College Degrees

Andy West asked:


Could you ever imagine hanging out at home by choice, and earning an online college degree in the process? Many people think that obtaining an online college degree is something that requires frequent trips to the computer lab and ongoing technical issues. It is anything but this way when you enroll in your choice of online college degree programs. The simple fact is that with a steady internet connection you can access the most powerful and effective programs. This sounds easy, but it does take effort. For the self-motivated, online programs are great ways to get an education.

The fact is that most online college degrees are based upon the self paced method that allows students to work at the time most convenient for them. Given that most self paced online programs are still in someway regimented by a timeframe, within this timeframe one can obtain an online college degree in a manner that suits the needs of the person and can still be somewhat flexible. This means that you will literally be able to login, and deal with every aspect of your online education, and your online college degree program specifically at a time suitable for you. This will allow you to meet your personal or professional needs while obtaining your degree.

Earning an online degree can be individually structured to meet your specific timetable. You will never have to take an online degree class at a time that is not going to work for you. Essentially, you will be earning your degree while allowing life’s priorities to come first, and your education will fall into the place that is best suitable for you. This means that for most classes you will be able to work at night on your coursework if you have to work during the day, and vice versa if you have a night job. With the recent advancements in technology and broadband connections, one attending online degree programs can watch video and do coursework anytime in as much clarity as if it were being played on their television.

So what is the downside of being able to hang out and earn your online college degree at the time you prefer? The answer is that you still must do the work, which means that you must be self disciplined enough to deal with the intensity of being enrolled in college, and especially in a self paced online college degree program. This is not a great fit for everyone, as self paced does not mean no pace, and in order to earn your degree you must be prepared to work, and be prepared to make sacrifices, just as you would in any traditional college degree program

While earning an online degree is much different in scope and breadth than earning a traditional four-year degree, it is similar in the fact that both ventures require a considerable amount of work. This means that one must be prepared to give the online college degree as much effort on studies and the coursework as they would if enrolled in a traditional program. Taking advantage of the online college degree program’s flexibility is the key.

Jose

Andy West asked:


The online college degree is now a legitimate mainstay of education. Even though the hectic world that adults have created for themselves can be somewhat overwhelming, there are good things that develop out of it. Thanks to the Internet, adults looking to further themselves both personally and vocationally can do so with an online education.

An online education is simply easier and more convenient than attending an onsite college. The cost in not only tuition but also travel time and concentration is the reason many working adults only toy with the idea of returning to school. With a full schedule that already balances a career and home life, many are turned off by the idea of adding more to their plate.

At the same time, in order to advance to certain positions or earning levels, an educational degree is often required. This can leave the working adult in a quandary. Once the option of earning an online college degree comes to light, the dilemma soon fades away.

Online learning is one that requires no travel time, offers lower tuitions and allows students to learn when and where they are ready. The practical knowledge that is gained can be applied every day on the job. Learning new skills is what finally brings many out of the job rut they are in.

With online learning, classes are often set by a syllabus that a student follows and finishes by a certain date. Should a situation arise where one has to miss a class, there will be no need to panic about missed information or make up tests. One simply resumes where they left off.

While online learning does not provide much chance for interaction, many adults are in a place in life where this is not necessary. Many simply want to focus on getting the practical skills they need. In fact, a majority of individuals choose online learning for the express opportunity to not be in a classroom environment.

Even with a lack of classroom interaction, a number of programs involve the use of email, instant messaging and forum boards. Questions, assignments and topics can be discussed privately or with other students. Should questions arise, many instructors can get back to their students within 24 hours.

There are a number of programs offering a variety of skills. From IT to criminal justice, students can earn an associate’s, bachelor or even a master’s degree on their own time. Whether learning at home or at the office, finding the right curriculum is only an Internet connection away.

By opting for an online college degree from an accredited program, students can be sure they are learning from a curriculum that has been approved by a certified education committee. Once the required coursework is finished in a timely and satisfactory manner, students can look forward to becoming graduates. This often provides a great sense of self-confidence and accomplishment.

An accredited program is one that also offers financial aid. This is an issue of great importance to many working adults who may find the idea of affording an education somewhat intimidating. Skilled financial aid counselors can help find any and all loans, scholarships and grants to help lessen the burden of returning to school.

A large majority of employers not only recognize an online college degree as legitimate, many companies that offer tuition assistance to employees promote the use of online learning. It also shows employers that an individual has the self-discipline and a will to succeed, two very desirable traits in prospective employees. Many graduates find the increase in earning power greatly justifies their return to school and pays for itself in a number of positive ways.

