
Des Sinkevich
Content Manager
Des Sinkevich has been with Penn Foster since 2015, helping students learn more about potential career paths and how to succeed in online school. Through hundreds of blogs, from articles about study tips to information on how to prepare for in-demand jobs, she's dedicated to giving our students the tools they need to reach their goals. Des holds a B.A. in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh which has helped her create the content you're reading today and, when she's not writing, she's reading!
Our authors help us prioritize our learners' needs by creating informational content that's accurate and helpful. Learn more about our editorial guidelines.
All Blogs by Des Sinkevich

4 Benefits of Online School
If you’ve considered going back to school, you may have looked into taking classes online but aren’t sure what the benefits of online courses are over traditional school. While there are many pros to doing a program through an online school like Penn Foster, here are the top five to pay attention to.
Mar 25, 2020
2 min read

How to Balance Working Full Time with Online School
Working full time and taking online classes can feel like you’re living two lives without enough time to get everything done. Add a family to the mix, and your schedule is jam-packed with seemingly no free time. But when you’re working on finishing or furthering your education with flexible, self-paced courses, it’s possible to make your schedule work for you. Here’s where to start.
Mar 23, 2020
3 min read

Does the Military Accept Online High School Diplomas?
In order to join the United States Armed Forces, recruits need to meet basic standards for education, age, fitness, and more. While eligibility requirements can vary slightly based on the branch of the military you’re interested in joining, one thing that is similar across most areas is the need for a legitimate high school diploma. That includes online high school programs too. Here’s what you need to know.
Mar 17, 2020
5 min read

Should I Take Online Classes?
If you’ve got a busy life and don’t think you can add classroom time to your list of daily responsibilities, taking online classes could be the perfect option for you. But is enrolling in an online school going to help you succeed? Here’s how to figure out if you should take the next step and enroll in an online program.
Mar 10, 2020
5 min read

What’s the Difference Between a Career Diploma, Certificate, and an Undergraduate Certificate?
With various types of certificates, diplomas, and degrees available, figuring out which one is right for you can be time consuming and confusing. It doesn’t have to be! Here’s what you should know about the differences between career certificates, diplomas, and undergraduate certificates.
Feb 18, 2020
4 min read

How Do Online Classes Work?
Schools like Penn Foster, which offer a variety of courses from high school to college degrees, allow students of any age to further their education and reach their goals on their terms. You can study without a set schedule, daily commute, or deadlines. But how do online classes work and what can you expect? Here’s what to know before getting started.
Feb 10, 2020
2 min read

How to Break These 5 Bad Study Habits
Good study habits are crucial to getting good grades. Here are five bad study habits you should break to score better on your next exam.
Feb 04, 2020
4 min read

What is the Right Healthcare Job for Me?
The US is expected to add 1.9 million new jobs in healthcare by 2028, but you don't have to be a doctor or even work directly with patients to benefit. Here's how to find the best entry-level and remote healthcare jobs.
Jan 29, 2020
6 min read

What Are Employers Searching for in 2020?
Employers often need more information than what’s on your resume to determine if you’ll be a good fit for the company. Even in an interview, it can be tough to figure out what type of person they’re looking for, outside of any education or work experience requirements being fulfilled. With that in mind, how can you prepare to make the best first impression and show them that you’re the one and only for the role?
Jan 21, 2020
5 min read

Do Medical Assistants Need to Be Certified
Currently, medical assisting is one of the few medical careers that doesn’t require certification or licensing in most states. But even though certification isn’t required, it can be beneficial to your career goals and help you prepare to be a competitive candidate when applying to jobs. Here’s what to know about certification for medical assistants.
Jan 14, 2020
4 min read