If you’re home caring for young children, chained to your office desk, or live in the boondocks far away from the nearest university, going back to school is probably the dustiest item on your massive to-do list. It’s been long buried by the piles of family obligations, 60-hour work weeks, and time and space limitations that manifest themselves. Let’s face it — life sometimes gets in the way of your educational goals. But achieving those goals can improve your quality of life and income potential. A vicious Catch 22…

Thanks to technology, though, you can be in two places at once. Really! The proof lies with the millions of online learning graduates out there who’ve attended classes between diaper changes or conference calls. Today’s students are quite lucky to have this quality learning platform that basically didn’t exist even 10 years ago. Yes, my friends, online learning has come a long way — better quality, way more acceptance in the workplace and in academia, and many more reputable colleges and universities offering a wide variety of programs than ever before. In fact, it’s estimated that two-thirds of higher education institutions offered distance education courses in 2006-2007, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Before you take the plunge into cyber learning…

>> Be sure you make time to research the programs you’re considering. Your first step should be to verify that the school of choice is accredited (you wouldn’t want to invest in a “fake” degree).

>> Think about your individual learning style, and whether or not it will be conducive to the way the program of study is designed. Remember, you’ll have to motivate yourself to log on and get your assignments done — there will be no micromanaging teacher over your shoulder. But really, when you think about it, adults are already used to this type of individual accountability since it’s not much different than how you’re expected to perform at work.

>> Consider the financial perks. There aren’t any commuting or child care costs to tack on since your home (or wherever you are) is your classroom. And in most cases, expensive textbooks aren’t needed since everything is usually done online via message boards, email, and even real-time class sessions. By the way — the vast majority of accredited online programs offer the same type of financial aid opportunities as traditional classroom programs do.

>> If you’re computer savvy enough to read this blog, you’re tech-ready for online learning. Advanced computing skills are not required. However, be prepared to brush up your writing and communication skills, as that will be the primary way for you to interact with your classmates and professors.

What do you think? If going back to school is something you’ve been wanted to move up on your to-do list, online learning is definitely worth some thought.

Join us to discuss moms back at school on Twitter.com, March 3rd, from 9 p.m. -11 p.m. EST. RSVP at Mom It Forward, and use the hashtag #GNO in your Tweets. OR, see Moms Back at School right now for specific resources just for you.

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If you’ve taken online courses, we’d love to hear about your experiences — comment away! Or, if you have any specific questions, send them along, and I’ll address it in a follow-up post.

Just a quick heads up not to miss the latest Carnival of College Admissions, hosted by Eric at DreamStrategy (a very cool financial aid resource, by the way).

Don’t miss the contributions from U.Got It? and yours truly, and share some comment love.

Enjoy!

I’m taking a break from reading my friends’ “25 random things” lists on Facebook to post an education version of the 25-things phenomenon. Enjoy!

1. In career school, you can complete your education quickly and get a job even quicker.
2. Career school classes are small, offering plenty of individual attention.
3. Most career schools require a high school diploma or GED for entry.
4. Some career schools require high school transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and an entrance exam score for entry.
5. Career school diploma or degree programs typically last about two years.
6. Less time spent in school means less money spent overall on tuition and student loans, and fewer lost salary opportunities.
7. Median annual earnings for associate degree holders were $37,990 in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
8. Career education provides relevant, job-specific training and certification.
9. Career education instructors are industry experts who have made their living in the field.
10. Career education provides preparation for a career in culinary arts, legal assisting, computer support, and more.
11. At career school, you can take customized courses instead of the usual general education requirements.
12. Career education revolves around honing skills you can use immediately after graduation.
13. Career education provides measurable goals and certain outcomes.
14. Career education offers another opportunity to get on equal academic footing with your peers as you compete for jobs.
15. Average published tuition and fees at public two-year colleges were $2,402 in 2008-2009, according to the College Board.
16. Accredited career schools may be eligible to offer federal and state financial aid.
17. You can go to career school less than half time and still be eligible for financial aid.
18. Between 2003-2004 and 2008-2009, average net tuition and fees (published price minus grant aid and tax benefits) declined for public two-year colleges, reports the College Board.
19. Credits earned through a career school diploma or certificate can often be applied to an associate or bachelor’s degree program.
20. Most career schools consult with local business leaders to tailor their curriculum to industry needs.
21. Career placement rates at reputable career schools are typically high.
22. Career education can save you from getting stuck behind a desk all day.
23. Career education offers entry into some of the fastest-growing careers in the country, such as health care and technology.
24. Career education can help you figure out what you want to do with your life.
25. Pursuing career-focused education is a great way to launch a new career.

