Longer careers and empowering online education opportunities are convincing many people to look at study in a new light.
In days past, we typically embraced a cycle of going to school, completing a vocational or university course, getting a job – and then putting the books away for the rest of our lives. No more!
Learning new skills is crucial in a world of constant workplace changes and technology innovations. Here are some very good motivations for giving adult learning a go.
1. You can turbo-charge your career at any age
You may already have a job, but adult learning courses can put your career into a new stratosphere. Acquiring new skills sets you up for a possible internal promotion, or could open the way for opportunities that may not have been available in the past – not to mention boosting your earning potential.
2. Maintaining mental health is crucial as you age
Learning stimulates your brain and contributes to better mental health, with many studies revealing that adult learning can help ward off mild depression or anxiety. Regardless, staying mentally sharp helps you to stay on top of your game in life and work while enhancing your ability to cope with new challenges.
3. Social media (and other skills) can be learnt at any age
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter – they weren’t around 15 years ago, but these social media tools and many others are becoming more and more essential in a range of job roles. Stay up to date through online learning and use tech skills in a professional context so that you can increase your value to employers.
4. Technology tools make learning a breeze
With never-ending work and family commitments, many people simply do not have time to go to a college or university campus to study. Thanks to the internet and empowering online courses and tools, modern learning is far more accessible and flexible. Courses and study material are available at the click of a mouse, and online tutors are just an email away.
5. Your time-management skills have never been better
It is a fair bet that your ability to manage time and juggle responsibilities is far better than when you were younger. That gives you a real advantage in the online education space, where you manage your study time while fitting any courses around your life.
6. Now is the perfect time for a confidence boost
Perhaps you weren’t the best student at high school or university and lacked some confidence in your adult life as a consequence. Online education choices give you a second chance at fulfilling your study aspirations – while also giving you a career boost and greater self-esteem.
Make your new learning experience as relevant and useful as possible to your career and life – and give online education a go.
For details on the great range of courses available at Australian Online Courses, please view our Course Catalogue
If you are resuming your career after a considerable break, map out a clear strategy which gives you the best chance of fulfilling your new career goals.
Trying to get back into the workplace – and adjusting to the change once you land that new job – can be a stressful time. Smart planning can make all the difference, though. Here are some ideas to help you succeed.
Before simply diving back into your old area of work, think about if that’s really what you want. Times and motivations change. This is the perfect chance to reinvent yourself.
Once you have determined your favoured career path, make sure your skills align with your ambitions. If your skill-sets need updating, sign up for some practical certificate courses that can quickly get you up to speed. From using new software programs and brushing up on your Excel skills to creating budgets, there is no end to your choices.
With such learning, online education courses have transformed the market. You no longer need a university degree to score a great job. Going online not only gives you great choices, but great flexibility too. You can study anywhere, anytime.
One of the hardest things about re-entering the workforce is a lack of self-belief. Practise your new career pitch on family and friends, target appropriate jobs and walk a fine line between having self-confidence without being arrogant.
As part of refreshing your skills and boosting your confidence, understand the importance of spending some time and money on yourself. Consider buying some new clothes for that job interview; signing up for an online course, or seeing a career coach. It will be money well spent.
A long break from the workplace can present gaps on your résumé that are a turnoff for some employers. Recognising those deficiencies and targeting them when selecting online courses can help overcome any issues. Create a CV that highlights your skills rather than your work chronology; that means listing your achievements and emphasising qualities such as ‘marketing experience’ and ‘sales successes’. The importance of getting this personal and professional pitch right is the reason why Australian Online Courses offers graduates a free appraisal of their CV to identify areas that could be improved and increase their chances of career success.
The jobs world is all about connections, and a break from the workforce can break the chains. Signing up for social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter is a great way to update your networks and sell your skills. Face-to-face networking is also crucial.
It may not be possible to walk straight into your dream job. Flexible or part-time work can act as a bridge to resuming a meaningful career while picking up valuable new skills that set you up for other opportunities in the months and years ahead.
As well as being mentally fit, it helps to be at your physical peak before embarking on a new career journey. Going back into a stressful work environment can be tough, so it pays to be in good physical health before you walk in the door.
Relaunching your career is not easy, but armed with perseverance, new skills and a great attitude, you can do it.
