A Valuable and Often Overlooked Benefit!

Henry L. Doherty, an American businessman, once said, “Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.” With a growing number of adults continuing their education every year, businesses are embracing this idea of life-long learning.

According to the Society for Human Resources Management 2003 Benefits Survey, 79% of employers provide educational assistance to employees taking college classes. The survey also found 72% of employers offer undergraduate educational assistance and 69% of employers offer graduate education assistance. Although the numbers show most companies help pay for education, what do you do if you’re employer isn’t among the majority?

For starters, don’t be afraid to blaze the trail for tuition assistance at your company. Talk to your employer about your worth as an employee, your desire to improve your education, the merits of an education and, most importantly, the return on investment the company will get by improving you as an individual contributor. Present your case in a professional manner. Leave your divorce, kids, debt and health concerns out of the conversation.

eLearners.com, the leading resource for connecting learners with online education, in its recently released “Guide to Online Education” has developed actionable steps to help you through a conversation with your company about tuition assistance. The six tips include:

1. Do your research.
If the company is doing well, and you can show how you have contributed to its success, your boss will likely be more open to discussing your request. Also, it will help you put into context the added value you can bring to the organization, if you pursue your education.

2. Have a plan in place.
Know which school you wish to attend; the major, or area of continuing education, you wish to pursue; the exact cost; and the length of time you estimate it will take to complete your degree. Obviously, your boss may be concerned about the possible distraction school will be to you from your “day job”. That’s why you may want to look at flexible delivery models such as online learning. Additionally, most companies that provide tuition assistance only support those programs that are from accredited institutions. So, in your research you may want to consider including that element in your filters.

3. Make an appointment with your boss.
Start the discussion with your immediate supervisor. It is always helpful to have them on your side as a passionate champion of your professional development as you move up the chain of command or address tuition assistance with the human resource department.

4. Provide a deliverable.
A great approach is a memo-format document. Include the length of time you have worked at the company, your contributions whether in revenue-generating or cost-cutting measures, and your responsibilities. It would be helpful to include a brief rationale for how this expenditure would benefit the company. Attach copies of financial documents detailing tuition and fees, course outlines you have printed from the website, and contact information for the school.

5. Communicate your commitment to the company.
Make your enthusiasm for the company known, indicate that you wish to stay, and assure your boss your education will not interfere with your duties.

6. Remind your boss of the bottom line.
Not only is tuition assistance a morale booster and an excellent retention tool, it is worthwhile from a financial perspective. Your boss can expense it as a training cost.

If your company does not currently offer tuition assistance, these steps will be a bit more challenging. However, if you are successful, you have established a path to success for yourself, and set a precedent for other employees. If you get denied, don’t be afraid to ask “why?”. The answer may provide you the fodder to prepare your case for the next go around.

If you are a job-seeker, be sure to ask for tuition assistance to be included in your offer, this will save you the hassle later. It is always easier to ask for something—more pay, more vacation days, more resources—before you accept a job. This is when you have the leverage to make requests, especially if you are entertaining other offers.

Finally, if you are one of the fortunate employees whose company provides a tuition reimbursement program, use it. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, less than 15% of eligible employees actually use their tuition assistance benefits. Tuition assistance is part of your compensation. If you don’t use it, you lose it. And, using it will give you the education you need to advance your career and achieve greater success.

For more information about tuition assistance and online learning options, log onto www.elearners.com.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 30, 2007 at 9:34 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Have you taken an online course? If the answer is no, chances are you will sometime in 2007. By early next year, Eduventures predicts nearly one in 10 college students will be enrolled in an online degree program. The Internet is revolutionizing the education world, making a high-quality education much more accessible. So how does it work? It’s actually much easier than you may think.

What is e-learning

e-Learning is a way for you to get an education at home, the library or your office. e-Learning uses technology networks, including the Internet, to connect you with other students and instructors to get a high-quality education. You can take online classes individually (guided or instructed by a computer) or as part of a class.

“If you’ve taken an online tutorial you’ve already taken one online class,” said Andrew Gansler, CEO of eLearners.com. “Online classes are simple to start and allow you to learn when the time is most convenient for you.” More and more students are turning to online courses because of this convenience. A Sloan Consortium report shows more than 3.2 million students took an online course in 2005, that’s up 2.3 million from the previous year.

