How an Online Business Degree Prepares You
The traditional office setting is changing. While older generations got used to commuting to work and sitting within cubicle walls, newer generations sign onto a computer and meet through videoconferencing applications. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, about one in five workers do so remotely, and many take on the “structured hybrid” to work both in office or from home. As technology continues to advance and allow businesses to adapt to flexible work models, it is also imperative that employees have the right skills to navigate the remote work environment. An online business degree not only provides industry knowledge but can also equip students with the tools needed to thrive in a remote-first workforce. At American National University, students not only gain first-hand knowledge from career-experienced professionals, but they learn the skills they need to succeed in a job where they aren’t confined to the brick-and-mortar of office buildings.
The Rise of Remote Work
Remote work is no longer a trend – it’s now a defining feature to the modern workforce. While some industries were already making moves to go fully remote prior to 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic drove many more into the realm of online work environments. Businesses quickly adopted virtual collaboration tools, like Zoom, cloud-based software, like Microsoft OneDrive, and digital communication platforms, like Slack, to maintain operations during a time where many could not leave their homes. This shift led many companies to rethink office policies even when the pandemic restrictions were lifted, with some transitioning to fully remote capabilities or a hybrid model. In 2023, according to Pew Research, a third of workers with jobs that can be performed remotely do so without stepping into an office. Additionally, even those who perform in a hybrid environment work from home “three or more days in a typical week” for 6 in 10 hybrid workers.
Remote work has some key benefits for today’s workforce. For both businesses and workers alike, it has unlocked opportunities for all involved. Those include:
- Eliminates geographic barriers – Employees can access careers anywhere in country, as well as internationally, without having to relocate. And for companies, this expands the talent pool of candidates for a role.
- Improved Work-Life Balance – When employees are able to have flexible hours due to remote work, they have reported that it allows them to better manage their personal and professional lives. According to Pew Research, 71% of remote workers support this benefit.
- Increased Productivity: Though many predicted the opposite, many remote positions are being reported to have increased productivity across 61 industries, the Bureau of Labor Statistics explains: “Our results suggest that the rise in remote work and TFP [total factor productivity] growth are positively correlated. From 2019 to 2021, the (weighted) average percentage-point increase in remote workers across industries was 14.9. This suggests that the rise in remote work was associated with an average 1.2 percentage-points increase in industry-level TFP.”
- Cost Savings: Cost savings are a benefit for both employee and businesses. Employees are saving on personal expenses, like commuting costs, eating out, and even professional wardrobe costs – even saving between $600 to $6,000 per year according to Global Workplace Analytics. Additionally, employers save on building costs, lower utility expenses, and leasing, according to BLS.
How an Online Business Degree Prepares You for Remote Work
Pursuing an online business degree is a convenient way to earn a credential that will also give you excellent preparation to work in this growing realm of remote work. Online programs are built around the same principles that remote jobs demand: self-motivation, digital communication, and the ability to manage projects independently. At American National University, students join classes via Zoom videoconferencing, write discussion board responses on our Canvas learning platform, and email regularly to communicate with their support teams. Below are some benefits to earning an online education and the skills American National University will teach you to be successful:
- Developing Digital Communication Skills – Remote jobs rely heavily on virtual collaboration. Online business degree programs help students build strong written and verbal communication skills through discussion boards, video conferencing, emailing, and digital teamwork, mirroring the realities of remote work. “The interaction with the instructors, even through Zoom – I will say, you guys have really mastered that online platform and being able to really communicate,” says ANU Paralegal student, Ann Burns. “We might work on something, and it didn’t really feel remote. So it was great!”
- Enhancing Time Management and Self-Discipline – Working remotely requires personal accountability and organization. Online learning fosters these skills by teaching students how to manage coursework, meet deadlines, and stay productive without in-person supervision. Advice from an ANU student, Dickson Lutanjuka, reflects this dedication remote students and employees need: “Try to arrange your schedule, your timetable. Give enough time before due dates. And that’s it! It’s not something that’s too much, it’s just the matter of arranging your schedule. Set time to do your assignments and set time to do your own activities.”
- Expanding Global Networking Opportunities – Remote work isn’t bound by geography, and neither are online degree programs. Students connect with classmates, professors, and industry professionals worldwide, building a diverse professional network that can lead to remote job opportunities. Kayla Spears, a Medical Billing and Coding graduate, shows this in her experiences with ANU: “[My professor] Sherry Davis is probably my favorite person. She was my biggest supporter… I love the Zoom classes, I like being able to talk to people and having my classmates [around].”
- Opening Doors to Remote-Friendly Careers – Many business careers are well-suited for remote work, including digital marketing, financial analysis, human resources, project management, and entrepreneurship. An online business degree provides the knowledge and skills needed to excel in these roles. Lora Bernard found that her online education opened her to better career opportunities. She said about her new employer, “The director of the law firm said that because I went to school online, that made me more of an asset since it was a work from home position. She knew that I would be able to handle learning virtually.”
- Adapting to a Changing Workforce – The workforce is constantly evolving, and professionals must be flexible. Online learning cultivates adaptability, problem-solving skills, and resilience—qualities that are crucial for navigating the modern workplace. For business graduate, Ashley Hart, her education had already begun helping her adapt her work while she was still attending classes. “It has already made a difference… it has allowed me to lead my team a lot better through different struggles and obstacles, while maintaining that management is at the heart of what I do… It has allowed me to shift my way of managing and leading my team.
To read more about our student successes in how ANU has helped them in this modern workforce, go to https://an.edu/success-stories/.
Remote work is here to stay, and professionals who can navigate digital collaboration, manage their time effectively, and adapt to technological advancements will have a competitive edge. An online business degree is more than just an academic credential—it’s a practical foundation for success in a remote-first world. Whether you’re looking to join a remote team, start your own business, or advance in a flexible work environment, an online business degree can help you prepare for the future of work.
Remote work has irreversibly changed the course of modern workplaces. It’s here to stay and employers are already looking for professionals who can navigate this modern take on career. Workers who can navigate digital projects, manage their time effectively, adapt to technological advancements, and can communicate effectively through online channels have a competitive edge. An online business degree is more than just an academic credential now – it is a practical foundation for success in a post Covid-19 pandemic world. American National University teaches two types of skills – the knowledge needed to enter a field, and the skills needed to excel remotely. To learn more about the online programs ANU offers and how they can help your career in many ways, go to an.edu.
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