For details on the great range of courses available at Australian Online Courses, please view our course catalogue.
Planning, discipline and ensuring you have some fun along the way are among the keys to succeeding in study after a long break from the books.
You’re planning to enrol in an online education course to help fulfil your career and life goals … and now the panic has set in.
Perhaps it’s been years since you last studied and your priorities have changed because of your current job, family, social and financial circumstances. Here are some tips to help you score top marks.
Creating a plan and schedule that balances your life and study commitments is important when you start or resume study. It also helps you relieve stress because you know there is a way forward. Factor in essential work and social engagements and put them on your list, and then consider how study can fit around those elements. With study itself, designate a quiet space where you can get away from distractions and make sure technology requirements and course details are sorted out. Note any assessment guidelines and deadlines so there are no nasty surprises down the track.
Writing down some short and long-term goals is a great way to steel your mind – and remind yourself why you want to study. These benchmarks should keep you motivated. At the same time, cut yourself some slack and understand that it may take some time to readjust to the world of study. You don’t have to be the dux of the course in everything – be positive but realistic.
Although there is often flexibility with deadlines when studying online, it is important to allocate some time for study. Identify some days or times when your job/family/friends do not consume you and earmark them for learning. This will let you enjoy the learning process. Understand, too, that in the modern mobile world you can learn anytime and anywhere with laptops or tablets that allow you to research, write or complete course tasks while you are on the move.
Staying mentally fit is easier if you are physically fit. No doubt the pressures of work and family life can sometimes be overwhelming on top of study commitments, but it is essential to take some time out to stay healthy. A walk, some cycling, a swim, the gym – whatever activity you prefer, exercise will help refresh your mind and lead to better study results.
The best education providers deliver resources to help make life easier for their students. Chief among those are your tutors. They are available to respond to any questions about courses and assessments. Take advantage of their expertise.
When you finish a tough assignment, give yourself a treat. Whether it’s a night out with friends or family, or indulging at your favourite restaurant, giving yourself periodic rewards is an important way to maintain your motivation – and keep you on track for that next course!
Kick-start your studies – it’s the smart way to give your life and career a boost.
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, visit australianonlinecourses.com.au
A wide range of online education courses reflecting changes in the modern workplace can set up students for life with rewarding careers.
In days past, university courses such as medicine, law and economics were seen as the best tickets to career financial success.
While these jobs can still deliver a big pay day, the emergence of a vast array of online education courses and growing disciplines such as information technology and health care has opened up lucrative new fields for students. It’s all relative, too. A medical degree, for instance, will set you back hundreds of thousands of dollars and take many years of intensive study – if you can get in. Online courses, by comparison, cost a fraction compared with many popular university degrees, they take much less time and can deliver real bang for buck. Here are areas of study that can deliver a financially rewarding career.
Business management
Business administration and management subjects are among the most popular online courses – and with good reason. They can set up students with jobs in a wide range of disciplines. From operational planning and managing budgets to personal assistant and office manager roles, students learn the fundamentals of how business operates – a valuable skill in today’s competitive job market.
Accounting and finance skills also have the potential to put you on the pathway to career success. Online professional development courses in this space can quickly give students a strong grounding in accounting systems, bookkeeping and business finance– whether it is to land a first job or to progress further up the corporate ladder.
Marketing and sales
Behind every good business idea is a great marketing and sales team. Developing comprehensive strategies to take products to people who need them will always be an in-demand skill in a global business world.
Consider professional sales SEO, or search engine optimisation, which allows companies to maximise their branding and sales power using particular keywords or phrases in a search engine. People will such skills are in high demand in the corporate world.
Online courses are an ideal way to school yourself in how to create effective marketing strategies incorporating advertising and the use of statistics and research. From traditional marketing channels to multimedia channels, a great marketing person is worth their weight in gold.
Healthy returns
In a world where the population is ageing, elderly people want to maintain active lifestyles. The healthcare sector is providing an increasing range of opportunities for rewarding careers. For example, there is a call for healthcare administrators who understand business and medical practices as they juggle everything from paperwork to personalities. This field is only going to grow.
And why not try …
A range of other careers are on the rise in an era when technology and business services are in high demand. Without question, IT has transformed the jobs market around the world and online education is a great forum to acquire skills in this field because of the focus on digital communication and computer software. There are also roles available in offices around the nation for those with advanced Excel skills, which can be acquired through online education.
