For a lot of people, going back to school in order to pursue a higher degree is a dream. Earning a master’s degree in a specific field is a goal worth pursuing indeed. It is also a goal that you CAN pursue today, especially with more universities opening up their graduate programs to students from across the country.
Naturally, there are some challenges to overcome before you can enroll on the program of your choice. Those challenges, however, are worth overcoming for five specific reasons that we are about to discuss in this post. Let’s get started, shall we?
The Era of Online Degrees
One of the main reasons why going back to school for a master’s degree becomes a reachable dream is the wealth of online courses and programs you can now choose from. Top universities like Kettering University Online are making their online courses available to students from different backgrounds, so you can enter an online supply chain management master’s program and earn a degree in this field without having to attend offline classes or juggle with a busy academic schedule.
Online degrees have other advantages too. They are now recognized by the market as valuable, especially after many of the top online programs are accredited. You no longer have to worry about not being able to use the master’s degree to advance in your career. At the same time, online degrees are designed to be incredibly flexible. That actually brings us to our next reason, which is….
Extra Flexibility
When you do decide to pursue your next degree online, you are rewarded with immense flexibility. Since there are no classes to attend and the entire course is conducted 100% online, you can earn a degree while working a fulltime job or growing your audience as a fulltime podcaster. You can set the pace at which you complete the course too.
That time flexibility can also be found in assignments and exams. Yes, you still have to meet course requirements to graduate and earn a degree, but most assignments come with plenty of time for students who take the course while maintaining a fulltime job. The same can be said for exams, especially with more universities being flexible with exam schedules.
You can set your own exam date and time within a predetermined period. After preparing for the exam, you have the option to set the exam schedule based on the time you allocate for the course. This means you can be extra certain that all distractions are removed and you are fully prepared for the exam before you take the test.
A Great Career Push
As mentioned before, earning a higher degree is a fantastic way to give your career a big push. Companies are taking advantage of the growing market and expanding rapidly. We’re talking about a sustainable growth here, so you can expect more strategic opportunities to be made available by the time you complete the graduate course. There is no better time to return to school than today.
Even taking a graduate course is rewarding as it is. Many companies actually persuade employees to study and improve, offering incentives and financial aids along the way. Mention that you are taking steps to earn an online supply chain management master’s degree, and HR will start taking you into consideration the next time a managerial position opens up in operations.
The same is true for business owners too. Certain degrees like an MBA and master’s in fields like operations management allow business owners to acquire crucial skills. The programs from top universities will not only make you a better business owner, but also expand your network of professionals as you go along.
An Expanded Network
That last part is interesting on its own. Expanding your professional network is a must in today’s market, and one of the best ways to do it is by going back to school. Even when you are taking an online course, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow students and lecturers. You still have the opportunity to meet industry experts and expand your professional network.
As you progress through the course, you’ll find connecting with fellow online students and keeping in touch with lecturers highly beneficial. It is also worth noting that top graduate programs usually enlist the help of industry experts and specialists; you are not only getting an up-to-date curriculum, but also gaining access to experience of those who are already leading the field.
This expanded network is, once again, beneficial for both professionals and business owners. It is not uncommon for graduate students to go on and become great partners in business and in their careers.
A Great Investment
There is one other reason why going back to school today is highly recommended: it’s more affordable than you think. Many university programs are designed to attract professionals with more affordable tuition and other fees. Even better, choosing to pursue the degree online allows you to save up to 40% on fees and other expenses.
Online degrees are almost always more affordable than the equivalent offline course. This is actually one of the biggest reasons why we’re seeing a steady increase in the number of professionals returning to school for a higher degree over the past couple of years.
It doesn’t stop there either. You can further boost your return on investment by qualifying for a scholarship or earning grants. Your company may also have programs designed to financially help employees earn a master’s degree, so you know you have plenty of options when it comes to getting financial aids for your next degree.
Yes, there are challenges to overcome. You have to set aside time for studying and keep up with the course. Nevertheless, there are five very good reasons why going back to school today is a good decision. You are investing in yourself and your future, the degree is very valuable on the market, and there will be plenty of opportunities by the time you complete the program and earn your degree; sounds like more than enough reason to go for it, don’t you think?
