Are you ready for online education and training?
Now is the time to earn the credentials you need to take your career to the next level and online learning might be a way to help you do that. The International Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Institute (IPSCMI), the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), the American Purchasing Society (APS) are just a few of the organizations offering online training and certification.
Studies show that adults often learn and retain more in online courses because they are more motivated than traditional students. There are significant advantages to online learning.
Online learning is convenient
24/7 anytime – anywhere course access lets you earn career-advancing certifications while you continue to meet professional and personal commitments.
Online learning is portable:
Work from your home, office, local library or on the road – wherever you have access to a computer with an internet connection. Even if you can’t access the internet, you can still view course lectures using CD ROMs
Online learning is credible:
Professional organizations are your connections to programs and online
courses from the nation’s most respected institutes. You’ll earn the same certification as traditional students – without stepping foot in a classroom.
Is online learning right for you? While it may sound somewhat foreign to some people, all you really need is:
Regular access to a computer with internet access and up-to-date software and operating systems.
To be able to create Word files, send e-mails with file attachments and use the Internet for research.
To be familiar with Windows, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat/PDF, Internet Explorer and/or Netscape.
You are probably already familiar with technology needed for a successful online learning experience. I was unsure on my first online course, however my instructor was Dr. LeRoy Graw that led the way and helped me with the course. Times have changed. Instructors no longer use the old overhead projector. A computer and a projector are a necessity in presenting in a classroom or online.
How many of you tune in to the free one hour seminars on the web? A lot of information is shared in these presentations. The key is to pick the ones that apply to you and your work. You must choose your time wisely and attend seminars that will benefit you. Just think of all the opportunities we have today there were not available just a few year back.
Mary commented:
There are many offerings these days in the field of credentialing.
I am familiar with ISM so I think that influences my thinking.also
with American Purchasing Society. I read a lot of information from
Next Level and am very impressed with their information and
certification. I keep hearing more and more about the public
purchasing people and their certification of CPPO. I wish that the
procurement people would join forces and only have one. Look at the
content of each program and that will help you make a decision.
Terry commented:
Hello Mary. Do the credentials offered by Next Level Purchasing,
i.e. - SPSM, bear the same weight as those offered by ISM and the
others you mentioned. I'm looking into further education, but am a
little confused as to which would benefit me most in the long run.
Thanks! t.
Mary commented:
Karen, You are right, Next Level Purchasing has some very good
educational programs and certification. All can be done on line.
Mary
Karen commented:
Hi Mary, It's kind of ironic that you write "Now is the time to
earn the credentials you need to take your career to the
[emphasis]next level[/emphasis] and online learning might be a way
to help you do that" yet don't mention Next Level Purchasing as one
of the providers of online education. I'm not criticizing, I just
thought it was funny. Happy holidays! -Karen