Other specialist fields offer the prospect of great jobs, too. For example, courses for medical receptionists are responding to increasing personnel needs in the fast-growing healthcare sector. Elsewhere, a shortage of people with skills in procurement training – a particular need in the government sector – means graduates are well placed to gain well-paid employment. Pick up these skills, and other key skills available through the online education world, and your CV will resonate.
So consider what course can truly make your dreams come true – career-wise and financially – and sign up today!
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, click here to view our course catalogue
Getting your dream job can be tough, but online education is equipping graduates with the skills they need to stand out from the pack.
In a highly competitive job market, employers are demanding a lot from their employees.
A great CV, communications skills, computer and software knowledge, social media nous, you name it.
This is reflected in a recent Graduate Careers Australia survey identifying the key skills that Australian employers are seeking.
What topped the list? Communication skills came in first, followed by academic results and a capacity for teamwork, while the broader list included aptitude, interpersonal skills, leadership talent, plus work experience.
The list makes for daunting reading. However, the good news is that online education courses give a wide range of job-seekers the ability to quickly and affordably enhance their skills and take on new roles. The range of courses is comprehensive, covering the gamut from business management and information technology to arts, health and nutrition, engineering, human resources, cooking and a whole lot more. Students can also sign up for subjects that some traditional colleges do not cover, such as social media marketing and office administration, for example.
These real-world courses are highly relevant in the modern workforce and make a valuable addition to a CV, while they typically cost a fraction compared with related university degrees.
The upshot is that this online educational model is closing the skills gap and effectively meeting the demands of both employers and students. Online courses have a number of significant advantages over traditional approaches:
There is no excuse for not being job-ready.
AOC courses have been developed in consultation with industry representatives and are recognised by a range of employers, including government departments. This means our graduates have the sort of knowledge and skills that can be quickly and successfully applied in the workforce.
Choose your preferred area of study, enrol … and get started on the path to an exciting new career.
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, visit australianonlinecourses.com.au
Updating your skills through online courses is a smart way to increase your chances of scoring a great job when you want re-enter the workforce.
Summoning up the courage to apply for a new job can be daunting after a long break from the workforce. Many people have understandable concerns about whether their job skills are still up to speed, and even if they want to resume their old line of work.
Here are some tips to help ensure a smooth transition back into the workforce.
Review your skills and options
The longer you have been away from work, the more you need to assess if your interests have changed. This may be the time to consider a new career path, especially if you were unhappy with previous roles before you took a break.
Determining your job desires should logically lead to a review of your current skills – and a frank assessment as to how they shape up. If you realise that you have a skills gap or that your knowledge is out of date, you could consider doing some online courses to up-skill. An incredibly wide range of online courses are available, including in areas such as information technology and social media marketing, which have become popular in recent years.
Boost your confidence
One of the common barriers to re-entering the workforce is a lack of personal confidence. Being out of the day-to-day environment of the workplace can have an impact on your social skills, and make you question your potential worth in a prospective new job. This is where online courses can also play an important role.
Signing up for a new course and learning new skills can do wonders for your confidence and increase your chances of gaining a much-cherished job that you have seen advertised. For potential employers, too, the fact that you have invested in your career demonstrates that you have initiative and commitment – and that may be just the factor which gets you hired.
Maintain your flexibility
Modern life is a juggling act of work, family, friends and (hopefully) fun. As you prepare to return to employment and up-skill, take advantage of the flexibility of online courses. You can enrol online and study at your own pace, balancing other commitments in your life.
You can plan your study time around your life and work – and submit assignments when it suits you. Free extensions are available if you need more time, and course materials are accessible online.
Choose credible course providers
Before applying for online courses, prospective students should always consider the reputation of the various schools and programs. There is an ever-growing choice of providers, but it pays to do your homework.
Ensure all courses have been developed in consultation with industry professionals, which you get the training and skills that are truly valuable to potential employers. This can make a huge difference when applying for a new role. Reputable online education providers also ensure that you have around-the-clock access to tutors, so support services are always at hand.
Keep these factors in mind and there is every chance that you will land your dream job.
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, visit Australian Online Courses
Enrolling in an online course can give you the skills to pursue your personal and professional dreams.
