Whether you have been in your present career for one year or ten years, you may feel like you have hit a dead end. You may notice that there is no more opportunity for you to advance or you have hit the top of your salary range; however you may long for more challenge and diversity in the workplace. Hitting this brick wall happens to a lot of people and it happens often. Some people just deal with it and continue to count down the years until retirement, whereas others long for a change. If you are looking to advance your position at work or maybe even change your career then maybe going back to college would benefit you.
What are the Benefits?
Taking one class or pursuing a whole new degree can positively affect your career in many ways. You will be updating your skills, which you can then reflect as so on your resume. If you have a degree, then you can pursue a higher one, which may in turn yield you a raise. Going from a Bachelor’s Degree to a Masters Degree will make you more valuable and will help you negotiate more money or a better position within your company.
Tuition Reimbursement
Check with your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement. Some companies will foot the bill for their employees to take classes. Usually there is a stipulation where you have to obtain a certain grade in the class; however it is still worth checking with your employer. Be sure to also check if you have to take certain classes or if they will pay for any and all classes. If your employer does not offer this service, then ask them if it is something they would be interested in providing to their employees. Also be sure to fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This will determine if you are eligible for grants, scholarships or federal education loans. Upgrading your degree or advancing your skill set may be well within your reach if you do not have to pay for the expense.
Is Time an Issue?
If you think you do not have time to attend a college class as well as work and still take care of your family, think again. Online education is growing rapidly. More and more schools are offering classes online and some schools even offer the convenience of completing your entire degree via your computer. Some schools also offer “hybrid” classes where the class is held online, however you would attend one in-class session per week. These types of classes are perfect for working parents with little time to spend on a college campus. 
TIPS
- If you choose to pursue an online degree, be sure to check to see if the school is accredited through the U.S. Department of Education. Doing a little bit of extra research will ensure that you are enrolling in a school that is academically legit.
- Speak with an Academic Advisor at the college that you are considering. Doing so will ensure that your college credits from previous schools will transfer smoothly.
- Once you have your new degree or if you have finished upgrading your skills, then negotiate. Talk to your employer about a raise or promotion. Use it to your advantage.
It is important to be happy in the career that you have chosen. Being unhappy can lead to stress and other health related issues. There are a lot of educational opportunities for working individuals; take advantage of them and make yourself more marketable.
A lot of individuals may be hesitant on going back to college. Just remember that you are doing this to better yourself and your situation. There are many programs out there you can easily complete while still working. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
