Becoming an online student is one of the best things you can do to progress your career further. Nowadays, you can take a degree from home, needing only your laptop and a secure and reliable broadband connection. It doesn’t go without challenges, though! Virtual lectures, reading materials, discussions, and assignments happen online, which means that it pays off to invest in your Internet connection! You don’t want to miss valuable information because of broadband interruptions!
Additionally, you also need to keep a strict studying schedule, especially if you are working full-time at the same time. Time management is crucial to your success. It’s about juggling your many responsibilities effectively so that your studies don’t affect your family life or your job. Needless to say, this will require plenty of organization, to make room in your day and your home for your studies. However, the payoff is worth the effort! With a new diploma, you can make your professional profile more appealing to employers.
But, you don’t need to wait until the end of your online studies to create a visible and memorable profile. That’s precisely what building a network is about! And if there’s one thing that online students know, it’s that the Internet is a fantastic place to start networking.
Find role models online
Most professionals turn to LinkedIn to network. On LinkedIn, you primarily connect with people you already know, such as your co-workers, clients, or other students in the same class. In other words, you can build a network, it doesn’t increase your visibility. You can, however, start following your contacts on social media. Twitter is a fantastic place to find an inspiring role model. If you are brushing off your banking and financial knowledge, for instance, you may want to follow banking executive Chip Packard. Are you taking a marketing degree? Then you want to receive all the latest news from Neil Patel. In short, your role model is online, and reaching out to them allows you to find out more about their followers and grow your network proactively.
Stick with your alumni group
As mentioned, you can leverage your existing contacts to create a valuable network. Your digital alumni, for instance, are likely to be a source of help in more than one way. Indeed, most online students already have their eyes on a career path or even a job when they enroll in a program. Therefore, it can be helpful to listen to their perspectives and inspirations. You can create a safe online community with digital classmates, reaching out to them on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. It’s a great way of keeping in touch and hearing all their news. As they build their pre- and post-degree career, they can come across opportunities or contacts that would be valuable to you.
Branch out your content
Last but not least, there’s a lot to be said about creating an online portfolio, even as a student. The portfolio can allow you to showcase projects you’ve worked on, explain how your existing skills can be transferable, and illustrate your new knowledge. You can create a website on platforms such as WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace and start promoting content on social media. Tag your virtual classmates for enhanced visibility!
Who said students couldn’t create a huge network of opportunities from the comfort of their homes? Being an online student gives you access to a vast networking field: The Internet. Make the most of it to boost your profile and land your next dream job!
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