The world of job training and education has changed remarkably in the past decade, but one thing hasn’t.
Employers demand professional, skilled people to fill a vast range of roles. Training is still the key to success – and that’s where relevant online courses come to the fore. We love helping people upgrade their skills and fulfil their career aspirations, and we know employers share our enthusiasm for the quality of our graduates. Here are five reasons why our online courses are meeting the needs of students (and employers) in the modern business world.
1. They’re really flexible …
Life is frenetic and many self-motivated individuals want to learn new skills and advance their careers without compromising their commitments to work, family … you name it. Online courses let you fast-track your knowledge (and career) from the comfort of your home, or wherever there is internet. Study at your own pace.
2. Job-ready skills
AOC courses have been developed in consultation with industry representatives and are recognised by a range of employers, including government departments. So you can get industry-relevant training that will help you quickly access the knowledge and skills you’ll need on the job.
3. Convenience … and help when you need it
Forget about battling traffic, finding a park or having to leave work early for classes – our online lectures and materials are sent electronically to you. Enrol online, get started immediately, complete the assignments and send them back when you are ready. You can plan your study time around your life and work. Course material is always accessible online and free extensions are available if you need more time. And, if you get stuck on part of the course or have a problem, tutors are available seven days a week to help out.
4. The choice is yours
With more than 900 courses covering everything from accounting, management and IT through to marketing, cooking, hospitality and tourism and more, you’ll always be able to find a course that matches your needs. We also offer subjects that some traditional colleges do not cover (such as psychology and social media marketing, for example).
5. Value for money
Campus-based university courses often cost tens of thousands of dollars, whereas you can sign up today for an online course for a fraction of the price.
6. It’s a life-changer
Graduates get a certificate of completion at the relevant level (Certificate, Advanced Certificate) when they finish an AOC course.
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, click here to view our course catalogue
Enrolling in an online course is the first step towards advancing your skills and career, but following some smart advice will improve your chances of success.
In a fast-paced world, we want to be able to access training when we want it. Online education is a great way for self-motivated learners to ramp up their skills while maintaining a flexible lifestyle. To succeed in online study, however, it still takes hard work and discipline. Here are some pointers to help you succeed.
Choose online educators carefully
Perhaps the biggest decision you will make is the choice on online educators. So do your homework. Make sure the courses have been developed to suit the requirements of relevant industries and employers. Check that the courses deliver what you need and will make you job-ready. Ensure the school’s technology platforms can deliver course materials on time, every time. Seek assurance that tutors will be available seven days a week to help you. And, in the event that you need more time to complete courses, confirm that free extensions are available.
Get up to speed with technology
A laptop and an internet connection are pretty much all you need to get started. However, ensuring your systems are compatible with those of the online provider (and having decent software and broadband capacity) makes for a smoother experience.
Honing some elementary technology skills will also help. Make sure you can send and receive emails with attachments; create folders and subfolders on your computer or a flash drive to help organise your coursework; save and open audio and video files; and download and install various applications.
Set realistic study goals
Different online courses have different workloads, so check how much time is required to properly tackle the course and be realistic about how it fits in with your other commitments. Don’t fool yourself about how many hours a week you can study if, for example, you are working full-time and have a family.
Engage with your friendly tutors
One of the great things with AOC courses is access to seven-day tutor support. Any confusion over course content or a particular subject matter can usually be sorted out with a quick message to your tutors. Don’t be afraid to use them – they are friendly, smart and here to help.
Develop good study habits
Even though online courses give students great flexibility, time management is still important. AOC doesn’t set due dates for assessments, but staying motivated and developing a routine for study will allow you to reach your educational goals faster. It helps to work out when your energy levels are at their highest (and distractions at their lowest) so you can schedule study when you are firing.
Avoid plagiarism
Stealing other people’s work for your assignments is not on. Referencing relevant authors and using proper citation methods is a must. Your tutors can offer guidance on appropriate practices.
Acknowledge your success
Online study requires plenty of discipline. So when you get great marks on your assignments and achieve your study goals, give yourself a reward. Perhaps it could be your favourite meal, or taking some extra time off (whatever appeals to you). This will help you maintain motivation … and graduate!
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, view our course catalogue at https://australianonlinecourses.com.au
