Online Degrees: Make Dreams of a Better Career a Reality

Not so long ago, choosing to get a degree from home seriously limited your career options. Theoretically, correspondence courses could be taken in almost any subject, but the impossibility of quick back-and-forth interaction among students along with the tedium of waiting for instructor responses via regular mail meant that the process of obtaining any degree or certification was a long, drawn-out and often frustrating one. Perhaps you recall watching TV commercials advertising careers in HVAC, locksmithing, administrative assistance, legal assistance, and real estate, wishing that you could re-up your degree but dissatisfied with the options. Today, in the Information Age, your choices are much broader and more exciting. The speed of the Internet makes it easy to organize the kind of fast-paced, personal discussion among students and instructors that was simply impossible a decade or two ago. Bulletin boards, listservs, live chat rooms and even teleconferencing have completely revolutionized remote education. If you’re seeking one or multiple online degrees but don’t know where to start, check out the links below to some of the highest rated online educational institutions.

 

Source: Forbes.com

 

Our readers came across some useful articles (rather FREE tips) on career options.

Here are some educational info.

source: hotjobs.yahoo.com

 

Hot Jobs for Night Owls

It's easy to spot the office night owl. He rolls into the office late, bleary-eyed, with a cup of coffee in hand. These workers' internal clocks just don't match up with the typical nine-to-five workday -- but that doesn't mean they have to resign themselves to a lifetime of dozing through early-morning meetings. Check out a sampling of some of the niftiest night-shift jobs.

 

EMT/Paramedic

Emergency medical technicians are needed round the clock. However, most workers tend to prefer daytime hours, leaving lots of opportunities open for night shifts, says Connie Meyer, a full-time paramedic and member of the board of directors for the National Association of EMTs. You'll need people skills, basic first aid and emergency care knowledge, and of course, the ability to stay calm in a crisis. "Panicking is OK, but you just need to know what to do with yourself when you do it," Meyer says.
Average annual salary: $29,390; earning potential increases as you move from basic EMT certification to paramedic certification.

 

Casino Dealer

Casinos are little cities that never sleep, so there's always a demand for nighttime workers at the blackjack, craps and other gaming tables. Promotions are also possible. "Once you become a dealer and have a good track record, you can move up to pit manager or shift supervisor," says Carol Drea, director of corporate training at Atlantic Cape Community College's Casino Career Institute in New Jersey. Some casinos will train dealers on the job, but most prefer to hire dealers that have had formal training on at least three games.
Average annual salary: $17,010, but a sharp dealer at a busy casino can double or even triple their wages with tips.

 

Registered Home Health Nurse

Home health agencies often need registered nurses to visit patients' homes in the middle of the night to reset IVs, troubleshoot finicky medical equipment, and assist in emergencies. "Catheters can come out, or maybe a patient falls and you have to assess whether they have an injury," says Mary Jean Schumann, director of nursing practice and policy for the American Nurses Association. You can become a registered nurse by completing a three- to four-year associate degree program, a four-year baccalaureate program, or a diploma program at a hospital.
Average annual salary: $59,730

 

Newspaper Visual Journalist

A crew of designers often takes over the newsroom in the evening to place stories, along with photos and other graphic elements, on the next day's newspaper pages. Ideal candidates should have some technical savvy and a graphically-oriented eye. "You need to understand the basics of design and know a fair amount about computer programs, such as Quark XPress and CCI," says Elise Burroughs, executive director of the Society for News Design, a professional organization for visual journalists. Most visual journalists have college degrees, usually in journalism, art or graphic design.
Average annual salary (based on "editor" positions): $51,750.

