Increasing redundancies inspire me to buy a very useful birthday present

Increasing redundancies inspire me to buy a very useful birthday present

For my Dad’s birthday, I offered to pay for him to do a Bachelors online degree through an online
nuniversity. I know that he has been increasingly worried by the recent redundancies that have
nbeen going on at his company. Anyone who has not been performing a vital role for the
nbusiness has been culled like a fluffy while Canadian seal pup and everyone is nervous. With
nhuge businesses all over the country going bust and more redundancies being announced on
nthe news each day it’s no surprise that people are getting nervous.
n
nI know that he would feel better if he were doing something that would improve his chances of
nbeing kept on in the company. Even if he were let go then he would have a better chance of
nfinding another job if he adds to his qualifications. Dad never went to university and he didn’t
nstay at school for his O levels. Although he is incredibly intelligent he has been a salesman all
nhis life, preferring to be out ‘in the thick of things’ as he puts it, rather than sitting behind books
nin a classroom.
n
nIt’s not overly expensive to do an online degree, especially when you compare it to the price that UK universities charge to attend. I can easily afford it and I feel that it would be a much better and more useful present than the cashmere socks that YOU magazine is urging me to buy. This is the year of thriftiness, not throwing twenty pound notes away on socks.
n
nI looked carefully into home learning the degrees that are available online. You have to be
ncareful that you go for a well-respected organisation and not just anyone trying to take your
nmoney. Watch out for any websites that don’t have a phone number that you can call in order
nto speak to someone in person. Also don’t pay any money upfront until you are 100% happy
nwith what you are paying for. Find out how many lectures and how much work you will be set,
nwhat qualifications you will gain and who the accrediting bodies are. Research the accrediting
nbodies independently to establish if they do have links to the organisation and make sure to
nenquire about their professional reputation.
n
nMany people can be wary about buying anything online. With the scandal of online bought
ndegrees it is understandable that individuals are reluctant to even look into the possibility of
nInternet related learning. It can also be off-putting for people with limited experience of
ncomputers who find out the majority of learning will be done over the Internet. Technology has
nimproved greatly in the last ten years and it doesn’t take long to pick up how to use a state of
nthe art laptop or computer. I know the computer that my dad has bought for the course was
ngreat value, now he has something to play solitaire, e-mail and look at his digital pictures on as
nwell as earning a degree. Even including the cost of the computer the course is still cheaper
nthan traditional on campus learning!
n

Posted Date: 2009-01-01 19:35:55