I Want to Go Back to School Online, but I Don't Know Where to Start
It sounds simple. Just got back to school, get that college degree, and start looking for your dream job. But things aren't as easy as they were when you were younger and fresh out of high school. You might be married, a parent, a full or part-time employee, and have other obligations your 18-year-old self never had to contend with.
The good news is that going back to school isn't impossible and there are a great deal of ways you can make it work for you. With online classes, it just takes some direction, some flexibility, and a computer.
Square One: Where Do I Begin?
You might already know what your goal is, but if you're a little stuck, try this exercise. Go to a job search website, such as Indeed or Monster. Search for openings for your dream job (don't be afraid to aim high either!). When you've found an opening, look at the requirements, particularly education. What does your job want you to have? Associates? Bachelors? Master's degree?
What other requirements does it list? Are they looking for someone with great customer service skills? Do they need someone who is able to work well with a team? You might be focused on hard skills, but soft skills can make a difference, too. Look at several listings and notice what keeps popping up in all of them. Companies are looking for these skills. And yes, you can learn these skills in college, as well.
But How Can I Possibly Go Back to School?
Now you know the requirements for your dream job, how do you go about getting them? You might have heard of online education, but how does it work? Will it work for you?
Some of the benefits of online education include its flexibility and convenience. Imagine not having to drive to class or sit through a long lecture when you need to be doing something else. Instead, online education is there when you're ready to study. Wherever you're ready to study.
While it does take dedication and self-motivation to get to graduation day, all college degrees require sacrifice and hard work. That will always be true. Your job is to see if online education would help fill in the gaps where traditional education usually can't help adult learners.
What do I do if I Run Into Trouble?
If there's no teacher handing you your graded papers, is there really a teacher who can help you if you have a problem with a concept or assignment? There is! Online teachers are available through email, as well as sometimes through text and voice. They also hold office hours like a traditional professor and you might have a live chat option available as well.
What's important to remember about online classes is that problems don't resolve themselves. If you get into trouble, go for help immediately. Don't wait until it's exam week to get a week one assignment taken care of. Whatever your problem is with coursework, you could find help and be able to work through it. But you have to ask and follow through.
Are You Ready to Take the First Step?
Are you ready to go back to school and do it online? If you want to earn a degree online in cybersecurity, business, criminal justice, health science, or more, connect with ECPI University. We offer classes 100% online and at an accelerated pace, perfectly suited for most adult learners. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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