How Online Classes Work

Some online classes are conducted through the Internet at a set time with other students, other classes are individualized. e-Learning uses a wide range of technologies and media. Many online learning courses use streaming audio and/or video to deliver lessons. e-Learning also uses many interactive tools including teleconferencing, videoconferencing and shared whiteboards, which allow students to write on the same digital whiteboard.

In a traditional classroom students can ask questions, discuss topics and work in small groups – online students can do the same thing. e-Learning has just a few differences. The main difference is that written communication is much more prevalent in online classrooms. Another major difference is the time between comments. Instructors and students make their comments as little as a few minutes, and as much as a few weeks, apart from one another. If conducted properly, online class discussions can be as effective as traditional class discussions, for some learners they are more effective. Here’s an example, for learners who take longer to formulate their thoughts, or are too shy to express their thoughts verbally, online discussions can give students the extra time and boost of confidence they need.

In some e-Learning classes the instructor will typically pose weekly questions or discussion topics for the class. The discussion threads that follow may involve 30 or more learners over a course of weeks. To sample one of these discussions you can join an eLearners.com virtual learning community by clicking here.

Opportunities for Everyone

e-Learning offers new opportunities for everyone to get the education they want. Online classes include a for-credit college course or degree, corporate or certificate training, high school classes, and even online continuing education classes, like those you might take at night school or your community college. The Internet offers great resources to help you navigate through your e-Learning options. One resource, eLearners.com, connects respective online learners with online learning providers. eLearners.com also offers the eLearners Adviser, to help you determine if an online education is right for you. Getting an education is now easier than ever, so you have no excuse for putting off the education you deserve.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 25, 2007 at 6:50 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Just say no. It may sound easy, but saying no is always a challenge. Saying no to employers is no exception. It’s ironic. Students work diligently to prepare the perfect resume and collect glowing references. Then comes the waiting: the anticipation for an invitation to interview.

But what happens when that moment comes? Hopefully, it will be an occasion to “just say yes” to a job offer that follows a perfect interview. Personalities click; the job is a comfortable distance from home; the salary is substantial; timing is compatible with class schedules; and the job description matches every skill on the resume.

Usually, though, life is more complicated. The interview may be the reality check that comes before, or instead of, the pay check. The “perfect job” may clash with budgets, course loads, family obligations or career goals, forcing the student to decline the offer. Sometimes students must decline because they accepted another job, perhaps closer to home or with a better rate of pay. The most challenging dilemma is when students have to choose between two job offers, each one having its own merits. And sometimes, while a student anxiously waits to hear from one employer, another employer makes a job offer!

There’s no “just” about it. All of these decisions are difficult. And each requires tact, honesty and professionalism in responding to employers. Here are some guidelines:

1. Whenever an employer calls, return the call promptly and graciously. Whether you are accepting or declining an interview or job offer, employers count on your response. They have schedules to keep and jobs to fill.
2. Do not accept a job offer just to be polite. Acceptance is commitment. Declining later is unprofessional and, in some cases, unethical.
3. If you don’t know whether to accept or decline an offer, let the employer know that you need time to think things through. Then arrange a date by which you will respond and follow through within that time frame.
4. As difficult as it is to say, “No, thank you,” saying nothing is worse. It conveys a lack of consideration for everyone involved. Your words speak to your integrity. Your name is your stock in trade. And your actions are as important as your resume.

Nancy Mahar
Coordinator, Co-ops, Internships and Service Learning
Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Avenue
Newburgh, NY 12550
845-569-3185
fax: 845-569-3535

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 25, 2007 at 6:39 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

A diploma is just a piece of paper. Or is it? A diploma is anything and everything you make of it. It frames your efforts and adventures, trials and errors, friendships and coursework into one huge head start toward your future.

A career is just a job you get after you graduate. Or is it? With some well-planned co-ops and internships, a career can continue on the path you’ve been paving since your very first semester of college. As Alicia Hock ’03 says, “If not for this dose of the real world that the Co-op/Internship office exposed me to, all I would have is a pretty piece of paper to hang up on the wall.”

College puts you in the driver’s seat. Your strengths, priorities and curiosities are your route. There will be red lights: choices that don’t work. But green lights of better choices and new adventures are always around the corner, with signs to follow along the way:

• Bridges get you where you want to go. Don’t burn them.
o Treat everyone the way you like to be treated: with dignity and respect.
o Job opportunities come from people who know you; you never have a second chance to make a first impression!
o Before the interview, research the company and know people’s names.
o Follow through. Accept or decline interviews and job offers politely and promptly.
o Be on time and well prepared for interviews. And dress appropriately!
o After interviews, a well-written thank you note impresses employers.
o Be a team player.
o Your value system transports you wherever you go. Integrity: don’t leave home without it!

