Whether you’re interested in a career in public administration, leadership, project management, or federal acquisition, as a public servant, there may come a time in your professional endeavors where you need to obtain more training or education for a specific role.
If you have the time and resources to commit to an online course, the credentials you gain can open more doors and help you stand out from fellow candidates. To help make up your mind, here are 5 ways in which online learning can boost your career.
You Can Continue to Work
One of the major benefits of studying online is that you’re able to work simultaneously. Many individuals don’t have the funds or resources to commit to set seminars and lectures, so embarking on an online course will mean you can attend class when it ties in with your schedule. This means that if you’re currently in full-time employment, you won’t have to scale back your work hours to commit to education. Many students have rent to pay and families to feed, so knowing you can study alongside your job is what attracts so many people to online courses.
Online Learning is Respected
If you’re a public servant and looking to climb the career ladder, employers respect and value an online degree just as much as one from a brick and mortar establishment. With the technological advances we have today, employers appreciate why many students prefer to gain qualifications online rather than in person. For students who are juggling employment alongside education, employers will be impressed with your time management skills.
Provides Flexibility
One of the appealing factors of online learning is that you don’t have to commute to class. If you’re the type of person who feels anxious and stressed being around others, having the option to study from the comfort of your own home will allow you to fully concentrate on your learning. Whether you pick a full-time degree at https://www.scps.virginia.edu/ or embark on a part-time course, online courses provide flexibility and help you advance your career without having to leave the front door.
Gain Networking Opportunities
Regardless of the career you want to go into, there are tons of networking opportunities that you can take advantage of when studying online. While you may not meet people in person, many online courses are specifically designed to be interactive visually. There are social media tools and video chatting software like Zoom and Skype, which can be great for interacting with fellow students, industry experts and professors.
Develop Transferable Skills
Studying online will teach you various transferable skills that you can implement in the workplace, such as self-motivation, self-discipline, and communication skills. As a public servant, you will need to be confident in your abilities and know how to connect with others, so no matter the course you pick, you will gain invaluable skills that will set you apart from your peers.
More and more students and employers are understanding the importance and value of online learning. If you’re a public servant and ready to take your career to the next level, there are a wide variety of courses that you can embark on, which will give you the qualifications needed to move up the ranks.
