Are You A Distance Learning Graduate?
So you've logged hundreds of hours online, taken too many proctored exams to count, and now you are officially a distance learning graduate. After a celebratory dinner with family and friends, take a few minutes to build on the momentum your degree represents. Here's how to maximize your distance learning degree:
Update your resume with the degree title/school. Don't waste time - once you graduate, open up that resume file and type in your distance learning degree name, the year you graduated, and the name of the school. As a distance learning graduate, you should be proud of your accomplishment, and who knows when you will need to send out a resume?
Stay in touch with professors and classmates. While you were in the thick of coursework, you likely made a few connections with professors and classmates through academic forums and online study groups. You may have never seen their faces, but these people are valuable networking contacts who may be helpful in the years to come.
Be aware of your school's reputation. Hopefully you did your research before enrolling in a distance learning program and your alma mater is respected throughout your academic and professional circles. But if your distance learning college was not accredited, or made it too easy to earn a degree, then your alma mater may have a less-than-ideal reputation. If this is the case, you will need to compensate for that reputation in other ways - either through stellar work experience, certifications in your field, or some other avenue.