If you are reading this, you’ve probably heard at least one of the buzzwords thrown around revolving around this generation: digital natives. You might even be one yourself.
Regardless of whether or not you consider yourself an ‘online native’, it’s clear that the term has been used to describe people who grew up in a world where almost everything is online.
For many people, that internet connection has become their first personal computer—and as such, it has become their first career.
But while online education is a great way to get your foot in the door and learn new skills, it can also be a great way to break into your real-world career after years of job hopping with little to show for it.
Here are 7 reasons why you should explore more online education to advance your career.
1). Online Education Is Flexible and Efficient
Online education lets you choose which classes and topics you want to study.
You can take a class in a foreign language, get a refresher in accounting, or learn a new skill like building a web application.
The flexibility and efficiency of online education is one of its biggest advantages. You can choose to study a long course with a lot of theory and very little application, or you can learn quickly and efficiently in a short course.
If you want to take a more focused approach, block out a few hours a week and study for a certification, you can still reap the benefits of flexibility and efficiency by studying at various levels simultaneously.
2). Online Education is Affordable
Traditional schooling has a substantial price tag attached to it—whether it be the cost of the books and supplies or the cost of the school.
Some online education providers are much more affordable than others, which can be a deciding factor in whether or not you choose to study there. If you’re willing to put in the work, any online education can be very affordable compared to a traditional college education.
In fact, some of the most affordable online degree programs are offered by Coursera and edX.
3). You can build your own career.
The great thing about online education is that you can build your own career.
You don’t have to follow what someone else has already laid out for you. You can create your own path and choose your own destiny.
And you might be surprised at the number of options available to you and the variety of career paths that are open to you if you just take a chance on yourself.
4). There are many ways to learn.
It is no longer just the traditional lecture, reading, and writing. There are many ways to learn online and you can choose the one that works best for you.
You can choose to learn by watching videos, listening to audio, reading articles or textbooks, taking quizzes or tests, and even having a live video chat with your professor or someone else in your class.
5). You don’t have to go it alone.
If you have been used to going to school and being the only one in your class, then it is likely you’re going to feel a little lonely online.
That isn’t the case.
You can be in an online class with thousands of other students from around the world. You can interact with them through the course platform or even on social media.
6). You will learn from the Pros
While it is great to get your foot in the door by taking a few online courses, it’s actually even better to get your foot in the door by taking a few online classes from the pros.
Those who have already made a name for themselves in their field are going to be teaching online classes and you’ll get to learn straight from the horse’s mouth.
7). You don’t need years of work experience to jump-start your career
If you’re thinking about going back to school, but you don’t have a lot of work experience under your belt, it can be hard to know where to start.
An online class can help you jump-start your career by giving you the skills and knowledge you need to get ahead.
Conclusion
Regardless of which reason you believe most, it is clear that the benefits of online education are great for anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in it.
From enhanced flexibility and efficiency to increased access to quality education and the opportunity to help shape your career, there are a few downsides to studying online.
So, should you choose to go online or traditional education?
The answer is simple—why the both of them? If you are interested in a career that is more flexible and efficient, online education is an excellent choice.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more challenging and career-changing experience, traditional education is the way to go.
However, don’t forget—online education is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and you will need to choose the right school for the right course of study.