Traditionally, college was reserved for the adults that wanted to pursue a career that required post graduate education. Today, however, college has become an option for many different types of people. With online learning programs, flexible schedules, and the introduction of many new programs, people are enrolling in college programs for the following reasons.
To increase competitiveness in the job market
The job market is extremely competitive. Attending college is a great way to pad your resume if you have limited work related experience. More and more students are using college simply to fill their resume in order to increase job competitiveness. Not all of these students plan on completing a degree. Many will take the courses and certifications that meet their career needs.
To improve job related skills
There are also a large group of people that are already currently working in their intended careers. These students want to increase their job related skills to do better at their job or to increase their chances of a promotion later on. Approximately 63% of working students (or 36% of all adult students) are what we call professional learners. Professional learners are students that have taken a course or gotten additional training in the past 12 months to improve their job skills or expertise connected to career advancement. This type of a student is generally more interested in real work courses and hands on experiences, rather than studying for theoretical exams.
To obtain personal fulfillment
Because college has become more accessible for the working adult, there is also a group of people that choose to enroll in a class for the sole goal of personal fulfillment. This could be the student that chooses to take a single college course out of interest or it could be the diploma geared student that takes additional classes of interest. About 74% of adults are what we call personal learners. These are students that have participated in at least one of a number of possible activities in the past 12 months to advance their knowledge about something that personally interests them. These activities include reading, taking courses, or attending meetings or events tied to learning more about their personal interests.
To assist another student
Surprisingly, there are also a number of parents, grandparents, and spouses returning to school to help another student. About 33% of home learning students say they wanted to learn things that would help them keep up with the schoolwork of their children, grandchildren, or other kids in their lives. As school curriculums are constantly changing, it can be difficult for parents to understand their children?s coursework. Unless they refresh the material or learn the new teaching techniques, they are unable to keep up with their children?s classroom expectations. This type of learning often does not lead to a degree, but can also act as a form of personal fulfillment.
How to do well in an online setting
It doesn?t matter what your school goals are, adjusting to an online studying process can take some adjustment. You have to keep up with studying and follow all online lectures. Otherwise, it is easy to get left behind in an online setting. There are many advantages to the online learning setting. As long as you can adjust to the change in the learning environment, you will find it to more convenient and flexible.
The widespread acceptance of online college has made college courses a possibility for everyone. As a result, students are enrolling in courses from their home. Some students are taking college level courses to increase job competitiveness. Some are hoping to increase their current pay or position. Others simply want to keep up with a family member and help them with studying. Whatever your reason is, the online setting is perfect for the student that requires a more convenient method of education.
