For many people, the time required to sit in a classroom for traditional college courses is non existent. Even though we may find the need to take a course in order to further our education, our jobs, family and personal life take up the majority of our time, and actually attending a course in a school setting is not a viable option. In situations such as this, what is a person to do?

IN shaky economic times, going back to school needs to be treated like any other investment: you need to weigh the potential returns while closely managing the costs.

So before you enroll in a program, you should ask the same sorts of questions that a portfolio manager might ask when analyzing conventional investments, like stocks: Am I buying a reputable credential? What is demand like in the field I’m interested in? What is the earnings potential? What are the long-term prospects? And how can I minimize my expenses?

With a national unemployment rate of 9.5%, there are a lot of people on the hunt for new jobs. Many employers have finally started hiring again after the economic downturn, but those who have been out of the job search game for a while are finding themselves unqualified, or in need of further education. Between job searching and family commitments, it can be difficult for many unemployed people to find the time and money to go back to school. Online education is a great option for people in this position.

In today’s competitive working environment a four-year bachelor’s degree is not always enough to make it to the top. Most employers want to see their employees keep up with changing technologies, track industry updates and learn new ways increase efficiency in the workplace.