Businesses and schools have largely shifted to online learning; however, many students may wonder how often classes are being offered online. Is it just about getting a degree and finding a job? Or is there more to it? Some may wonder if they’re in the right place. Here’s a closer look at how online learning affects students’ lives and the future of higher education.

Gap Year And Global Graduates

Global graduates are now the majority of the workplace. According to the U.S. Department of Labour, in 2012 there were 77.7 million Americans aged 25–54 and 59.7 million Canadians aged 20–39. This trend will continue as more and more people decide to “self-educate” themselves through virtual universities and online learning platforms.

The importance of a gap year cannot be denied. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labour states that individuals who took a gap year after high school graduation earned about 25% more than similar individuals who did not take a gap year. This could mean that a gap year enables an individual to learn new things, gain new skills, and develop new interests which could translate to new career opportunities. With the global economy thriving, employers are willing to provide additional training and development opportunities to potential employees.

These graduates have likely shifted to an online learning environment because many traditional brick-and-mortar universities and colleges have moved to hybrid or fully online degrees. According to the Center for Digital Education at The New York Times, in 2020 about 80% of undergraduate students will attend virtual universities.

The Importance Of Further Training

The ability to continually learn is important in today’s world, and employers are recognizing this fact. According to the U.S. Department of Labour, more and more jobs require knowledge of software development, information technology, and computer science. Since many of these degrees can be obtained online, many students are gaining the necessary skills to be competitive in today’s job market.

Technology Is Changing The Way We Learn

In the past, college students would attend class, listen to lectures, and then do workbook exercises or practice problems. While this method of learning was important and helped prepare students for the workplace, it did not provide the opportunity to ask questions or discuss topics with their professor. Additionally, many students found it difficult to study for exams when they were required to be in a classroom for several hours a day, five or six days a week.

Today, with the development of e-learning tools and platforms, instructors can provide a digital learning environment where students can interact with their professors and other students via email. Through these platforms, instructors can also monitor the performance of their classes, providing valuable information to guide future instructor-student relationships.

A Changing Education Paradigm

For many years, college students would spend four or more years getting a technical or vocational education, which would prepare them for a specific profession. However, with greater availability of degrees in general knowledge fields, such as business, economics, and computer science, students can now gain the necessary skills to become job-ready upon graduation.

The number of college graduates is increasing, which means there will be more job opportunities for them. Since many entry-level jobs don’t require a degree, employers can now choose from a larger pool of educated individuals.

Are You Over Or Under-Diversified In Your Career Choices?

Whether you’ve decided to pursue your doctorate or you’re just looking to change careers, consider taking a look at your existing career choices and see if there’s anything in your background which could translate to other careers. Many business graduates find that their existing functional knowledge and skillsets allow them to find employment in other fields beyond their original major. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor states that 70% of those who switched careers did so because there were no job opportunities in their major.

If you’re looking to change careers, consider focusing on non-verbal skills such as analytics, psychomotor skills (such as finger tap and pacing), and mathematical reasoning. Consider getting a second degree in a subject which will make you more marketable in a tyred job. The more degrees and certifications you have, the more valued you’ll be as a job candidate.