Why More People Who Are Changing Careers Are Studying Online Too

 05/24/2010

“Students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction. Learning outcomes for students who engaged in online learning exceeded those of students receiving face-to-face instruction, with an average effect size of +0.24 favoring online conditions.”

-  Source: Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning, a 2009 report from the  U.S. Department of Education

When a rave review the one we quote above comes from the U.S. Department of Education, it’s clear that online education is moving into the spotlight on the stage of American higher education.

And it’s little wonder. If you’ve been reading this blog, you already know some of the advantages. Our Straighter Line courses . . .

• Adapt flexibly to your lifestyle and schedule

• Allow you to earn college credits before you arrive on campus

• Slash tuition bills with low-cost course alternatives

• Permit you to move ahead at your own pace and repeat lesson sections as often as you like

• Help veterans transition from the military to college

But there’s another benefit to studying online too, which more people are discovering . . .

Online learning is a great tool for making career transitions!

Here are a few of the reasons why . . .

• Online study lets you sample a new career path before you commit yourself. You can take an accounting course before you take the plunge and enroll in a full-time college program in accounting, for example.

• Online study is risk-free. If you take a course and decide that the subject matter is not for you – or if you don’t complete the course – that decision is not going to appear on your permanent record.

• Online study lets you present yourself as a more competitive candidate for jobs. The skills you add help you “talk the talk” in job interviews, and then “walk the walk” from the first day you are hired.

So if you are considering as career change, why not consider enrolling in some college courses online to test the waters? Doing so is efficient, advantageous, and cost-effective. If you are taking your life in a new direction, it could be one of the wisest career decisions you can make.

By Barry Lenson

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