-Robyn Tellefsen

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve taken the liberty of changing the 1985 Whitney Houston teenybopper song “How Will I Know” to “How Will I Know If I’ve Found Career Love?” Let us count the ways:

You don’t dread getting up in the morning.
There’s nothing worse than experiencing overwhelming anxiety before your feet even hit the floor. Those who are eager to start their day, already mentally mapping out their next project, may have found the career love they’ve been longing for.

You like to stay late sometimes.
Most workers have to stay late at some point. But if you’re doing it because there are so many more things you want to accomplish and there aren’t enough hours in a day to satisfy you, you’ve definitely got it bad for your career.

You don’t surf job sites at work.
Anyone who’s routinely posting their resume and bookmarking job openings online has probably not yet found the love of their career life. If it’s been years since you last updated your resume or even thought about pounding the virtual pavement, however, there’s a good chance that career love is in the air.

You don’t give out a “fake job” to friends and acquaintances.
Some people are so ashamed of their job that they dread the standard “What do you do?” introductory question. If you tell the truth about your work and even welcome the opportunity to discuss it in detail, that’s a good sign of career love.

You garner accolades for your work.
People who enjoy what they do are usually doing it better than those who hate it. When you’re consistently getting “attaboy/girl” e-mails or other forms of recognition, it signals that you put your heart into your work. Your career love shows.

You keep at it even when you don’t receive praise.
On the other hand, your stellar contributions may not always be acknowledged. When you continue to do an amazing job regardless of the recognition you may or may not receive, that’s how you know it’s love.

You’re not emotionally drained at the end of the day.
There’s a difference between being physically exhausted and being emotionally drained. If you love your job, you generally don’t come home with nothing left to give. Your work may make you physically tired, but it also tops off your tank of mental and emotional fulfillment.

You’re happy.
Of course, no matter how wonderful it may be, your career isn’t going to fulfill all of your needs. But those who spend a good chunk of their lives at work and are still feeling good can smile and sing (a la FireHouse in 1991) “I’ve Finally Found the Career Love of a Lifetime.”

-Robyn Tellefsen

Have you found your career love?

College-bounders, current college students, and recent grads, listen up, because I’ve got a great secret to share. The 10th edition of the Carnival of College Admissions is live, and packed with posts from the top experts in the higher education blogosphere that’ll get you ready for the college ride and beyond. Thanks to Mark Montgomery for hosting!

• Need financial aid and FAFSA tips? It’s there, courtesy of Amanda at U. Got It?
• Want to know what NOT to do on your college applications? MyUSearch’s blog clues you in.
• Perfect for Valentine’s day… get some college dating tips from Unigo!
• Don’t forget to see which CollegeSurfing post made the cut.

Enjoy, and don’t forget to leave some comment love at the Carnival!

I just got back from a cruise and it was fabulous. The crew really is a great group and is very enthusiastic about their jobs. I realized, though, that there are so many possibilities when cruising around for potential jobs. It’s probably not the first thing you think of, but it’s really a cool idea. (And I probably decided to write about this because I miss being in the Caribbean!) In any case, I did encounter a wide variety of careers on this cruise. Let me enlighten you on a few:

- First of all, our cruise director was so great. His high energy and friendly disposition made us all feel very welcome on our home-away-from-home for the week. He greeted us daily with the latest information for happenings aboard and ashore.

- The right captain makes all the difference. I’m actually not sure how skilled ours was as we felt very rocky on the ship, especially the last night (we were rocking so much it woke me up!). However, a captain must know how to maneuver a ship of gargantuan proportions and be able to manage poor weather conditions or any sort of changes in the tides.