• Keep your eyes on the road:
o Be alert! Watch for opportunities to meet new people and try new things. Every experience builds on the last!
o Watch for deadlines. The best resume means nothing if the deadline has passed.
o Watch your GPA. A grade point average of 3.0 or better shows employers that you are interested in your course work and not afraid of hard work.
Go the extra mile.
o Master computer skills. For example, business and accounting majors have an edge if they know Excel and Access; media majors who know Quark Express are more marketable.
o Know a second language. The world is getting smaller by the day!
o Take the initiative: do more than the minimum. And do it well.
Warning: Heavy Traffic Ahead!
o You’re not alone on the road. Many talented and highly skilled applicants with impressive resumes and proven abilities are sharing your travels.
o You may have to take a different route. The perfect job might be a further commute. Or perhaps you’ll find public relations, marketing, accounting or computer jobs in unlikely places, like banks, hospitals or small businesses.

College is just course work. Or is it? Whatever road you take, friendships, co-ops,
internships and service learning experiences are a high octane for your journey. A diploma is more than course work. It’s your future. Make a career out of it!

Nancy Mahar
Coordinator, Co-ops, Internships and Service Learning
Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Avenue
Newburgh, NY 12550
845-569-3185
fax: 845-569-3535

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 24, 2007 at 6:26 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

40% psychologists are self-employed, with clinical psychologists earning anywhere from $50,000 to over $100,000 (as reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The average salary for a psychology professor was $82,554 for the academic year of 2005-2006, according to the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. The demand for psychology professionals will continue to grow up to 26%.

Professionals in the field of psychology study, research and strive to understand human behavior and the mind. Counseling and clinical psychologists dedicate their work to providing treatment to individuals who are coping with various degrees of stress and trauma. Research psychologists conduct scientific experimentation to understanding the mind, and the depth in which exterior stimuli affect mental processes. Having a background in psychology can be very useful. Being able to understand human behavior and how individuals interact is especially useful in business professions, especially in regards to communication skills. HR professionals and industrial-organizational psychologists directly apply psychology to the working environment. Practicing and developing the skills learned from a psychology course is rewarding and useful.

Simply taking a course for personal interest? Pursing a degree for career purposes? The opportunity for studying psychology is more accessible than ever. Thanks to the many colleges and universities providing distance education and online programs, students now have access to hundreds of different educational programs, at all levels, from Associate’s degrees to Ph.D.s. Some universities have offered online educational programs for many years, while others are just now developing online courses. eLearners.com, an online learning advocate, provides students the opportunity to find schools with online programs that best meet their expectations.

Listing over 100 psychology degree programs and courses, eLearners provides a searchable database listing accredited colleges and universities and the classes they offer. Individuals who simply want to compare different degree programs can use the Quick Degree Finder, which is a tool designed to search all the schools with online programs for any discipline or course of study. The eLearners Guide to Online Education provides tips and advice for individuals who have never enrolled in an online class before, with articles covering topics from financial aid to web etiquette. Paired with the eLearners Advisor, students can better familiarize themselves with web-delivered courses. Unlike the Guide, the Advisor assesses individual readiness for online education and considers factors such as one’s comfort level with using computers and related technology.

With over 60% of all colleges and universities offering some form of distance education, students have access to hundreds of enriching educational programs. Online classes allow students to take classes from home, the office, and on the road, and there is no deadline for program completion. Individuals can complete classes at their own pace without facing academic penalties. Whether for personal fulfillment or achieving career goals, an education in psychology is within reach.

Source: eLearners.com

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 23, 2007 at 9:46 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

The Art Institute Online is offering a $10,000 scholarship to learn Graphic Design, Interior Design, Game Art & Design, Web Design and more. You can choose from 13 creative arts online programs to find one that inspires you. That's nice, but there are a lot of scholarships available from virtually every school and for many types of students. What makes this one special? In addition to it being open to everyone who is willing to submit an image that demonstrates their creativity and a brief description of how they would live their creative passion, any visitor to the Art Institute Online web site will be able to vote on the submissions. The entries receiving the most votes will be judged by a panel of art experts and the winner will receive the scholarship.

