While online education is not new, these programs have exploded since the pandemic of 2020. Before the pandemic, the online educational landscape was establishing itself, with many students graduating from educational programs that were fully online or traditional programs that offered online courses as a part of their programs. Even with the prevalence of these programs, higher education has been one of the last industries to take advantage of digital tools like the online educational platform in the same way other industries have. Get detailed information about the e-learning platforms you can trust, on this website: https://newshub4.com/
The pandemic has forced many institutions to incorporate online learning into their platform to ensure students receive the same education as they would in a face-to-face setting. As of Autumn 2020, 2,500 higher education institutions around the US offer some form of online education. The hundred largest academic institutions with online programs report that 50% of course enrollment is in online courses.
This surge in popularity is for a few reasons. For one, online education affords the student the chance to attend an educational program while staying employed, so the student does not risk losing income. One of the reasons the student does not risk losing income is because they can attend class from any location, whether the course is asynchronous or synchronous.
Not only is online learning more convenient for students, but employers value online educational programs as well. A May 2022 article appearing in We Are the City reports that two-thirds of employers stated that being enrolled in an online educational program was a deciding factor in whether they hired the person for mid-management and junior staff. Further, 73% of employers reported that when considering a current employee, their being enrolled in an online program was a factor in promoting that person. For today’s students, online education is a platform for them to take the next steps in their careers.
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How online learning can prepare you for the next career step
It taps into the changing needs of an industry
Online educational programs have tapped into the needs of many industries, for example, programs in healthcare. Many online degrees and certificate programs are created to train professionals to work in a specific area within healthcare. Baylor University’s dnp nursing leadership coursesprepare nurses who are advancing their careers to take on positions such as vice president of nursing, chief nursing officer, or chief nursing executive. Not only do these programs offer degrees, but students can also enroll in a course or a series of courses that lead to a certificate. In essence, by tapping into the industry demand, an online program makes getting the requisite certifications accessible to professionals who might not have the time or budget to attend a traditional program.
Keeps students tech savvy
Every industry, including education, is going digital. Online educational programs adapt to the ever-changing needs of an industry, which include technological skills. Students who enroll in online courses get introduced to a myriad of ways to communicate with others across virtual reality. Further, the technological skills students learn as a part of engaging in the class are transferred to work, and in some cases, can make their work more efficient and cost-effective — qualities employers also value.
Employer-paid education
Using an employer-paid program is another way to use online education to make the next career step. Professionals working in a field they intend to get a degree in might find their employer is willing to pick up the tab for their education. The motivation for professionals in this position is that research shows that student professionals who use their employers’ employee-paid education assistance to get an online education are 10% more likely to be promoted and make 43% more money over three years than those who do not. Promotion and a higher salary are great motivators for furthering one’s education.
Apply coursework to professional skills
If enrolled in a program that directly relates to your job, online learning provides the professional the chance to transfer their book knowledge to their everyday work for the company. Experiential learning is one of the best ways to understand concepts. A professional attending an online program has the chance to create an optimal learning environment at work by simply attending a program in their industry.
Furthermore, not only is the environment great for reinforcing new concepts, but it also gives the professional the chance to learn new strategies and methods for addressing work-related issues. This works best when the courses are relevant to current job skills. More importantly, transferring skills has positive impacts on improving performance and productivity, which can impact how an employer’s decisions upon promotion time.
Networking opportunities
Unlike the traditional classroom, where students are not required to interact outside the course unless the professors require this interaction, the online classroom provides students with a landscape to work with current classmates, connect with industry professionals across the internet, connect with experts, and engage in a host of activities. This networking potential is especially important in terms of putting out feelers for present or future work opportunities. These contact points assist the student in finding avenues into a particular field, whether these pathways are formal or informal ways of applying for a job or snagging an interview.
Final words
Online educational programs have proven themselves more valuable in an industry-driven society where the need to train today’s workers for tomorrow’s needs has become more important. Technology is at the center of these programs, which have made training for a particular field or earning a certificate to advance a career much simpler. Online educational programs, in some instances, have challenged traditional programs because they are very convenient and give students access to a virtual world of resources. Not only do they learn foundational concepts necessary to advance in their careers, but they also provide multiple pathways for networking, accessing job search information, and connecting with others in their field who might help them achieve their career goals.
