The irrepressible Coty Schwabe, who blogs under the name "MrAwesome," calls his readers' attention to a phenomenon sure to become only all the more obvious as time wears on. The title of his September 26, 2010 blog post says it all: "College Degrees Online Prepare Students for Tech Heavy Workplaces."

In his post, Schwabe covers three essentially incontrovertible facts about the modern workplace, which can be summarized as follows:

• 1. The modern workplace, with very few exceptions, has come to rely heavily on emerging technologies;
• 2. No sooner do these technologies emerge then they begin to evolve, which means people working with these technologies must evolve with them if they want their careers to survive;
• 3. Online degree programs are uniquely equipped to give workers not only the technical skills necessary to implement this technology, but also -- and perhaps more importantly -- the life skills necessary for coping with the consequences of this technology's rapid evolution.

"Some fields are changing so fast, college text books [sic] can't keep up," Schwabe writes.

For example, students preparing for media careers may find online courses are more adept at keeping up with technical changes. Online students may also be able to apply their newly acquired skills immediately.

The adaptability of today's workers begins with the recognition of how supremely important adaptability is in just about every field of employment. Schwabe singles out print media as an industry whose workers find themselves at a career crossroads.

"Newspapers and magazines are considered dying mediums, as more readers log on to read the online versions of these publications," Schwabe writes. "As a result, online publishing may eventually replace print altogether. To prepare for this change, it can only benefit media students to enroll in web publishing courses."

Indeed, as Schwabe rather astutely points out, the devices with which people consume media have begun to change, adapt, and proliferate. No longer just desktop and laptops computers, all kinds of devices have entangled themselves in the World Wide Web. "It's not only print media, broadcast news operations are also leaning on the internet to provide viewers and listeners with information," Schwabe writes.

Media outlets want consumers to be able to access information from anywhere at anytime [sic] through portable devices like iPods, iPhones and BlackBerrys. It can only benefit a job candidate to be well versed in producing news content for the web.

Media devices shape content, which in turn shapes future development of media devices, in a technological tango that shows no sign of slowing its current frenzied tempo. Online degree programs present perhaps the best way of making sure you're not left out of the dance.

"The right accredited degree online may be the solution for media students and working professionals who want to learn web related skills," Schwabe continues.

Since all assignments and tests are conducted over the internet, online students can learn from anywhere at anytime [sic]. The flexibility may help the journalist who works an unpredictable schedule or the student already taking a full course load on campus. Online colleges can help budding journalists learn how to publish all of their work online. In turn, individuals who complete online college degree programs may be more likely to succeed in today's ever-changing world of media.

It appears, then, that credentials from an accredited online degree program will not only allow you to join the dance, but in fact will even allow you to call the tune. The often cutting-edge approach these online programs take to today's workplace challenges can empower you step confidently onto the dance floor, your best foot boldly forward.