Added Flexibility and Self-Paced Learning

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Few people can take time off work to commit to a full-time graduate program, and others often travel for work. For those who still need to juggle working and going back to school, the flexibility of an online program provides individuals with the opportunity to learn while still working and growing professionally.

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You can learn on your own schedule by earning your master’s degree online. Rather than leave the office early or skip family dinner to commute to campus, you’re logging on when it’s convenient for you—at a time that doesn’t interfere with other commitments. That flexibility allows you to balance work, life, and graduate school quickly.

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Additionally, students don’t always feel comfortable asking professors to repeat a point they made in their last lecture or dive into deeper detail on a specific topic. You can revisit past material, stop the class for additional research, or organize your notes when learning online. In addition, you can work through the lesson plan at your own pace to ensure you’re mastering the material before moving on to the next section. This added flexibility allows online learners to move through the coursework quickly and get the most out of the degree program.

Better Time Management

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Juggling work, family, and school isn’t an easy thing to do. Employers recognize this and admire the time management skills it takes to balance all three. However, because there are no classroom times within an online degree program, and students can create their schedules, it’s up to the student to proactively reach out to faculty, complete assignments on time, and plan.

One of the things we know employers expect is that we manage our time effectively. It’s never enough to be at your desk on time in the morning and stay through the end of the day; most of us are expected to complete more projects in less time. Online classes keep you on a regular schedule of making and meeting deadlines, allowing you to practice managing your time and staying productive week-to-week. Employers often appreciate the time management skills needed to complete an online degree program and view these skills as valuable assets in potential employees. 

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Melanie Kasparian, associate director of assessment at Northeastern College of Professional Studies, shares tips on being a successful online learner, recommending students work consistently throughout the week. A sample schedule, she says, may look similar to this:

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• Monday: Begin required readings and multimedia.

• Tuesday: Continue reviewing materials.

• Wednesday: Post to the discussion forum and begin assignments.

• Thursday: Continue posting and working on projects.

• Friday: Read and respond to posts and work on projects.

• Saturday: Read and respond to commands and finish projects.

• Sunday: Check your work and submit assignments.

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Kasparian says, “Working on the train, during a lunch break, or in the morning—there’s no right time to study, as long as it fits your life.”

Demonstrated Self-Motivation

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By successfully earning your master’s degree online, you’re demonstrating that you can practice time management and are self-motivated, among the top 10 employability skills employers want to see in new hires. In addition, by succeeding in earning an online degree, you prove that you can tackle multiple tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing work conditions. 

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Instructors expect students to be independent, to learn on their own, and to engage with the material that they are teaching. It’s the same in the workforce; employers want you to be self-motivated, go after things that interest you, and seek new opportunities and ways of doing things. So the more you put your heart into it—whether learning online or working for your employer—the more you’ll succeed.  

Improved Virtual Communication and Collaboration

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Learning to work with others in a virtual environment can make you a more effective leader. You’ll develop critical leadership skills by utilizing specialized knowledge, creating efficient processes, and deciding the best communication practices, such as what should be discussed in person or electronically. 

A Broader, Global Perspective

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Students in online programs come from across the U.S. and worldwide. Because of the ability to log on from any location, class discussions feature a broader range of perspectives, helping you enhance your cross-cultural understanding. Students then not only have the opportunity to network with people from around the globe but can also broaden their perspectives and become more culturally aware.

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Businesses are looking for employees who can innovate, and innovation often comes from outside your immediate world. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, for example, hearing how other countries adopt certain technologies or approach specific industries can inspire new ideas or improve an existing concept you’ve been developing. 

Being exposed to new ideas from professionals in other countries may spark the creativity of your own—creativity that can turn out to be valuable for your organization.

Refined Critical-thinking Skills

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Online learning facilitates thinking critically about what you do every day. The goal in the classroom is to challenge you to think differently, and employers want you to do that, too–to think critically in your role at work. Mastering this skill will set you apart as a student and an employee.

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Critical thinking plays a role in any education; however, online learning forces you to develop your necessary thinking skills in ways you might not have practiced in an in-person classroom setting. In addition, this sort-paced and self-motivated learning demonstrate to future employers that you can think critically and overcome any obstacles that might stand in your way.

New Technical Skills

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Your online degree also equates to strong technical skills, a definite plus for any job seeker. As part of your coursework, you will likely need to utilize digital learning materials, get familiar with new tools and software, and troubleshoot common issues. After a program’s worth of technical hurdles, big and small, an employer could trust that you are versed in standard collaboration tools, content management systems, and basic troubleshooting.

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With more companies using virtual teams, learning how to collaborate remotely is essential. In addition, your classmates will likely live in different time zones, which you need to know how to adapt to and schedule around.