How a distance PGDM course can make a BIG difference

In today’s competitive world, a management degree is very crucial for those ambitious enough to dream about moving on to managerial positions sooner in life! Along with all the aptitude and hard work, credentials matter too. Well, for those already pursuing careers in various fields, an MBA degree could mean a perfect launch pad for success. Whether you are a student or a professional, adding value to your resume is the right way to grow and succeed in your professional life.

A degree adds credibility to your knowledge. It places you far ahead of the competition when it comes to selection of the right candidates for a particular job or open position in office. Well, the only challenge here is the decision whether to pursue a full time course or a distance learning PGDM course.

There is a big difference between the two. Full time courses are more conventional and provide management students with enriching ‘real-life’ experiences with projects, classroom training and group activities. This sets the general notion that distance learning is not at par. Well, in today’s technology driven world, the differences have reduced and a lot of distance education courses are perceived as close to conventional ones.

Benefits for working professionals
Working professionals dream for growth and opportunities. They have ambitions of some day being the ‘boss’. And many a times, after you put in some years of good work in an organization, you are automatically pushed a level up until you become a manager. In any of these three situations, it’s almost imperative that you have the right credentials to support the role you undertake. The technical knowhow of the job is an essential criterion, but a degree in management will automatically put you at the forefront of the competition and increase your chances to be selected for the next promotion. Well, with the busy job schedules, it only makes sense that you take on a distance learning course which you can access from anywhere and at any time. You also don’t need to worry about sparing extra time to attend classroom training. Working professionals can apply their newly acquired skills in the real-world scenarios and enrich their learning experiences too. For working professionals distance learning courses are a boon in disguise.

Benefits for students
For those far-sighted and ambitious students, a distance learning course could be an additional feather in the cap. With distance learning , they can choose any university that offers a management course without having to move homes just to get into the most prestigious colleges (especially in other cities). Equipped with management degrees, these students have a better chance of a bright future. Well, many-a-times just one extra degree on your resume places you way ahead of a thousand other applicants for the same position.

Many-a-times these distance PGDM courses are more affordable than regular full time MBA courses and are still no less in the quality of course content too!

Distance education – challenges and opportunities

Conventional classroom training is always the first choice among the students. This is mainly due to the popular notion that distance learning is only for those who do not have access to conventional learning due to personal restrictions. However, times have changed and technology has evolved – and distance learning has become more of an additional means of education rather than an ‘alternative’ to the convention.

In fact, learning can be enriched with the use of technology and distance learning is today more focused on imparting lesson by making appropriate use of technology such as virtual classrooms, remote sessions, webinars and lots more. Video conferencing and other such technologies make it more convenient for students to get in touch with tutors or vice versa to ensure that there is constant communication between the students and the professors.

Taking up distance learning courses not only adds value to your knowledge, but also adds – additional credentials to your list of achievements. It opens up new opportunities in education.

Despite all these positives, this type of learning is not free of challenges yet. Let’s take a close look at all the challenges and opportunities that distance education brings:
Challenges
Real time interaction and feedback
The very first challenge that needs to be overcome is the ‘real time’ interaction and feedback that students and teachers get in a traditional classroom training session is missing. The question and answer sessions are not interactive and engaging and hence there are a number of delays introduced in the system.

Self learning
Although the course material is designed by experts and quality course content is guaranteed, distance learning course material often focuses on self learning. It’s true that there are designated professors assigned to help clear doubts if any, but most of the time, learning completely depends on how well you can grasp the subject matter. It’s more about read it yourself kind of learning.

Use of technology
The use of technology enables students to log in to a video session of the lesson, but there are a number of restrictions to this kind of learning. The speed of the internet, the connectivity and mainly time restrictions are introduced in this kind of a system.

Opportunities
The future potential and the opportunities supersede the challenges that are discussed above. Distance learning will surely but steadily move into the realm of online learning in the future. Internet connectivity and flexibility in terms of time and location will be the main enablers for online learning. Students graduating from distance learning courses will also gain equal opportunities as those with conventional, and the degrees offered will be considered equivalent to those of traditional trainings.

Slowly, yet steadily, the gap between conventional education and distance learning is being bridged – technology being the strongest enabler. With distance learning, the whole world will be an open stage where students from any geographical location can take up a course or degree from any other part of the world at any time!

Distance education opens up a world of opportunities for the ambitious

In order to meet the ever increasing demand of higher qualifications, there are number of universities and colleges have emerged in India who provides distance education. This helps aspiring candidates to obtain a degree that will help them secure better positions in their respective jobs. Many times, people are unable to pursue higher education due to certain other restrictions that life holds for them but still have a burning ambition to recreate their academic excellence in a later stage of life. Distance education is a boon to these ambitious students.

Furthermore, some students wish to pursue their higher education from universities that are located in different geographic locations. Distance education courses can greatly help them pick the college and the course they wish to graduate in. This system embraces everyone, irrespective of distance.

The curriculum of distance education is planned in such a way that it is easy to learn, presuming that there may be some candidates who consider continuing education after a prolonged break.
With the introduction of technology in distance education the world has come closer and this enables students from any part of the world to gain knowledge and obtain degrees from any other institute in the world. The geographical boundaries have essentially been blurred and more and more opportunities have opened up for those who dare to dream!

Universities ensure that distance education is a ‘quality’ option for those who opt for it:
• Formal education is highly localized; but distance education makes full use of technology to incorporate new styles of education such as ‘online classrooms’ or online counselling sessions where teachers or professors can talk to students over the internet and address their doubts or queries.
• Students living in geographically isolated areas are presented with a golden opportunity to pursue their educational goals without having to attend college every day. It greatly helps them secure degrees and remain competent in the job market.
• For those who wish to continue higher studies without having to leave their jobs, this is a perfect opportunity. Earning while learning is one of the most attractive advantages of distance learning.
• Distance learning usually does not have any age restrictions. People of all ages can apply and gain degrees.
• Financial and family responsibilities need not hamper the right to quality education any more. You can do both at the same time!
• Improved qualifications also increase the chances of promotions in a job. For example, if you are an engineer, you can pursue a post graduate course in business management that might just qualify you for the next promotion!
• Flexible schedules and the ability to study and relax or take a break as and when you wish is another important factor why distance education is getting more popular by the day.

Distance education brings a world of opportunities to those who aspire higher qualifications but are restricted by location, time or any other circumstances. It’s your gateway to progress!