How Are Online Degrees Changing Perceptions About Education
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Online degrees have become very popular among working professionals looking to rise up the career ladder. They’re also popular among students pursuing multiple courses simultaneously. Hiring managers are now more open than ever to accepting students with online degrees. Public perception about online degrees has changed significantly from what it was seven or eight years ago. Back in 2009, a research study conducted by Cleveland State University found that a huge number of recruiters had a negative impression about online degrees. This was probably because of the diploma mills that had become rampant around the US, promising a quick degree at low costs.
The Babson Survey Research Group, in 2011 estimated that more than 6.5 million students had signed up for at least one online course. Young professionals who are eager to make a name for themselves and the thousands of stay at home parents who want to make the most of their career-breaks are largely responsible for these numbers. Now, reputed university like MIT and Harvard are now offering online courses. Tough competition ensures that these universities come up with a rigorous academic program that is on par with those offered through conventional learning programs.
How Do Employers Evaluate Potential Candidates
A potential employer may look for the following factors:
Accreditation:
Hiring managers prefer students who have studied in accredited colleges. Accreditation ensures that the study program meets certain standards expected by companies across the world. They look for regional accreditation and national accreditation.
Reputation:
The college’s reputation is a good indicator to help employers judge an applicant. They prefer students from universities with good acceptance rates, experienced tutors, and top rated programs. If the confirmation manager doesn’t recognize the name of the school on the resume, your application is likely to be rejected.
Reasons To Choose An Online Program Over Traditional Course:
Recruiters are likely to inquire about your reasons for signing up for an online course. It is up to you to come up with a convincing answer.
Test For Soft Skills:
Students involved in an online course have plenty of opportunities to brush up on their soft skills thanks to discussion boards, video conferencing, networking events, emails and phone conversations. Employers look for candidates who can collaborate and interact with others.
It is important that you sign up for an online course that’s accredited and offered by a reputable university. Check the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges Rankings report and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings report. Needless to say, they’re rigorous and require a lot of effort. But don’t worry, we’re there for you! Call us to ask – ‘how to hire someone to take my online class?’ One of us will be happy to complete your assignments or take your test for you!