 

Cargo Pilot

The major freight companies -- such as UPS, DHL and Airborne -- do 80 percent of their flights at night, says Kit Darby, president of jet-jobs.com, a career information service for airline pilots. "These pilots are always moving against the clock," Darby says. These shipping companies also offer some of the highest salaries for pilots. To get a job with one of the major flying outfits, you'll need a commercial pilot's license, an airline transport pilot license, and about 5,000 hours of flying time.
Average Annual Salary: $140,380

 

Clinical Lab Technicians

Someone has to process those lab tests for which patients so nervously await results. Since the hospital business is 24/7, many clinical lab technicians (also known as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists) work the night shift to ensure workflow, much of which could translate into life or death for patients. According to the BLS, clinical laboratory personnel examine and analyze body fluids, and cells for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms, among other duties. An entry-level position typically requires a bachelor's degree in medical technology or one of the life sciences.
Average Annual Salary: $49,700

 

 

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Highest Paid Jobs

 

What America's Top 15 Jobs Pay
source: CareerBuilder.com

We can't all be doctors and lawyers, but hey, that's OK (perhaps more than OK for some), because securing a top job doesn't always necessarily require you to have a graduate degree or work a 60-hour week. 

What makes a job great, of course, is different for everyone, but in terms of offering a stellar combination of growth potential, pay and education requirements, there are some jobs that outshine most others. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the following jobs to be among the fastest-growing occupations. 

By 2014, demand for these positions will have grown between 30 and 50 percent since 2004.  What's more, most of these jobs require only a bachelor's or associate's degree, and yet the pay won't have you clipping coupons anytime soon.

1. Physician assistants -- Average salary: $63,792 Job Growth (through 2014): 49.6 percent. Education level: Bachelor's degree. Unlike medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks, physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons.

2. Computer applications software engineers, applications -- Average salary: $56,184 Job Growth: 49.4 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. These professionals analyze users' needs and design, construct and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.

3. Dental hygienists -- Average salary: $49,309 Job Growth: 43.3 percent. Education: Associate's degree. Dental hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums to detect diseases and abnormalities, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene and provide other preventive dental care.

4. Computer systems software engineers -- Average salary: $59,297 Job Growth: 43 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. They coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company's computer systems and plan their future growth.

5. Network and computer systems administrators -- Average salary: $62,534 Job Growth: 38.4 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. They design, install and support an organization's local-area network (LAN), wide-area network (WAN), network segment, Internet or intranet system. 

6. Database administrators -- Average salary: $70,016 Job Growth: 38.2 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. Database administrators work with database management systems software and determine ways to organize and store data. They identify user requirements, set up computer databases, and test and coordinate modifications to the computer database systems.  

7. Physical therapists -- Average salary: $53,508 Growth: 36.7 percent. Education: Master's degree. Physical therapists provide services that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. They restore, maintain and promote overall fitness and health.

8. Diagnostic medical sonographers -- Average salary: $51,648 Job Growth: 34.8 percent. Education: Associate's degree. Sonographers operate the sonograph equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. 

9. Medical scientists (except epidemiologists) -- Average salary: $88,374 Job Growth: 34.1 percent. Education: Doctoral degree.These scientists study biological systems in efforts to understand the causes of disease and other health problems and to develop treatments. 

10. Occupational therapists - Average salary: $50,526 Job Growth: 33.6 percent. Education: Master's degree. Occupational therapists help individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling perform a range of activities, from using a computer to dressing, cooking and eating.

11. College professors -- Average salary: $80,240.  Job Growth: 32.2 percent. Education: Doctoral degree. Not only do they teach and advise college students, they often perform research and must keep up with new developments in their fields.

12. Hydrologists -- Average salary: $59,809 Job Growth: 31.6 percent. Education: Master's degree. Hydrologists study the quantity, distribution, circulation and physical properties of either underground or surface waters, depending on their specialty.

13. Computer systems analysts --  Average salary: $55,811 Job Growth: 31 4 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. These analysts solve computer problems and apply computer technology to meet the individual needs of an organization, such as helping it realize the maximum benefit from its investment in equipment, personnel and business processes..

14. Biomedical engineers -- Average salary: $62,533 Job Growth: 30.7 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. Biomedical engineers apply their knowledge of biology, medicine and engineering to develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems.

