If you are trying to get ahead in your workplace or find a better job in your own field you have some stiff competition. A great way to get a jump start on your competition is by taking courses online. You will be able to complete courses on your own time until you complete the course and earn your degree. This will enable you to get that promotion, raise or find a new job all together. Using online courses and the virtual simulations they do gives you real world experience in your job field. While there are online courses available for just about any vocation those in IT are the furthest along since the jobs themselves are mostly virtual to begin with.