Guys, I'm kinda in a bit of a dilemma. This thread involves long passages about me and my career path, so I just wanted to forewarn anyone who is not interested so they don't waste their time reading.

Okay, here's the situation. I have been in the IT industry for close to 10 years. I have done everything from programming to testing/QA to project management, with the longest stint being project management. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was working as a heavy equipment mechanic, and studying in the evenings teaching myself how to write code. I eventually learned how to program, and my brother (who is also an IT guy) and I started our own software development company. We were EXTREMELY successful from about 1999 until the end of about 2004. We built custom software for the nuclear power industry, and were very good at it. Over the course of this time we grew, had about 5 guys on board with us, and were making tons of money. Well, to make a long story short, the nuclear industry had major cut-backs, and we started losing business fast. It got bad enough that we decided to make the company a side business and all go do other ventures.

I was immediately hired as an IT Project Manager for a very large financial institution (which does 100% tuition reimbursement by the way). I stayed there for about a year and a half, and was moderately happy. The money wasn't what I was used to, but it was better than nothing. I felt like there was some opportunity there, but not for a substantial amount of time.

About this time, a friend of mine approached me about coming to work for him in sales (I've always had a natural nack for sales). He had an Account Rep. leave, and was VERY interested in getting me to come to work for him. My main concern was that this was a totally different and unrelated industry that I knew nothing about, and frankly didn't have a lot of interest in. BUT the salary and overall package was really tempting.

Needless to say, I accepted the position despite a pretty good counter-offer from my current employer. I have been here for about 2 months. I am now beginning to second guess my decision. I really do enjoy IT and am thoroughly interested in the IT industry. In my current position, not only did I not know anything, but alot of the "promises" seem to have been forgotten, or have fallen by the wayside. About the only thing that has kept me around this far is the money (which is pretty darn good). There are several things (that I won't go into) that are making me wonder if this was really the right decision. Please understand, I am extremely analytical and typically do not make uninformed decisions. I felt like I gave this decision due dilligence before accepting the offer. But sometimes a picture is painted one way, and when you step into that picture, it looks a whole lot different.

I just recently heard of a couple of openings back in IT Project Management, and one of them could be a higher position at my old company. I really hate this feeling of instability and uncertainty, but I don't see myself where I'm at long term.

I went back to school to finish my MIS degree, and have about a year and half left. From there, I plan to sit for the PMP (Project Management Professional) Exam (this is the most highly recognized credential in my field), and maybe eventuall get my MS in Technology Systems. As you can see, even though I am working in an unrelated field, my heart is still in IT.

My question is, given the Cliff Notes version of the situation I have provided, what do you guys think you would do in my shoes?

A. Stay where I am, even though I have little interest and the things that were "promised" have not come through.

OR

B. Start entertaining other options, and if something as lucrative as where I am now pans out, jump on it.

I don't want to drag this out too long either. I have only been here a little less than 2 months. If I were to leave now it would be a whole lot better than a year from now. Rememer, I know my boss on a personal level, and if I decide to leave, I want it to be as painless as possible.

I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks for listening...

Well I just found out why I have not received the score on my retake of the ECE Human Resource Management. It seems that even though you can retake them after 60 days, Dantes will not pay for it unless you wait 180 days. This is because even though it is an ECE test, Dantes pays for them under the military clause, thus we fall under their rules on retaking failed courses. So here I sit with them having the test in their hands, but they won't score it unless I pay the $190.00.

I opted to pay for it and will find the score out tomorrow. No stress here:eek: ..... If I passed, then it was the best money ever spent. If I fail, I think I might be a bit P/O. I know all of the non-military are probably laughing right now as this is what you have to do every time. I'll post tomorrow and let ya'll know how it turned out. Lee

Has anybody taken this? I plan to use the two main GRE study books. The content guide looks pretty easy as there are many common sense questions. I am counting this one as a freebee since it looks easy and not part of my original plan. Passing this will prevent me from taking Civil War .

Are there any other practice test for this besides IC?

Is there a list official calculators on the dsst site?

Dear Steve et al,

Does one's grade at the University fluctuate with the score you get on Dantes or Clep, or is it a pass/fail situation? I am concerned about my GPA.

Also, what is the minimum score needed, and what is the percentage, would you say, of questions that need to be answered correctly to pass?

Thank you,
cadet9rbi

Hello,

Does anyone know if these instantcert study guides are good prep for the Dantes tests as well as CLEP?

Thanks in advance for your helpful responses.

Kindly,
cadet9rbi

I need 9 clep points to complete my lower level education requirements. I was thinking about Biology and Principles of Management. In the Peteresons practice test I get 60 right in Biology and 70 right in Principles of Accounting. I was just wondering if I can pass the cleps with these scores and only using instantcert?

Wow, how weird is this going to be? I signed up for the silly Freshman Comp to fulfill the Excelsior writing requirement (they won't accept the 6 credit CLEP that I passed). It's only 8 weeks long, two nights a week, and I know I will pass. It's this or wait 1 month for the ECE test to arrive, another week to schedule to take it, then having to wait 73 days:eek: for them to grade it. This fits my plans to finish by the end of Dec.

Studying now for Civil War, let me tell you how incredibly interesting the material is!

Just took and passed the Intro to Sociology exam, 63/80.
So, I need 4 more credits in Social Science.
I am taking the Analyzing and Interpreting American Literature exam soon, and I will need 4 more Humanities credits.
I am currently attending AIUOnline.
So, from this list, which are the 2 EASIEST CLEP/DANTE exam's to take?
I need one for Humanities Credit (HUM), and one for Social Science credit (SOC). Thanks in advance!
*** I know alot of you may say the History exams are EASY... please keep in mind that I am really bad in History and would only be relying on the Instacert material.

DSST/DANTE

Art of the Western World, HUM
Contemporary Western Europe: 1946-1990, SOC or HUM
An Introduction to the Modern Middle East, SOC or HUM
Human/Cultural Geography, SOC
Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union, SOC or HUM
A History of the Vietnam War, SOC or HUM
The Civil War and Reconstruction, SOC or HUM
Foundations of Education, SOC
Lifespan Developmental Psychology, SOC
General Anthropology, SOC
Ethics in America, HUM or SOC
Introduction to World Religions, HUM

CLEP

American Government, SOC
Human Growth and Development, SOC
Introduction to Educational Psychology, SOC
Introductory Psychology, SOC
Introductory Sociology, SOC
Principles of Macroeconomics, SOC
Principles of Microeconomics, SOC
United States History I: Early Colonizations to 1877, SOC or HUM
United States History II: 1865 to Present, SOC or HUM
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648, SOC or HUM
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present, SOC or HUM