Noncredit skill based preparatory courses provide a fast route to propel yourself into the job market or improve prospects at your current job.  In difficult times, it may be to your advantage to postpone getting a degree if you participate in job training.  So, increase your knowledge about specific subjects that help to advance your career. 

Long term it’s important to get a college degree. Short term it’s important to keep or get a job.  Use online education to help improve your skills and prepare for the next step in your career. Look at your community. Talk with local private and government employment agencies and find out what’s hot in your area.  Job prospects in health care, pharmacy technicians, high skills manufacturing, hospitality and computers are booming regionally and nationally.  Update yourself and learn about new industry requirements, new government regulations, lifestyle trends or new product releases.

Demonstrate a commitment to yourself! Proactively protect yourself by upgrading your skills in a downsizing job market.  Stay ahead of the curve through continuing education.  It's your best job and layoff protection. 

You also save money.  Specific courses targeted at skill development are usually less expensive than enrolling for degrees. As they say in business schools, you get a great “return on investment” for the time spent on learning new business skills.

Contact schools and inquire about quick prep courses that will advance you in your job search.