Antonio

Peter Franklin asked:


Today, more than ever, you need a college degree to be successful. Twenty-five years ago, a high school diploma was enough to earn enough to live a middle-class lifestyle with a decent job. Now, in order to do as well as you could then, you need an expensive and time-consuming college degree.

College graduates earn about twice as much money as high school graduates, on average. To get where you want in life, you need to be sure you qualify for college. Let’s take a look at some of the requirements to attend a university and earn a degree for your long-term success.

Long before high school is over, you should be thinking about the value of your grades. Your GPA, or grade point average, tells your future college the overall average grade for your high school classes, so bear in mind that every class counts. Since colleges consider your grades from 9th to 11th grade, even your earliest class grades are important. Which subjects you take also matters because your transcript, which goes out to colleges, includes that information as well. Be sure not to select all the easiest classes - doing so doesn’t leave a good impression. You are responsible to ensure your transcript is delivered to all the colleges in which you may have an interest in applying. Speak with administrators at your high school about this process.

Toward the end of your high school career, you will need to take the SAT or a similar standardized test for college qualification. Verify which tests your possible colleges require, and then take them all. Your scores on these tests will largely determine whether you are accepted into these schools, so don’t take them lightly - come prepared. It is a good idea to take these tests as early as possible because, if your score is not satisfactory, you can sometimes take them again and receive credit for the highest score.

The most important preliminary goal is to actually graduate from high school. If you drop out of your senior year, you will not be able to attend college. No matter how much you may dislike high school or find it frustrating, just stick it out and graduate. You’ll never regret it. Some schools accept diploma equivalents, such as the GED, but to qualify for college, you generally need a good excuse for not graduating, such as a health problem.

Outside of school hours and work, take the time to fill out your college applications. This effort should begin in the summer before your senior year of high school because the overall process can take a lengthy period of time. In addition to basic questions about yourself and your grades, applications will often require you to write an essay. That essay is probably the most important thing you will have written in your entire life to that point.

A great essay can help college administrators overlook even ugly grades and grease the skids for your acceptance to many college institutions. If an application doesn’t require an essay, it is still a good idea to send one anyway, as long as your work is of excellent quality. Have your essay read by several others for feedback and editing; if possible, include a trusted English teacher at your high school for feedback as well.

After you send out your applications, you normally need to wait several months to see if you are accepted. This part can be more stressful than all the prior work, but you must be patient.

Norman

Timothy Rea asked:


Did you know that a lot of employers offer tuition aid programs that allow employees to get an undergraduate or graduate degree and work at the same time?
Are you falling behind your co-workers because you don’t have a college degree? Do you apply for and fail to get promotions because you only have a high school education? Or perhaps, you have an undergraduate degree, but you’d like to go back and get your graduate degree? That’s an expensive proposition.
In any case, you should take a look at the options available to you through your employer. If your employer does not offer a tuition aid plan, and you really want to get that degree, it might be time to look for another employer.
When you interview for a new position, be sure you ask about tuition aid and understand what is available to you and find out about the guidelines for receiving this aid.
Often, your employer will require that the degree for which you will study must apply to a position (your current position or some other position) in the company, so that they are paying your way out of the company and into a job with another firm.
If that is the case, find out what courses you will need to take to study for and get a degree in an area that will advance your position with your employer. Be sure that this degree fits with what you want to do with your career over the next 5-10 years.
As a condition for your tuition aid, your employer may also require that you sign a paper to agree to stay with their company for a certain number of years after you get your college degree and education.
That way, they ensure that they get their money’s worth from the tuition aid. Be sure you can handle that commitment before you sign the paper.
If your employer provides tuition aid so you can get your college undergraduate degree or graduate degree, you should also find out if they provide time off to attend classes.
Some college programs are generous in giving the student a certain number of working hours to attend classes during the day instead of having to go to college classes at night or on weekends.
Before you sign up for this tuition aid, you should also find out what the requirements are for keeping that college tuition aid flowing.
In most companies, you must submit an official college transcript at the end of each semester so that the employer knows you are achieving good grades and going to classes and they aren’t throwing their money away.
You should also find out if there are restrictions on how long you can take to complete your college degree. What happens if you get sick or if you have a personal issue and have to suspend college classes for awhile? Will you owe your employer the tuition?
Check with the college or university you are considering to see if their part-time and business courses allow for students to complete assignments or projects for credit that relate to your job. This will make your life easier.
You can do your homework and complete projects on the job and not have to find extra time to do additional assignments.
And, your education will be more integrated, since you will get on the job experience and exposure to the principles and concepts you are studying in college classes.
Write down any other questions you have about the conditions under which you can expect to receive tuition aid from your current or prospective employer and be sure they understand that you want to get this college degree and education to be more of an asset to the company.
Before you make this commitment, you should also be sure you fully understand the time and dedication required to get your degree and work full time. Some people are better suited to this routine than others.
If you are not ready, willing and able to juggle the demands of your personal life, your school work and your job, you may need to change your expectations about getting a college degree.

