Pre-WGU | I asked for a new Program Mentor

I didn't want to, but after meeting with her a second time and really thinking about it, I know I'm making the right decision. It's hard to really explain in this video why. It's a combination of issues I've already had with her, but also her tone in our meeting just let me know it's not going to work out. No time to overthink it. What's done is done and now I'm back to fully preparing for next week.
btw, this is the video I was talking about: • Pre-WGU | First meetin...

[@themaster5815]

Good luck on the first week. I have been a watcher and subscriber since you first started your WGU journey. You inspired me to pursue my computer science degree at WGU and I wanted to say thank you for being inspirational on solidify my dedication to go to WGU. Also, I hope you have a wonderful New Years.

[@CameronEvolved]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and good luck on your degree! You got this! Hope you have wonderful New Years too! 🎉

[@GentlemenMonkey]

I've been doing WGU for a couple years now, coming up on graduation (this term I hope, if I can find enough time). Your mentor experience was really weird and I'm sorry you had that experience. My mentor has been awesome. After my first year a couple of former coworkers of mine started going too and their mentors were good too. There is some ordering to classes they make you follow but what your mentor was telling you just isn't correct. WGU mentors "like" if you structure your classes so you have structure and scheduled dates to have things done by, and like most colleges some classes have other classes as a prereq but in general you can do whatever whenever, just have to get classes done by the end of term. I think you were wise to request a new mentor. Mentor's job is to support you, not micromanage you and obstruct. I wish you good luck with ITIL. I found it's not a hard class in my opinion but it's the most dry, drool on yourself class I have taken. Get it out of the way and never look back lol.

[@GeoffreyChristian]

My first mentor was great....however she took over teaching a class. My second mentor was just pathetic.....emails at 2am, no calls, would not set up courses, so I finally got a new one. My third we bumped heads at the beginning until he started talking to me, then we had a heart to heart and then it was great and he pushed me to finish strong.

[@jeanettematthews7677]

OMG! You are scaring me lol, I start in Feb.. My enrollment counselor has been pretty good, so hopefully my program mentor will be as well.. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AS WELL..

[@CameronEvolved]

Don't let this stop you from achieving your goals! Good luck!

[@kellystarner8062]

Cameron, thanks so much for sharing your experience getting started at WGU, and much respect for advocating for yourself as you navigate your program. Looking forward to the Sophia video as I’m about to start my pregame plan through Sophia next month. Looking forward to seeing more of your experiences in your program and your informative videos!🙌🏽

[@CameronEvolved]

About that... 😔 It looks like WGU is updating some classes so you may not be able to transfer in as many classes using Sophia as before, but you can still use other platforms like SDC and Straighterline to transfer credits. Don't let this stop you though from achieving your goals. Thanks for watching and good luck! *Edit* They've added more classes you can transfer with Sophia after I made that reply so it looks like Sophia is still a good option. Just make sure you're always checking WGU's website for the latest Sophia courses that will transfer for your degree.

[@555125kevin]

@@CameronEvolved What class are wgu not allowing to transfer from Sophia?

[@lulubayou1897]

I’ve never had to do that with my mentor. We only chat through email or phone (by appointment). Your old mentor is definitely inexperienced. Don’t do the course planning tool unless you want to that’s bs. She (your old mentor) gives me a headache and she’s not even my mentor. My mentor heard my frustration and let me choose my classes.

[@AbelmiraHernandez]

I think i have the same mentor because almost the same thing happened to me I was 4 days late to start my term because my mentor forgot to approve my degree plan then acted like if it was my fault i started late. I am so glad you made this video because I need to change mentors

[@NineSevenThree]

thanks for all the clarity you've given, hopefully your next mentor is better suited. I started 12/1 and have already finished 6 classes. One note, the only classes i couldnt swap around was the classes i was already registered for. The remaining classes was free to change as i desired from the degree plan page.

[@kisha-maries9016]

I'm so glad you requested a new mentor and I hope you get better treatment. Can't wait to see that Sophia video- I'm knocking out classes there this week.

[@FiMerk]

I heard through the grapevine there are some program and transfer changes coming soon that excludes a lot of Sophia courses. The estimate is February 2023 for these changes to occur. They will also change the courses up and will be offering Linux and Python courses. Try to get those Sophia courses done as soon as you can :)

[@CameronEvolved]

Depending on what degree you're getting, it appears WGU has updated some of their classes and in some cases (like the BSCSIA), there are less Sophia classes you can transfer into WGU then before. Don't let this stop you from achieving your goals... but just be aware that you might have to use an alternative like SDC for knocking out classes early.

[@kisha-maries9016]

Aw man! Thank you both for the heads up, I'm about to watch the video about the changes. I on the Accelerated IT BS & ITM MS track.

[@HolySpiritInspired]

That’s really crazy man the fact that she never wanted to unlock another class for you but preferred you to sit and wait That’s really crazy. Am also thinking on changing my enrollment counselor without even starting because I communicate with her over the phone and she talks to me kind of disrespectful like a child .

