If you want to specialize in a specific area in your career, a degree is generally a prerequisite to getting your dream job. However, gaining a degree brings a host of other benefits, some you wouldn’t think about. In addition, the job market is evolving, so while having a degree might get your foot in the door, what a degree education involves is also an important part of the process of maintaining it.
However, studying for a degree isn’t for everyone, and this education choice should be based on where you see your career moving in the future. This pathway isn’t just great for school leavers; it’s also a possibility for individuals looking to move in a different direction later in life.
So, if you’re considering a degree, there are many benefits to enjoy. But, what are they are, and is obtaining one worth it? So, let’s take a closer look:
Benefits of a degree
Gaining specialization
If you’re looking to move into a specific career, then a degree will provide the foundations to help you achieve it. Some career options require a specialist degree to be able to find a job and work in the sector. For example, a counselor must achieve a bachelor’s and a master’s degree to gain a license to practice. Other sectors such as technology, science, and education also have similar requirements.
If you are already in any of these careers, studying for a degree online enables you to fit it around your work and life commitments. This way, you don’t have to compromise in other areas of your life to level up in your career.
Personal growth
There’s more to a degree than getting a piece of paper. The whole process of learning and developing your skills and knowledge brings with it a huge sense of personal achievement and growth. Studies suggest that graduates that hold higher level qualifications gain invaluable skills for future careers. But also have improved levels of self-esteem and confidence.
Throughout your education, you will be tasked with a variety of challenging assignments, which not only test your skills but your abilities to work under pressure. In addition, they equip you for other areas in your life and engage you in other activities as a result.
More career opportunities
While not having a degree doesn’t mean you won’t find a decent job, studying for one may open up more opportunities upon graduation. In addition, some career paths require a degree or master’s degree in a specialized area to gain access to jobs. So, in this instance, getting a degree opens up more avenues for higher-level positions. However, if you’re considering moving up the ladder or changing careers, you can also gain a degree online to enhance your career move.
Improved job satisfaction
When you study for a degree, you’re actively choosing the path you want to pursue. This typically helps to improve your job satisfaction throughout your career as you are doing something that interests you. Your work life is a significant portion of your lifestyle, and it’s helpful to move into a job that provides a sense of happiness and purpose so you fill fulfilled for longer.
Transferable skills
Another significant benefit of studying for a degree online is the skills you learn throughout the process. These are typically called transferable skills, and you can take them through to the workplace once you’ve graduated. There are numerous transferable skills that you pick up through online study. These include:
Time management skills
Studying a degree online throws you in at the deep end for time management. You learn different ways to ensure assignments are completed, exams are studied for, and networking takes place. All this is done while managing your everyday life and work commitments. This skill is invaluable in the workplace. Time management is vital for ensuring projects are completed on time. Plus, it helps to organize teams for more productivity.
Organization skills
Organization and time management often go hand in hand. But, in isolation, being organized is another thing learned while studying for a degree. This skill looks at handling many things at once without breaking a sweat, something that is valued in the work environment. You may have many tasks to complete but prioritizing workload ensures everything is done to a high standard.
Networking skills
You might think that networking is challenging in an online degree course setting. However, it’s often a helpful way to engage with people in the modern age. You’ll interact with others remotely and work in group settings via webinars. This gives you a head start on how modern workplaces conduct meetings, especially if there are satellite offices around the globe. This skill helps to build relationships with peers and faculty to ensure good communication throughout your course.
Research skills
Throughout your degree course, you’ll understand numerous research projects to understand a topic thoroughly. This skill uses different techniques to find reliable and valuable sources for your work. This can be transferred to real-world work situations as it showcases your knowledge of how to gain accurate data and information for corporate projects.
Decision-making skills
This skill is often less noticeable when you’re doing a degree. But you’re actually making decisions all the time. These small yet important elements include choosing what research to conduct or deciding on a writing style for your report. Each is a small yet significant step in making the best decisions for success in your degree. That’s not to say you won’t make less favorable decisions. But that’s how you learn. Both good and bad decisions help you navigate the situation, and this can be transferred to the workplace.
Self-motivation skills
Both faculty and potential employers want to see self-motivation from an individual. By studying for an online degree, you show this in many ways. The most prominent way is how well you manage study alongside other commitments. It shows a lot of determination to undertake study in an online capacity. This is due to the self-discipline needed to complete the course. For example, it could be easier just to sit and watch your favorite TV show instead of studying. However, this won’t get the work done, and having this motivation to make the best choice for you in that instance shows your commitment to learning and furthering your career.
Confidence skills
Without having the confidence in yourself to undertake a large workload and deal with other life events, you would certainly struggle to complete an online course. Trust in your abilities enables you to tackle complex subjects and gives you the tools to express yourself in written and verbal communication. This skill not only benefits a degree course success, but also you’ll have more confidence to get through interviews.
Listening skills
This skill is often underestimated as it’s something we naturally do, although not always well. Listening usually takes on a two-prong approach. First, there’s listening and absorbing information so you can learn, such as in a lecture. Next is active listening, where you are able to hear what someone is saying, process the information, and give a response based on your understanding. Both are vital in the classroom and workplace. By using these two skills, you are able to communicate effectively with all levels of people.
Presenting skills
Presenting to a room full of people can be a daunting experience. While it’s not comfortable for some people, it is a necessary skill to learn just in case you need it in the workplace. During your degree course, there could be several opportunities to try your presenting techniques. This gives you a chance to break down a subject matter into engaging and digestible elements so everyone understands the topic.
Another aspect of presenting is gaining feedback and asking questions. It’s not just a case of telling people about a topic; it’s enabling them the ask questions and delve further to help to understand. So, preparing for this element also ensures you are equipped to handle challenging or unexpected questions.
Problem-solving
While you might not be able to show a potential employer your problem-solving skills in an interview (of course, unless there’s a test), it’s still something you learn during a degree. Tight deadlines, challenging topics, and confusing assignments mean you have to do workarounds to get everything done. This skill is invaluable in the workplace as issues can crop up unexpectedly, and it might be your job to find a resolution.
Above are just some of the many reasons why getting a degree is a great choice for individuals looking to enhance their lifestyle and career. Of course, it’s not for everyone, but there are many options you can take to enjoy a long and happy working life. Studying for a degree online also provides you with tons of transferable skills that are suited to the workplace. It can be easy to just focus on the money you might make or the job enhancements you could have with a degree. However, the return on investment in personal growth and confidence is an important factor that makes it all worthwhile.
