Whether you're just starting out in your career or thinking about making a career change, here are some questions--and answers--you may want to consider if you are thinking about pursuing an online degree to help you achieve your goals.
Can Online College help me Earn My Degree?
Is an Online College Right for Me?
Online colleges must be doing something that students like! In fact, in a 2015 study of student preferences, only 39% of online students were interested in studying in a classroom if the option was made available[i]. That puts the brick-and-mortar college in the minority, so what’s the big draw to attending classes online? For one thing, choosing to earn a degree online means that you may have more options when it comes to courses and programs—because you’re not limited to colleges or universities in or around your area. And studying from the comfort of home sounds pretty amazing, right? The flexibility and convenience that online colleges can provide may definitely be a big plus for working students, and working moms in particular. You want to make sure that you’ll be able to balance your studies with your work and family responsibilities—and online learning may help you do just that.
Assess Your Natural Talents, Skills, and Interests
What field is ideal for me? This is a very important consideration. Pursuing a career that’s perfect for you requires that you know yourself well and can answer some real questions. What are you good at? What inspires you? How do you like to spend your time? Obviously, not every job is going to be fun or otherwise people would do it for free. But you’re more likely to be happy or satisfied in a career that makes use of your natural strengths, skills, and passions. You’ll also want to consider which career path best suits your personality, ambitions, and lifestyle. That could mean considering occupational factors like: salary potential--including benefits, work-life balance, your work style. The good news is that studying at an online college may help you narrow down which field is best-suited for you, in a way that’s both convenient and flexible with your personal schedule.
Explore Options That Fit Your Personality & Goals
What are my learning options? It’s important to keep in mind that you don’t need to commit to a 100% online degree program. If you’re unsure whether online learning will work for you—and your lifestyle—why not start off by enrolling in a few courses at an online college to see if it’s a good fit? Or if you’re not ready to commit to the tuition costs, you could explore massive open online courses (MOOCs), which are generally free and a great way to dip your toes into the online learning pool. Hybrid degree programs that combine studying on campus as well as online may also be a great way to experience the best of both worlds when it comes to education—so do some exploring!
Explore Online Colleges As a First Step Towards Your New Career!
What’s my plan of action? You’ve asked yourself all the right questions, and you’ve whittled down your options to a career path that sounds perfect for you. Now it’s time to devise a plan of action to help you achieve your goals. It’s important to make sure you take into account what you’re looking for in your education experience. For example, is flexibility a priority? Are you organized and motivated enough to complete classes on your own? Do you crave in-person or online interaction? Then, the next step is evaluating online colleges, campus universities, and other career preparation programs to figure out which one may help you turn your dream job into a reality. Did you know? Each month 1000’s of people search for ‘online colledges’, while 10’s of thousands search for ‘online colleges’ you are not alone in your quest for higher education!