This is a neat twist to the American Idol type popularity contests that seem to be in such vogue these days. Rather than the expert judges narrowing the field and the masses selecting the winner, instead this scholarship will see the masses narrowing the field and the expert judges selecting the winner. This should help to prevent an unbelievably poorly qualified yet likeable candidate from posing any danger of winning.

If your artistic talents exceed those of mine, and that is pretty much a certainty as no one has ever accused me of having any such talent, then submit your entry by May 14th at http://scholarship.aionline.edu.

Posted by Steven Rothberg, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 21, 2007 at 12:18 PM | Leave a Comment (0)

If you feel like your career isn’t heading in the direction you’d like, or if you think it might be time to change careers, you may want to start by looking into MBA programs. While on-the-job learning is great training and valuable background, many employers are looking for academic credentials for higher level jobs.

Not only can an MBA lead to a more interesting, fulfilling career, but it can also substantially increase your income. According to PayScale.com, the median salary for individuals with an MBA degree is $78,000. That compares to a median salary of $57,000 for people with a Bachelor of Science degree, $51,000 for someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and $40,444 for someone with a high school diploma. Clearly, if you are shooting for a rewarding career with a hefty paycheck, an MBA is the way to go.

But if you’re already working a full-time job, raising a family, or taking care of other obligations, chances are you can’t just put the brakes on your everyday life to go back to school fulltime. There’s another way to get your degree – online learning. With online learning, you can get the credentials you need to reach your career goals on a schedule that works for you.

Walden University is an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online to professionals who work to make a difference. Students can complete the program in less than two years, making it ideal for ambitious learners who wish to pursue an advanced degree without sacrificing career or family.

The University’s academic standards are high, the faculty is experienced and the curriculum is rigorous. The Walden distance learning approach optimizes relevance and depth of learning by letting students share experiences with peers here and abroad.

Global competition, a rapidly evolving and knowledge-based economy, and a more diverse workforce place unprecedented demands on today’s managers, policymakers, and administrators. Forward-thinking and effective leaders expecting to succeed in this environment understand the need for continuous learning. Walden’s MBA program is results-oriented and designed to offer busy professionals an understanding of leading-edge, 21st century management practices. Walden’s programs are designed to advance the knowledge and practices of management and leadership with a solid grounding in business, management, and administrative disciplines and with the latest best practices from the workforce.

The Walden MBA enables students to specialize in several different areas so learning can be immediately applied to their organization’s needs. An MBA isn’t the only convenient way to advance your career and increase your pay. Choose from over 1,500 online degree programs and 6,000 professional certificates at eLearners.com.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 17, 2007 at 9:04 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Debt-Free College Guide Includes Most Comprehensive List of Loan Forgiveness Programs

According to the U.S. Department of Education, almost seven million undergraduates received student loans in the 2003-2004 academic year; roughly 35% of all undergraduate students borrowed money. The National Center for Education Statistics states that, student loan debt for those completing their degree more than doubled from $9,250 to $19,200 in the past decade, an increase of 108%. However, the good news is that lawmakers from both parties are scrambling to find ways to make higher education more affordable. But until that time, little known programs exist today that can help slash or erase college debt.

eLearners.com, the leading resource for connecting prospective students with online education, has launched the Debt-Free College Guide, a one-stop shop designed to help current, former and prospective students identify opportunities to get out from under the crushing burden of student loans. The eLearners.com Debt-Free College Guide provides a complete database, with more than 500 financing options, including grants, scholarships, tax incentives and the most comprehensive list of loan forgiveness programs on the Internet. The site is located at debtfree.elearners.com/.

“It’s the kiss of debt,” said Andrew Gansler, CEO of eLearners.com. “The decision to pursue a degree or training program is overshadowed by the prospect of taking on significant debt. And while studies have shown that most degrees pay for themselves through higher earning potential, the thought of graduating ‘in the red’ prevents many prospective students from moving forward. So eLearners.com is aggregating resources for prospective students to make their educational pursuits possible and palatable.”

The Debt-Free College Guide includes a list of loan forgiveness programs, which are generally designed to encourage students to pursue educational goals that will lead to employment in specific need-based occupations, such as working for volunteer organizations, federal and state governments, teaching or practicing medicine. In exchange for service in these fields, part or all of student loan debt can be forgiven.

