People in the workforce today change careers more frequently than at any time in human history. Why? For one thing, people are working a little bit longer. As the retirement age continues to be pushed further and further back people are forced to contend with the fact that they may be working longer than they initially expected. They might as well do something that makes them happy right?
The problem is that new careers often require new training. What’s the best way to get certified in a job that you will love?
Remote learning and accelerated certification programs are great ways to learn job-ready skills quickly. In this article. We take a look at the benefits of both opportunities.
What are Accelerated Programs?
Accelerated programs are an excellent way to pivot into a new career that requires a special certification.
Let’s say you’ve already graduated from college. You majored in marketing. You’ve been at it for 10 years, but your current job does not give you the sense of purpose that you were hoping for.
You want a job that lets you give back to your community. You’re interested in nursing. Maybe education. Possibly even social work.
One thing you know you don’t want to do is enroll in college again. Certainly not as a freshman.
Accelerated programs are the answer to your problem.
Because you already have a bachelor’s degree, you are able to skip all of the general education requirements and focus only on the areas that are of interest to you.
This can allow you to become certified in a new career in his little as 18 months.
Nursing, education, and social work are common examples of career pivots, but other jobs may have similar certification routes available.
These programs are always quicker and generally more affordable than re-enrolling in college.
Are There Any Downsides?
The biggest con that you should be aware of is that accelerated programs are well. Accelerated. If you’re going to learn an entire new profession in 18 months, you can expect that the curriculum will be fast-paced and comprehensive. These qualities are what make accelerated accreditation so beneficial, but they also make them time-consuming.
You may need to be willing to pause other aspects of your life during the program. This will mean working late hours. Juggling responsibilities. Probably forgetting about vacations for a year or two.
Is the sacrifice worth it? Many people find that the answer is yes. The goal is to reset your professional as quickly as possible there is no better alternative.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?
Yes. Many of the careers that await you on the other side of an accelerated program are strictly regulated by the government. Education. Healthcare. Social work.
Not only are there federally mandated requirements for any approved program, but there are also state-specific program requirements that need to be met.
As you are researching your options, it is important to look not just for accredited programs, but also for certification paths that are approved in your state.
For example, there may be 60 approved accelerated education programs in the country, but the state of Illinois might only recognize five of them. This means that if you’re hoping to gain an Illinois teacher’s license, you will need to enroll in a program from their preapproved list.
What About Online Learning?
Online learning is a good way to pick up new skills in a flexible environment that makes sense to you.
It is worth pointing out that many accelerated programs can be completed online. Remote education is also good for people who are willing to take their time earning their degree but want to do it in a way that allows them to balance other responsibilities.
For example, a busy mother of two who knows they want to get their master’s degree but are OK with completing it in five years instead of the traditional two or three.
Online learning allows them to be present in their children’s lives while completing assignments from the comfort of the dining room table.
Online programs are also generally more affordable than traditional classroom learning environments. In some cases, you may pay as little as half as much per credit.
Naturally, the price you pay will vary from program to program. If you are interested in using an online program as a way to save money, be sure to give yourself at least three months to research all of your options. It’s best not to make a hasty decision when it comes to higher learning.
Note also that online programs are similar to accelerated certifications and that you need to find a fully accredited college that is recognized in the state you plan on working in.
Are There Downsides to Remote Learning?
There are, but they are primarily subjective. The biggest and most concrete issue that most people have with remote learning is that it excludes a major aspect of college life from the experience. You don’t get to interact face-to-face with peers. Late nights on the quad. College parties.
Granted, most people who are making a career pivot are probably past the “college parties,” phase of their life. Still, this critique is worth considering.
College is not only an investment. It is also a personal milestone. Many people want social experiences just as badly as they want their degrees.
Remote students also don’t have access to the same level of resources that traditional students do. No libraries. No fancy labs. No 3-D printers or VR machines. You are limited pretty much to the resources that were already in your own home. It’s fair to consider this unfortunate. The question is how unfortunate do you find it?
Some people would argue that borrowing $40,000 is unfortunate. You’ll have to decide for yourself which aspect of college is more important to you: high-quality learning at an affordable price, or a degree, that comes with a memorable experience as well.