To Enroll or Not to Enroll…That is the Question
Jan 11th, 2008
Most of my peers shared a similar experience after graduating from college. They found what they thought was the perfect job and had big expectations. Then, after a few weeks (or days) at the office, they all came to the same realization: "This isn't quite what I had expected."
The same thing often happens when adult learners decide to enroll in an online college. They have grand expectations for completing a degree between jobs and children, a few minutes here and there. They become frustrated when an online degree program takes up too much of their time. Then, they get even more frustrated when they find they can't use their new degree in the way they had planned.
If you know what to expect and make the right choices, earning an online degree can have big benefits. But, make sure you know what you're getting into.
One of my About.com articles shares a few suggestions for making sure a virtual degree program is right for you:
"Before enrolling in an online graduate program, ask yourself two questions: "Why do I want to earn this degree?" and "Will earning the degree actually help be achieve that goal?" Do you want to earn the degree to make more money, qualify for a new job, or simply have the opportunity to learn? While undergraduate degrees are helpful in a majority of workplaces, not everyone's career can benefit from a graduate degree. Some positions require a specific master's degree or offer substantial monetary incentives for graduate degrees. Other positions do not consider graduate work a factor for granting promotions or increasing salaries. Earning an online master's degree requires a considerable investment of time and money – make sure that the payoff is worth it."
Don't be discouraged – just remember to have realistic expectations.
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