With the increasing spread of mobile devices and videoconferencing, online opportunities such as remote work and online degrees are also preserved. More and more companies are turning to telework as a solution to find the best talent for their organizational goals. On the other hand, more universities are introducing distance education programs that reach a larger group of students than ever before.
Online masters are becoming more and more attractive because of the significant advantages they offer to an increasing number of people. Given its accessibility and flexibility, more students are interested in studying online each year.
In the United States, for example, a report from the Babson Survey Research Group found that public colleges and universities experienced the fastest growth in online course enrollment at 7.3% between 2016 and 2017.
Online masterclasses are also popular as they are a sure way to develop useful skills in your workplace. Think about time management, you know how to make attractive Skype calls, start international collaborations, work efficiently at home or even collaborate remotely.
Don’t limit your online training to simply filling out course material. Start developing these ready-to-work skills:
1. A sense of autonomy
A sense of autonomy makes conscious decisions. If you understand where you want to go with your online Master’s degree and divide this feat into small, manageable tasks or steps, you may feel empowered to succeed in your online courses.
This ability is also useful in professional environments. For example, if you are responsible for running a project, your newly acquired sense of autonomy motivates you to plan and act, rather than waiting for others to tell you what to do.
2. Ultra-precise time management
Your university sets certain deadlines during your online studies. Otherwise, it’s up to you to manage your time effectively. What essentially promotes time management is knowing what you do, when you do it and why. Take the opportunity to learn how to plan your day optimally for you. Check your energy flow (when are you most efficient?), Determine the maximum productivity (are you more a person in the morning or in the afternoon?) And plan ahead (don’t drop everything at the last minute). Also, watch out for lost time. If you understand how it works, you can be more productive and less stressed at the end of the day.
3. Above average communication skills
Communication can be complicated when you work in an online environment. If you don’t know exactly what you want to say to people, your message is likely to be misinterpreted. This creates frustration for you and the person on the other side of the communication process and wastes more time explaining what you originally meant.
When writing down your thoughts, don’t assume the other person is reading between the lines. Also, make sure that the sentences are not too complicated and keep the paragraphs short and airy.
4. Digital collaboration skills beyond
If you are reading this, you probably have a phone that can do more than a computer 15 years ago. You can download apps that monitor your health, tell you how many steps to take in a day, help you practice the guitar, and send you daily reminders to meditate. When you study for your program online, it is obvious that you need a digital background to make the most of this experience. This includes how you work with other colleagues, but also how to optimize your learning time.
By combining digital skills with a clear and pleasant communication style, your collaboration will develop naturally.
5. Strategic planning
While achieving something great, you need to be able to plan ahead. Take, for example, your workload online. How do you manage to do all the necessary readings? Do you plan to book a special time in the evening after writing your reports? Do you stack your homework in bulk and have a marathon weekend to study? The answers to these questions should come from a deep understanding of your learning style, adopt an autonomous attitude.
