SolveYourProblem Article Series: Online Degrees
Is An Online Degree Program For Me?

Are Online College Courses Effective or Impersonal?

While many employers and educators would look down on an Internet university degree, a degree earned online from a traditional and accredited university might very well be recognized.

Online college courses are a legitimate way to take up higher education. Online education offers students the chance to learn according to their own pace and schedule. The private schooling might help students to better understand and apply the information. If a student understands the material he can speed through a lesson. If there’s a challenging lesson he can take more time on it, thus fully grasping the idea before progressing on. Individualized schooling can be very effective in preparing a student for a job that depends upon thorough understanding.

However, some educators and employers believe that online colleges are impersonal when compared to a traditional college, and that the lack of social interaction with others would be a major concern.

True, there can be disadvantages to online college courses and these should be taken into account, especially before investing any money. Consider a few.

Not all industries acknowledge online college courses as legitimate credentials. Top industries including medical, law, government and educational, often times will not substitute an online college degree for one earned in a traditional school. Before you spend any money on an online PHD, remember that the great majority of doctors are graduates from a physical, regional college.

Many employers believe electronic correspondence is too impersonal and that emailing and text chatting will never replace in-person communication. Many jobs require heavy face-to-face contact and professional experience in sales, customer service or public speaking. Therefore, if given a choice, an employer would be more likely to hire someone who interacted with a faculty, an administrative team and fellow students, than someone untested.

Some employers believe all online college courses are “diploma mills” or phony universities that only sell degrees for money. They have reason to be concerned; many online degrees available are not accredited and thus not valid. Many unethical employees have gotten a job with a phony degree and later lost it after the phony university name was researched.

The lack of coursework and hands-on training that online schools can offer is also a concern. Whereas a traditional college can guarantee class discussions, in-person tutoring and physical cases for evaluation and review, an online college usually can only offer impersonal book smarts. Many employers will consider it a disadvantage that a teacher did not directly supervise the online graduate.

But this should not totally discourage serious-minded students from pursuing legitimate online colleges. If students study up on the advantages and disadvantages of online schooling as pertaining to their specific career field, then they may find some accredited courses to be effective and helpful.

Many employers involved in online businesses, media and marketing companies, or technology-driven corporations, would be more favorable to accepting an online degree. These businesses understand the power of the Internet and how convenient it has made virtually every task.

An online college degree, so as long as it’s accredited and from a recognized school, is as effective as you make it. In getting a job, it is important to sell yourself as an effective candidate and not lean upon your online college degree to do all the talking.

If you think your employer thinks that online college graduates are seen as impersonal, then go out of your way in your job interview to prove yourself as educated and professional. Mention your skills and experience. Emphasize the self-motivation, self-discipline and time management you learned through studying online. Note any speaking or networking skills you learned through the online college or in personal experience. Bring samples of your assignments to suffice as coursework, school provided transcripts and letters of recommendation from your instructors. Bring documentation that proves the online college’s validity and legitimate accreditation. Finally, if you must, make the point to your future employer that studies have shown that online education is just as valuable as a traditional education.

Online college degrees are only as impersonal as the graduates themselves. Consider online schooling as an untested advent and approach it with all seriousness. The more successful, honest and professional the individual is the more he or she will be esteemed—and the more the reputation of legitimate online colleges will improve.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2007

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