Carrie

. asked:


I was just curious how many peoples college degree is related to the career that they are working? They say only 30% of people use they’re degree once they graduate.
Also are you happy w/ your current job, and if you could go back, what would you study and do instead?

Joyce

Crunch asked:


I was originally planning to go to a fairly small (not tiny) regional college and get a “photography” degree. However, I’ve been told that it would be better to get something else, just taking some photography electives and learning the business on the job. Is this true? And if so, what undergraduate degrees should I consider?
What I mean to ask is, is what kinds of degrees (other than a degree in photography) would best prepare me for a photo career beyond the technical skills? I’ve heard everything from Marketing to a general Liberal Arts degree.

Wayne

Andy West asked:


You are ready to pursue higher education, but you are not quite sure how you want approach it. There are a number of options available to you. Traditional education, via the classroom, is one. Another way to ensure that you are ready for a career is by earning your college degree online.

Research indicates that those who earn their degree via the Internet engage is an experience that is as rewarding as one set in a classroom. Now you need to decide if this is the right path for you.

Regardless of which type of setting you choose, only consider degrees from institutions that are fully accredited. If you decide to go for the online degree, do a couple of things before you begin. Decide why you are pursuing a degree in the first place.

Decide if you are seeking higher education because you want to develop as a person, or because you view it as a means to establishing yourself in a certain field. A college degree online can be obtained at a leisurely pace, or be done on a fast track. It is only after you have given these questions proper consideration that you should begin the process of obtaining your online degree.

If you are looking for convenience, seek a college degree online. Perhaps your work schedule is erratic or inflexible. Or maybe you are an adult who has obligations to your family.

Regardless of why you need the added convenience that cannot be found with a traditional education, take advantage of the fact that with an online education, you will be able to make your own class schedule. This is obviously the most common reason why thousands of people have chosen this route.

Things To Consider And Questions To Ask
In the past, a downside to earning a college degree online has been the cost. Originally, very few programs were capable of offering financial aid to students who needed it. That has changed, though. There is a very good chance that you will now be able to find some form of financial aid to help ease the financial burden that is often associated with higher education.

Depending on what type of degree you are pursuing, you may even find a number of scholarships that will make life easier for you.

The one major issue that you may have to deal with once you have earned your college degree online is the level of respect employers have for online education. Because it is based on a relatively new form of education, a degree earned via the Internet is often viewed as inferior to traditional classroom education.

While there is no concrete proof of workplace bias towards online education, determine for yourself if it actually exists. Take the time to research this topic by asking the people who are responsible for hiring if they make decisions based on the type of degree one holds. Would they consider a potential employee who has earned a college degree online?

If enough businesses in your field say that they do consider an online degree inferior to a classroom degree, take that into account. Decide if you are determined enough to work around that.

As you finalize your decision to earn a college degree online, consider some other factors. Discover your learning style. Make sure you are motivated enough to see this through, despite the fact that you will not have a professor who can keep you accountable throughout the process. Your academic skills must be up to par.

If you lack confidence in your ability to handle this on your own, start small. Attempt an online class or two, and then build up to a regular class load. Remember that you can do anything that you put your mind to.

Consider obtaining a college degree online as an excellent opportunity to get the education you want, with an unprecedented level of convenience.

Ronnie

John Pawlett asked:


Choosing a college degree can be a very difficult decision to make. There are many things to consider but it is important to decide on the right college degree for the type of occupation that you want to pursue. You may find that you do not actually need a degree but that a certificate or diploma will be sufficient, or your chosen profession may require further study after a college such as medicine or law.

Certificates or diplomas require a shorter period of study than a traditional degree and are usually taken by students wanting to pursue a career in an occupational field. Quite often a certificate or diploma can be taken before embarking on a college course.