- Entertainers are a huge part of a cruise ship. There needs to be something for everyone to do on the ship and these are those that keep the energy level high and keep everyone coming back each night for more. On my ship I experienced the comedy routine of David Naster, the circus-like juggling acts of Sharkbait, and the great improvisation skills of The Second City. There were also bands and song-and-dance routines so the possibilities in entertainment are pretty endless.

- The casino and gaming staff on the cruise ship function like any other casino (except they are floating on water, of course!). They know the rules of the casino games backwards and forwards and are very vigilant of all things happening around them.

- There are a variety of restaurants, bars, and other food service areas aboard a cruise. So chefs, bakers, butchers, bartenders, waiters, and more find ample jobs on cruise ships.

And then there are those that I didn’t even come into contact with, yet we cannot forget about them. These are the behind-the-scenes people, like stagehands, directors, assistants, and even marine oilers — people below deck who make sure the boat is moving smoothly. It is a very large vessel, after all.

There are lots of other jobs to be had on a cruise ship. There are so many different possibilities. But I will leave you with one quick story. I spoke with a musician from one of the shows onboard. He had just begun his journey and was loving it so far. He has a wife of 30+ years at home in Canada, as well as a few children and grandchildren (even one on the way!). The gig is a five-month contracted deal and during that time he rehearses, plays shows, and gets to take advantage of the variety of routes the ship takes (it switches from the Caribbean to Alaska at some point). Although he misses his wife and family, he thinks working on a cruise is a great opportunity and a way to do something for himself. It’s not easy, he explained to me, but it was something he was working hard at in order to succeed.

-Amanda Fornecker

Corporate America is in a tailspin, and if you’re one of the unfortunate who is paying the price by losing your job, you’re certainly not alone. The unemployment rate is now at 7.2 percent –- the highest rate since January 1993, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yikes! What now? Just because you’re laid off doesn’t mean things are totally hopeless. If you act quickly and keenly — employing these 7 steps for starters — you may be back to work before you know it.

1.    Mourn your loss.
As anxious as you may be about all that lies ahead, stop and take a breath. Losing your job can feel like losing a friend, family member, or lover. You have the right to be hurt, sad, angry, and everything in between. Don’t deny the place your job had in your life. Acknowledge it, and then move on.

2.    Get your social network on.
If you haven’t had time to investigate the online social networking scene, now is your chance. Hit up LinkedIn, Twitter (follow us: @collegesurfing), and Facebook, and let the world know you’re back on the market. Start a professional blog. You’d be amazed how fast opportunities open up via cyber connections.

3.    Hit the gym.
If ever there was a time you needed the endorphin rush that comes with exercise, that time is now. Laying on the couch can make you paunchy, pessimistic, and pokey -– none of which will motivate you to make critical career moves.

4.    Take a class.
Use unemployment to your advantage by taking a class to update your skills. You might want to pursue a computer certification, or even a communications course. Then, when you’re ready to dive back into the workforce, you’ll be even better qualified than when you left.

5.    Volunteer.
Volunteering is a fantastic way to fill your newfound free time. It can take your mind off your own concerns for a while and focus your attention on the people around you. Plus, volunteering may also provide an inroad to a new job — remember, it’s all about networking and making new connections.

6.    Change careers.
Why not try your hand at something that’s always interested you? Sign up for a class or two in a new field and find out if you have what it takes to make a go of a new career. To increase your odds of finding a job fast, consider getting into a high-growth industry like IT or health care.

7.    Work for yourself.
I have a super-talented friend who used her layoff from a graphic design job as motivation to start her own event design business. It wasn’t an easy transition to make, but she has been steadily building her brand and her client base. The result? She’s able to do what she loves on her own terms.

As for all my hard working readers who are plugging away everyday, remember no job is layoff proof. Now is a good time to start socking away some emergency fund money just in case, get back in touch with your networks, update your resume, and work extra hard on the job.

As hard as it may be to see when you’re going through it, a layoff could often be an opportunity in disguise.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Readers, any other layoff surivor tips to share? Shout ‘em out in the comments section!