Let’s go back a few years, in the not-so-distant past. What was your thought regarding getting a job with skills learned entirely online? A bit odd, right? After all, can you even learn anything online?
Employers too raised eyebrows at resumes featuring online courses or remote certifications. It seems that back then, the unwelcoming vibe that these online skill development programs got resonated across the board.
Fast forward to today, and remote skill development is not just acceptable but downright common. What happened though? How did we get from, “What on earth is remote learning?” to “Sure, those qualifications work just fine.”?
Most importantly, how has remote skill development become more acceptable to employers in the modern day?
The Pandemic Changed Everything
Remember 2020? COVID-19? The pandemic? This one event had turned the world upside down.
The number of people who, due to lockdowns, were working remotely tripled during 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, working from home became the new normal, and so did learning from home.
The number of people enrolling in online courses and skill development programs also shot up. In some cases, twice the number of people were enrolling in these online courses than the year prior to COVID.
Now, with physical offices shuttered and in-person training sessions canceled, businesses had to adapt quickly. As employees figured out how to be productive remotely, they also discovered something else: building new skills from the comfort of their couches.
Back then, remote skill development wasn’t just a temporary fix; it came as a revelation. Most importantly, this idea stayed on and helped make online skill development programs more acceptable.
Employers saw that their staff could gain valuable expertise online without losing any of the quality or depth they expected from traditional learning environments. In fact, many realized that remote training made their teams more agile and adaptable. The floodgates were open.
Top Institutions Offer Skill Development and Academic Programs Online
If you’re still skeptical about the legitimacy of online learning, here’s something that might change your mind.
Some of the world’s most prestigious institutions have jumped on the remote education bandwagon. Many top universities in the US offer fully online courses, degrees, and certifications that carry just as much weight as their in-person counterparts.
Suddenly, earning an online degree from a top-tier school doesn’t sound so strange, does it? Employers are noticing this, too. When top institutions are willing to provide remote education, it’s clear that learning from home has entered the big leagues. The stigma that once surrounded online learning is fading, replaced by an understanding that knowledge gained remotely is just as valuable.
In fact, you can get full-on degrees online, and that too from reputed colleges in the US. Think about it: ever thought you’d see online speech-language pathology programs? No, right? After all, speech-language pathology is a complex subject. If you want to become a speech-language pathologist, you need special training and guidance.
Thus, speech-language pathologists study various aspects of communication sciences under certified speech-language pathologists and instructors. Studying speech pathology online was not something possible a decade or two ago.
Now though, studying speech language pathology online is possible. According to Ithaca College, top colleges can now support your journey to practice this field fully online through necessary coursework and prerequisites.
Besides, you can also engage in hands-on training through in-person clinical placements. This goes to show that online learning often involves in-person experiences; a much-needed balance for many fields.
Remote Skill Development Offers Diversity and Accessibility
Remote learning isn’t just about convenience; it’s also a tool for creating more inclusive workplaces. Think about the barriers that used to exist in traditional education: geographical location, financial constraints, and family commitments. Not everyone could just up and leave for a classroom setting.
Now, the playing field is more level. People from all walks of life, in any corner of the world, can gain access to top-notch training. This means that employers have a much broader, more diverse talent pool to draw from, bringing fresh perspectives into their companies.
Furthermore, with more accessibility comes more innovation. Remote learners tend to come from various backgrounds and experiences, which translates into more creative problem-solving and unique insights in the workplace.
Employers are recognizing this and valuing the diversity of thought that remote skill development can foster.
We’ve come a long way from the days when remote learning was a last resort. Now, it’s a primary avenue for professional growth.
With top institutions backing online programs and a new appreciation for the dedication it takes to learn remotely, there’s no going back. If you’ve been wondering whether online courses or certifications are worth your time, rest assured: employers think they are.
