As unemployment rates across the country continue to hover near double digits, the prospect of finding fulfilling work in an increasingly competitive job market seems more daunting than ever. On the upside, the job crunch has created a greater acceptance of Online Learning Programs as a credible means for individuals to increase their chances of being hired. Still, the time and monetary demands of online learning programs can be substantial, so it’s best to focus on areas associated with the highest potential for job growth. With that in mind, here are 5 areas for pursuing online degrees that are showing long-term promise for solid job placement.
- Information Technology
As you text, tweet and check your Facebook status while skimming this article, bare in mind that it’s all made possible through a fast-growing industry you might want to look into, Information Technology. IT advances touch almost every aspect of our lives and will continue to do so at an ever accelerating pace. For every piece of hardware there’s a software program to run it, and both are dependant upon designers, developers, programmers, testers, operators, supporters and administrators. To keep up with demand in this instantly evolving field, accredited online learning programs in the IT field are more prevalent than ever. And since the concept of online learning is anything but foreign to those who are already adept at using technology on a day to day basis, the learning curve associated with going from a brick and mortar education model to that of a virtual classroom is a non-issue.
- Healthcare
The wave of 78 million aging baby boomers has already begun it’s unrelenting crash upon the crowded shores of an overloaded healthcare industry. As a result, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified workers in the healthcare industry is projected to grow by at least by 50% over the next few years. Recognizing that nursing is and will continue to be the field of greatest demand, opportunities to obtain online degrees in nursing via reputable, fully accredited programs are more abundant than ever. The same holds true for degrees in other branches of healthcare, including Physicians Assistant, Medical Assistant and Lab Technician. While full accreditation in most of these fields will require hands on experience and requisite exams, the online route is a great way to get started on the proper career path .
- Legal Services
As new and unprecedented problems plague our already burdened legal system, the need for qualified individuals in law and related fields has never been greater. Being that degrees associated with upholding, interpreting and enforcing law are fundamentally information based and often lend themselves to the online setting, the opportunity to pursue online education that could lead to careers in such areas as business and tax law, criminal law and investigation, forensics, cyber law, homeland security, local law enforcement, paralegal services and much more has never been greater.
- Education
Despite ongoing debates concerning the current and future health of America’s education system, the underlying truth is that qualified educators will always be in demand. But the bar has been raised in terms of degree requirements needed to enter and excel in an already competitive field. With masters degrees quickly becoming a must have, online degree programs are helping to level the playing field in terms of offering masters programs in specialized areas of education ranging from early childhood through high school, as well as special education. When choosing an online program, keep in mind that several credits of in-class teaching will also be required and make sure that the online program is offered in partnership with a college where those classroom credits may be obtained.
- Business
No other degree cuts across as many different fields for employment as a degree in business. Regardless of the current economic climate, new business opportunities always find a way of presenting themselves. It’s little wonder then that the number of accredited online MBA programs is growing every day, as well as the areas of business they specialize in. From budding entrepreneurs seeking to build a foundation to seasoned professionals looking to update their value in an increasingly competitive marketplace, online degree programs offer a level of flexibility and diversity that lends itself to effective learning. As an added bonus over traditional brick and mortar programs, which limit the number of enrollees to the size of the classroom, online programs provide an unprecedented opportunity for students to network with like-minded individuals who may very well become the business contacts of the future.