Posts Tagged ‘online schools’
Posted by Dan on April 7th, 2009
AchieveYourCareer.com, a leading website featuring news and information on accredited online schools responds to the recent BusinessWeek article For-Profit Colleges: Scooping Up the Stimulus.
AchieveYourCareer.com is dedicated to combating the stigmatism that an online education is less than adequate. In a recent article published by Business Week, the magazine criticizes “For-Profit” online colleges such as the University of Phoenix and DeVry University for questionable recruiting tactics and below standard graduation rates. AchieveYourCareer.com feels the article attacks not only the colleges themselves but the actual online college students working towards their degree. “Our web presence reaches one million users a month interested in pursuing a college degree. Our audience includes working parents struggling to juggle careers and family, recently laid off employees looking to add credentials to their resumes and potential students unable to incur the large debt that traditional college degrees currently carry. Is it wrong for them to want to earn an online college degree that fits their lifestyle? From online schools accredited by state boards across the county?” stated AchieveYourCareer.com President, Michael Speicher. “Furthermore, the BusinessWeek article completely failed to directly compare graduation rates of online schools versus other colleges and universities, or career institutes, and segment those findings by the same demographic or life stage segments across the institutes.”
Across the nation, millions of Americans share a common goal; a college education. For so many, a college education represents the key to a better life, a better career and unlimited potential. While traditional colleges and universities continue to raise admission costs that are out of reach for so many, online schools have created an affordable opportunity for those who wish to earn a college degree. “No one should be denied the opportunity to go to college and pursue an education.” Speicher added. “Whether you are learning in a classroom, or at home on your personal computer, you are earning your college degree. You’re bettering yourself with an education. That’s what matters.”
Traditional colleges such as Harvard and Boston University currently offer online classes and the trend is set to continue. As more and more online programs become available it will create a fantastic opportunity to reach new students, reduce costs, and help educate more Americans to foster our country’s growth. In addition, with the new White House Administration’s focus on improving our education system, AchieveYourCareer.com believes that online schools will become a major element of the American higher education system and will finally be viewed as a viable and respected option for a college education – as it should be.
Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009
TIP 3: Explore Related or New Career Field
Many of us will find ourselves working on a variety of projects at our jobs even though we carry a specific title or role in a department. The experience we gain from working with various departments provides “hands-on” working knowledge. If you find yourself out of work, we suggest applying your working knowledge and looking for a new position in a related career category. For example, an Account Manager, who typically handles day to day operations such as client management, drafting reports, and exploring new opportunities, can transfer their experience to a related career position in Communications, Marketing, and even Accounting & Finance. Those seriously interested in exploring related career positions can prepare themselves by enrolling in an online degree program offered at an accredited college. This allows them to continue their education while simultaneously seeking employment. Hiring Managers want to see such dedication and commitment in applicants and an additional degree could be the difference between being offered a position or being passed over for a more qualified candidate.
Posted by admin on February 25th, 2009
AchieveYourCareer.com, a respected source in online education news and information, has included a guide illustrating “Quick Tips for Reinventing Yourself during a Recession” to their website and blog. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling financially due to jobs lost, AchieveYourCareer.com outlines inexpensive, quick opportunities to help increase your income, land new job positions, and open new career paths. “In late Q4 and continuing into Q1 of this year, we have seen a tremendous surge in traffic to our online education website, as more Americans consider the benefits that an online school can offer,” stated AchieveYourCareer.com founder and President, Michael Speicher. “If you get laid off, typically you panic. But we published this guide to help showcase how you can still succeed with a strong education foundation and goals.” Speicher added. We have included a sample of “Quick Tips for Reinventing Yourself during a Recession” and for the complete listing of all tips, visit www.achieveyourcareer.com.
TIP 1: Become A Consultant.
If you find yourself unemployed or laid off, you may have several years of experience in a specific job field. Starting your own business as a consultant can be a quick and easy step to earning additional income and growing your client base. By re-establishing yourself in a specific profession, you maybe able to offer your and expertise to a variety of companies. If you are concerned about certification, several accredited online schools offer inexpensive online certificate programs that can be completed quickly at your own schedule. Certificates can be applied to several key industries such as Business, Communications, Teaching, and Healthcare.
