| -> | | | | asynchronous learning model works a bit like email in |
| In case you hadn't noticed, career colleges aren't just | | | | that you can access the coursework, instructor's |
| for learning a vocational trade anymore. Nowadays, | | | | lessons and classmates comments at your |
| career colleges can help you obtain a Bachelor's, | | | | convenience, then respond whenever you are able. |
| Master's, or even Doctorate Degree in just about | | | | There are no set classes for you to attend, no |
| any field of study, or they can even help you simply | | | | specific schedules that might conflict with the rest of |
| brush up on skills you might already have on your | | | | your day, and, because you'll be taking classes online, |
| way to earning a certification or Associate's Degree. | | | | no commute time for you to worry about. |
| So while some career schools might still specialize in | | | | I'm Afraid It Will Take Forever To Complete My |
| vocational trades like auto body repair, masonry or | | | | Degree |
| hair styling, the majority of today's career colleges | | | | Traditionally, a Bachelor's Degree takes up to four |
| are designed to help working professionals meet their | | | | years to complete, a Master's Degree requires at |
| career objectives. | | | | least two years, and a Doctorate Degree can take |
| Prompted by an inviting and growing selection of | | | | up to eight years or more. That's all fine and good |
| career and online colleges, more adults are returning | | | | for someone who can dedicate themselves to being |
| to school than ever before. Whether you're seeking | | | | a full time student, but for those who can only |
| to advance your current career and education, break | | | | commit to part-time status, those timelines might |
| into a whole new field, or just enjoy studying | | | | appear too far off the horizon. |
| something you've always wanted to, going back to | | | | But the facts of the matter are that most degree |
| school can be enjoyable and rewarding. | | | | programs at today's career colleges are based on |
| And yet, many potential students who could clearly | | | | accelerated learning, meaning that most degrees take |
| benefit from enrollment at a career college are | | | | less time to complete than traditional learning |
| hesitant to do so. The reason? In too many cases, | | | | environments. Coursework is based on shorter |
| they are being held back by nothing other than their | | | | semesters--typically five weeks--and delivering a |
| own fear. | | | | quality education as rapidly as possible without |
| The First Step is Admitting It | | | | sacrificing the student's ability to learn and absorb the |
| Let's begin by getting everything out on the table. | | | | material. In some cases you can even earn your |
| Some reservations commonly heard from working | | | | degree is less than a year! |
| adults who are considering a return to college include | | | | I'm Afraid That Employers Won't Take My Degree |
| the concerns that: | | | | Seriously |
| They won't fit in | | | | Because their degree won't be coming from some |
| It's too expensive | | | | top-name university like Harvard or Yale, some |
| There isn't enough time in the day | | | | would-be students decide that it's not worth getting |
| It will take forever to complete a degree | | | | a degree from a school that employer's won't view |
| Employers won't view the degree (or certification) as | | | | as credible. |
| credible | | | | In reality, however, most employers today do view |
| The coursework won't be valuable or useful | | | | degrees from career colleges as not only credible, |
| In reality, just about any student who has attended | | | | but oftentimes on par with their more traditional |
| a career college--whether online or on-campus--will tell | | | | counterparts. It wasn't that long ago that many HR |
| you that there really isn't anything to fear in a return | | | | professional may have viewed career |
| to school. While they may have once had the same | | | | colleges--particularly online career colleges--as carrying |
| fears as you do now, they learned very quickly that | | | | less weight than traditional colleges, but as the online |
| those fears were actually unwarranted. | | | | education space evolves and faculty members and |
| By taking each fear one by one, we can begin to | | | | curriculums at online schools catches up with those at |
| understand what these current students now know | | | | traditional schools, more and more HR executives are |
| and how glad they are that they didn't let their fears | | | | realizing the validity of degrees earned online or |
| hold them back. | | | | through career colleges. In fact, to some, an online |
| I'm Afraid I Won't Fit In | | | | degree represents a certain career ambition, |
| It is common for a person in their thirties or forties | | | | technological prowess and commitment to seeing |
| to worry that they'll stick out like a sore thumb in a | | | | something through to the end on behalf of the |
| classroom filled with "kids" from the ages of 18 to 25. | | | | applicant. |
| However, recent information from the Census Bureau | | | | I'm Afraid I Won't Learn Anything New Or Valuable |
