Introverted students can shine in these five online degree programs.
By Chris KyleAre you considering going back to school but prefer interacting with students via the computer rather than in-person?
If so, there's good news for introverts like you: an online education may help you tap into that hidden reservoir of strength of yours, while avoiding all that you dislike about the "college scene."
In fact, pursuing an online degree could be a great way for introverts to reach their goals on their own terms, according to Dani Babb, founder and CEO of The Babb Group, an online education consulting company.
Babb, who also teaches online, says that quieter students are often surprisingly vocal in online classes.
"There is a feeling of anonymity and expressiveness online that some just can't do in person," adds Babb.
So don't let your introverted personality stop you from reaching your education goals. Read on to learn about five degree programs you can earn online.
#1 Online Degree - Business Administration
Looking to learn about business products, services, and strategies - but want to do it from the comfort of your own home? Earning a bachelor's degree in business administration online could appeal to introverts who are interested in exploring the business world on their own terms.
Babb says that many online business administration programs now have live presentations and group projects. The ability to participate with others online (yet remotely) could appeal to introverts.
And according to the College Board, an educational organization that administers aptitude tests like the SAT, a bachelor's degree in business administration can help you improve your business skills with classes in financial management, economics, marketing, and business policy and strategy.
Click to Find the Right Online Business Administration Program.
Career options: Listen up, introverts: If your strong suit is in number crunching, a financial analyst is a career option that could be pursued with a bachelor's degree in business administration, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
And some online business administration programs allow students to choose a concentration or specialization, which could help them prepare to pursue a quiet desk job, says Babb. In fact, it's often acceptable to work mostly behind a computer in finance, accounting, and IT, Babb adds.
#2 Online Degree - Psychology
While it's true that introverts might want to rule out a career as a therapist, since people skills are required, says Babb, an online bachelor's degree in psychology could still be a good choice for solitary types who want to learn more about this fascinating field from their home computer.
And if you're not outgoing, that won't necessarily be a problem. In fact, when listing relevant skills for psychology students, the College Board says that it helps to be "good at science, math, critical reading, and writing." Courses might cover perception and sensation, cognitive psychology, personality, and neuroscience.
Click to Find the Right Online Psychology Program.
Career options: "There is demand for organizational psychologists and researchers where introverts could excel after an online program," says Babb.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, with a bachelor's in psychology, you could prepare to pursue a career as a survey researcher. If you decide to go on and pursue a master's in psychology, you could be prepped to pursue a career as an industrial-organizational psychologist. In this role, you could use "research methods to solve problems and improve the quality of work life," adds the Department of Labor.
#3 Online Degree - Medical Assisting
Looking for an online degree that can help prepare you for a health care career that doesn't involve constant patient interaction? Consider earning an associate's in medical assisting online.
According to the College Board, common courses for a medical assisting program might include medical office administration and insurance, medical terminology, and medical software applications, according to the College Board.
And while Babb does admit that some online medical assisting programs may have requirements involving field work, this might not necessarily be a bad thing for introverts who could benefit from breaking out of their comfort zone on occasion.
Click to Find the Right Online Medical Assisting Program.
Career options: Attention introverts interested in health care field: You could prepare to pursue a career as a medical assistant with a certificate or associate's degree in medical assisting, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
In addition, Babb says that careers in medical billing, records, and coding could also be good options for introverts with a medical assisting degree. Introverts may find comfort in these roles since they'll likely be spending a lot of time at their desks inputting data.
#4 Online Degree - Criminal Justice
Are you an introvert who wants to learn about criminal justice while avoiding the hustle and bustle of a campus?
A bachelor's degree in criminal justice could open up all sorts of doors for you and your career. And even better: You can study criminal justice online without setting foot outside your house.
According to the College Board, a bachelor's degree in criminal justice could teach you more about law and how the judicial system works. Common courses could include everything from criminal law and policing society to psychology and sociology.
Click to Find the Right Online Criminal Justice Program.
Career options: "There are lots of options for work in legal research and legal education where introverts excel, and training as a criminal justice online student in these areas can be very helpful," Babb says.
Or you could decide to pursue a more extroverted career within criminal justice - where you can practice your communication skills. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a bachelor's in criminal justice could prepare you to pursue a career as a probation officer or a correctional treatment specialist.
#5 Online Degree - Communications
Thanks to many technological innovations, long gone are the days when face-to-face interaction was the norm. And that's probably a good thing for introverts who are interested in pursuing a bachelor's in communications online.
After all, what better way to improve your online communication skills than by practicing with emails and posting on discussion boards in an online program?
In addition to advancing your communication skills, a bachelor's in communications could teach you more about how different forms of media - including social media - affect our culture. Get ready to take classes in media law and ethics, communication and mass media research, mass media and popular culture, and media criticism, according to the College Board.
Click to Find the Right Online Communications Program.
Career options: "Many who graduate with an online communications degree work in PR and/or advertising or marketing," says Babb. "And while in the past that was highly people driven, there are more job options now than ever before for people who want to work behind the keyboard."
Want to work largely alone? Writing could be for you. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a bachelor's in communications could help prepare you to pursue a career as a technical writer or author.