With economic uncertainty around the world, many workers are turning to online higher education courses to help them retain their current jobs or improve their résumés as they look for new jobs.

As economies slow and jobs are cut, colleges and universities are seeing an increase in both traditional and online degree programs, according to a study by the Sloan Consortium. Experts recommend a bachelor's degree for those who are without one as a necessity when applying for any job. For those who already have an undergraduate degree, they recommend volunteering at a corporation as a means of résumé building (A. Pawlowski, "Riding Out the Recession in a Virtual Classroom," CNN.com, March 18, 2009).