15. Environmental engineers -- Average salary: $53,362 Job Growth: 30 percent. Education: Bachelor's degree. These engineers apply the principles of biology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems, assisting with pollution control, recycling, waste disposal and public health issues.

 

 

High-Paying Government Jobs

When you think of a job in government, what do you think of? A stuffy, conservative, monotonous portion of our working world, filled with indolent and mindless workers, right?

On On the contrary, working for the government has a number of benefits, No. 1 being salary. Many government jobs pay $50,000 and more annually. And that's just the beginning.

The reality is that only about 15 percent of federal employees work in Washington, D.C. -- the other 85 percent is in other U.S. territories and foreign countries. In 2006, there were 2.7 million civilian employees and 1.4 million in military uniform in the federal government. There are numerous opportunities for job candidates interested in the public sector with key federal agencies such as the CIA, U.S. Navy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Energy.

Not convinced why you should work for the government? See if these choice government jobs change your mind:

Criminalist
What you'll do: Search for, collect and preserve physical evidence in the investigation of crime and suspected criminals; examine evidence; prepare findings; and give expert testimony in court. You might even work under unpleasant and adverse conditions, including high places, dangerous locations, and in proximity to dead bodies and biological and chemical hazards, in order to investigate crime scenes.What you'll earn: $54,700 annually

Medical Examiner/Coroner
What you'll do: Investigate causes of death, assign a cause and manner of death and list them on the death certificate. The cause of death refers to the disease, injury or poison that caused the death. You'll also decide if a death occurred under natural circumstances or was due to accident, homicide, suicide or undetermined means or circumstances.What you'll earn: $134,016 annually

Accident Investigation (Aviation/Airline)
What you'll do: Examining the causes of accidents and work to prevent them from happening again; determine the cost of an accident; fill out legal documents; determine compliance with applicable safety regulations; process workers' compensation claims.What you'll earn: $59,258 annually

Prison Warden
What you'll do: Keep your eye on the approximately 1.4 million offenders who are incarcerated in prison at any given time; maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes.What you'll earn: $33,600 annually

Comptroller
What you'll do: Supervise cash flows in organizations, audit government accounts and sometimes certify expenditures. Some comptrollers examine the way the state government does just about everything in search of ways to do it better.What you'll earn: $55,800 annually

Engineering Manager
What you'll do: Plan, direct or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.What you'll earn: $104,210

Computer and Information Systems Managers
What you'll do: Write computer programs, analyze problems related to data processing, and keep computer systems running smoothly. Plan, direct or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis and computer programming.What you'll earn: $100,110

Biological Scientist
What you'll do: Study living organisms and their relationship to their environment, research problems dealing with life processes and living organisms. What you'll earn: $68,950

General Attorney
What you'll do: Perform consultation, advisory, and/or trial work, and carry out the legal processes necessary to affect the rights, privileges and obligations of the organization. Gather evidence and information for management decision making. Prepare and review various legal instruments and documents, such as contracts, leases, licenses, purchases, sales, real estate, etc.What you'll earn: $105,577

Still need a reason to work for the U.S. government? How about four?

Reason No. 1: Flexible Qualifications
Years of experience can frequently replace college education in a government position. Senior level government positions may not require a college degree at all, while similar corporate positions do. Plus, the government hires people at all levels of experience and education: inexperienced high school graduates, college students, retiring veterans, GEDs and Ph.D.s. The government is also more likely to hire older qualified workers.

Reason No. 2: Pay and Benefits
Government salaries are comparable to corporate counterparts. The government offers locality pay, so your salary reflects your area's cost of living. Plus, the government is known for strong employee benefits, which are the same for every employee. They receive, among other benefits:

 

Thirteen sick days per year that roll over;
Ten paid holidays and vacation time that increases over the years;
Flexible work schedules and teleworking options;
Options for extending healthcare coverage to parents, adult children and other family questions.

