There is always an opportunity to learn more, and thanks to advances in technology, there is more accessibility to education and training.

Especially over the past year with Covid-19, more and more universities and businesses have been offering their programmes and online training courses online, through professional workshops and webinars ending in a certificate and/or qualification. 

Here are iSportLearn's top reasons how online learning can help boost career prospects and further your education:

1. Flexibility around your current commitments

This offers flexibility especially to full-time workers to fit their training around their lives to update their desired skills essential for the higher-level positions. Online courses can even go in par while you attend school and displays great organisational skills to future employers.

2. Credibility of Online Education, including certifications throughout your resume

Employers respect a degree and qualifications earned online as much as a degree earned through face-to-face learning and physical attendance. They understand that with the technological advances we have today, more and more employees are getting their education and training online. Because hiring managers value continuing education and professional development, having the relevant courses and programs in the education section of your resume will demonstrate that you are resourceful and have taken the initiative to stay ahead of the curve and improve professionally.

3. Online Learning Offers Time Savings 

The beauty of online learning is you save time (as well as stress) not having to commute to class. You have the convenience of sitting down at an Internet-enabled computer without ever leaving your home.

In addition to allowing you to complete course work when it fits your work and family schedule, online learning offers the flexibility to choose how much time you spend on it. You can enrol in a full degree or certification program or take individual courses that only take up a few hours each week. With the volume and variety of courses offered online, you can pick up a course or two at any time in your career. Many of the courses offered are self-paced, allowing you to sprint through them or take your time.

4. Online Learning is More Affordable

Many degree programs and courses offered online are far less expensive than those offered at traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Through online education sites such as MIT OpenCourseware, edX, OEDb, Coursera, Skillshare, Udemy and Lynda.com, you can find excellent programs and courses from top-rated universities and instructors, either for free or a fraction of the typical cost.

In addition, by attending courses online, you save the expense of room and board at a brick-and-mortar school and the cost of commuting to classes, including the additional wear and tear on your vehicle from all that driving.

5. You Can Apply What You’re Learning to Your Current Job

As you progress through your online coursework, you will find that you are learning new things and best practices that can be applied immediately in your current job. This can help increase your value to your current employer, proving that taking online classes can also enhance your performance and productivity.

Conclusion

There are so many reasons to consider online learning:

• You’re looking to make a career or job change and lack a specific skill or knowledge.
• You don't have enough information on the skills and knowledge involved in the new job or career to know if you really want to pursue it.
• You’re trying to determine where you want to go and what you want to do next.
• You want to improve the quality of the work you produce or your performance.
• You need to keep up with the latest knowledge, skills and trends in your industry.
• You want to acquire credentials that will elevate your status in your field.

Online courses can help you stay sharp, focused, energized, and provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand and tackle workplace issues. They enable you to continue adding value to your job and for your employer. More importantly, going back to school online can provide you with the flexibility you need to build your career without sacrificing your job, family, money or even your social life. Given the many advantages of online learning and furthering your education, you can see that it’s worth trying!

Sources: https://www.pongoresume.com/articles/513/the-advantages-of-online-learning-for-you-and-your-career.cfm

https://www.careercast.com/career-news/3-ways-use-online-learning-land-your-next-job