably 1% of employers if that considers this training "experience" as they claim.
If the economy was booming - I bet one could get a job with their training in a snap - but not now. What I find amazing that you have to fulfill your obligations to them - but they really offer no garantees - and even if you have to get a job as a waiter after their training - you still have to pay them - for what? oh, Yeah - the training - but you would not have taken it if they would not tell you 98% get jobs - which are bogus figures.
So think not twice - but 15 times before you pay them money (that kind of money).
Oh, they also say you get free lifetime career service - well, when you don't have to pay - think what kind of motivation they have to REALLY help you when you are not paying them anymore.

xyz1234 Did SF offered any position in any location to at least one of contract person? And if it possible to work with them over contract?(I mean make it more acceptable).

I am currently researching attending SetFocus. I have 20 years in IT but need to upgrade my skill-set. The comments on this forum are informative but of course vary in opinion due to the experiences of the person making them. For what its worth, and what I have been thru(layoffs, schools,etc) in the last 20 years...let me just add my two cents.

1. The most you can ask for from a school is that they have a good system and teachers. No school, government, pack of friends, etc. can gaurantee anything, ESPECIALLY in the worst economy since the great depression. Thats just the reality of it in this job market with all the layoffs.

IMO you reasearch the job prospects(you need to be interested in the field first), and if it seems to be ok you commit to the training. Its all up to YOU. As far as landing a job, its like anything else...there is some luck and timing involved..but if you never give up eventually you will succeed right?

2. Cost - I have found from my experience TIME IS MONEY...if you can pay up front to get done quicker is worth it..Who wants to wasted away in a JC or whatever..thats like riding the bus instead of driving your own car to get somewhere. Its possible..but how efficient is it?

Of course the school has to put a little spin on their marketing...thats just business right? But all businesses do that. Its your job to try and filter thru that and just determine if you think YOU can do it.
I would say this school is tailored more to people who already have some background in IT and programming in general, just because of the accelerated learning.

I for one LIKE the online format...and am quite interested in the program.

As P.T. Barnum once said: "There's a sucker born every day"

Claude Wright in Glen Burnie, Maryland said: As P.T. Barnum once said: "There's a sucker born every day"

Hahaha..dude..i hear ya...to each his own like i said.