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As a hiring team lead I'd take the fact you pursued a Masters as a good
sign, regardless of where/how it was achieved. It certainly wouldn't be a
minus sign on your application. I doubt that an 'online' Masters requires
less work or effort than an 'offline' Masters?
As a Tech Author, I'm considering doing a distance learning MA myself,
primarily because there are few in the UK, and none in Scotland (that I know
of), so my options are limited. I'm primarily doing it out of interest and
because it'll be nice to have a qualification in the profession I ended up
in. Yes it will add to my CV but NOT having one hasn't hindered me.
HTH
Gordon
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From: techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+gordon -dot- mclean=grahamtechnology -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- c
om] On Behalf Of Kapoor, Shelly
Sent: 07 June 2007 16:27
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: online programs - your view
Hi:
I've been considering doing my Masters (in e-learning) at one of the online
universities for a while now. Quite obviously, I had some reservations
about the efficacy of the online program. I spoke at length with the
guidance counselor at one of these universities - she described some of the
ways in which they try to simulate the classroom experience. For example,
I'd thought that an online Masters was all about just sitting at my desk and
looking at some material on my computer late in the night - after I had put
my son to sleep. To my surprise, she explained that one of the things they
do is that the professors often pose discussion questions to the class -
each member of the class has to then post a reply for the rest of the class
to see, by a certain deadline - other students logged on to the same class
can then respond. This kind of an interaction ensures that you participate
in classroom discussions. Seems like a good idea. Some of the other stuff
that she mentioned also reassured me that the 17,000/18,000, that I would
eventually spend on doing a Masters at one of these universities would be
well worth the time and the money.
Having crossed that mental hurdle, I now have another one to overcome.
With this one, I'd like your help. How is an online Masters program
perceived by prospective employers? Would you ever consider doing an online
Masters program in one of the technical communication or related fields?
Why/Why not?
Comments, thoughts and sharing of experiences are much appreciated, Thanks
for your time,
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