Some agencies offer public transit subsidies, recruitment bonuses, student loan repayment and relocation assistance. The government's retirement benefits are secure, unlike the private sector. Government pensions are based on salary and years of service, and health insurance continues into retirement.

Reason No. 3: Job Security
While today's corporate jobs are more subject to downsizing, job security is one of the most noteworthy advantages of government employment. Though the government is known for its strict hierarchal structure and strict guidelines/procedures, these protocols protect your job from elimination. Thus, government jobs offer the luxury of planning for the future.

Reason No. 4: Hiring Outlook
The government is always hiring. In fact, there may be up to 18,000 job vacancies at any given time. Employees are always retiring, being promoted or moving to the private sector. So despite national trends toward downsizing and budget cuts, the government always has job openings due to turnover.

 

10 High-Paying Jobs ... No
Degree Required

Higher education and higher income often go hand in hand, but a college diploma certainly isn't the only ticket to the gravy train. Just ask Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen. These two college dropouts are now among the wealthiest people in the United States, with an estimated combined net worth of $72 billion.

They have plenty of company. Five of the six richest self-made billionaires on Forbes magazine's list of the nation's wealthiest people didn't finish college.

Exceptional performers or entrepreneurs in nearly any industry can command enormous salaries. The following jobs, however, consistently boast high pay, with nationwide average salaries far above the norm -- and none require a degree.

1. Air Traffic Controller -- $105,820
The job: Organizing and controlling the flow of airplanes into and out of an airport.

How to get it: You may not need a college degree, but getting hired as an air traffic controller isn't easy. Candidates need four years of college and/or three years of work experience before undergoing pre-employment testing. Once they make the cut, they must complete the FAA Academy and an additional training program before starting work.

2. Real Estate Broker -- $76,930
The job: Helping clients sell their residential property.

How to get it: To obtain a broker's license, candidates need 60 to 90 hours of formal classroom training, and one to three years of real estate sales experience.

3. Transportation Manager -- $75,130
The job: Working out the logistics for transportation firms, including mapping out the best routes and estimating demand.

How to get it: Experience driving a truck or working in transportation sales is the most common route to this occupation. Just over half of transportation managers have some college experience, but less than one-quarter completed a bachelor's degree.

4. Non-Retail Sales Supervisor -- $73,670
The job: Hiring, training, supervising and scheduling the work of sales workers, including cashiers and customer service representatives.

How to get it: Many supervisors start out on the sales floor and work their way up the organization. Good conversational skills, problem-solving ability and computer literacy are crucial.

5. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator -- $66,900
The job: Running the machinery at nuclear reactors.

How to get it: Operating a nuclear power reactor requires extensive training by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which includes a mix of classroom work and on-the-job instruction. To obtain a license, candidates must pass an annual practical exam and may be subjected to drug screenings.

6. Gaming Manager -- $65,920
The job: Creating game policies and managing the day-to-day responsibilities at a casino.

How to get it: Work experience is the primary requirement. Many gaming managers start out as dealers or other casino floor workers.

7. Power Distributor -- $59,510
The job: Controlling the flow of electricity through lines to industrial plants or substations.

How to get it: A high school diploma is usually required, and candidates undergo extensive on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

8. Detective -- $58,750
The job: Gathering facts and evidence to help solve crimes.

How to get it: Detectives usually begin as police officers and get promoted to detective after a probationary period that ranges from six months to three years.

9. Elevator Repairer -- $58,500
The job: Installing, repairing and maintaining elevators and escalators.

How to get it: Most new repairers apply through the local chapter of the International Union of Elevator Constructors. To qualify for an apprenticeship, candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, pass an aptitude test and be in good physical shape.

10. Ship Engineer -- $57,290
The job: Operating and maintaining machinery on a ship, including propulsion engines, generators and pumps.

How to get it: Most water transportation occupations require a license from the U.S. Coast Guard. Applicants must accumulate a certain number of hours at sea and pass a written exam, physical exam, drug screening and National Driver Register Check to be considered.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

America's Top 50 Salaries

It's only natural that you're curious. Who doesn't want to sneak a peek at the paychecks of America's wealthiest workers?

