Nobody enjoys having to go through 3 or 4 years of tedious studies with the singular purpose of obtaining a degree. Besides the fact that most, if not all of the knowledge you have to learn in order to pass your exams will be useless once you’ve graduated, it can be an incredible loss in terms of time and finances. The majority of individuals who graduate from high-school cannot afford the tuition fees of a higher education program, having to get a job immediately after in order to support themselves and their families. However, since the early 2000s, people from all over the world have been earning their graduate degree in an alternative way.
Is it a viable alternative?
Evidently, the first question that comes to mind is that of feasibility. There would be no point if a degree obtained in a different manner didn’t count when you are called in for an interview. To clear things a little, studies from 2010 and 2011 have pointed out that the business world has opened itself to these alternatives.
What do they consist of? To put it straightforwardly, this means attending courses over the Internet, using your PC, laptop or even smartphone and getting your degree after you’ve managed to acquire certain skills. The majority of managers seem to think that learning over the Internet actually brings in more capable and motivated workers, as the ones who usually get an online degree are faced with difficult conditions at best.
The reasoning behind this is more than justified – you either employ a full-time graduate who has done nothing but attend courses for the past 4 years (at least) or someone who managed to obtain a degree in this alternative manner.
The difference between full-time students and online learners
Quite often managers accept online degrees because of the sheer motivation that stands behind them. They say that these people have managed to juggle with family responsibilities, a job and studying at the same time, which is almost never the case of a full-time student. Such dedication speaks volumes about the applicant.
First and foremost, they have practical know-how, even if it is not directly connected to the industry they are seeking to enter – a previous job already means that they have already been accustomed to what it means to be a part of an organization. Secondly, the period of training tends to be less demanding in terms of both time and resources, as they adapt easier and can take on far more responsibility than an entry-level worker could ever imagine.
The alternative is actually better than the original
Most of our graduates have pointed out that this second path has proven to bring them benefits they never dreamed of should they have gone to a traditional college, from the time and money they’ve managed to save up by getting a graduate degree in an alternative way, to the invaluable work-experience and head start in front of the competition.
The confidence and perspective this type of career choice offers is simply invaluable. Going at an interview would be a welcomed experience, an opportunity to turn into value all of the knowledge you’ve managed to obtain. It’s almost impossible to beat 4 years of thorough job experience coupled with a degree from a reputable institution, having nothing else but a certificate to show off.