Measuring Up: How do Employers View Online Degrees?
In many ways, the question of whether your online degree will be viewed differently than a traditional degree is archaic. Once you go on a few job interviews, you’ll begin to understand that employers these days are more interested in how well you did in school than whether you showed up on a physical campus to take classes. Still, the disappearing stigma is fairly new. And it may not be gone entirely. Research done for New York Daily News showed that 75 percent of small and midsize employers fully embrace online degrees, but as much as 25 percent are still hesitant. One of the big reasons may be diploma mills scams which became widespread across the internet in the last decade and offer phony, useless degrees to anyone who can pay a flat fee of a few thousand dollars. But online education is the future, and many forward-thinking employers know that even some of the most respected schools in the country are getting in on it. Do you really want to work for an employer who just doesn’t get it?
The Value of Name Recognition
Just because an employer is inclined to treat online degrees fairly doesn’t mean they’ll view them all the same. Research has shown that an employer’s own familiarity with the institution will frame how they think about it way more than whether it’s online or in person. One of the online business degrees from a respected private university would hold more weight than one from a tiny, independent institution with no proven track record. An online MBA from one of the top schools in the country means more than from a local business school. Is this entirely fair? Of course not. But plenty of students who enroll in traditional colleges have the same considerations when choosing a school. That’s why you need to take advantage of online rankings, statistics, and other research before you sign up for an online program. Though lesser-known schools may be great quality, most of the time a more prestigious name reflects a more prestigious program. And never consider a school if their accreditation is in question. Degrees from any school that isn’t accredited will result in instant rejection by employers and may be a sign you just wasted a lot of money.
Highlight Your Skills
Online degrees can actually put you at an advantage because they teach you more practical, real-world skills that are applicable in your career. Make sure an employers knows what you did in online college that is comparable to work experience and training. Whether you succeeded at virtual internships, professional collaborations, or actual field work, employers might be surprised by how many different skills and experiences you can pick up in a quality online degree program. Because online college is becoming so competitive – over 7 million students enrolled in 2012 – it’s easier to get a lot of value for the price. The hands-on education you get online is sometimes even more applicable to the job world than classes you take at a traditional university. Some bosses know this but some need it spelled out to them. At any rate, more businesses are starting to recognize that online school attracts self-disciplined, motivated, working adults who know how to juggle priorities. Plus, you’ll have experience with technology that other workers may lack.
Combating Negative Perceptions
Way back in 2006, the New York Times asked employers about their assumptions concerning online degrees. An astounding 96 percent said they would choose an applicant with a traditional degree over one with an online degree. Compare that to the 75 percent who say it makes no difference in 2013. What’s happened since then? A meteoric explosion of technology and the worst recession since the Great Depression, sending many adults back to school and changing the nature of employment and education. The negative assumptions employers once made? Online colleges may be “too easy,” they lack interpersonal communication, and they’re for students who aren’t serious about their education. While these perceptions are largely a thing of the past, they are also easily argued with the right resume and portfolio that shows your digital literacy, work experience, and skill set. They can also be dispelled with the reputation of your program and whether it’s tied to an impressive university.
If you’re interviewing for a perspective employer who just can’t shake the negative stigma they attach to your online degree, it might say more about them than it does about you. The perception of online college has changed quickly, but so has the world. Most employers across many different industries are learning they have to embrace new kinds of candidates with non-traditional credentials. At the end of the day, it should always be about finding the best person for the job.
Mary Howard is an avid business blogger. Follow her on Twitter @MaryHBlogger.
Category: Education
