Choosing an Online Degree

Your educational options these days seem so endless, it can be overwhelming. Where to start? How do you know what type of degree you want? What will you be best at? What will help you to get a job the fastest? We can't answer all of these questions for you, but we can at least help you get started.

Make a list

All great ideas start with just scribbles, and making a list is a scribbling of what you love to do. Write down every job idea you've ever had, from the time you were a little kid and only wanted to grow up to be your second grade teacher, to eighth grade, when you were going to be an astronaut. Write down the classes you loved taking, what your favorite books are, who it is you idolize and what you'd like to invent. Don't put anything in any particular order-the point is to get it on paper. Now put it in a drawer. In a week, add to it. If you feel like it, discuss the list with a friend. Now try to put things in categories. What interests are connected, and what still interests you the most? You're going to be best at whatever you're fascinated by.

Talk to someone

Talk to a friend, or better yet, talk to a counselor. If you're having problems figuring out what you want to be doing, sometimes you just need someone to remind you that you're great at art, or writing, or talking to strangers. All of these skills can lead to a career-but sometimes you have to hear it from someone who knows it's true.

Talk to people in the programs you're interested in

It's like asking people leaving a restaurant how the food was.You're going to get your most honest reviews this way. Talk to people just starting in a college or a program, to learn how they adapted to it and how much help they got. Talk to people just about to graduate, and see what they feel their prospects are. See if they still love what they're doing.

Have faith in yourself

Your talents are yours, and they can take you a long way. If you're passionate about something and you know that it's right for you, stick with it and you'll be fine. You're the only person you need to make happy.

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