Click, Click. . . And Away
So, you know a little bit about online education programs and
are intrigued. But where do you go from here? After all, you have
already decided that you want to make more money and move forward
in your career; and you want to do it on your own terms. But can
the process of accomplishing these goals really be that uncomplicated?
Actually, yes it can. Just take it one step at a time . . . Then
soar!
Choosing An Online Program
Of course, your first mission should be to choose
a course of study. If you are already enjoying a fulfilling career,
this step will be easy for you. You will simply select the field
of study related to your career at DirectoryofSchools. And with
a click of the mouse, a host of schools will appear that offer degree
and/or professional certificate programs in that chosen career field.
But if you desire to change careers, or are choosing
a career for the first time, the choices of online degree programs
may seem vast. So there are a few questions you may want to ask
yourself to narrow the choices.
- What type of work am I interested in doing?
- Do I want an entry-level or a management position?
- What training, certification or college degree do I need to
work in that field?
- How much time do I want to devote to furthering my education?
- How much money am I willing to invest in my future career?
You can also cruise through the wide variety of
accredited schools and their programs at on our site until a particular
program strikes your fancy.
Go For It
Once you find a desirable program, you simply
fill out a request for information on the website to receive additional
information from that school. The school will send you all of the
information relating to the program -- including requirements, applications,
tuition costs and financial aid options. All of our online schools
also have an admissions counselor and other personnel available
to provide assistance to you by e-mail or phone.
At this point, you will be well on your way to
reaching a worthwhile and attainable goal; and with discipline,
determination, and hard work, there is every reason for you to succeed!
A Note About Accreditation
In your online search for a college, you will
see the terms ‘accredited by’, ‘fully accredited’,
and ‘accreditation’. You may be wondering what these
terms really mean for you.
Accreditation refers to the process utilized by
institutions of higher education to insure a high level of educational
standards. It assesses the goals and objectives of the school, the
quality of the faculty, student admission requirements, and a number
of other criteria. Reputable accrediting agencies are recognized
by the US Department of Education. (You may check their website
to verify that the accrediting body concerning a school of interest
is a reputable one.)
For some degree programs, like the MBA programs,
the accreditation of the school is especially important. Employers
will be interested in hiring candidates who have been held to a
rigorous standard during their graduate work. Other online educational
programs without such accreditation, especially in the vocational
fields, may be acceptable to employers because of their expertise
in the field along with the school’s excellent reputation.
Check with your employer, or a potential employer, to verify that
your course of study will be adequate to secure a position, a promotion
or a salary increase.
Now you have all the information you need to begin
your online education journey. So click, click . . . And away!
By Vida Lynne Olivier
Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved. |
