EduPlan Blog

Annoying Online Degree Reps

by Dr. Sandy Womack, Director, EduPlan

www.eduplan.org

I wrote in my last blog posting (Wednesday, March 25) about the great article from GetEducated.com (www.geteducated.com) called "7 Ways Onine College Admission Reps Pressure Students to Enroll".  Thefirst Trick they listed was "You tell me everything--I tell you Bubkus".  I was unsure of the word "bubkus", but I think it means "zilch".

I experienced the first "trick" yesterday while calling a for-profit online university.  As the educational counselor for employees at corporations, I do a lot of searching for schools and programs.  I was trying to find a Microsoft Certified Software Engineer (MCSE) program online from an accredited university. 

One school I searched had this certificate program online, so I tried to get some information.  First I had to put in my name, address, phone number, degrees, and birthdate before I could talk to someone.  I started with the undergrad rep who sent me to the graduate rep.  I kept tell these reps that MCSE was a certificate, not a Master's degree.  They didn't listen. 

I also tried telling them that I was just getting info for a client, and the program was not for me.  They didn't listen.  I could not get any information about the MCSE and found that none of the reps even knew what it was.  So, I hung up. 

Then the phone calls started.  I still had no information on the price of the program or when it was starting, but the reps wanted me to sign up anyway.  Could they be on commission?  I was just a warm tuition-paying body to them.

So, I finally told the last rep to quit calling and put me on the Do Not Call list.  I could see this happening if this university was a trade school or diploma mill, but this is a regionally accredited school. 

Remember that schools have to put you on the Do Not Call list, if you request it. 

Marketing Ploys by Online Colleges

by Sandy Womack, Ed.D., Director, Eduplan

www.eduplan.org

I recently wrote an article on EzineArticles called "Online Degrees:  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".  Almost all the articles I read talked about online degrees in such positive terms--more degree options, more school options, professors from all over the world, etc.  All those things are true about Online Degrees. 

But some schools push potential students into enrolling without providing all the information they need.  A few online schools demand all your personal information (include Social Security Number) before they tell you the cost of the degree or how long it will take to finish or what courses you will need.

GetEducated.com (www.geteducated.com) has written a great article called "7 Ways Online College Admission Reps Pressure Students to Enroll".  

http://www.geteducated.com/consumers-college-cost-cutting-guide/3-consumers-college-cost-cutting-guide/78-7-ways-college-admission-reps-pressure-students-to-enroll

Anyone thinking about pursuing an online degree should read these Marketing Ploys.   

  

To MBA or not...

by Sandy Womack, Ed.D.

www.eduplan.org

I am providing educational counseling for Kathy, a HR specialist from a Silicon Valley company.  We are looking at a Master's degree plan for her that would fit with her busy lifestyle.  Everyone in her group either has or is working on the MBA.  But spending 2 - 3 years on the MBA is not appealing to her.  She doesn't really like accounting and finance and doesn't think her math skills could gain her a decent score on the GMAT. 

There are business-related Master degree programs both locally and online that are not the MBA.  Kathy and I reviewed a MS Management degree as one option.  This degree is more "people skills" and less "accounting and finance" skills.  I also showed her the MS Human Resources Management, but the degree that interested her the most was the MS Organizational Management.  This degree offered some business classes, OD, leadership and HR classes.  She could take this degree online and not be required to take the GMAT.

Some of the newer degrees offered online or locally were not in existence 5 - 7 years ago.  But today, schools are combining specializations (HR, IT, Health Care, Engineering, etc.) with business courses, leadership skills and management classes.  Some of the titles of these degrees are:

*  MS Management                                                * MS Information Systems Management

*  MS Engineering Management                              * MS Health Care Management

*  Master of Applied Information Management         * MS Organization and Leadership

Most of these degrees do not require the GMAT or any admission test. 

Another option for business classes could be a Certificate in Business Administration or Business Management at your local community college or state university Extended Education.

Use Your Tuition Assistance Program

by Sandy Womack, Ed.D., Director of EduPlan

www.eduplan.org

I am always surprised that only 5 - 7% of employees take advantage of their tuition reimbursement at their company.  Companies may reimburse part or all of a degree, either undergraduate or graduate.  Some companies reimbursement 100% of the cost of a program. 

If you are not taking advantage of this great benefit, it is the same as leaving thousands of dollars on the table each year.  I know it takes time and commitment to start a degree plan, but thousands of working professionals start a degree every year. 

There are so many degree programs out there today, both locally and online, that offer ways to save time off your degree.  State and private schools may allow you to gain credit for life and work experience (also known as the Portfolio Process), test out of classes and use your military, licenses and certificates for college credits. 

Accelerated bachelor degree plans can shorten the length of a term and "degree completion" programs can turn a part-time program into a 18 month or 2 year commitment for you, with some previous college credits under your belt.

You can add this new degree to your resume, even if you haven't finished it.  Adding BS Business Administration (in process) or MS Information Technology Management (in process) or whatever degree you are seeking, can help in the job search. 

Remember, no one can ever take away your education.  So, pick a major, pick a school and let your company pay for it.  Both you and your company come out ahead.

Green Careers Book

Alice Rush, one of the wonderful career counselors who work with EduPlan, has written her second book with author Jim Cassio.  The book is Green Careers Book and is written for "people of all ages and background seeking work in career fields that will help protect nature and save the planet...".

Chapters include:

    *  Industry-by industry overview of green jobs

    *  Profiles of 90 different occupations in 12 different career groups

    *  Over 65 case studies and interviews of peple working in green jobs

    *  Career planning inforamtion and job search resources

You can gain more information about the book at Jim Cassio's website:  www.cassio.com

Jim also offers a free 60 page e-book publication that describes green jobs and careers.