THECOLLEGEDEGREES.COM BLOG

If you graduated from an online degree program, you may be even more concerned than students who have graduated from traditional college degree programs. The economy is bad, and increasing numbers of jobs are being cut by companies desperately trying to stay afloat in these turbid economic waters. How can your distance learning degree possibly give you the extra edge you need to get a job and succeed?

You may be surprised to know that students who graduate from top online schools may actually be better off in the current job market. These individuals are very familiar with social networking and communication, and are often more motivated and dedicated than the average college degree student. The college professor or fellow learner you met in last year’s class may be key to a future job offer.

Know yourself. Understand your strengths and weakness, as well as what approaches you find most successful to accomplishing a job in an organized and timely manner. Market these skills, both on your resume and during the interview process. Do you have a special talent than can be of use to the business organization? Don’t be afraid to share it with your future boss.

Be realistic about your knowledge and experience. If you have taken other online degree courses to gain certifications in a field, make sure you list them on your resume. Don’t market your online degree program, however, as giving you expertise or education that you don’t really understand - you’ll soon be found out - and left out - of a job!

Looking for a new career opportunity in today’s market can be tough. But if you graduate from an online university degree program, you have already demonstrated the courage, dedication, and flexibility that it takes to get the job done. Now, get out there and start looking for that job!

Would it surprise you to know that there are distance learning degree programs for children in elementary and secondary school? Or that these degree programs are becoming more popular each year? As society becomes increasingly mobile, more parents are finding it convenient to home school their children with the help of the resources available through the internet.

Likewise, the number of distance learning programs offered by both online degree universities and traditional universities is increasing each year. As these numbers continue to grow, the number of students enrolled in online degree courses also grows. Today, more than four million people worldwide are enrolled in accredited online university degree programs.

Students can choose from online certificate courses, distance associate degree programs, or they can earn a Bachelor Degree online. Many college graduates continue their education by choosing online graduate degree programs. Even online PhD programs are available.

No matter what kind of education you are looking for, whether it is a continuing education course or a PhD, you’re likely to find some version of it available as an online degree program. Before you enroll in an online university degree program, take time to make sure that it is accredited and has a good reputation. Don’t waste your money or your time on something that could hurt, rather than help, your career!

If you’re enrolled in a distance learning degree program, you already know about many of the conveniences of online degree programs. Did you realize, though, how many distance education degree journals and publications are designed specifically for distance learning students and professors from online degree universities?

For example, The Chronicle is one of the leading publications for distance degree students and their instructors. This journal offers daily information about the latest controversies and issues in online degree programs. It also includes classified ads for professors who are interested in teaching online degree courses.

The Journal is another quality publication that offers the latest discussions on many educational issues, both for distance learning and traditional college degree programs. Look here for the latest information about new degree programs. You can even find out more about the “No Child Left Behind” legislation, and how secondary schools are working to incorporate that legislation.

Another excellent publication is the Journal of Instructional Science and Technology. If your professor demands peer-reviewed journals that are authoritative and informational, here is an excellent place to stop.

There is a wide variety of other educational journals available online as well. Take advantage of the distance learning materials available to online degree students and professors. Check with your university before subscribing to see if you can access these journals without charge. Some universities subscribe, and offer their students free access.

I have a friend who has been teaching for about two years. He decided to go back to school to finish a graduate degree program in teaching. After considering his options, he chose an online degree program that would allow him to finish his degree in about two years. I asked him what made him choose a distance learning degree program over a traditional college degree program, and he shared his answers with me.

His spouse has a job that requires mobility, so he couldn’t be certain that he would be in the same city a year or two years from the time he started school. In addition, he would be working full time and wanted to be able to maintain the flexibility that distance learning could offer. He was also planning to start a family, and did not want to be away from home at college several days a week.

He’s finished the first year of his program, and tells me that he is very satisfied with his experience so far. He chose an accredited university degree program, and told me that his school system had no issues with the crediblity of his degree. He is just glad to be able to complete the requirements for his job without putting the rest of his life on hold.

His wife is happy, too, that he is able to meet his career goals without losing family time. He tells me that he doesn’t have any trouble completing the course work, because he always knows when his next paper will be due, and he is the only one responsible for making his learning experience successful. It certainly seems to be working well for him!

Tomorrow is the day for the big interview for which you’ve been waiting. You prepared your resume carefully, and paid special attention to the job requirements listed by your prospective employer. Only one question remains: will your distance learning degree help - or hinder your job prospects.

That really depends on how you present your degree. A few key tips can help make the difference between a successful interview and a disastrous explanation of your distance degree program. One factor that will be critical to your success, however, is graduating from an accredited online university degree program.

If the program isn’t accredited, you aren’t going to be able to convince your boss that your degree is valid. Worse, it could make your chances of getting the job decrease significantly. Employers simply aren’t looking for workers who buy a degree or pay money to an unaccredited online degree university to try to advance their careers.

Stress the hard work, motivation, and energy that you’ve invested in your degree program. Explain to your interviewer how you stayed at home to study or worked on your classes while your friends went to social events. Corporations are looking for dedicated professionals who are willing to make sacrificies just like these.

If you can, provide evidence of the online college degree program’s accreditation and good standing with the Department of Education. Show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile to earn his (or her) approval. Now, relax, and get ready for your interview!