In the spirit of disclosure, here's a look at the median salaries of America's 50 highest-paying jobs, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The list of America's top earners contains many expected results (chief executives and lawyers), as well as some that may come as a surprise (air traffic controllers, construction managers). And, of course, there's proof positive that it pays to have an MD: surgeons and physicians dominate the list.

1. Surgeons -- $177,690

2. Anesthesiologists -- $174,240

3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- $171,810

4. Orthodontists -- $163,410

5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons -- $160,660

6. Internists, General -- $156,550

7. Psychiatrists -- $146,150

8. Prosthodontists -- $146,080

9. Family and General Practitioners -- $140,370

10. Chief Executives -- $139,810

11. Pediatricians, General -- $139,230

12. Airline Pilots, Copilots and Flight Engineers -- $135,040

13. Dentists, General -- $133,680

14. Podiatrists -- $111,250

15. Lawyers -- $110,520

16. Air Traffic Controllers -- $105,820

17. Engineering Managers -- $105,470

18. Computer and Information Systems Managers -- $102,360

19. Marketing Managers -- $101,990

20. Astronomers -- $101,360

21. Natural Sciences Managers -- $99,140

22. Sales Managers -- $98,510

23. Petroleum Engineers -- $97,350

24. Financial Managers -- $96,620

25. Law Teachers, Postsecondary -- $95,570

26. Optometrists -- $95,500

27. General and Operations Managers -- $95,470

28. Computer and Information Scientists, Research -- $94,030

29. Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates -- $91,500

30. Physicists -- $91,480

31. Actuaries -- $90,760

32. Nuclear Engineers -- $90,690

33. Industrial-Organizational Psychologists -- $89,980

34. Human Resources Managers -- $89,950

35. Pharmacists -- $88,650

36. Securities, Commodities and Financial Services Sales Agents -- $87,990

37. Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners -- $87,630

38. Computer Hardware Engineers -- $87,170

39. Public Relations Managers -- $85,820

40. Aerospace Engineers -- $85,450

41. Political Scientists -- $84,820

42. Physical Scientists -- $84,380

43. Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software -- $84,310

44. Personal Financial Advisors -- $82,970

45. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary -- $82,450

46. Chiropractors -- $82,060

47. Industrial Production Managers -- $81,960

48. Construction Managers -- $81,760

49. Purchasing Managers -- $81,440

50. Advertising and Promotions Managers -- $81,250

 

 

Are you looking for career guidance, career options?  A degree can certainly help to open doors to opportunities.  Well, employers are actually looking for more street smart people who have life experiences to show results.

10 Six-Figure Jobs without a Professional Degree

Earning $100,000 in any profession requires a combination of hard work, career training, and personal experience. These ten jobs prove that you can grow your salary to six figures without a law degree or a medical school diploma. In all ten cases, online career training programs can help you learn the skills to pursue a career with megabucks potential while continuing to build experience at your current job.

With education and will, these ten career equations offer ways to earn serious money:

#1: Marketing Manager + trend spotting = a Six-Figure Income
In today's economy, nearly every kind of enterprise requires a marketing manager to grow sales. So what makes a top manager? Professionals at the start of their marketing careers can use the best practices learned in online marketing degree programs to understand the constantly shifting landscape of sales and marketing. Having a nose for the financial news and being the first to spot a market trend means career advancement. According to government statistics, most marketing careers offer salaries and bonuses of over $100,000 at the executive level.

#2: Health Services Manager + the science of compliance = a Six-Figure Income
Complex legal requirements and pressure from insurance companies have created a demand for health services managers who can maintain compliance while maximizing profits. The top ten percent of healthcare management professionals can earn performance bonuses that raise their annual compensation packages to over $117,000. Experience managers with compliance skills will find that an online healthcare administration degree program can help them move from the job they have into a health care management position.

