Career advancement is one of the key things that we all look at in order to gauge our overall success. Climbing the ladder to higher pay and more responsibility is the end goal for most.
However, there is a point where experience and a track record of success isn't enough. At that point, you might find yourself looking to further your education. Getting a degree can help you find a job, whether it is at your same company or if you want to look for new challenges elsewhere.
There are many colleges that offer bachelors degrees and even graduate degrees in sales and marketing. In fact, many companies are looking for people with a background in marketing and sales and experience with social media.
The world is changing and there is a growing market for social media sales. If you look at the progress that social media is making, you can see how the field is growing and expanding. In order to take advantage of these new opportunities, you might need to get a little more training under your belt. So, how do you go about it?
When looking at continuing your education, there are several choices. Colleges and Universities are offering more flexible options designed to make classes accessible to working professionals as well at the traditional student.
Students now have the choice of pursuing degrees in the classroom by taking advantage of classes that are offered in the evenings and on weekends, taking their coursework completely online or mixing both of these. Between weekend colleges and online degree programs, there are many different ways to get a degree.
There are pros and cons to each style and you really need to take a hard look at your lifestyle in order to select the one that works best for your individual situation. Here is the breakdown:
- Traditional in-the-classroom learning – Many colleges offer evening classes and weekend classes that are designed especially for working professionals. In fact, there are even universities that offer accelerated weekends-only degree programs. Just because they are shorter, doesn't mean that they are easier. Be aware that these courses are very intense. The larger amount of homework and the pace of the class can be a challenge for many people. The greatest risk is getting overwhelmed and struggling to find life-work-school balance. If you don't think that you can stick with this type of schedule, you might want to look at other options.
- Online Learning – Online degree programs are gaining popularity. They offer the flexibility to work whenever it is convenient for you. These programs have been very successful for some people, others have missed the lack of one-on-one interaction with the instructor, which has caused them to drop out. The lack of a physical location for classes can make students miss out on opportunities to network with classmates and faculty. In addition, it might be tough for some people to feel like they “belong” to the University as much as traditional full-time students. This can add to the unhappiness. For others, it is an easy way to get the coursework done and get the diploma in their hand without having to quit their jobs.
- Hybrid programs – These programs mix the best of online studies with the best of on-site learning. While most of the coursework and assignments are available online, the students attend classes at preset intervals. It could be weekends, or your school may have rotating schedules. Although they require less scheduled classroom time, for those who travel a great deal, it can be difficult to work them into their schedule. However, the mix of both types of learning seems to build a strong sense of community among students and has a lower drop out rate.
It doesn't matter how you go about getting your degree. The main thing is to do the research and find something that will work for you. Only you know what your life is like. Don't let an admissions person tell you what you need or make you feel pressured. Take an objective look at what you are capable of in order to chose a program that will work best for you.
Have you taken any online classes? Have you looked at online degree programs? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for SalesHeadsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.
Register or sign in today!