There’s been a lot of buzz about online education and online degrees lately. More and more students are asking about online opportunities for adult education. If you travel a lot or have a crazy schedule (and who doesn’t these days?), it seems to be a no-brainer.

I’ve taught in many online programs and I’m happy to offer one-to-one coaching if you’re making some educational decisions.

Pros and cons of an online education

The positives

You can work on your assignments anywhere on the planet

You don’t have to get dressed, drive and park (or take a bus)

You may find yourself participating and learning more because you have more assignments to write

The negatives

You must be a visual learner with strong writing skills, to get the most out of an online program.

You rarely make connections or have opportunities for networking – a major benefit of any degree program

You usually have  deadlines every week or every other week and many universities are not flexible about meeting those deadlines.

However, your biggest challenge will involve choosing the right program. That’s more important than the online vs offline debate. the wrong program can actually cost you money – and maybe even a job. See

http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/schoolbk.html

Choosing the wrong school can be hazardous to your bank account, your goals and even your current job.

On October 10, 2004, Sixty Minutes (a CBS-TV news program) featured a segment about a “university” that claimed to offer degrees through online courses. Many students believed they were signing up for a legitimate program. After all, the page looked fine and the school claimed to be accredited.

Accordingly, students forked over hundreds, even thousands of dollars, only to learn that these “degrees” would do them more harm than good. When prospective employers saw the university’s name on resumes, they were turned off. “We won’t hire someone who wants to go there,” they would say.  And one woman’s employer fired her on the spot after she began referring to herself as “Dr X,” honestly believing she had earned a Ph.D.

Students who signed up for these universities weren’t stupid. They had heard about programs that gave credit for life experience. They were told to write a paper that would serve as the basis for evaluating their experience. Sadly, many toiled over this paper, believing they would be evaluated before entering a degree program.  The school’s former employees reported that nobody actually read those papers. Only a few clerical employees served as the school’s “staff.” Their main job was to process checks.

The problem is: Prospective students usually realize they need to choose an accredited university. But what does “accredited” mean? Your university may have found a way to buy accreditation just as students find a way to buy degrees.

Anyway, accreditation is not enough. You need to learn how this university will be regarded among various audiences: other universities, employers, and the general public. You also need to assess whether this university really will offer the best path to reach your own goals.

Adults struggling to choose MBA (and other) programs wisely can download a guide: Back to School for Your New Career.

Many mid-career executives and professionals are miserable in their jobs and frustrated with their careers. They wake up each day, dreading to go to work. They swear they’re ready to make a change. They buy a ton of self-help books. And nothing happens. Here’s why.

Mistake #1: Feeling desperate (and hopeless at the same time). You think, “Well, I’m so comfortable… Then you realize, “I’ve been here three years. I can’t wait another day. I’ve got to get out of here. Clients sometimes say things like, “I don’t care if I get fired,” or, “Maybe I’ll go bankrupt. So what?” What they mean is, “The situation is scary. I’ve waited so long…and it seems hopeless.

The truth is: waiting too long for a change can damage your career. When you are really unhappy, you can sabotage your own success, often unconsciously setting yourself up to be fired. But when I begin to talk with these clients, we almost always uncover realistic, hopeful opportunities. The answer is to get into purposeful, guided action. Once you start moving, the panic goes away. Just plan your trajectory so you aren’t spinning wheels.

Mistake #2: Feeling overwhelmed. When you think about career change, there’s so much to do. Networking. Phone calls. Interviews. Research. Career search is rarely linear. It’s messy and zig-zag. Think “playground basketball” instead of “pro football.”

The good news is: once you take the first action, it’s like pulling on a thread to release a knot. First one part unravels…and then the next. And you see daylight just when you are ready to give up.

I’ve written my own prescription for action:  21-Day Extreme Career Makeover.

Career changers often ask me how to choose an online degree. I’ve never taken a degree online but have taught in several programs that are 100% online or that have an online component.

(1) Decide whether you really need another degree. I like to tell the story of a student who was taking courses when I taught in a live classroom many years ago. When she asked about career advancement, her boss kept telling her to take more courses. She sought my advice on what course to take next. I advised her to find a new job. Her boss seemed to be stalling.

(2) Find out whether you can achieve your goal with an online degree. If you aim for a job in a specific company or organization, make sure they’ll accept your degree. Many students are surprised to learn that some universities do not hire graduates of online programs for teaching positions. Even though your university is accredited, a specific career may not be open to you.

(3) Don’t shop based on price. Focus on the school’s track record. Where are their alumni now? What kind of faculty do they have?

For more info, visit my guide to Mid-Life Education .

“So why are you pursuing a degree?” Ask a handful of students in programs targeting adult learners (also known as “mature students,” “returning students,” or “non-traditional students”).

Often students write things like, “If I get more education, opportunities will increase.” Or, “To get a better job.” A few wrote, “My company won’t promote me unless I complete this degree.”

Well, the last reason makes sense…if it’s true.  The others are (to my mind) wishful thinking.

Education doesn’t guarantee that doors will open. And your choice of school and degree program will influence your opportunities more than the fact that you picked up a degree.

Back when I was a full-time college professor, one student came to me with a question. She already had a Ph.D. in a social science field. She kept asking her  boss why she didn’t get promoted. Each time, her boss would say, “Take more business courses.”

Her question was, “I’ve already taken management, finance, accounting, and…lots more! What else should I take?”

I told her the truth: I thought her boss was playing games. I encouraged her to ask, “Is this suggestion real? Or do they keep finding ways to avoid promoting me?”

She had a big “aha” moment.

Another time I taught in a non-traditional doctoral program. One student was determined to teach at a particular university. I encouraged him to visit the university and ask if they hired anyone from our program, ever. They told him “No way.” Meanwhile, he had invested several months and thousands of dollars in our program…which suited some students but wasn’t a match for his goals.

But a degree from the right university can be a first class ticket to a new career.

I once taught a student “Beth” who had just been laid off. Our graduate program got students involved in group projects where they could network and get to know each other.

“Beth” sent her resume to several companies. One copy landed on the desk of “Chuck,” who had just worked with her on a project. Impressed by Beth’s work ethic, he invited her for an interview. Ultimately she got the job. Chuck was willing to take a chance on hiring her for a job in a totaly new field.

Bottom Line: Education can be a ticket to wealth and success…or an expensive detour.  And yes, I’ve written a Special Report you can download on returning to school. Check it out here.