“What is amazing is the number of programs that exist,” continued Gansler. “For example, the State of Maryland has loan forgiveness programs to attract qualified workers for public service. The State of Arizona has loan forgiveness programs for lawyers and public defenders, and the federal government has a plethora of programs for teachers, technologists and health care professionals. Any working professional contemplating a career move or a career shift should look into these programs as a way to go back to school with increased financial freedom.”

Go to debtfree.elearners.com/ now to look for ways to get your college paid for.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 16, 2007 at 6:54 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

More and more college students are taking classes online, according to a new survey by the College Board and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. About 3.2 million people took at least one college course online during the fall of 2005 term, compared to 2.3 million in the fall of 2004. Online courses can be a terrific way to both pick up the education you need and still be able to work, parent, or juggle the many commitments that define most adult lives. But is it right for you?

One way to find out is to think through some of the issues you may confront as an online student. eLearners.com®, the leading resource for connecting students with online education, provides the following questions for guidance:

• How important is it to have face-to-face interaction with your teacher and classmates? Some students find that they learn much better in the social dynamic of a physical classroom, and for them, a campus-based course is a wiser choice. Many others, however, find that they are comfortable learning independently, or enjoy the virtual camaraderie that develops among online students. These are the students who most enjoy online learning.

• What’s your access to the key learning technologies? Most online course providers recommend students have access to a computer (preferably one less than five years old), a fast Internet connection, and their own e-mail account from home. The next best option is the same set-up from work.

• How good are your computer skills? The best-case answer is that you’re comfortable using word-processing software and the major Internet browsers, and you easily share information electronically. This will often include zipping and uploading files, unzipping and downloading files, and dealing with attachments. Although many online students are able to fix technology issues on their own, most online providers assume students may need a bit of coaching when learning new computer skills. The key for students is to not become frustrated by occasional technology glitches or challenges.

• How willing are you to ask for help when you need it? In a classroom-based course, your instructor can usually recognize when students understand a lesson by simply reading the expressions on their faces. In an online course, it’s necessary for you to let your teacher know immediately when something is confusing or needs further clarification – otherwise you can quickly lose your forward progress. It’s important that you’re able to ask for the help you need, as soon as you need it.

• How much time will you have to devote to your coursework? Most online students find that committing at least twelve hours a week to coursework and study time works best. Although some online learners can succeed with an average of eight to ten hours a week, these are usually individuals who have taken a number of online courses and have learned how to maximize the effectiveness of every hour spent on coursework.

• How good are you at organizing and managing your time? Online learning works best for those who are well-organized, self-motivated, and able to manage their time well. If these skills don’t come naturally to you, you can still succeed as an online student, but you might want to pick up a few books on how to improve these skill areas as part of your learning plan.

• How do you handle project deadlines? Part of managing your time well is developing and following an action plan for completing your assignments. You’ll need to set a realistic timeline that reflects both the amount of work to be done and the time you have available to complete it. Most of us procrastinate some of the time; the important thing is that “deadline pressure” isn’t your primary means for completing assignments on a regular basis.

• Do you enjoy (and are you good at) reading and writing? Online courses are based on students’ ability to read, reflect, reflect, analyze, and write. You may write about course lecture notes, assigned articles and research materials, you’ll provide written comments about classmates’ comments and contributions, and test questions will often require essay-length answers. In addition, you’ll have online “conversations” with your teacher, your classmates, and your virtual project team members. Since generally all communications take place through writing, the stronger your skills in this area, the easier it will be.

• Do you feel comfortable voicing your opinion? While it’s possible to sit in the back of a traditional classroom and avoid having to come up with a brilliant insight for weeks on end, online instructors expect you to contribute meaningful comments to the class discussion on a regular basis. Although this means that it’s a lot tougher to be invisible, many previously silent students discover the value of their own voices in the relative anonymity of an online classroom.

• What are your expectations about online courses? A well-done online course can be fun, stimulating, engaging, and a great learning experience, but rarely is it going to be easier than a classroom-based course. Online instructors expect a high level of participation and lots of hard work from their students, but they also tend to reciprocate with an equally high level of responsiveness and engagement.

These questions should serve as a good place to start when considering pursuing online education. For a more personalized assessment, you may want to check out the eLearners Advisor, which will give you comprehensive results on whether online learning is right for you, including feedback and suggestions about how you can be more successful as an online student, access to resources to help you, and assistance in finding an online degree that meets your needs.

Source: eLearners.com - College search for 2000+ online degrees, online colleges & online universities.

