By Kent Johnson


If you’re considering a new career, or considering a career change, you owe it to yourself to look at distance learning as a way of gaining the necessary skills and education. While online learning is relatively new (as is the Internet as a whole), it offers some unique opportunities – especially for working students on a limited budget and with limited time to study.

With distance learning – or the virtual classroom, as it’s sometimes referred to - the student can learn and study when it’s convenient for them. There’s no commuting to a traditional classroom at a pre-determined time, finding a parking space, and hoping the schedule synchronizes with your personal life.

And many students find that they have more interaction with their instructors with distance learning – not less. In addition, the cost can often be hundreds of dollars less in a virtual classroom, as the school can slash their operating costs and pass that saving on to the student.

So, with all of these advantages, you’d think more students would be willing to give distance learning a try. 

If you’ve considered distance learning, but you’ve been reluctant to give it a try, be aware that you can give it a test drive before committing to the new format full time. Unlike traditional universities and colleges, most online schools will allow you to enroll in classes without making a long-term commitment. That way you can try it and see if it’s a format that will work for you.

Distance Learning Options

There are many options with distance learning, from earning a degree, a post-graduate degree, or enrolling in one of the many types of certification courses available online. And these certification courses are not the traditional “home-study” mail order courses – many are offered by fully accredited colleges and universities.

Certification courses can range from photography, creative writing, graphic design, music, dog training, interior design, small business management, private investigator – almost anything you can think of. Many students are finding their ideal career and gaining the necessary skills through these non-degree, certification courses.

This can be a convenient, relatively inexpensive way to sample a new career direction without committing several years of your life to it - only to discover later that it’s not for you. Take an online class, see if you enjoy this pursuit, and then take it from there. At the very least, you might end up with a new hobby that you can explore for the rest of your life.

Brush up on your skills

Another way to utilize distance learning is to improve your skills in your current occupation. Most career fields today are constantly changing and evolving, and if you don’t keep up with the current trends, it’s easy to get left behind come promotion time. Some employers will even pay part or all of the costs of an online course. And they’ll certainly be impressed with your drive and ambition.

And you’ll gain confidence and satisfaction in your current occupation as you learn new skills and take on additional responsibilities. Sometimes it only takes one new set of skills set to jump-start a career that’s been in neutral for years.

Start a Business

Many people choose distance learning because they’re eager to start their own business. From bookkeeping to business planning to retailing, there’s a course available over the Internet. Many new businesses fail within the first two years, and many of those fail because the people starting them didn’t take the time to learn the necessary skills before going into business.

And there are specialized courses available for prospective or current business owners. No matter if you want to start a bed and breakfast, open a bar or restaurant, start a gift shop, or launch your own accounting practice, there’s a virtual class out there to teach you those skills.

Give it a shot!

If you’ve identified a career path you’d like to explore, do an Internet search and see what’s available. Consider the cost, the time involved, and talk it over with your family. Then, if it looks like a good fit, take the plunge!

Life is short, after all, and there are only so many chances to find the career of your dreams. The Internet has opened up a whold new world for career exploration, and distance learning can be a great vehicle for testing out new waters.

Just don’t put it off too long, or you could be looking back on your life and wondering: “What would’ve happened if I’d given that ----  career a try?”

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