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What do Employers Think About Your Online Course?

When online courses first became available, they were primarily short hobbyist courses. Now many TAFE institutes and universities offer online versions of their courses, allowing you to complete entire diplomas and degrees on the internet.

The benefits of online courses for students are well-known: flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! You can progress your knowledge and career without giving up your full-time job. You can pursue your interests without disruption to your family life.

But how will employers view your online qualification?

Because online courses are now mainstream, employers view them much more favourably. They recognise the value of your qualifications and the skills you've developed while pursuing them. In fact, many even promote online courses to their staff to improve their skills and develop their knowledge.

1. Online courses deliver the same qualification as on-campus courses

Courses delivered online through registered training institutions, universities and TAFEs deliver the same qualifications as those taught in brick and mortar institutions. Higher education providers go through the same accreditation processes for their online courses as they do for on-campus courses.

As an online student, you'll graduate with the same skills and knowledge as your peers studying on-campus.

Before you sign up, check the accreditation of your intended institution and course. This will assure you of the quality and recognition of your qualification.

2. You're determined and resourceful

Students who take up an online course are driven to succeed. They are seeking progression and promotion, or a complete change of career, but may be unable to pursue a qualification full-time in the traditional way. They may have work and family commitments, or location limitations. When difficulties arise many people sit back and give up, but the online student has found a way to achieve his or her goal.

To employers, taking an online course demonstrates that you're a self-starter full of initiative. You're driven, you're passionate, you're determined and you're resourceful. You've advanced your skills and developed your expertise without the guiding hand of in-person classes and teachers. You've demonstrated that you can work independently and also collaborate online with your peers. All qualities that are highly sought after by employers.

3. You've got great time management skills

Taking an online course requires outstanding time management skills. As a graduate, you'll have completed your online course while working and managing your commitments. You'll show employers that you've put in the effort to complete assignments and sit examinations without letting it affect your work, proving you've got what it takes to succeed.

4. You've got great communication skills

Taking an online course requires good written communication skills. It also requires skills in networking and collaborating with fellow students and teachers using various tools and technology. Through your course you'll learn to communicate and collaborate via email, social networks, instant messaging and bulletin boards.

In our technology-driven world, communication is becoming more and more reliant on the internet, even in the workplace. High-level communication skills are in demand by employers from all industries.

5. You're ready for a technology-driven workplace

Workplaces are becoming more and more technology-driven. Organisations are reaching out to their customers and partners through a variety of online networks, from Twitter and Facebook to LinkedIn and SlideShare. Companies and professionals are blogging about their services and expertise. They're employing their staff through SEEK and LinkedIn.

Your ability to connect, network and maintain relationships will help you succeed in your online course. These skills can also help you land your next job.

Where to Now?

The tide is turning when it comes to online degrees. No longer are they just short courses teaching you creative writing or exploring the intricacies of 19th century poetry.

Online courses now deliver recognised, accredited qualifications equivalent to those gained in the halls of TAFEs and universities around Australia. And through your studies you'll gain effective time management, collaboration and communication skills that are highly valued by employers.

Now that you know how employers value your online degree or diploma, it's time to take the next step.