TIP 2: Go Back to School
A common goal shared by many Americans is to continue their education. However, once you have entered the work force, it becomes increasingly difficult to find the time and the funds to go back to school. Believe it or not, being laid off or let go from a job can be a liberating experience for some, and it can provide the opportunity and time to become a student once again. One of the most cost effective ways to become qualified for a new career is to explore the opportunities of an online education. Programs are constantly enrolling new adult students throughout the year. Online programs offer superior flexibility compared to traditional campus program, as students can schedule assignments around their personal schedules. Online schools offer accredited degrees at a fraction of the cost of regional and local career colleges. And in some cases, you can earn an Associates Degree in a growing career field such as Education or Healthcare in as little as 24 months or less.
Come Back for more Tips to Reinventing Yourself During a Recession.
Posted by Jen Zeman on December 30th, 2008
Having an online school close to home was not a driving factor on where I would attend; however, I did consider in-state schools before considering out-of-state schools. For me, it was more of a comfort factor. I was working at a local community college when I was looking at schools to transfer my associate’s degree credits to. While at the community college, I had a great deal of information available to me about local universities and the programs they offered, so I felt a great deal of familiarity with local universities. With this information, I found UMUC and the perfect online degree program. Knowing I could easily transfer almost all my credits to UMUC was reassuring – I wouldn’t have to spend time and money on a bunch of additional classes. Plus, the tuition wasn’t too far out of reach for me. Because I found the ideal online school within my home state I had no need to look out-of-state.
My advice to others:
- Start your search with local colleges and universities to see what online programs they have to offer and if they coincide with your desired program. But don’t settle if they don’t! If local institutions are not offering an online program in the discipline you want to study, broaden your search to out-of-state institutions. A complete online program will not require you to attend or even visit the physical campus. I have even found that some online schools do not charge a higher tuition for out-of-state students attending online programs (i.e. you pay what in-state students pay).
- If you are currently attending a community college and need help searching, enlist the assistance of an academic advisor with your search. Most have a good grasp on what’s being offered at various institutions and can offer advice on your search.
- Make a list of important criteria for an online school before starting your search will also make the process easier. This way, you won’t settle for an institution that may not fulfill all your needs.
Posted by glen on August 18th, 2008
The family of schools on AchieveYourCareer.com continues to grow with the addition of Sullivan University, an online school offering courses in Medical Coding, Human Resource Leadership, Accounting, Marketing, Management, Hospitality Studies. These courses and other, which are predominantly focused in the areas of business degrees, HR degrees, and management degrees, are offered at the levels of Certificate, Associates, Bachelors, and Masters — in other words, Sullivan has the program you need to land the job you want.
A school that has taken the education of its students personally since 1962, Sullivan University offers the courses listed above through its Global e-Learning division. Academics are taken very seriously at Sullivan University online; to take online classes, Sullivan administrators recommend that you be highly self-motivated, comfortable with computers, serious about academics, focused on your coursework, confident in your reading, writing, and critical skills, and comfortable requesting help when you’re in a jam. Though the school possesses an extremely high success rate already, Sullivan University is still not satisfied: it wants to continue innovating and continue to offer the best career-oriented online courses possible.
We at AchieveYourCareer.com are proud to add Sullivan University as an online education partner.
Many of us remember preparing to return to school for the New Year. You were excited about the new supplies and clothes, and who would be in your class or your teacher. The only difference between beginning school then and now is your age and you won’t need those new clothes. But you do need the required supplies to make your college experience as successful as possible.
Most online schools will have particular requirements beyond the Internet that you will need to complete your assignments. Before enrolling in an online program you should find out what software, textbooks and time will be required. Some online courses are now integrating CD and DVDs into the curriculum, so a membership to your local library or video store might come in helpful.
The common thread that all online schools have as mentioned earlier in the article is the need for a reliable internet service. Some people may feel that if they have access to the internet by either going to the library, a relative’s house or having a laptop and hanging out in a nearby hot spot this will be acceptable to complete their degree; this may not be the best idea. With technology there can always be the possibilities of your computer or internet access being “down”. Secure an online connection offered by an experienced Internet Service Provider. The likelihood of your connection be unavailable is minimal. Depending on a family member to home and allow you to use their computer can be more problematic than an advantage while relying on public connectivity at your local library or coffee house with Wi-Fi can conflict with your schedule and posed other problems. With the current weather trends and gas prices being able to commute to various places for internet services may be more of a detriment that a benefit.
