The desire for
distance education has caused an outpouring of new online schools all over the
internet. Some of these schools are legitimate and go through the accreditation
process. Other schools are merely fronts for diploma mills and lackluster
education. Occasionally, employers and other schools view online only schools
differently than online classes taken from reputable universities. So how do
you know which school gives you the best edge in life? The following advice can
help you market yourself and your degree to future employers and academic
institutions.
Online only
schools do not have a brick and mortar school where they operate. They might
have a small office in a strip mall or business center. They may have very
little staff even though they offer numerous courses and degrees. However, just
because there is no fancy building to visit does not mean the school cannot
provide you with a sound education. When researching online only schools, make
sure that they are accredited by a regional accreditation agency. Check to see
if they have won any recognized awards for online education.
Click on the
'contact us' button on their website and make sure there is an email address,
phone numbers and business address. Avoid any online school with only a 1-800
number or email address. After you have done some research, apply and begin
enrolling. There are online only schools that offer degrees in business,
psychology and liberal arts.
So why do
employers view online schools differently than regular schools? Distance
education is being embraced by the academic world with open arms and a big
smile. To those no longer furthering their education, distance education seems
too easy to obtain and not like a real college degree. Big changes always take
time to adjust to and become accepted.
Therefore, when employers see resumes with online only schools listed as
the diploma granting institution, they are unsure about the quality of
education you received. The same may be true for certain academic institutions
that consider online education inferior to classroom education.
When
interviewing, make sure you mention if your degree does not contain any life
experience credits. Life experience credits are not as valued by schools or
employers because they cannot be validated. If your degree does contain life
experience credits, be able to communicate effectively why the degree granting
institution felt your life experience was worth college credits. Let them know about relevant projects you
worked on, associations or clubs you started or supervised and any other aspect
of your education that highlights your strengths.
Overall, you
market yourself to a prospective school or employer with enthusiasm and
confidence. Do not let anyone make you feel that an online degree is inferior
to a traditionally earned degree. Even if you run into a few people unfamiliar
with online education, use it as an opportunity to show them how well online
degrees prepare students for the future. The key to marketing yourself is
showing them how competent you are and how well prepared your college degree
has made you.