Education or Experience – What’s More Important?
Posted by este in Human Resources on October 19, 2011
If you were a recruiter given a choice between two candidates-one with a few years of industry experience and the other with excellent qualifications but no “real world” training-who would you choose?
There’s no easy answer to this question, as there is no clear winner in the age-old debate on the importance of education vs. the value of experience. With one random search on the Internet, you’ll find tons of people sitting on both sides of the fence. Pages and pages have been dedicated to the debate, but it seems far from being settled.
Those who think education has little bearing on success never tire of throwing out the names of famous university dropouts like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to win their argument, while the proponents of a college education quote statistic after statistic to prove its impact on a person’s employability and earnings.
Education or Experience
So what’s more important-education or experience? The truth is that both have a place in a person’s career trajectory.
While someone with experience but no formal degree may be favored for certain jobs, he or she may find himself or herself reaching a saturation point in his or her career earlier and may struggle to advance professionally because the person is not considered adequately qualified. On the other hand, a college grad with the best education and book smarts may be completely at sea when it comes to dealing with real-world work situations if the graduate has no prior industry experience.
The truth of the matter is that it’s not so much about education vs. experience, but education and experience. They’re not mutually exclusive, but actually go hand-in-hand in charting out a person’s career growth.
The corporate landscape is getting more and more competitive with each passing day. Employers neither have the money nor the willingness to make huge investments in developing raw talent. They are more interested in acquiring talented candidates with demonstrated ability, and they look for a complete package at the time of hiring. That’s why someone who has solid educational credentials as well as real-world experience stands a better chance of making the cut.
Why is Education Important?
Companies are not just hiring with the aim to fill the current position, but have an eye on the future. If you have not already demonstrated that you have the potential to grow with a job, they may very well pass you up for another candidate who has shown that promise.
Having completed undergraduate degree program can demonstrate to them certain qualities in you. A college grad, for an employer, is often a person who has a proven academic record, has mastered complex subject matter, has the ability to think analytically and logically, and has been exposed to an intellectually stimulating environment.
In short, they see a person who has demonstrated that he or she can rise up the ranks and can be trusted with more responsible roles, rather than someone who can only perform tasks the person’s familiar with.
Make no mistake-just having a resume embellished with fancy undergraduate or graduate degree programs will not do the trick. Your employers expect you to bring to the table everything you have learned as part of your education and apply your skills and knowledge to solving real-world work problems.
How Do I Gain Experience?
As already mentioned, employers are looking for a perfect blend of experience and education in their employees. But the process of gaining experience has to start somewhere.
As a fresh graduate playing the field, you can wait for someone to give you that first break-or you can work toward getting your hands dirty with some real-world experience before you ever finish your formal education.
There are several ways of doing it: internships, co-operative work placements, industrial trainings, apprenticeships, freelancing, and more. Some academic programs have a mandatory practical training requirement, while others may need you to take the initiative.
With the right combination of a successful academic career and relevant experience in your field, you could be giving yourself a leg up against the competition.
Distance Learning – Top 10 Online Degrees
Posted by este in Online Education, Reference and Education on October 15, 2011
By going back to school to earn one of the top 10 online degrees, students can secure their place in careers that are in demand today and have a positive job outlook for the future. We live in an age where everything is online, and for many students that includes college courses. Online universities are now accredited and respected, and there are many reputable degree programs that busy working students can choose from. The following list of the top 10 online degrees includes those that are most useful and in the highest demand today:
1. Accounting: These online programs prepare students who want to pursue careers in the financial departments of businesses and organizations.
2. Aviation: Although the actual flight training must obviously be done in person, there are accredited colleges and universities that offer their aviation coursework online.
3. Business: There is room in this field for so many careers, with specialized choices that help students begin the business and management careers of their dreams.
4. Criminal Justice: These degree programs offer education and instruction in the issues, topics and trends affecting areas of crime, law and punishment.
5. Hospitality and Food Service Management: For those who want to begin careers in the hospitality and food service industries, these degrees provide the confidence and skills necessary for success.
6. Human Resource Management: This type of degree is meant to impart the tools to handle all sorts of human resource tasks that are required in this field.
7. Master of Business Administration: Many bachelor’s degree holders return to school online to get their MBA and prepare for a higher level career in business management.
8. Nursing: There are different specialized programs that train students to perform administrative and clinical tasks in outpatient settings.
9. Pharmacy Technician: After attaining this online degree, graduates can provide healthcare products and medication to patients at pharmacies.
10. Teaching: There are all levels of teaching degree and certification programs online for practicing K-12 teachers that want to get certified or continue their own education.
These are just the top 10 online degrees. There are many other programs to choose from for students of all levels.
BCA Distance Learning
Posted by este in Online Education, Reference and Education on October 11, 2011
Now it is possible to make your dreams come true in the field of education. You can continue with your studies even after a gap of twenty years. This is possible through distance learning scheme. Distance Education is very much favored by students from all parts of the sub-continent because one need not attend any college on regular basis. In distance learning one can get knowledge through postal services, online virtual classrooms and other contact programs.
Topmost colleges from State Universities are working day and night to bring education to the doorsteps. One can easily get admitted to any course with minimum of qualification. Study Centers have been set up by these Universities at regular distances; this is done in order to facilitate students to get help within little time, if required.
Experienced faculty prepares course material for students of BCA. Many centers also provide regular classes to their students. Classes are also taken by people from well known and reputable industries and business houses. Regular counseling is done by placement cell counselors.
Three BCA course requires 10+2 certificate from a recognized educational institution. To be a Bachelor of Computer Application one need to study Basics of Computer Programming, Business Practices, Mathematics, Data and File Structure, Digital Electronics, Structured Systems Analysis, Computer System Architecture, Micro-processors and Assembly Language, Data Base Systems, Operating Systems Organization and UNIX, Software Engineering, Financial Accounting, Internet Technologies and Applications, Data Communication and Networks, Java Programming and Internet Applications, Multimedia Information Systems, Scientific and Statistical Computing, and Practical-Software Lab etc.
Distance Education courses from State Universities are much cost effective than private courses. One does not need to register with any library to get access to good books. All material that is provided by the Study Centers is of latest in computer technology. Maharishi Dayanand University is one such University which caters to the distance education students. Punjab Technical University and Karnataka State Open University are other Universities working on the same line of knowledge. Information about the courses in these Universities is also available on You Tube. You can hear what students have to say about this course at You Tube.
After doing BCA, one can go for a course in MCA to get better pay scale. Job opportunities are provided by industrial and corporate houses. Both private and private sectors provide ample opportunity to students of BCA to make their living conditions better and safe in every manner. Online help is available through Times Jobs, Naukri.com and many other well reputed websites. Private set-ups also help these students to get their desired placement.
People who work and study at the same time, get a chance to apply for a higher position in the same organization. As one is already a well known face in the working place, he finds it easier to adapt to his new position. People readily accept him in his new role. Distance Education does not require a student to belong to a particular age group; anyone can join the study circle. Distance Education is a great way to increase and update your existing knowledge.