Even in an online degree program, whether you live close to the school’s campus or hundreds of miles away, you have ways to meet classmates, faculty and alumni in person.
If your main hesitation in pursuing an online education is the fear of being isolated, know that you will likely have opportunities to engage with others face to face. Here are four examples.
1. On-campus residencies: Depending on your online degree program, your school may offer or even require online students to attend on-campus residencies that include classes, sessions or activities.
For example, my two-year online MBA still required me to attend at least one residency at the College of William & Mary‘s campus in Williamsburg, Virginia. The residency lasted three days — Friday through Sunday — with a schedule full of back-to-back formal lectures, case studies, group meetings and informal meet-and-greets over meals.
[Discover the pros and cons of online programs with residency requirements.]
Other programs may have residencies that last as long as a couple of weeks, and certain schools may even allow online students to visit other countries for immersions. Though the specifics vary among programs, you can meet your peers personally, create shared memories and build a professional network.
2. Local events: Regardless of whether you live close to campus, you may be able to find support from other online students in your region, some of whom may be professionals with similar experiences.
Some schools even hold networking events for online students at different locations throughout the U.S. Ask your academic adviser about these opportunities or check the program’s website.
You can also search online for local events and meetups at your city’s chamber of commerce or local industry clubs. With online degrees growing in popularity, more professionals pursue them and can offer advice to help you overcome any fears or issues. Take the opportunity to share thoughts, ask for help if needed and connect with others offline.
3. On-campus events: Even as an online student, particularly if you are close to campus, you can become more involved with the school by attending events.
Homecomings and sports games are perfect opportunities to get a feel for campus life and live a school’s traditions. Such in-person experiences can be costly if you live far away, but they are otherwise great for meeting other students, faculty and alumni and building relationships.
[Explore reasons to visit campus before starting an online degree.]
4. Alumni chapters: After graduation, you shouldn’t just leave and forget your school. Local alumni chapters can be a great resource for you to meet fellow alumni, share experiences and perhaps find new friends or even business partners. As a current student, you may also be able to take advantage of your alumni network.
Being in the Seattle area, I feel as though I couldn’t be further away from my school in Virginia. But I still find ways to meet former students who live here now. I attend events at my local alumni chapter where I can stay informed of the latest news regarding the school.
The takeaway: Take the initiative to meet online students and alumni — not just on campus but also via social media and by searching for local events organized by the school, alumni or even local industry groups. This will help you to feel connected and resourceful throughout your online program and widen your personal and professional networks.
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Online Students Can Build In-Person Relationships originally appeared on usnews.com