[@libanfarah8445]

Oh man you’re so helpful thank you

[@TheYourface85]

My program mentor allows up to 4 classes unlocked at a time and allows me to pick what classes are next as long as they don't have pre-reqs that I haven't completed.

[@iamtired9350]

SMART MAN💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@BR-cw4ei]

I am going through this right now, and didn't know you could request a new one. I was really just planning on not answering the phone when she called.

[@mesmire]

if you have 4 courses assigned to you already for the term, you can open all 4 of them yourself. your mentor does not do that. i have had multiple classes going, it didn't require approval, you just certify when you open it that you plan on finishing it that term.

[@CameronEvolved]

Thanks for the info!

[@brettwoodruff4288]

I'm a current WGU student, and nearing the end of my BS degree in Cloud Computing. As this is 3 months after your post. I can still tell you my experience. When I first started, my experience as far as working with my mentor and scheduling my classses were much the same.. You dont really get much of a chance to give much input on your scheduling. But I what you wasn't told, is that "you" approve your class order for that term... Sure your mentor and program will assign you classes for the term, but at the very beginning of your term, usually on the call with your Mentor your asked to approve your class term schedule. Before you approve the schedule, you can drag and drop the order of the classes for that term in your degree plan, but once you approve, the order is then locked for the term. But it's been my experience, they do only unlock 1 class at a time unless under very specific circumstances. (Typically something like, you passed the OA, but are waiting on the official "grade", and you've built a relationship with your mentor) to which they can work with you to go ahead and unlock the next class.

[@joseclaudio1670]

I have a great relationship with my mentor, I finished my first course in one week and then she let me opened the next two courses at the same time.

[@AllieOopsTK]

I did two masters degrees through WGU and never had these issues with a mentor before.

[@corilou5273]

I may have to do this. She is totally unresponsive and just missed our last appointment... Worrisome because everything depends on her authorization for me to proceed.

[@jefflouis8296]

Yeah that sucks I would've left that meeting and requested a new program mentor as well. I'm having issues as well. I completed 10 General Education classes. Not sure if you noticed but they completely changed the program for information assurance degree now I'm not even sure if the classes I completed through sophia learning will transfer over

[@CameronEvolved]

Yeah I just found out this morning. 🤯Hopefully your classes will still transfer over, but at this point, I think only the enrollment counselor can tell you for sure.

[@brixiex2580]

this is so different from my experience with my program mentor. Mine was very rushed when we fist spoke, called me a day early, only to say she wants to move the meeting to next week?? i'm waiting to speak with her in a couple days and will go from there on if I'llask for a different person

[@nike3000ca]

As someone who is doing all the sophia stuff and considering UMPI and WGU, this channel is definitely helpful!

[@CameronEvolved]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexandergeorge4101]

i've never had to share my screen with my program mentor :/ we just calls to ask where i'm at in my class and how im feeling about it.

[@CameronEvolved]

Yeah. Only my first program mentor did that. I guess she did things a bit different than everyone else.

[@grahamhart721]

Are your mentor’s (the one you fired) initials J.S.??? Because I’m having some similar issues rn. It feels almost like she intentionally trying to slow me down

[@christianmorera4127]

Video chat with a mentor!? I've only had phone conversations and after my first 12 cus of my first term I only call or email whenever I need another course added. If I'm taking a long time I get an email asking if everything is okay and then I email back my progress( I'm still studying because I keep getting below 80 on practice exams, been busy with holidays ect.."

[@CameronEvolved]

She told me that most meetings would be over the phone, but the initial meeting was supposed to be a video chat.

[@mintyaashka5837]

I just finished and have never had a video chat

[@annen.3439]

honestly... i wish there was a way i could know her name... but i understand why you can't share that information

[@CameronEvolved]

If you do, I'll definitely subscribe. I think WGU has a great community and especially on KZbin, people have been really helpful in providing info and helping me to stay motivated.

[@rebeccacarm4859]

Am dealing with the same problem right now. Can you please send me a message with her name. I think its the same person you talking about.

[@jbs2763]

Can I pregame and get that ITIL cert to count for that class?

[@laurentrout3181]

May I ask who your program mentor was?

[@Everydaymoves]

How long did it take you to finish those first 4 classes? Any advice I think I’m going to end up starting with the same 4

[@CameronEvolved]

My first 4 classes changed when I got a new program mentor. The hardest for me was C846 (the ITIL class). The other ones aren't too bad. Most of the other classes only took a few days, but I've been in IT for years so I already knew most of the material.

[@Everydaymoves]

@@CameronEvolved for me that has not been in IT what would you suggest would be the first four and eight classes to start with from your experience

[@Everydaymoves]

@@CameronEvolved thank you for the prompt response. From somebody with little to no friends you should open a Discord if you don’t already have one to grow the community that would be pretty awesome to have like-minded people to talk to.

[@CameronEvolved]

@@Everydaymoves The 4 classes you start with will likely depend on how many credits you transferred in before you started. In most cases, it seems like WGU has specific classes they want you to do for your first term so I'm not sure if they'll let you choose. In my case, I transferred in 70% of the degree so I got to pick what I wanted because I only had 10 classes left.

