Even
if you currently work from home now--no small feat when you’ve got a brood of
young ones threatening mayhem with mustard on a daily basis--the marketplace is
changing almost daily. So how do you beat out job candidates who probably don’t
have any gaps in their resumes for things like childbirth or being a dad?
Fortunately,
pursuing new skills, a career or in a new field or that degree you’ve always
wanted is far more accessible these days thanks to online educational programs.
No longer do you have to drop off the kids with a sitter and drive across town to
sit in class every other day. Online courses covering a multitude of areas are
available and you can earn full certifications and degrees while sitting at
your own computer. (Sometimes even with one eye trained on the kids.) There are
lots of programs to choose from, but several fields in particular lend
themselves well to online study.
Degrees in
Education
Believe
it or not, you can become a licensed teacher by taking online classes. You’ll
have to do your student teaching outside in a traditional classroom, but much
of your coursework can be done online. If you already have that licensure, you
can improve your credentials by earning an online masters degree or taking
required continuing education courses online.
Business and Accounting
You
can find numerous opportunities for online education in the field of business.
Many programs will allow you to earn certifications such as Six Sigma, which
are great to add to an existing degree. You’ll also find complete degree
programs available online for business, finance, accounting, and other areas.
You can train to become a bookkeeper or a CPA. Masters of Business
Administration (MBA) degrees are also extremely popular online options as well.
Medical
Careers
Careers
in health care lend themselves well to the hybrid model of online study paired
with hands-on field experience. Nursing is one area where you can do a
significant amount of your coursework online before your hands-on experience at
a local facility. You can also study at home to become a medical coder or a
medical transcriptionist, and then work professionally from home as well. Some
schools offer online degrees in health care administration, or classes that can
improve or help you renew your existing credentials.
Information
Technology
A
natural place to learn computer skills is, of course, online at a computer.
You’ll gain plenty of hands-on experience right at your own desk as you become
certified in the use of specific programs, or in web design or in programming.
To gain the actual certifications you’ll need to pass the industry standard
exams, but that’s a small price to pay when you’ve been able to complete your
coursework online. You can even earn entire information technology degrees
online.
The Next Step
Before
you commit to any courses, spend some time exploring your options, and don’t
sell your current skills and past experience short. You may think you’re
limited because you’ve only worked in retail. That might be just the foundation
you need for a career in marketing. A past in veterinary care? Could be the
perfect background for a future in health care. Like any schooling, online
education requires hard work and dedication. You’ll find yourself working at
odd spare moments—during nap time, or while the kids are enjoying a video. And,
as usual, probably still making sure everybody gets what they want while you
sacrifice. But the hard work and persistence will pay off you’ve got that
certificate or diploma and you finally get the job of your dreams, something
you really want.
It’s about time, don’t you think?
It’s about time, don’t you think?
Jennifer Hayes is a mother of three and a part-time financial advisor earning her accounting online degree from the comfort of home.
