It’s undeniable – people are busy. We’re guilty of it too! From commuting and dropping the kids off at soccer to keeping the house clean and the fridge stocked, there isn’t time for much else, let alone school. 

But there is a silver lining: online learning. If you want to pursue a post-secondary education as efficiently as possible, flexible online learning could be the answer for you.

There are many benefits of online courses but the main one is having the flexibility to build your own schedule and study when it makes the most sense for you. This means you can boost your skillset without leaving your current job and if you have kids, you can study when they’re down for a nap. Online classes give you the flexibility to live your life while you study (and it really isn’t a new concept). Over the years, more post-secondary institutions have introduced online classes to accommodate their students with busy lives and Robertson is no different. 

Read on to learn about flexible online courses and how they can help you boost your resume and career! 

What are online courses like? 

Thriving at new work requires new ways of learning and thinking. With our workforce shifting to a digital landscape, students need the proper training to succeed in any environment, whether it’s remote or a traditional office. 

The need for agility, adaptability and flexibility have become increasingly more important in our constantly changing workforce. We know this, which is why we offer flexible online courses that hold you accountable to your success while giving you the freedom to live your life while you study. 

Our online diploma programs are a great place to start your career journey. But what can you expect? 

• Flexibility – a lot of it. With Robertson Online, you drive your work and schedule. Since there are no set class times, you have the flexibility to choose when (and where) you study. 

• 24/7 course material access. All your course materials are hosted on Brightspace, our online learning hub. You’ll be able to access your materials and submit assignments on any device, plus you can email or instant message your instructors and book virtual office hours.

• Support. Not only will you have support from your instructors but you’ll have your peers to lean on too! Through Brightspace, you can chat with other students in online discussion boards and study groups.

• Shorter time in the classroom. You can complete many of our diploma programs in one year or less, which means you can hit the ground running in your career faster than other college students. Our condensed courses may mean a bit more elbow grease up front but you’ll get into your field much sooner. 

• Industry practicum. Even though your course is online, you’ll still get a chance to gain hands-on work experience with an employer in your chosen field. 
• Success. 88% of our graduates are employed post-graduation and that’s because our programs give you hands-on skills so you can start working in your industry immediately. Our programs are up-to-date with industry trends so you are truly prepared to hit the ground running once you graduate. 

While online programs are structured a bit differently, one thing is the same: they’re just as much work as an on-campus course. Whether you study online or in-person with Robertson, you’re still getting the same quality education and experience so you leave prepared to find meaningful work. 

How an online course will help you boost your career

Online courses are a great option if you want to boost your skillset in your current role, or gain new skills to help you transition into a new role. Here are some ways an online course will help you boost your career.

• You’ll gain the skills you need. This is probably the most basic answer but it’s true! Your online course will give you the skills you need to be successful in your role.

• You’re able to manage your time. Online courses have very little structure in order to give students flexibility. If you’re able to successfully manage your study time, assignments and other course work, you’ll be set up to do the same at your job. 

• You’ll be able to learn new technology platforms. Chances are, you may have never used Brightspace before. As a student, you’ll need to learn how to navigate a new online platform – a skill you can most certainly bring to your current or new role.

• You may discover you want to pursue a different path. While we hope this doesn’t happen, there may be an off chance you realize you don’t love the career path you’re pursuing. Having this realization would give you the chance to try a different online course and find a career you’re truly passionate about (and give you much more happiness long-term). 

Registering for online courses

At Robertson, we offer a few different affordable online course options with certifications that are accepted in Canada. Let’s get into them.

Micro-Courses: Micro-courses are a great option to help you build your skills and gain the essential knowledge needed to jumpstart your career. They’re shorter courses you can complete at your own pace and once you’re done, you can add an E-Course Certificate to your resume. We offer free and paid micro-courses.

Online Diploma Programs: You can find online diploma programs in our School of Business, School of Technology, School of Health and School of Community Services. 

Virtual Classroom: Students who enroll in “on-campus” classes are currently learning in our Virtual Classroom with a similar format to our online diploma programs. The main difference is students in some on-campus programs will do part of their learning remotely plus have some lab classes in person. 

Regardless of if you’re an online or on-campus student, you have access to our Workforce Team and Lifelong Career Services. This means if you want a hand with resume building or interview prep, networking or finding career workshops, our team will be here to lend a hand. 

If you’ve been unsure about online learning and if it’s for you, we hope you can see how versatile and flexible it is. Contact our Student Admissions Advisors if you’re ready to get started. We hope to see you at Robertson!