Pursuing a graduate degree may seem daunting when you have many competing priorities at work and in your life. However, the benefits are worth the time and effort. When you earn an advanced degree, you can gain new marketable knowledge and skills, improve your job prospects and income, and feel a sense of pride when you receive your diploma.
For busy professionals interested in entering or advancing in cybersecurity, a degree program like the online Master of Science in Business Cybersecurity (MSBC) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is often the best choice because it permits you to keep your job while furthering your education. This option also provides opportunities to immediately apply what you learn in your classes in the workplace.
Prepare to Fill the Cybersecurity Workforce Gap
Gain Tech and Business Skills at UT Knoxville
While online learning can make earning a graduate degree slightly easier, balancing work and school is still demanding. This article discusses 10 strategies to help you manage your business cybersecurity studies and your career so you can accomplish all of your goals.
How to Strike a Work-Life Balance as an Online Student
Careful planning and conscientious self-care are necessary when attempting to strike a work-life balance. These 10 strategies can help you manage your personal and professional obligations.
Manage Your Time Methodically
To make the most of your free time, use a calendar or planner to note every class session, discussion group meeting and project deadline. You should also factor in your work hours, personal commitments and even rest time. Sticking to your schedule will help you stay organized and minimize stress, which can be the enemy of productivity.
Study When the Opportunity Arises
Rather than leave all your studying for after work, look for opportunities throughout the day to review your course materials. Do you have 10 minutes of downtime at work? That can be study time. Lunchtime? It can double as homework time. Train commute? Where’s that tablet? You get the point: squeeze in studying when you can so it’s not all waiting for you at the end of the day.
Take Breaks Occasionally
Maximizing your time requires knowing when you’ve hit your limit. Occasional short breaks can help you recharge and sharpen your focus. Don’t be afraid to take the occasional power nap. Research shows that 10-minute naps are beneficial for reducing sleepiness and improving cognitive performance.
Join Study Groups
If you’re struggling to maintain your study schedule or simply want to switch up your routine, remember you can count on your classmates for support. They are only a Zoom call away. Schedule regular study groups to help each other learn and stay motivated.
Lean on Family and Friends
Family and friends can provide extraordinary support. The people who care most about you want to help and see you succeed. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your loved ones when you need a helping hand. Maybe someone can pick up your groceries or watch your kids so you can have some extra study time.
Set Priorities
Sometimes you can’t get everything done. Setting priorities early can help you decide which tasks to complete first and which items can wait for another day. If you stick to your priorities, you can avoid problems later.
Accept That You Can’t Do It All
While you’re pursuing your degree, you may occasionally need to skip social events or family gatherings to focus on your studies. People will be disappointed. You will be disappointed. But remember that you can’t do it all. Focus on your end goal and remind yourself that you’ll have more time and energy to enjoy these important events once you’ve earned your degree.
Ask Your Employer About Support Options
Many employers encourage their employees to continue their education. Around half of U.S. employers also offer tuition assistance, and some may be willing to provide remote work arrangements or flexible hours to help you earn your degree. Ask your manager or HR representative what options may be available to you.
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Exercise, a healthy diet, and a sufficient amount of sleep may seem like luxuries you can’t afford, but they can be essential to your success because they promote mental acuity and can increase your energy and overall efficiency. Keep the late-night study sessions and fast-food meals to a minimum. When you prioritize your mental and physical well-being, you’ll have an easier time balancing school, work, and life.
Study Online
Studying online is a massive time-saver. Unlike on-campus students, you don’t have to spend time commuting to and from campus, finding parking, or walking to lecture halls. You can continue to be productive until the moment a class or study group starts — no time wasted waiting around in a classroom or library. Online access to course content means you can study anywhere, anytime.
Earning Your MS in Business Cybersecurity at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Earning a degree while working can be challenging, but it is doable with the right strategies and support in place. To set yourself up for success, develop a realistic game plan and stick to it. Most importantly, keep your eye on the prize. Although you may have to make some sacrifices now, earning an advanced degree can pay off throughout your career.
When choosing a degree program, consider which one will help you gain in-demand skills. The online MS in Business Cybersecurity at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, teaches students how to leverage cybersecurity foundations to better inform business strategy. This innovative program, offered by the Haslam College of Business, is ideal for working professionals as you can take courses at your own pace and earn the degree in two to six years.
By the end of the program, you’ll have the business and technology expertise and knowledge to help fill a workforce gap of 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals and increase your earning potential. Courses like Foundations of Business Cybersecurity, Risk Management and Business Continuity, and Organizational Security Management will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to confront one of the most pressing business threats in the digital era — cybercrime.
Ready to take the next step and join an emerging field? Contact our enrollment team to answer your questions or help you start your application today.