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 13, 2007 at 6:57 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Going to school can be time consuming and expensive, but the World Wide Web has launched a knowledge revolution, changing the way everyone can learn—elearning or online learning.

More and more people each year are taking advantage of the benefits of online education. According to Sloan-C’s report, Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006, nearly 3.2 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2005 term, a substantial increase over the 2.3 million reported the previous year. The powerful combination of convenience and positive recognition of online programs continues to fuel the interest in online programs. Sloan-C also found that online instruction was ranked as equal to, if not superior to, classroom learning, according to a majority of Chief Academic Officers (62%) from American institutions.

The big idea is that an online education is an investment that pays off for a lifetime. The College Board reported in 2005, women ages 25-34 with bachelor’s degrees earned 70 percent more than those with high school diplomas, and for men the difference was 63 percent. For all full-time workers in this age group, the average earnings premium for a four-year college degree is almost $14,000.

But how do you find the right online program for you? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of programs to choose from. The good news is that there are a number of resources online, including eLearners.com. eLearners.com provides a robust database of online education offerings and connects prospective online learners with online learning providers. In fact, eLearners.com offers the eLearners Advisor which provides comprehensive results on whether online learning is the right choice, including feedback and a Guide to Online Education that will provide additional tips on how to succeed as an online student.

Online learning offers the perfect opportunity for people with busy lives to get the education they deserve. It’s never too late to finish what you started, or begin what you never got a chance to start. This year make a New Year’s resolution to invest in yourself.

Source: eLearners.com - College search for 2000+ online degrees, online colleges & online universities

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 10, 2007 at 6:52 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Don P., a federal law enforcement official living from Texas, knew he wanted a better career, but wasn’t certain about how to get it. “At the time I was looking for a career change from information technology and I thought a criminal justice degree would help me do that. As it turns out, I was right.” Don is a graduate of Southwestern College, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, which he earned online.

Getting a better job is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions in America, according to the official site of the United States Government. The five most popular resolutions are:

1. Getting a better job
2. Paying off debt
3. Saving more money
4. Getting a better education/going back to school
5. Getting fit

New Year’s Eve is a great time to reflect on the past and think about the future. What have you proudly accomplished in 2006? What were not able to achieve and would like to try again? From the list above, it seems that most people simply want to feel better and do better for themselves and their families. With support and determination, your dreams are within reach.

For Don, he knew he wanted to develop a career in law enforcement. He had to balance work and education to achieve his long-term goal of getting a degree. “Initially I didn’t think that I would be able to go back to school because of the screwy work schedule I had. It would be impossible for me to maintain my job and go to school on campus. Without the ability to earn my degree via distance learning, I don’t think I could have done it. I chose distance learning because of necessity.”

Most adults are scrambling to find time in their day, but in the long run, a little bit can go a long way. For Don, he first earned his Associate’s degree from Southwestern before moving on to start the bachelor’s program. “For the Associate of Science degree it took about 2 ½ years, distance learning does not always mean shortcut.” He developed a personal routine and schedule to stay on track. “Getting off schedule can be very stressful; a couple of times I have gone off and had a good time and had to do a lot of extra work at the last minute to make up for it. When that happens I start to burn out quicker, my grades go down and my stress level soars, so I recommend making a schedule and sticking to it like your life depends on it.”

This New Year, invest in yourself and make your dreams happen. It requires time and patience, but the results are well worth it. “The hardest thing about distance learning is keeping yourself motivated to keep going. It is a lot of work, some of it very difficult and you will spend hundreds of hours doing it for no immediate, tangible benefit but you have to keep a big picture perspective and keep moving on.”

Don received his Bachelor’s degree in November of 2006. eLearners.com, an online learning advocate, has posted his interview and others in their Guide to Online Education, which provides tips, pointers, and advice to anyone interested in going back to school. It covers topics from financial aid to web etiquette. Students can also access the Quick Degree Finder, which searches a database of over 1,800 educational programs and courses to find what you need.

Source: eLearners.com - College search for 2000+ online degrees, online colleges & online universities

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 9, 2007 at 5:21 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Helps Explain a New Territory in Higher Education

Ever since she was a little girl, Jennifer wanted to be a teacher. She would play school on the back porch and sometimes coax her little sister, or neighborhood children, into playing as her students. She even assigned them homework. Jennifer couldn’t wait until the day when she could take attendance with a class of her own. She fulfilled that dream after receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1991 and teaching credential in 1992. But after years of teaching she wanted more.

