For many years now, online degrees have been working towards the goal of simply being referred to as "degrees" in both academia and industry. As our society continues to shift more and more into the technological world, online degrees and online degree programs are becoming significantly more common. Now, when online degrees first emerged into the world of higher education, they were followed by a pretty heavy stigma. Many people in academia, industry, and everyday life discredited online learning and online degree programs at their outset. Today, however, more and more people are seeking education in a less traditional format and a more convenient structure. Online degree programs have become options for traditional students seeking a quality education as well as no-so-traditional students looking to earn a degree while raising a family or working fulltime. While the popularity of the online degree has gone up, has the stigma remained? Online vs. Brick and Mortar
The world of higher education has long been at least in part about reputation and names. With elite brick and mortar schools referred to as the Ivy Leagues, it's no wonder the name your alma mater once played such a significant role in employment. Today, while there is certainly some of that favoritism among higher education institutions, the name label means significantly less in many areas of industry. The old argument against online earned degrees was that they simply couldn't provide the same quality education a traditional degree did. Brick and mortar schools boast face-to-face interaction and personal instruction. However, today many of these arguments just don't apply to online learning and many individuals no longer stand behind them. With advanced technologies, online learning and the online classroom has gained much the same availabilities as the brick and mortar classroom.
Things Employers Value in Online Degree Holders
With tech jobs and web related industry booming in today's economy, more and more employers are actually seeking candidates who hold online degrees.
1. Tech Savvy: Many employers value the online degree over the traditional degree because it may demonstrate a greater familiarity with modern web and computer use. Because online degree holders spent their entire undergrad career dealing with computer and online interaction and tools, these candidates are seen as tech savvy individuals. An online degree holder typically has a strong level of comfort and understanding with online and computer communication. This can be extremely valuable in industry. Moreover, online degree holders show proficiency in easily picking up new programs, tools, and technologies with computers. Technical know-how will continue to play an important role in industry and therefore on job applications, resumes, and cover letters.
2. Self-Initiative: While not all online degree holders come from unique situations, part of the appeal in an online degree is its openness with location and scheduling. It is this aspect that draws in many individuals who are going back to school after working fulltime in the industry for many years or after starting a family and playing parent for a while. For those who seek an online degree in one of these more "unique" situations, many employers are drawn to the self-initiative and determination it takes to complete a degree in this way. Self-initiative is a "non-paper" trait that many employers value over all else. Employers are looking for individuals who want to work and are willing to do so without "hand-holding". An online degree can demonstrate an important level of self-motivation and independence.
The online degree seems to only be gaining in value in the working world. While there may be some individuals who still hold a bias against the online realm of higher education, most areas of industry recognize the value of an online degree holder as an employee and equate the two degree types equally.
About the Author:
Aniya Wells is a freelance writer and blogger whose writing interests are decidedly consumer-focused. In an age in which consumers have access to unprecedented amounts of information, Aniya hopes to help her readers decode this information to make better decisions about online degree programs, personal finance, parenting, health, and more. She can be reached at mailto:aniyawells@gmail.com
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