Distant learning, or e-learning, has been an ongoing trend further accelerated by the Covid-19 lockdowns. Currently, almost three million US students are studying primarily in online colleges. 65% of surveyed students have a part or full-time job requiring a more flexible study schedule than campuses can provide.
The rapid technological advancement in online communication allows remote learning, which is a better fit for some. Furthermore, well-paid professions like web development or data science require more practical know-how than often theory-rich university courses with minimal work experience.
Getting a credible degree online is certainly possible. Here’s what to consider if you choose this education path.
Picking Online Program
An online certificate is one of the most important parts of online education. You should check the availability of online programs in official education institutions if you’re looking for a BA or MA degree. For example, Yale offers online programs for worldwide students seeking top-notch education.
However, university courses, especially in the US, are extremely pricey. Although their value cannot be understated, there are just as lucrative opportunities if you have a good view of where you’re going. There are dozens of high-quality online front-end courses where you can learn HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript programming languages that cost more or less $20. Gifted students who can learn independently will benefit from these introductory courses to land a junior position without taking a student loan.
A third option is professional businesses that launched in-depth online education courses to adhere to the current job market. Far more expensive than Udemy or Coursera courses, they are often priced below university programs. These institutions gather professionals from both the private and education sectors to provide the best of both to students. They are heavily practice-centric and oriented to provide sufficient skills for employment opportunities maintaining a work-study schedule balance.
Such online colleges are excellent for students seeking to deepen their knowledge in specific disciplines, like Data Engineering, Programming, Cybersecurity, etc. Remember that most have application criteria, and getting in is not as easy as paying upfront – best chosen by dedicated learners ready to take the next career leap. Here’s what to consider before choosing this option.
Remote Learning Requirements
Remote education requires outstanding self-discipline. One-on-ones with mentors and professors are regular, but students are expected to manage individual learning and overcome problems independently. Although a challenging task, it provides an invaluable experience that separates amateurs from professionals in the workplace.
Good English language skills are a self-explanatory requirement. Depending on the chosen discipline, program-related requirements include basic coding knowledge, statistics, computer networking, etc. Before starting a program, ensure you have the necessary tech equipment for video conferences and long sitting hours.
Remote students must have strong time management skills. Mixing employee-student roles, and often a partner or a parent, is time-consuming and challenging. Use this opportunity to develop time management skills, which are greatly required in a dynamic IT work environment.
E-learning Benefits
Going online has numerous advantages. 40% of employees wouldn’t part with WFH policies, and students join in. After all, studying remotely is even easier than working on a real project. Here are the advantages of choosing online education.
1. Cost Efficient
Depending on your skills and goals, you can save thousands of dollars. You can start with basic courses that cost up to $20 and start working on your project for practice. Include the course certificate and your project as a CV experience to catch the eye of HR looking for emerging talents. Experienced students can look for more expensive courses with more opportunities.
2. Personalized
Online education is more personalized than university programs. With fewer students, a job-centric attitude, and more mentorship time, students can develop skills relevant to their careers. Furthermore, universities often lack more niche IT disciplines like SEO, UX design, Cloud engineering, etc., available as stand-alone courses online.
3. More Diversity
Because anyone can join online courses, you’ll meet people from all across the world. Making connections is not only culturally enriching but can also form lucrative networking opportunities in the future. In the current global economics working in diverse groups is essential.
4. Studying Pace
You can choose your own pace when learning remotely. Create a schedule that would cause as little exhaustion as possible, and use the free time for morning runs, yoga, or meditation. A healthier lifestyle is one of the numerous benefits of working from home.
Final Words
Not only is it possible to get a valuable degree online, but this studying model is also becoming more popular. Although not for everybody, it’s a worthwhile choice for students with full-time jobs.
