| Going back to school is basically an investment in | | | | want to become an accountant of the company for |
| terms of effort, time and money. You would obviously | | | | which you're currently working. It may not give you that |
| want to get the best returns for every investment you | | | | boost if the skills picked up are irrelevant to your |
| make and your undergraduate studies are no different, | | | | current job. |
| but how do you evaluate whether it'll pay off or not? | | | | Find out what kind of skill sets are required to improve |
| The costs depend on what program is undertaken. For | | | | your job standing. Sometimes, you can't predict the |
| undergraduate programs, the costs are between | | | | future though. You may be happy doing what you're |
| $5,000 and $10,000 a year. The cost would also | | | | doing now, but with enough exposure, your interest |
| depends on the mode of learning; full time student who | | | | can be elevated. |
| participates in classes during the day, part time student | | | | In order to evaluate the different types of courses, you |
| who goes for weekend and evening classes, | | | | should seek advice from the college in assessing |
| supervised learning which involves attending | | | | future career interest, objectives as well as potential. |
| workshops and independent learning which involves | | | | Moreover, you should evaluate past academic track |
| self study, with online and e-mail support. | | | | records too. |
| Don't jump into it just because your neighbor or your | | | | Since the value of an undergraduate degree is often |
| colleague is doing it. It's important to ask yourself why | | | | not in that piece of paper, but the quality in you, you |
| you're doing it. Is it worth your while? Will it add value to | | | | must check out the program, the course content and |
| your existing or future careers? | | | | the reputation of the university. Will the program enable |
| No other factors weigh more on one's decision except | | | | you to increase your skills or enhance your |
| the question of whether one's career prospects may | | | | self-esteem? These factors make you more confident |
| improve or change once one graduates with that | | | | and credible. |
| undergraduate degree. | | | | It's crucial to consider the value of the program and not |
| Many people end up frustrated that they haven't | | | | just the cost as better program usually comes with a |
| recovered their money. Thus, before pursuing on a | | | | value-price tag. It's also important to reflect on whether |
| bachelor degree course, be clear about why you're | | | | your bachelor degree will be recognized by your |
| doing it and what you're going to gain from it. Say, | | | | employers and whether it will give you the necessary |
| you're an account officer or an engineer assistant or a | | | | skills, knowledge and help you be more articulate. |
| production supervisor wanting to upgrade your | | | | You can look at the rankings done by independent |
| knowledge, certification would be the first step. You | | | | organization to identify the top ranked bachelor degree |
| can then get a bachelor degree to give yourself a | | | | courses where these surveys look into factors like |
| greater range of skills. | | | | starting salaries, the extent to which it enables a |
| Another important question you have to ask yourself is | | | | person to get a job and academic resources available |
| where you want to go in your career. A bachelor | | | | to the student. |
| degree in accounting would be more relevant if you | | | | |