These degrees can teach you valuable skills that could translate to on-the-job success.
Are you considering going back to school, but want to make sure you
earn a degree that will give you in-demand, marketable skills that
prepare you for a shot at a good career?
Well, good news. We did some homework that might just save you a little of your own.
First, we asked experts to weigh in on various popular bachelor's
degree programs, telling us what marketable skills they might teach
students. Then we matched those skills with careers that the U.S.
Department of Labor predicts will have a higher than average growth rate
from 2010 to 2020. That average, by the way, is 14 percent, according
to the Department of Labor itself.
So read on to see what we found.
Degree #1: Computer Science
Here's a degree that teaches both specific and general skills
that are applicable to a wide variety of careers, says David Bakke, an
editor at MoneyCrashers.com, a career and financial advice website. And
the coursework, while rigorous, does pay off in marketability, he says.
Earning the Degree: Typical classes taken by
computer science majors might include digital system design, computer
system organization, artificial intelligence, and data structures and
algorithms, says the College Board, a nonprofit research organization
that promotes higher education.
Depending on the specific program, Bakke says a computer science
degree could teach any number of specific computer-related skills such
as programming, data management, and graphics.
These programs also often develop students' analytic and
problem-solving skills, as well as their ability to lead or be part of a
team, working toward a common goal, he says. This is often how those
new apps or software programs are developed, he says.
Potential Career:* Software Developer
Projected Job Growth, 2010 to 2020:** 30 percent
These are the creative minds behind those fancy computer and
phone applications you have open in other tabs at the moment - which
explains why the U.S. Department of Labor suggests the following skills
for potential applicants: creativity, analytical ability,
problem-solving, and teamwork.
The Department of Labor says that software developers typically
have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a
related field.
Degree #2: Health Care Administration
Whether you watch CNN, Fox News, or even Comedy Central, you've
no doubt noticed a lot of talk about the future of health care. That's
because it's the country's fastest growing industry and will be one of
the biggest recruiters of college graduates in the next decade, says
Anthony P. Carnevale, director of Georgetown University's Center on
Education and the Workforce.
Earning the Degree: Health care administration
majors might study everything from accounting and health care law to
health care ethics and epidemiology, says the College Board.
Debra Wheatman, a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and
president of Careers Done Write, a career coaching agency, says this
degree is valuable, because it teaches complex problem-solving and
communication, as well as specific skills in areas like human resources
and management.
"Graduates should come out with the ability to look at a problem
from many different perspectives and come to a solution that is best for
all parties," she says. In the case of the medical industry, that's
important to employers, because there's a lot on the line - money, but
also patients' health.
Potential Career: Medical and Health Services Manager
Projected Job Growth, 2010 to 2020: 22 percent
These professionals manage health care facilities large and
small, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Problem-solving and
communication skills are important in this career.
The Department of Labor also says that "prospective medical and
health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health
administration." However, they also note that master's degrees are also
common, in fields such as health services, business administration,
public health, public administration, and long-term care administration.
Degree #3: Business Administration
Here's a perennial favorite degree that offers a very eclectic
set of skills, says Ryan S. Himmel, president and CEO of BIDaWiz, Inc., a
financial advice website and company. He says that's because the
coursework in this degree covers a broad range of business topics.
Earning the Degree: The College Board says a
business administration and management major typically takes a course
load that might include operations management, financial management,
economics, business ethics and law, and marketing.
"Some skills you'll get with this degree are management,
communication, and analytical skills," adds Himmel. "And these are key
to success in the management of any business."
Potential Career: Financial Analyst
Projected Job Growth, 2010 to 2020: 23 percent
These finance experts study stocks, bonds, and other types of
investments and make investment recommendations to businesses and
individuals, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They say it is important
for these pros to have analytical, communication, decision-making, and
other similar skills.
The Department of Labor says a bachelor's degree in business
administration, accounting, economics, finance, or statistics is
required for many financial analyst positions.
Degree #4: IT and Information Science
With Big Data - the accumulation of massive amounts of
information about consumers by large companies - fast becoming the buzz
word in the big business world, a degree in information technology (IT)
or information science could be very valuable, says Bakke.
Earning the Degree: IT majors could take courses
such as computer networking, computer systems and architecture, systems
analysis and design, and web technologies.
Bakke says some of the key skills you'll acquire in these classes
and by pursuing this degree are information storage and database
management - two things crucial to working with Big Data.
Other, equally important skills Bakke says IT students pick up are analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Potential Career: Computer Systems Analyst
Projected Job Growth, 2010 to 2020: 22 percent
These tech-savvy pros help make more efficient and productive
computer systems for companies, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They
add that it is important for computer systems analysts to have
analytical, creative, and teamwork skills.
The Department of Labor says most of these professionals have a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field.
Degree #5: Accounting
Looking for a practical degree that offers real-world skills that
will be in demand for the foreseeable future? Look no further than a
bachelor's in accounting, says Susan Heathfield, who has more than two
decades of experience in the human resources field and writes for
About.com.
Earning the Degree: The College Board says an
accounting major typically takes classes like business law, cost
accounting, government and not-for-profit accounting, and accounting
information systems.
"This degree is in my top three for giving skills employers are
looking for," says Heathfield. She does have one caveat: Because the
entire world is now reliant on computers, accounting majors should gain
computing skills as well as the more traditional accounting skills.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Math, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills,
are a few of the in-demand skills this degree provides, she says.
"Following the financial crisis, accountants are now very important to
companies and need to be able to communicate risks to management
clearly," she says.
Potential Career: Accountant
Projected Job Growth, 2010 to 2020: 16 percent
Accountants not only make sure a company's financial books are in
order, they also prepare taxes and sometimes offer financial advice to
management, says the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor
says these pros should have analytical, communication, organizational,
and other similar skills.
While a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field is
needed for most accountant positions, some employers might prefer those
with a master's degree in accounting, or in business administration with
a concentration in accounting, says the Department.
Degree #6: Paralegal Studies
These days, pursuing a degree in paralegal studies is about
computer technology - especially when it comes to research skills - as
it is about solid writing and analytical skills, says Bakke. And the
coursework seems to reflect that.
Earning the Degree: Typical courses for
paralegal studies majors may include civil procedure, criminal law and
procedure, legal research and writing, and litigation, says the College
Board.
This degree should hone important legal profession skills like
writing, analytics, and, in today's world, computer skills, says Nancy
Tetreaux, a communication and career coach with 20 years of experience
in human resources management.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Program.
"And of course gaining expertise in research skills is key," she
adds. She says current legal trends mean that most of this research has
moved from actual law libraries to online libraries and search engines,
so coursework will reflect that.
Potential Career: Paralegal
Projected Job Growth, 2010 to 2020: 18 percent
Paralegals assist lawyers both in and out of court by doing
everything from conducting research to drafting legal documents, says
the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor adds that helpful
skills for the profession include computer, research, writing, and
speaking.
The Department says that most paralegals have an associate's
degree in paralegal studies or a bachelor's degree in any field along
with a certificate in paralegal studies.