Get A College While Furthering Your Career
June 9th, 2010 | by Michelle Connor |When companies need highly skilled labor, they have a choice. They can search for new skilled employees or train their existing staff. Many companies are choosing to invest in their workers by providing programs that allow employees to continue their education. Some businesses have actually partnered with colleges to make online learning available to their employees.
Blockbuster, the movie rental company, recently joined forces with Ashford University to make higher education available to employees in a convenient, cost-efficient way. Through the partnership, Blockbuster employees will get a tuition discount and may be able to transfer previously earned credits toward a best online degree from Ashford University.
Blockbuster also plans to offer college credit for some of its on-site training programs. For example, just completing a work program could put an employee on their way to getting a college degree. As the workers learn new skills in class, they can apply them immediately on the job, a benefit to their employer.
If you want to improve your career and move up at your job, a degree may help make it happen. The company you work for may have programs to help you fund your education or shorten the process. Before you apply to any college, check into what programs your employer may provide and find out how to enroll.
Another way businesses invest in their workers’ futures is through tuition assistance. The business pays part of the employee’s college costs. Helping a worker achieve a higher education helps the company since an educated employee is a valuable employee. Tuition assistance benefits both the business and the worker. The employee furthers their education at a lower cost, while the business gets a better educated worker without having to look for a new employee. If an employee enrolls in tuition assistance, they may have to commit to staying with their company for at least a year. The business does not want to pay for a worker’s education only to see them take their new skills to another job or a competing company. Tuition reimbursement programs may cover an entire degree or classes related to your job, depending on what the employer is willing to fund.
Employers who are paying for a professional’s education may also be more understanding during busy periods, such as midterms or final exams. Consequently, students who are able to participate in these programs may feel more comfortable asking for time off in order to complete their coursework. However, if a worker’s schedule can’t be changed, degree programs online may be a solution.
If you want to go back to school, online college may appeal to your employer, since you can study on your time instead taking time off work for school. Online college courses use the Internet for everything from assignments and lab work to exams. A student can log on from anywhere to study. This means an employee could use their lunch hour to work toward a college degree.
Tuition reimbursement programs can be applied to traditional on campus colleges or online degrees. Workers can choose the courses that will be most helpful in their career field. Someonline degrees are willing to accept life or work experience for college credit.
