Dec 09 2008
Bad economy inspiring you to go back to school?
Many people who get laid off from their jobs begin thinking about getting their college degrees or additional degrees to help them become more marketable. Getting laid off never feels good, and it’s smart to use the downtime to help prevent future layoffs by enhancing your skills.
Here are some strong reasons why going to college online might be the ideal match for those who have recently experienced layoffs:
Reasons why online colleges make a nice fit:
- Flexibility: Since most laid-off people are still looking for work, when you land a job interview, you don’t have to schedule around your classes. Since school is online, you can take any job interview at virtually any time.
- Continuity: If you’re fortunate enough to get another job, you don’t have to leave school. You can continue working toward your degree (or second degree), and you don’t have to put your current career on hold.
- Fodder for the job interview: It’s often nice to show potential employers that you’re always out to improve yourself. And mentioning that you took the downtime to jump on your education shows initiative and a strong work ethic.
- Better than nothing: The truth is that you might be laid off for an extended period of time, and it’s always nice to feel like you’re doing something productive beyond looking for another job. As long as it takes for you to find the next gig, at least you’ll know that you used that time to make progress on other life-enriching activities.
- Timing: Many online colleges run on an accelerated timeline. That means, in fewer than ten weeks, you can complete a term (rather than the traditional 16 weeks in an on-ground school). In the average time it takes a person to find another job, it is possible to complete a full term of school.
- Incentives: Many companies that close down facilities or lay off employees have workplace resources in place to help downsized employees re-train, find grants, apply to school, and get federal loans. Examine any workforce benefits that might have come in your layoff package. And if you don’t find much there, the Unemployment Agency in town should also have some educational grant/loan resources for you to explore.
It’s definitely annoying and frustrating to get laid off, but keep in mind that there is an opportunity around every corning, if you keep your eyes open. Perhaps for you, the educational road is the best one at this time. If so, do your research, ask around, and good luck!
