It can be difficult to choose between a short term course and a long-term degree. Both have good outcomes, and selecting the right option will ultimately depend on your career aspirations, spending plan and the time it takes to begin working. Below is a breakdown of the two to help you decide.

Short-term course overview

• Time commitment: Weeks – Months.
• Type of education: Practical, job-ready skills.
• Common subject areas: CAD Design, digital marketing, graphic design.
• Entry requirement: Minimal, often aimed at beginners.

Short-term courses are designed to give you targeted training, so you start working straight away. Short-term courses focus on skills that Employers want without the long theoretical background.

Long-term degree overview

• Time commitment: 3 – 5 years.
• Type of education: Theoretical and practical training.
• Common subject areas: Engineering, medicine, business administration, law.
• Entry requirement: High and based on school grades, and entrance requirements.

The long-term degree will give you a solid foundation in your chosen career field, which will be important for your education path for certain careers such as doctors, lawyers, or engineers. 

Key Differences between the Two Options

Time

• Short Term Course: Weeks or months.
• Long Term Degree: Several years.

Cost

• Short Term Course: Affordable.
• Long Term Degree: Expensive.

Job Ready

• Short Term Course: Immediately.
• Long Term Degree: After they graduate.

Flexibility

• Short Term Course: Can be completed part-time or online.
• Long Term Degree: Time scheduled courses that are rigid.

Career Path

• Short Term Course: Best for building your skills and making a career change fast.
• Long Term Degree: Best when the career has academic based knowledge requirements.

When to Choose a Short Term Course

• You don’t want to put off changing your career any longer.
• You want to start making money fast.
• You’re looking for training that is focused, economical, and efficient.
• You want to have the flexibility to learn while working.

Short term courses are great for learning new technologies or creative skills that are currently in demand.

When to Choose a Long Term Degree

• The career requires it by law (medicine, law, engineering).
• You want a broader in-depth academic foundation.
• You are interested in leadership opportunities in larger companies.

Degrees take a long time to complete but can provide greater opportunities in industries that admire formal education.

The Best Path Forward: Both Approaches

• Get a degree to help with credibility and core knowledge base.
• Take short term and long term courses as Continuous Learning to upgrade your skills and maintain relevance.

Example: 

• A degree in mechanical engineering with a short term course in CAD.
• A degree in business with a short term course in digital marketing.

That gives you both the recognition of a degree with the job readiness of practical experience.

How to Start a Short Term Course

If you have decided a short term course is what you want to pursue, the next step is very straightforward – select a field that hopefully you love, and that has a strong job market. Look for a course that has a good amount of hands-on training, true to life projects, and instructors with industry experience.

Our short term courses at Maverse Synergy in CADD, Digital Marketing, and Graphic Design fit into your life and give you skills that you can implement right away. Whether you’re looking for a career change, to upgrade your skills, or to start freelancing, we ensure you leave the course feeling confident to take on real projects from day one.

Final Thoughts

If your mission is to get into the workforce quickly with practical skills, a short term course can often be the wisest way to go. If your career requires deeper study and/or particular qualifications, then a degree is necessary. All in all, in many circumstances, a combination of the two is a powerful way to build a successful career.