“I always knew that I wanted to further my education,” said Jennifer, a 36-year-old married mother of three, whose personal account is available on eLearners.com. “It was time.”

So Jennifer turned to a virtual university. Jennifer, like many people, knew very little about online degree programs.

“It took me awhile to come to terms with the fact that I was actually going to enroll,” she said candidly. “Online education was still fairly new to the general public at the time.” Despite her fears of not attending a brick and mortar school, Jennifer enrolled and after 18 months received her master’s degree in education.

Adults seeking career advancement and personal accomplishment, like Jennifer, have many questions about online education. Today they can find numerous resources on the World Wide Web that help answer questions and provide guidance. For example, eLearners.com recently launched the “Guide to Online Education” to help prospective and online students understand and navigate the world of online learning. The guide features research, advice and “how-to” sections.

“Many people are intrigued by online learning, but don’t know where to begin,” said Helen MacDermott, eLearners.com Guide-on-the-Side. “We’ve created a comprehensive tool where interested parties can now go to get their distance learning questions answered in an easy-to-read format.”

Whether you are just starting to think about going back to school or have already made the decision to return, the free 175-page Guide to Online Education will help you find your way though the vast world of distance learning. The topics include:

• Going Back to School—Are you ready? How do you get ready? And, how do you get your family on board?
• Opportunities in Online Education—What are you looking for? Blended learning vs. wholly online? Degree vs. certificate? Credit vs. non-credit?
• Online Education Providers—What are the different types of providers?
• Research—What does the research say about online education?
• Being an Online Student—How do I get prepared? How do I set up my home classroom? How do I write an A+ discussion posting? How can I survive virtual group work?
• Paying for an Online Degree—How do I tap employer assistance, scholarships, loans and grants?

The Guide also provides profiles of actual online students, showing first-hand what it’s like to be an online learner juggling work, home life, and school. “This is the next chapter in eLearners.com’s commitment to becoming the single-most intelligent resource for those interested in online education,” continued MacDermott.

For more information and to look through the Guide to Online Education click here

Source: eLearners.com - College search for 2000+ online degrees, online colleges & online universities
http://elearners.com/qdf2/ovr/iframe.asp

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 6, 2007 at 7:00 AM | Leave a Comment (0)

Millions of people feel stuck in a rut every year and turn to education to get the job they want. But, as they say, knowing your destination is critical before you start your journey. This is particularly true with continuing education. Choosing the right degree program is highly dependent on what career you want to pursue.

So the first step in a career transition, using education as the doorway of opportunity, is to understand what careers are right for you. Often people today turn to career coaches who give them assessments to determine their strengths and weaknesses to identify the opportunities that best fit their character. But, this can cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, there are online resources that can help you down a similar path. For example, eLearners.com, in cooperation with LiveCareer, offers a free career assessment Through this tool, you can:

1. Identify the best careers for you.
An assessment tells you what jobs are out there. The test allows you to uncover the tasks, experience, education and training needed for your next career move. It’s an essential tool to make tough career decisions and find careers you might not otherwise explore.

2. Focus your efforts.
There are 36,729 possible careers in North America and 284 academic majors; with so many choices it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s where a personal assessment can help by narrowing down your search. The eLearners assessment report displays both a graphical and text based interpretation of your results and gives you access to a wealth of career information.

3. Prevent costly career mistakes.
Pursuing unclear career objectives or stagnating in dead-end situations costs you money. By taking a career assessment you find the job that allows you to be productive, happy and self-confident.

In only 25 minutes, you can identify your highest and lowest career interests and receive a workplace fit analysis. This exercise can help you find a dream job, learn about your work personality and avoid costly career mistakes.

Once you have identified your destination, it makes it much simpler to find the right educational path to get you there. eLearners.com offers an extensive database of 2,000+ online degrees, online colleges and online universities. Prospective students can search the database to find the program that matches their career assessment recommendations.

Finding the right job is a journey, it usually doesn’t happen overnight, but there are steps you can take to speed up the process. Figuring out your strengths and weaknesses is a great first step. If you feel like your career path has led you to a dead end and you’re ready for change, this career test can help. It’s a free test, but the answers could pay off for a lifetime.

eLearners.com - College search for 2000+ online degrees, online colleges & online universities
http://elearners.com/qdf2/ovr/iframe.asp

Posted by Shawn Augustson, CollegeRecruiter.com on April 5, 2007 at 6:53 AM | Leave a Comment (0)