leadingtoday.org

Leadership Tip of the Month

November 2006

Copyright 2006 ã weLEAD, Inc.

Continuing Your Formal Education…

More than any time in history, formal education is a must in the 21st century. In many cases to even qualify for a job interview requires an advanced degree. In the Western world, hundreds of thousands of high-paying factory jobs that did not require an advanced degree have moved overseas. According to the United States Census Bureau in 1999, the average salary of someone with a bachelor's degree was $42,201 a year, compared to $33,430 for a two-year associate degree and $26,194 for a high school diploma. Furthermore, in 2004 the College Board, an educational association, released the results of a startling study! In today's dollars, college graduates can expect to earn about $2.5 million dollars over their lifetimes, compared with $1.4 million for people with high school diplomas only. People with advanced degrees can expect to earn even more.

So what is a working adult to do who has demanding family and career responsibilities? Millions of working adults feel trapped in their present positions because they either lack a college degree, or an advanced Master's Degree. Many supervisors and managers also travel extensively as part of their job requirements. It is nearly impossible for them to attend classes consistently at a local college during weeknights or weekends. There is an answer and it is a result of our modern technological age. You can take college classes Online to continue your education. Here are some things you should know.

It is now possible to achieve a fully accredited Bachelors, Masters or even PhD degree on the Internet. Educational institutions like Bellevue University, University of Phoenix, Capella University and others offer these programs for the benefit of working adults. Most of these degrees do not require a residency at the institution and allow you to complete all classes without the need to travel to a traditional classroom setting. The advantage of this education is that you can complete your studies at home, or on the road at a hotel room. Typically, you connect to your classes through a software platform that connects you to the university. It is through this software that you communicate with your classmates, professor, upload/download assignments and receive your education.

It is possible to receive legitimate degrees in a large number of studies. Some of these include business administration, advertising, criminal justice, healthcare management, leadership, business information systems, logistics, security management, nursing, psychology, accounting and many more. Each institution has counselors who are willing to help guide you toward a degree program that will be most beneficial to you as an individual. I have attended two of the universities mentioned above and found their counselors to be helpful and informative. But, you are the one who must make the final decision! If you need more direction, a number of professional tests or surveys are available to help you determine which area of study your natural interests and talents are best suited for.

It is important that you look for an institution that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This insures a higher quality of education and makes transferring your credits easier should you decide to move on to another university or pursue an advanced degree elsewhere. To achieve regional accreditation an institution must meet demanding requirements and visitation by the agency. As much as possible, the university is also expected to mirror online classes with the same expectations and requirements as those attending a traditional classroom setting. Beware of unaccredited institutions or those who belong to so-called accrediting agencies they have created to approve themselves! Some belong to questionable worldwide accrediting agencies that only require the institution to send money in order to be officially "accredited."

Today it is possible to have an advanced college degree online in as little as 12-18 months of study. Expect to work hard every week including voluminous reading, outside research, multiple written assignments and the need to communicate frequently online. Anyone who thinks taking an online class means they will work less or receive an inferior education is in for a shock as classes begin! Of course, like any program, what you get out of it depends on the level of commitment and diligence you put into the study. Remember that you are making an investment in yourself to improve your future, and this requires personal sacrifice. Choosing the right educational institution will provide you with a quality education recognized everywhere and will open doors of opportunity for you in a rapidly changing workplace. As a manager or leader it will teach you new skills and insights to improve your expertise.

For weLEAD, this is Greg Thomas reminding you that it was Aristotle who wrote, "The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead."