There are many different reasons you might want to enrol in an online course. But in the end, the question remains the same – will it be worth my time, effort, and money? Will it actually put me in a better position than where I would be without it? The short answer is yes, you will definitely benefit from expanding your skillset, but it depends on what you want to achieve.
Although you will not be able to become a medical doctor or a lawyer without a specific university degree, there are other options you can consider in building a successful career.
Why do an online course?
The first thing you should do is to determine what your motivation is for doing an online course. Not only will it help you focus your energy in the right direction, it will also motivate you to reach your goal. Let’s look at a few reasons for doing an online course:
I finished school and need a job
How will you stand out to your potential employers? What will set you apart from other candidates without formal tertiary education? Decide on a career that will interest you and find some online qualifications that will help you along in that direction.
I finished school but can’t go to university
You want to learn specific skills and you know where you would like your career to go, but you either can’t afford university or you don’t have an exemption. All hope is not lost! Online learning gives you the option to study for much cheaper and their entry requirements may be different.
I finished my degree but want to change my focus
You realised your degree won’t get you to where you want to be in your career, but you don’t have time or money to do a new degree. An online course or two can teach you the skills you need to convince potential employers that you are serious about changing direction!
I want to apply for a different job
You have a job, but you’re not really happy with it. You can’t afford to go without a salary, much less to pay for a new qualification. With an online course, you can keep working and learn something new without it interfering with your job.
I want to get better at my current job
You like your job, but feel like you might be replaced by a younger version of yourself who knows all the new things there is to know, or maybe you’re required to perform tasks you don’t have much knowledge of. Try doing an online course to teach you something new!
I want to be considered for a promotion
You want to set yourself apart from your colleagues and bag that promotion when it comes along. Learning a few new skills can give you a competitive edge and show your employer that you take your job and personal growth seriously.
Does accreditation matter?
It depends on what your goal is. If you want the online course to count as formal tertiary education, should double check whether it is accredited. If you’re doing the online course to improve your skill set, it’s not as important that it is accredited. The online learning platform should give you a certificate of completion that will serve as proof that you did learn the skills.
Want to learn something new? You can have a look at the courses WebCollege offers here.