[@WinterWind]

What's the point of a mentor who doesn't listen? Jeez. Good idea to switch. Probably something to keep in mind for a feedback form too.

[@CameronEvolved]

True. I'll look into it. I think it's important for them to know why I requested a new mentor.

[@camerongineer]

Not gonna lie, you made me a bit nervous with this video. I'm starting in February. I'm glad to hear it's so easy to change mentors, though.

[@CameronEvolved]

Apparently the program mentor has a bit more power than I thought lol, but don't let that bother you. If you end up with a great program mentor (especially with what you've already achieved on your own through transferring credits), I think you'll probably finish quickly and be really successful at WGU.

[@ADE528]

My mentor was a no-show! After sending me numerous email reminders.

[@PhantomGanhdi]

I started December 1st, 2022 for the BS in Software Development; and my Program Mentor (PM) has been pretty good. Unfortunate you got an interesting PM... - My PM unlocked all 4 of my classes for Term 1 and I didn't have to do them in any order. - When I finished 3 out of 4 of my Term 1 courses and was wrapping up the last course I reached out to my PM about it and she gave me the option of adding 1 or 2 extra courses; she let me pick if I wanted to add 1 or 2 courses and which one out of my Term 2 classes. I am currently taking C846 Business of IT and there's no Pre-Assessment to take for it from what I've seen. It's just the OA/Certification Exam. I clicked the button to get OA approval and the voucher for the Certification the same day I unlocked the course; it was approved. I wanted to get the voucher approved prior to finishing my studying so I don't have to worry about the voucher wait time for them to approve. I requested the approval to take the OA and voucher this Monday and it was approved this Tuesday just to give you an idea of how fast it took. Note: This Monday WGU was closed so it possibly could've went faster. I should also add that the Certification Exams looks to possibly be able to delay your ability to accelerate because it can take up to 2 weeks (or more) for your results to be updated in WGUs System.

[@CameronEvolved]

Thanks for the information!

[@PhantomGanhdi]

@@CameronEvolved just wanted to update: 1. You have to click the button in the OA section to get approval to take the OA/Exam, and wait for the CI to approve 2. After the CI approves you then have to hit the schedule button in the OA section for them to send the voucher. It can take up to 5 business days to get the voucher from what it told me So yeah I’d recommend requesting approval then prolly clicking to get the voucher prior to being ready so you’ll have that ready to then schedule the exam. Luckily for me I got the voucher in >24hrs after clicking the schedule button

[@pedallknife]

I never had any of these steps or issues with my Mentor.. sorry man.

[@joshkindy4826]

Geez, Your old mentor sounds like a nightmare. I got lucky and have an amazing mentor, Matthew Gwizdala.

[@ryankendrick4147]

Who is your PM? I want to make sure they aren't the same person I have.

[@CameronEvolved]

WGU has over 1500 program mentors so it's very unlikely you'd end up with the same one I had. Hopefully you got a good one though.

[@AzazelHash281]

Lmao I saw that coming

[@CameronEvolved]

Yeah me too lol. It happened a bit sooner than I thought though.

[@AzazelHash281]

@@CameronEvolved she didn’t even try to hide it

[@bluntedonbroadway9611]

I wonder, was the mentor name Princess 🧐

[@rebeccac583]

Ya fiyad

[@CameronEvolved]

😂

[@sportgamer3255]

What an awful mentor I’m so sorry, glad you got someone better. What a power trip lmao. Also a webex meeting, talk about being extra lol never had one of those

[@keenakiss8368]

She sounds really controlling. Please tell me her name. As soon as I see her name I will prepare to get her changed. How ridiculous!

[@beefycerberus7535]

Hey I just recently finished the ITIL 4 through WGU and I have a couple of pointers if you're interested. It was relatively easy for me to request an ITIL 4 exam, when I requested it I was able to request, receive the voucher, and schedule my exam for the same day (If you want to schedule the same day make sure to request in the morning.) It took me personally 3 attempts to pass the ITIL 4 exam, the first I didn't study as much as I should, and the second I missed by one point. After the second attempt I realized that the practice test that WGU supplies (The one by Jason Dion) isn't up to date for 2022. I purchased a more updated set of practice tests on Udemy which I would link but they seem to have been removed from the site entirely... After studying using those practice exams questions I passed easily. These are the best sources I found to study for the ITIL 4 Exam. I watched this youtube series first and took notes (the definitions here are very accurate to the book) kzbin.info/aero/PLVzkjYR3xN1V9nlcECuygEZVlS4rj5qaf I then studied using a Quizlet I made from the notes I took on the video. And then used an updated set of 2022 Practice Exam questions from Udemy Also, that really sucks that you had to deal with all of this. Hopefully your new mentor will be much better. I've been keeping up with your videos and am sorry to hear how rough your start as been so far. If you have any questions feel free to reach out. Goodluck!

[@davidp4081]

Agreed on timing, vouchers and test dates are quick turn arounds, only the ISC2 may take longer for available test dates

[@CameronEvolved]

Thanks for the info! I'm using Jason Dion's latest ITIL course now (I bought it last month) so I hoping I'll be to take and pass the ITIL exam quickly.