Prepare
for a career move through an online course.
FOR
ADULTS JUGGLING jobs and family commitments, earning a degree can seem like a
Herculean task.
But it doesn't have to be. By joining the millions of Americans
pursuing online education, it's possible to prepare for the next great job
opportunity from the comfort of your couch.
Online learning can do two things: It can lead to advancement in
an existing profession, or it can lead to a completely new profession,"
says Leah K. Matthews, executive director of the Distance Education Accrediting
Commission. "It spans almost every field now."
There are certain occupations where online degrees often lead to
positive employment outcomes. The following six jobs were pulled from U.S. News
& World Report's 100 Best Jobs of 2019 rankings. They
earned high marks for an employment opportunity, salary, work-life balance, and job
security, among other factors.
1. Nurse practitioner
(Ranked No. 7
out of 100 best jobs)
Median salary:
$103,880
For people concerned foremost with job security, a career as
a nurse practitioner could be the ultimate
elixir. Employment of nurse practitioners is increasing, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, which anticipates that the number of nurse
practitioner jobs in the U.S. will increase by 36% between 2016 and 2026, which
is much faster than the average among all occupations.
Aspiring nurse practitioners need a graduate degree to
enter the profession, which they can earn through completing an online Master's
in Nursing or an online Doctorate
of Nursing Practice.
Johns Hopkins
University, Ohio State University and St. Xavier University are among
the top online
graduate nursing programs ranked by U.S.
News.
2. Computer systems analyst
(Ranked No. 27
out of 100 best jobs)
Median salary:
$88,270
This is not a job for a socially awkward computer whiz. The
ideal computer systems analyst possesses a
passion for technology and great personal skills. These professionals liaise
between the IT department and a client, and are involved with both the
budgetary and technical considerations of a project.
To land this job, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree in a
relevant field. For instance, Colorado State University—Global
Campus offers
an online bachelor's degree in information technology, and Pennsylvania
State University—World
Campus offers an online bachelor's degree in
information sciences and technology.
Students wanting to further enhance their earning power can
pursue an online master's degree in computer information technology. University
of Southern California, New York University and Virginia
Tech are
just a few of the top programs ranked by U.S. News.
3. Market
research analyst
(Ranked No. 60 out of 100 best jobs)
Median salary:
$63,230
Pepsi or Coke? Mac or PC? A good market
research analyst knows what people like and why. These professionals are
the ultimate observers, watching people to determine their habits and
preferences. Their advice helps clients package, brand and sell products
appropriately.
Entering the field requires at least a bachelor's degree, and
many who join the profession come from disciplines focusing mainly on math or
business.
Those interested in market research could consider an online
bachelor's degree in business administration from a program such as the University
of Alabama—Birmingham or Arizona
State University. Earning an online MBA from Indiana
University—Bloomington, University of North
Carolina—Chapel Hill or another top program could be helpful to those with an
unrelated bachelor's degree or for candidates looking to impress employers with
their advanced subject knowledge.
4. Cost estimator
(Ranked No. 61
out of 100 best jobs)
Median salary:
$63,110
Before the ground is ever broken in a construction project,
a cost estimator helps coordinate its technical,
mechanical and fiscal requirements. The role requires a person with an
analytic, organized mind who is at ease working with engineers, architects and
construction managers.
While a four-year degree is not required to enter the field, a
bachelor's degree in construction management or building science and related
work experience in accounting, finance, business or economics will give
applicants a leg up.
If this career piques an interest, consider an online bachelor's
degree in business from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University—Worldwide or another highly ranked online bachelor's program.
5. Information security
analyst
(Ranked No. 40
out of 100 best jobs)
Median salary:
$95,510
Due to an uptick in data breaches at major corporations in
recent years, demand for information security analysts – the tech-savvy
individuals who safeguard an organization's computer systems – is growing.
Employment is expected to grow by 28.5% between 2016 and 2026, faster than the
average among all occupations, according to the BLS.
Entering this profession only requires a college degree in a
computer-related discipline, so an online
bachelor's degree in information systems security should
be sufficient.
6. Speech-language
pathologist
(Ranked No.
23 out of 100 best jobs)
Median salary:
$76,610
Speech-language
pathologists, also called speech therapists, help people grappling with
communication and swallowing disorders tied to stroke, brain injury, hearing
loss and a range of other causes.
The majority of speech-language pathologists work full time
and 43% work in schools, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The
profession, which requires a master's degree, has seen a pay spike in recent
years.
Students can receive an online master's degree in
speech-language pathology at Emerson College, New
York University or Baylor University, among other
schools.
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