Online Degree, Bad CreditCan anyone offer advice on the following concerns? First, I will have my Bachelors in Business Administration come the end of this year. It is an online degree but it is my understanding (and I have been told by HR) that my online Bachelors is NOT equivalent to a Bachelors from a 4-yr college. While I can see cosmetically why they would say this, I do not have the time to go to a physical classroom every day due to work and family obligations so I believed then (and still do) that this is the best route for me. Second, prior to attending classes and taking the online program, I incurred a huge debt after becoming financially involved with a relative who ended up defaulting. In the end I had to declare bankruptcy because I was unable to pay the debt alone. While I learned my lesson the hard way it was absolutely devastating because, not only was my credit ruined but, I knew that BK would likely have a negative impact on my ability to find a job in the future, given the climate today. Admittedly, I have not had the energy or time necessary to devote to a "full time" job search, but I do have the time on weekends and keep in touch with two "recruiters" each week. I will also step up my search dramatically once I get through school....so not long now!! Despite all this, I feel disheartened because I am in my early 30's, and feel stuck in a job that offers NO tuition reimbursement; nor has my supervisor EVER established a career path with me although I have asked time and again for his help. I've 8 years of Payables experience with my present employer and am exceptionally trainable, but I am deeply concerned that the online degree and bankruptcy will hinder an upgrade to my career. Please feel free to leave me any feedback, whether good or bad, as I can use all the help I can get. Don' t let them put that fear or uncertainty in your mind. It is more convenient and even more work for an online degree. I just got my masters online and yes it is an accredited university. I would never ever go to campus classrooms. I loved online and it was so worth it. Also, bk will only have a negative effect for about the first few years and it will get better and before you know it the 10 years have flew by. If you need a student loan do it you will have your piece of paper. I agree with the other poster - don' t let anyone take away the fact that you worked hard for the degree. And HR people are just that - people - and you know what they say about opinions - everyone has them - doesn' t make them right. Is it the company you now work for telling you that ? A couple of friends of mine who are in senior management positions told me that they wouldn' t have a problem with the in person or online distinction as long as it was an accredited college. To answer Uwishtoo' s question: Yes...the HR manager who said that is someone with my present employer; but the company overall (let it be known) has failed to assist me in moving forward with either my education or career so it is less shocking when I think about it. I researched the college at the Department of Education and they are definitely accredited. With all the reputable online degree programs available to working adults, I fail to understand how an online degree is not considered "as good as" one earned at a physical campus. Here' s the degree thing. IF the degree comes from a "brick and mortar" school that offers an online program, not only is it not going to make any difference, there is no way for anyone to know how you achieved it unless they scrutinize your transcripts (and even then it probably won' t show). If, however, your degree comes from a school like University of Phoenix that does 99% of their classes online, SOME HR departments and SOME hiring managers may not take it as seriously. There' s nothing you can do about that, it is what it is. If they ask you about it, you can explain a bit about what was involved in the classes you took (self-study, teacher feedback, online chat, student work projects, etc.). If your degree comes from a school that no one has ever heard of, HR and/or the hiring manager MIGHT do a little research on it to see what kind of a school it is. There are lots of "diploma mills" out there these days so it isn' t unreasonable for them to check it out. It is good that you checked that your school is accredited, but be sure it is accredited by someone reputable. Here' s a link from Wikipedia that explains a bit more about what you should be looking for in terms of accreditation. Finally, you said about your current company- ...but the company overall (let it be known) has failed to assist me in moving forward with either my education or career ... Keep in mind that the key word in your education and your career is YOUR. YOU are the only one responsible for either and you shouldn' t be looking to a company, teacher, friend, family member or anyone else to take over or assist in that responsibility. If you get something from somewhere that is helpful (like tuition assistance or mentoring) that' s a bonus. The onus is totally on YOU to watch out for your career, plan for it, invest in it and make things happen. I hope you don' t mind a little from a Christian prospective. God can help you get out of debt, but if you have already declared BK, its already done. Only thing you have to do now is wait. The Bible says acknowledge the Lord in all of thy ways and He shall direct thy path. Sometimes we the wrong thing with the right intentions to help somebody and God knows our heart, but we also have to exercise wisdom. I don' t know what to say about online degrees, I don' t really know the pros or cons. I would think employers may put more credibility in physically attending a school, but online is starting to rise in popularity and become more common. About your boss, if He or she doesn' t recognize or acknowledge or appreciate your talent, its time to look on and move on. | |
|
Career Tips
|