Scott is a strategic consultant in the customer care industry and an avid amateur photographer. He is currently studying at Walden University to earn his DBA in the area of leadership. Scott LOVES fan mail. You can e-mail him any questions about distance learning at sdavis@wheelcipher.net.
I did read your blog and the experiences you wrote about regarding Kaplan University. I wanted to share with you that I am just starting out with my education in IT (Web Development). However, I wanted to ask you how your overall experience with Kaplan was. Was it worth it? How the rest of the world and employers receive you with a Kaplan degree. Did they think it was OK or were they impressed with it?
I’m actually an international student so I won’t have a lot of contact with US companies, but I would like to know how they react to it.
My employer at the time was absolutely supportive of it. But how companies look at online degrees will vary. Since they are becoming more accepted every day, I would think one would be hard pressed to run into a problem. It also depends on what kind of job you are looking for. It is probably safe to say that someone with an online degree probably will not be an investment banker on Wall Street. But there are always exceptions to the rule.
I think the more popular online education becomes, employers will be more understanding. Those that scoff at the online programs from accredited institutions are simply ignorant in the arena of distance learning. Perhaps it is up to us (the students) to educate those who don’t understand. I consider all online learners to be pioneers in this field. We have a responsibility to teach as much as we learn.
One thing that is happening right now that is solidifying the validity of distance education is that many major universities that have been traditionally on-campus only are adopting online programs. This is going a long way to help the cause.
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About WheelCipher
Scott is a strategic consultant in the customer care industry and an avid amateur photographer.
You can see his work at http://gallery.scottdavis.info
He has experience in the high-technology industry in management, engineering, and support positions with Time Warner Cable, Dell Computer Corporation, UUNET Technologies, Wayport and others.
Scott started his degree program in 2003, and had no prior college credit before jumping into the distance learning environment. He graduated in October 2007 having attained an A.A.S. in Information Technology and a B.S. in Management from Kaplan University.
In 2009, he graduated with his MBA from Norwich University and is now a student at Gonzaga University.
Scott LOVES fan mail. You can e-mail him any questions about distance learning at sdavis@wheelcipher.net