Most people are familiar with the traditional concept of an “ed campus”. These are universities that exist solely to produce students capable of fulfilling corporate contracts. The majority of courses in these institutions are geared towards preparing graduates for “traditional” fields such as business, law, and medicine. But what happens when you want to pursue an online marketing degree and there aren’t any colleges around to help?

If you’re fortunate enough to have a supportive parent or guardian who understands the importance of furthering your education, then you might be able to get a student loan and live comfortably at a university while you complete your studies.

But what if your parents or guardians don’t understand the concept of education or finance? Or what if a better job opportunity comes along and you decide to forgo your studies?

The good news is that even though you may be a little on the lonesome when it comes to deciding whether or not to continue with your online marketing education, there are still options for you to become a successful digital marketer. You just have to figure out which one is the best suited to you.

The Two Main Options

Depending on where you are in life and what you want to achieve, there are two main options when it comes to getting a formal education in digital marketing:

1. Study online

If you’re looking to further your education and gain the skillset that’s going to make you stand out above the rest of the competition, then you might want to consider studying online. This is a potentially cheaper and more convenient option, since you won’t be spending on tuition but you will be making use of online learning platforms like Google Classroom and Canvas. With these tools, you can complete your studies from wherever you want and whenever you want. You’ll just need an internet connection and a computer or mobile device with high-speed internet access for the best experience.

While studying online is a viable option if you want to become a successful digital marketer, it’s important to acknowledge that this is a completely different ballgame to playing in the real world. You’ll need to adjust your mindset and approach to studies if you want to be able to score the best possible results. For example, you might want to consider switching from a traditional lecture-based learning format to a more experimental methodology. Alternatively, you could look into joining a learning community, where you’ll get the opportunity to interact with and learn from other students. The choice is completely up to you.

2. Join a professional society

If you’re looking to enter the real world and want to be able to quickly establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field, then you might want to consider joining a professional society. These are groups of individuals who come together to share knowledge and experience in their niche. In addition to giving you a great opportunity to learn from experts in your field, societies usually provide a social environment for their members, as well as a platform for you to showcase your work and gain recognition for your skills. For example, if you’re a freelance copywriter and you decide to join a writing society, you’ll get the opportunity to meet other copywriters, get advice from experienced members, and network with potential clients. A membership to a professional society is completely free, and it’ll give you the opportunity to get started in your career as a digital marketer. You don’t necessarily need to join a writing society if you don’t want to, but it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to break into digital marketing.

No matter which option you choose, make sure that you get the most out of your formal education and establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field. Never stop learning, and always be looking for improvement, because this is the only way you’ll ever truly stand out above the rest of the pack.