You should also have a clear understanding of what software is being used to complete assignments. Most school requires the use of Microsoft Office applications. This software package will include Word for completing your essays and other written assignments. It also includes Excel and PowerPoint, two applications that are being used more widely in the education world to display student assignments. Confirm what software is needed and what version you are using. If you do not have the appropriate software; check with your academic advisor before purchasing it. Many schools offer the software at a discounted price.
Textbooks are usually not the concern. Within your tuition, books are usually included and will be mailed directly to you. Ensure that your mailing address is correct. This will help you to receive your books in a timely fashion. Once you receive your books, check the syllabus to confirm that you received the correct book and edition. If you do not receive your books by the start of the course inform your instructor and academic advisor immediately. They may be able to assist in the process and expedite the delivery.
You may not feel that time is a supply, but it is a commodity that you use up and never get back. Although the school can not mandate the time needed to complete your task for class you can schedule out your time to allow you the appropriate amount needed for YOU as a student. You should try to schedule between 5-10 hours per week for your classes. This should be sufficient in helping you to cover your reading, discussion, real-time discussions and additional research that might be required.
Prepare for school in the beginning and you will have less confusion and set backs later on. Once your class begins, your focus should be on content and not how to execute it. Proper planning has always been valuable.
Posted by jstoppi on July 17th, 2008
The stigma of obtaining an online degree may dissuade some who might have otherwise benefited from furthering their educational horizons. Unfortunately, the inception of online degree programs was muddled by unscrupulous diploma mills that would confer a degree to anyone who was willing to pay the money (without doing any real academic work). These diploma mills tarnished the future of online degrees.
There are several qualities of online universities that forecast a legit, quality program. These are:
- Accreditation
- The same degree or program offered in the traditional sense
- Financial Aid
If the university offers the same program in the traditional sense, once a student graduates, he/she does not need to indicate they received the degree via the online format (although what I’ve observed personally is that, after going through all the hard work of obtaining an online degree, most graduates are proud enough to tell anyone they received the degree online).
I too was affected by the stigma of online degrees. I attended a large university that offered the same program in the traditional sense. I was still a bit skeptical after I graduated until I met someone who attended the same university for the same degree, on campus. I was satisfied when I compared his degree to mine (they were identical). I was more satisfied when we compared knowledge as I felt I knew just as much–if not more than–he did.
In the near future, there is no doubt that there will be no stigma surrounding online degrees. Indeed, I envision a future where more degrees are offered online than not. In the meantime, I hope this information helps you overcome the stigma of online degrees so you can attain your educational and career dreams!
Posted by Dan on June 27th, 2008
Halo, Grand Theft Auto, and Super Mario have made the video game industry a multi billion dollar industry and now universities are reaching out to students by offering online video game degree programs. There is no doubt that video games are big business, and with the industry growing by 15% or more each year, more and more students are seeking a degree in game design and software development.
Online programs are becoming increasingly more popular and schools such a DeVry University offer one of the industries only online Game Design degree programs. More and more students are spending more time playing video game than watching television or surfing the net and it makes sense to offer degree programs in fields of study that are in demand and popular. As more students enroll in online video game degree programs, more universities will begin to adapt their curriculum.
So while playing hours of video games may not help your chances at achieveing a career in the video game industry, earning a degree program from an accredited online school opens the door to the potential to design the next Gears of War or Madden video game.
Posted by Dan on June 16th, 2008
In today’s technology driven world, The internet continues to influence traditional industries such as newspapers, retail stores, television stations, and even colleges. Over the past year, more and more traditional schools such as Boston University and Northeastern University adding online degree programs to their current course offerings to attract new potential students.
Bryant and Stratton College is a new school added to AchieveYourCareer recently that shares a strong tradition with its campus brand by offering several online degree programs for a new generation of students. Bryant and Stratton Online offers a compelling list of online associate degree programs with a wide variety of concentrations for those interested in futhering their career.
Bryant and Stratton’s programs focus on areas of study that target some of today’s most prospering career tracks such as IT Management and Medical Administration. By earning a college degree online with Bryant and Stratton, students are free to continue their daily routines and create a custom learning program that fits their schedules.
Digital distribution has replaced traditional CD sales, NetFlix has replaced the local video store, and online education is poised to disrupt the current college marketplace with more nationally branded traditional schools such as Bryant and Stratton offering degree programs exclusively online and at a fraction of the cost. It is not a matter of if this will happen, but a matter of when.
