Sunday, July 15, 2007

TOP CAREERS THROUGH ONLINE DEGREE


Top Careers through Online Degree

Impressive growth in the availability of accredited online classes has made a difference to people who can't stop in the middle of their busy family and professional lives to re-train for the workplace. Whether you already hold a college degree, are looking for an advanced degree or credentials--or if you're leaping into a new profession entirely--online colleges have tailored degree programs to provide accelerated training for what are predicted to be the best, highest-demand jobs through the next decade.
Let's look at ten of the top careers fueled by online degree programs:
1. Accounting
The increasing number of businesses, rapidly-changing financial laws, and expanded oversight requirements for publicly-traded companies is driving the demand for
accounting professionals right through the corporate roof! Specializing in big-picture management analysis, tax accounting, forensic financial sleuthing, or auditing will make you especially sought after by employers.
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Preparation for accounting careers is readily available, from bookkeeping certificates to bachelor's or master's degrees in accounting online. Accountants make about $45,000 per year at first, but salaries increase dramatically with experience. By passing the AICPA's exam and becoming a Certified Public Accountant your salary can double. And accounting directors or partners in successful firms pull in six figures routinely.
2. Change Management Consulting
Whenever businesses buy new software, develop products, shift traffic or warehousing, or simply alter their business models, the changes that ripple through the organizations can be highly disruptive. Consultants guide management's efforts to help employees at all levels deal with change effectively.
You can train through an
online MBA degree program while tending to your current responsibilities, taking courses in statistics, forecasting, human resources, and needs assessment. The compensation's worth it, with the median salary for a Change Management Consultant or Specialist at $114,417.
3. Web Graphic Design
It's not suspiring in our digital age that colleges and universities offer online degree programs in web graphic design. Among all the
graphic design professions, the web graphic designer will find the top jobs through the end of the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Designers with a bachelor's degree and animation school expertise will move to the front of the hiring line.
According to Salary.com, a senior web designer earns up to $75,000. Take
online management or IT classes to move up to a design director's role, with national average pay of $140,000.
4. IT Consulting
Turn your
technology degree and IT experience to your advantage by studying online for this in-demand, power career. The BLS reports that jobs for technologists with MBA degrees will grow faster than the average for positions for all other occupations through 2014.
Top careers are in the offing for systems analysts and consultants who can identify a firm's immediate IT deficiencies, forecast long-term needs, and improve the bottom line. There are bonuses for top performance, and annual consultants' salaries average $85,904--more if you're an independent contractor.
5. Homeland Security Specialist
Jobs for people specializing in homeland security are predicted to grow by 35% in the next decade. You'll need at least an
online homeland security certificate to take one of these exciting jobs, and there are colleges offering online bachelor's degrees in criminal justice that focus on homeland security courses like terrorism, hate crimes, forensic psychology, and security management.
Salaries for homeland security specialists vary by agency (private, corporate, or governmental), and by experience. With a range from $12,776 to $142,498, the upside is enormous.
6. Culinary Management
Don't quit your night job at the restaurant. Take classes in an
online culinary and hospitality management program and step into a leadership role. You'll find bachelor and graduate degree programs offered online that help you master the principles of menu and supply planning, preparation, staff management, business law, and accounting.
Large full-service restaurants in major cities offer the highest compensation, including full benefits and performance bonuses. Top culinary jobs will also be found with hotels, resorts, and cruise lines.
7. Online Marketing
Why not
study online marketing ... online! Internet marketing managers, email and affiliate marketing professionals, and search engine marketing managers are in top demand. Take online undergrad and graduate marketing and eCommerce degree programs--or bolster your opportunities through an online MBA degree program.
Average salaries for top online pros with 4-7 years' experience are good: Internet marketing directors earn $84,600 to $95,400 and search-engine-optimization managers get $50,000--$75,000.
8. Teaching
There's a critical teaching shortage in the country, especially in core cities and rural community schools. To accelerate hiring, many school districts offer emergency credentialing for job candidates.
Online teacher-training courses are available all across the country.
If you already hold a
bachelor's degree, hire on immediately while you complete online state certification preparation classes or take additional courses in elementary and secondary education. Top job growth, the BLS reports, will be in the West and Southwest.
9. HR Recruiting
Looking for a career change? Online college and university
degree programs in business and human resource management will prep you for a role as an HR recruiter. If you already know how to network, you can start recruiting for a living while completing an online business degree.
The top jobs go to executive recruiters who contract with major companies to scour the country for management-level talent. Retainer search firms get paid--whether or not they find that top-caliber recruit. Executive recruiters, on average, bring home a minimum of $139,500, including salary and bonuses. To really rake in the big bucks, you’ll want a premier
online MBA degree.
10. Network Security Specialist
Cybercrime runs largely unchecked across international borders, and network security specialists who hold
degrees in information technology (especially LAN/WAN/Wireless specialties) are in top demand. Chief information security officers, Salary.com reports, are currently earning between $115,189 and $194,176 a year.
Many take
online classes in network security and have their employer pay for them. Explosive job growth will continue through 2014, according to the BLS, with top positions going to candidates with degrees, up-to-date certifications, and on-the-job savvy.
In short,
online degree programs have opened training opportunities for careers that once seemed out of reach for many working people. With hard work and the appropriate training, you can get you start in one of these hot careers in no time.

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