An associate degree is awarded after completing a two-year degree course. Some community colleges and other universities offer an associate degree program which allows you to transfer to a four-year college degree course after you have been awarded the appropriate associate degree. There are a number of occupations where a two-year degree is recommended or required including:

Administrative Assistant
Automotive Mechanic
Cardiovascular Technician
Commercial Artist
Computer Technician
Dental Hygienist
Drafter
Engineering Technician
Funeral Director
Graphic Designer
Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician
Hotel or Restaurant Manager
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Record Technician
Insurance Agent
Registered Nurse
Surgical Technologist
Surveyor
Visual Artist
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

A traditional four-year college degree is the most frequently required qualification for a number of occupations. Some examples of professions requiring a four-year college degree in an appropriate discipline are:

Accountant
Computer Systems Analyst
Dietitian
Editor
Engineer
FBI Agent
Investment Banker
Journalist
Medical Illustrator
Pharmacist
Public Relations Specialist
Recreational Therapist
Research Assistant
Social Worker
Teacher
Writer

There are also a number of occupations that require a student to obtain a degree that is longer than the conventional four-year college degree programs. These extended professional degree programs include:

Architect
Biologist
Chiropractor
Dentist
Diplomat
Doctor
Economist
Geologist
Lawyer
Librarian
Management Consultant
Palaeontologist
Priest
Psychologist
Public Policy Analyst

It is important to choose a college course that is suitable for the career path you want to follow. If you are unsure of which field of occupation you want to enter then it is advisable to take a certificate or diploma course first. This will enable you to change disciplines without having spent four years on a degree course that ends up not being something that you want to pursue.

Vivian

Andy West asked:


If you are planning on getting involved in a new business or in starting a brand new career, then there are certain things you will need. Businesses and employers are constantly looking for new personnel to help expand and improve their companies. While they dedicate a lot of time to finding the right people, they often times will not even consider a worker unless they meet certain qualifications. If you want to be in the mix, you better make sure you have the right academic background. By gaining an accredited online college degree in business, you can position yourself to be one of those that companies love to hire. While it is true that you can be successful in business without a degree, having one will certainly help put your resume on the top of the pile.

The advantages of gaining an accredited online college degree are many. They are designed for the working professional who has already gotten a foot in the door, but needs a boost. By working on your degree over the Internet, you are allowed the flexibility to improve your career while not having to quit your job. A normal college degree would require students to enroll for four years. With an accredited online college degree, you can work from the comfort of your own home. It also offers the ability to work at any hour of the day. If you are willing to work hard enough on your own accord to gain the degree, then an online business degree can make you more marketable.

An accredited online college degree is ideal for the business field because it is primarily a knowledge-based profession. Another reason why the business world is a perfect place for this degree is because you can earn this qualification in many different fields. With a growing business world that is becoming much more specialized, it is important to carve a niche. Whether the focus is on accounting, management, marketing, or any other part of business, an accredited online college degree will push you to the top.

Recent business trends show that businesses are looking for people who are leaders. They want highly motivated individuals who will have the initiative to take their corporation to the top of the business world. When you go out on your own to earn an independent degree in the business field, you show a desire to learn and get better at what you do. This hunger for success is something that will undoubtedly attract the eye of employers everywhere. In addition, by gaining more education in business, you will have an updated knowledge of business practices. College students who earned their degree thirty or forty years ago probably have the basic background knowledge on common business practices, but likely lack the modern expertise.

New accredited online college degree programs also offer a crash course in communication. According to employers at fortune 500 businesses, the one characteristic that new workers lack is the soft communication skill that allows them to work well with other people. By gaining new experiences within your online courses, you will be better suited to take on the challenges of an ever-changing business world.

Accredited online college degree programs are an excellent and exciting opportunity for experienced business professionals who need that little boost. They offer not only a chance to improve educational credentials, but the capability of doing that on your own time and at your own leisure. By gaining this experience, you will become much more marketable in a competitive business world.

Beverly

boger82 asked:


Just curious as to whether employer’s see a college degree as a must-have for virtually any position, not unlike what a highschool diploma has always been, or if it still holds some sort of value that seperates you as a disciplined, motivated and hardworking individual, because obviously if you have spent 4+ years in college you are unlikely to have multiple years of work experience which is usually all that the employer’s seem to care about, at least as far as I have seen.

Josephine