Continuing Education for Stay at Home Moms

Becoming a parent is one of the world’s most rewarding treasures. With children come many blessings: countless moments of joy and laughter, a youthful rejuvenation, and of course, being able to love and care for someone. With that being said, in today’s society, staying competitive in the workforce is essential. How can a stay-at-home mom continue their education while raising a family?

There are many options for continuing education, many of which you already know. I wanted to focus on three of the more popular options which stay at home moms can take advantage of. As a parent you know that time management is an important factor while raising a child and if you plan on continuing your education with children at home, flexibility is crucial. Depending on your schedule you will want to choose something that most fits your particular scenario. Imagine being able to re-enter the workforce with an advanced degree or the most up-to-date certification. Below I have listed three ways to continue your education at home.

IT Certification – A relatively new way to learn about key technologies in the computing world, these vendor certifications come in a wide variety. If you are seeking to impress a new employer with your knowledge of the most cutting-edge or most in-demand technology, this is the way to go. Certifications are diverse, with some being extremely advanced to those that are catered to beginners. They are also varied in price, ranging from the hundreds all the way into the thousands. One thing is certain — with certifications you get the most flexible form of studying. You are able to studying without a teacher, for as long as you want and set the exam on the day that you want. As a parent there is nothing the value in this is incredible.

One certification geared toward beginners is the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). There are four tiers of the MCP and they are: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM). Read more Microsoft e-learning tips here.

Online University Degree – With most Universities offering the ability to take part or even all of your degree online, this should not be overlooked. Whether you are looking to finish an undergraduate degree or take a more advanced degree, online Universities represent the most traditional forms of education in the comfort of your own home. Unlike certifications however, these courses may not offer the same level of flexibility. Depending on if you choose to study full-time or part-time, you may be required to take set exams and hand in papers at specific times. While this poses a problem for the time-restricted among us, it should not be neglected.

Online Language Courses – With the job landscape being as it is, staying competitive through learning another language will be seen as advantageous to future prospects. With everything from free vocabulary and grammar websites to online native professors, the Internet has again brought us the ability to continue our education online.

These were only three of the options available to you. Whatever you decide, remember that patience and dedication are what matters in the end. Good luck moms!