| and the U.S. Department of Education states that | | | | Many potential students are fearful of the fact that |
| adult students are the fastest growing educational | | | | their trouble to go out and earn their degree might |
| demographic, revealing that 40% of college students | | | | be all for naught--that the classes won't teach them |
| are now 25 or older. Further information from the | | | | anything they hadn't learned already in their |
| National Center for Education Statistics points out | | | | professional experiences. |
| that students age 35 and older rose from 823,00 in | | | | As anyone who has ever taken so much as a single |
| 1970 to nearly 3 million by 2001. | | | | class at a career college or online school will tell you, |
| If you're still worried about fitting in to the classroom | | | | however, this perception couldn't be further from the |
| as an adult, a few facts that might help allay your | | | | truth. Classes at any accredited university are taught |
| concerns include: | | | | by qualified experts with lots of experience in their |
| With online learning, you'll be working on a more | | | | chosen field, while you will also be surrounded by |
| individual basis and won't have to worry about | | | | classmates who bring their own, unique experiences |
| 'standing out' in a physical classroom; | | | | to share. Whether the "classroom" is physical or |
| Many colleges, traditional or otherwise, have seen a | | | | virtual, you will learn more than you ever imagined |
| spike in their 'older' students, and it's likely you won't | | | | from those around you. |
| be the tiny minority that you expect; and | | | | Another point to consider is that most career |
| Many older adults actually find it rejuvenating and | | | | colleges are centered around a team learning |
| refreshing to be in a classroom environment with a | | | | approach, in which students learn not only from their |
| younger group that is eager to learn. | | | | instructors, but from other students as well. With this |
| I'm Afraid It Will Be Too Expensive | | | | approach, you'll engage in dialogues with other |
| Tuition...books...it all adds up. And many potential | | | | students who have much to share from their own |
| students get scared off by the investment it requires | | | | work experiences, and you'll gain valuable lessons that |
| to earn their degree. But the key to overcoming this | | | | you can take back and immediately apply to your |
| fear is to consider it as just that: an investment in | | | | own work. |
| your future. Think long term instead of short term. In | | | | Why Make The Move? |
| almost every case, the career advancement you will | | | | In today's modern learning environment, with |
| get after earning your degree will easily make up for | | | | numerous career and online schools focused entirely |
| the upfront costs of attending school. Besides, many | | | | on their educational needs, adults have nothing to |
| career colleges--especially those online--may be more | | | | fear in a return to school - and so much to gain. Here |
| affordable than you realize. Do your homework and | | | | are some of the main reasons more adults than ever |
| weigh the long-term benefits before deciding not to | | | | are going back to school: |
| enroll in a school for this reason. | | | | Career advancement or transition. If you're not |
| I'm Afraid It Will Take Up Too Much Time | | | | currently working at the job of your dreams, nothing |
| For the busy working adult, the notion of taking on | | | | can change that faster than a more advanced |
| any additional endeavors can be downright stifling. It's | | | | degree and additional expertise. |
| not always easy balancing work with personal life, | | | | To complete a degree from years ago. Plenty of |
| and adding school on top of all your other | | | | first-time college students leave before they earn a |
| responsibilities might seem virtually impossible. | | | | degree, and a return to college is a supremely |
| And yet, it's not. You'd be amazed at how much | | | | satisfying way to take care of that unfinished |
| extra time you can squeeze into a day. Sure, there | | | | business. |
| will be some sacrifices you'll have to make, but if you | | | | To set an example for their children. What better |
| just try watching a little less television, say, or letting | | | | way to encourage your growing children to pursue a |
| your friends know that you won't be able to make | | | | college education than getting one of your own? |
| that barbecue next weekend, you'll be amazed at | | | | To fully prepare for running their own business. |
| how much time you can free up. Just remember to | | | | Whether you're interested in opening a B&B or |
| keep your eye on the prize, and your sacrifices will all | | | | your own accounting firm, the perfect college |
| seem worthwhile. | | | | program is available online or on-campus. |
| One good option for students who might have a | | | | Returning to school is a big step, but it shouldn't be |
| hard time committing to a schedule is to enroll in | | | | an overwhelming one. |
| online courses that are "asynchronous." The | | | | |