#3: Information Systems Manager + high goals = a Six-Figure Income
Set your sights on a CIO position if you want an information systems management position to payoff big time. If you're already a manager who likes deciding everything from hardware to personnel, pursuing a degree in IT online offers a convenient route into information systems management. Aim for the corner office and rack up some experience if you want your technology degree to yield a six-figure salary. More than half of the CIOs responding to a recent government salary survey reported annual incomes of over $100,000.

#4: Financial Manager + ethical choices = a Six-Figure Income
Having an MBA in finance is a good start, but even an MBA needs good experience and smart choices to grab a stratospheric salary as a financial manager. Today's highest paid CFOs blend career training with solid track records and high ethical standards. Finance careers in commodities brokerages offer salaries of over $120,000. Many online finance degree programs offer professionals the opportunity use work projects as research opportunities, making finance career training even more convenient.

#5: Human Resources Manager + high performance = a Six-Figure Income
In human resources, performance is golden. Successful HR managers do much more for their employers than stage recruiting fairs at local universities. By developing compensation programs and reducing employee turnover, HR managers can earn hefty bonuses. According to government statistics, the top ten percent earn over $129,000 annually. For professionals with business degrees, earning a human resource management degree online can be an exciting first step toward a job as a "talent tactician."

#6: Fashion Designer + uniquely individual style = a Six-Figure Salary
Winning "Project Runway" isn't the only way to earn $100,000 in a fashion design career. While many six-figure fashion designers may not yet be household names, they cater to clients who prefer custom couture. A high salary in a fashion design career requires more than just a fashion design degree, though. According to experts, successful designers must find a niche, market their brand, and build a loyal base of private clients.

#7: Court Reporter + overtime = a Six-Figure Salary
Even though government statistics show that many court reporters earn over $40,000 per year, some court reporters to have the chance to make much, much more money than that. Why? Document backlogs in certain cities have pushed overtime pay for court reporters to record levels. The court reporter who adds freelance transcribing for private depositions and business meetings to a base income can crack $100,000 per year. In addition to earning your bachelor's degree, most states require certification.

#8: Computer Application Development Manager + leadership = a Six-Figure Salary
Application development managers lead small teams of programmers through specific deadlines. Tight budgets and competition for graduates of computer programming degree programs keep AD managers busy. It's a career in which leadership pays. Most application development managers earn over $98,000 annually. Veteran managers skilled at getting the most out of their teams can earn a computer programming degree and make the leap to an AD management position.

#9: Nursing Supervisor + persistence in leadership = a Six-Figure Salary
At first glance, nursing schools don't seem like a rung in the mega money ladder. Still, some veteran nurses are realizing their dreams of becoming leaders in their field. By earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, experienced registered nurses can qualify for higher-paying administrative jobs, earning about $55,000 per year. Given the competition in some cities for talented nursing career professionals, that income escalates dramatically. With persistence and performance, administrators who reduce turnover and maximize compliance can now reach six-figure incomes.

#10: Education Administrator + quality assurance = a Six-Figure Salary
Under pressure to save money while reducing class sizes, many school boards recruit expert leaders from the business community to serve as education administrators. School boards expect to pay these "civilians" more, so an effective leader can turn a degree in education administration into a six-figure career. Adding a master's in education administration to an existing business degree offers enterprise professionals a new career option. Although most education administrators earn about $77,000 per year, they too can hit six figures with bonuses for improving standardized test scores and staff turnover rates.

So, where there's a will, there's a way to a six figure salary--even in fields that don't yield six figures as a rule. These ten careers not only offer earning potential far beyond the norm (which the BLS reported at just short of $36,000 in 2005), they also lure workers pursuing allied career paths into getting enough education to jump ship. Perhaps this year will be the year you decide to join them.

 

Are you looking for career guidance, career options?  A degree can certainly help to open doors to opportunities.  Well, employers are actually looking for more street smart people who have life experiences to show results.

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