Categories
Money Mondays

College Degrees That Deliver

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Colleges, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.

In an economic downturn, it’s more important than ever to be cognizant of which careers are on the rise and to plan your college education accordingly.  Since our country is in a recession, with unemployment rates higher than they’ve been in almost thirty years, choosing the right career path can mean getting your dream job right after graduation, rather than holding the part-time fast-food gig that got you through school.  Here are a few fields that look to fit the bill in coming years.

1. Medical professional – whether you’re interested in becoming a medical assistant, a nurse, or going all the way to get your M.D., experts say you can’t go wrong with a degree in medicine.  With health care reform giving coverage to more Americans, and baby-boomers hitting retirement, the next decade looks to offer a lot of jobs in the medical field for qualified individuals.

2. Pharmaceutical representative – if you have an interest in medicine mixed with the temperament for sales, this may be a better bet.   You can expect to go through a lot of training, but on the upside, you’re guaranteed to travel and earn a pretty decent living (starting around $50,000 plus per year).

3. Internet marketing – a growing field, this is the perfect occupation for a go-getter.  With the right education (which you can expect to be ongoing as the internet continues to change), you can earn a tidy sum as a freelancer if you’re willing to put in a lot of time and effort, at least initially.  You can also consider signing on with a firm if handling clients isn’t necessarily your long suit.  A strong knowledge of SEO is a must for this position.

4. Engineering – while this field is known to carry a high degree of technical expertise (whether you choose computer, civil, mechanical, aerospace, architectural, or any number of other sub-categories), employers are now seeking engineers with other skills, particularly in the area of communication.  An engineering degree offers a diverse array of options for jobs, and a background in communications will put you ahead of the class when it comes to getting hired.

5. Financial analyst– with more companies turning to layoffs and cutbacks to combat economic stresses, this position has become extremely important.  If you have a head for numbers and are interested in corporate gigs, you could make a lot of money either as a hire or through consulting.  Most companies are willing to pay top dollar for analysts with a proven track record or a few good ideas.

Other fields that are on the rise include computer technology (systems), green energy, international finance, and e-commerce.  The best bet for the future seems to fall into only a few broad categories, from medicine to technology to financial planning, so there’s a little something for everyone.  If you have a strong affinity for another profession, you should certainly consider pursuing it (the recession can’t last forever, right?).  But if you want to ensure job placement post-graduation, opt for an occupation that is primed for growth.

One reply on “College Degrees That Deliver”

Other fields that are on the rise include computer technology (systems), green energy, international finance, and e-commerce.  The best bet for the future seems to fall into only a few broad categories, from medicine to technology to financial planning, so there’s a little something for everyone.  If you have a strong affinity for another profession, you should certainly consider pursuing it (the recession can’t last forever, right?).  But if you want to ensure job placement post-graduation, opt for an occupation that is primed for growth.
+1

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.