Why Employers Are Wary Of Some Distance Learning Universities
Studies have shown that students who attend distance learning universities learn the material just as well as (and sometimes even better than) students who attend traditional classes. But not all distance learning universities are the same in the eyes of your future employers.
For example, let's say that you graduated from Duke University's online MBA program. On your resume, you would list Duke University as your alma mater and employers would immediately recognize the name. But if you earned your MBA from a little-known unaccredited distance learning university, potential employers would not have that immediate name-recognition to provide credibility. And worse, what if your distance learning alma mater has a bad reputation for being a so-called degree mill?
Unless you earn a degree from some of the more established and respected distance learning universities, future employers may be a little wary of your education. Here are two reasons why, and what to do about them:
1. They wonder if you habitually take the more convenient path. Employers generally want someone who will work hard and go the extra mile for their company. The picture of someone who sits in their pajamas, passively soaking up an education may not be a flattering view. Be prepared to explain why you chose distance learning. Was it because you didn't want to lose professional momentum by taking time off work? Or because you are a working mother and wanted to see your children instead of spending nights away from home in traditional classes? When you interview, let your employer see the hard-working side of you.
2. They wonder how much you really learned. Unfortunately, some unaccredited distance learning universities just want to make a profit. These fake distance learning programs hire unqualified professors and make their courses too easy. But on a resume that degree title won't mean very much. If you graduated from a little-known distance university, make sure to note on your resume that it is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. If you didn't do your research and you graduated from an unaccredited distance learning university, make up for it by earning respected certifications and gaining needed experience in your field.