Degrees You Can Earn While Keeping Your Job

A flexible degree program could mean you don't need to quit your full-time job to go back to school.

By Andrea Duchon

Between taking care of the family, working a full-time job, and balancing a social life, you're probably wondering how you could possibly fit earning a degree into your busy schedule. Good news: Unlike a traditional education, an online degree program could offer you the flexibility to complete your degree whenever you see fit.
But that's not the only reason you might consider going to school online.
"Online learning is a great supplement while working full-time because you have the opportunity to apply what you're learning within your current employment while growing your experience alongside your education, making you even more valuable as a professional," says Megan Pittsley-Fox, a career coach at WorkLife Careers, a career management agency in San Jose, Calif.
Of course, convenient doesn't mean easy. It can take hard work and self-discipline to complete online coursework successfully.
But if you're up for the challenge, keep reading to learn about seven great online degrees you could earn while working full-time.

Online Degree #1: Business Administration

The business world is cutthroat, and those climbing the corporate ladder need every available tool in their toolbox to succeed. So earning an online bachelor's degree in business administration could help you get ahead without forcing you to turn in your two-week notice.
What might you learn in this degree program? The College Board, an organization that promotes higher education, says that students pursuing a business administration and management degree may take courses in operations management, financial management, accounting, business ethics and law, economics, and marketing.
The Online Advantage: "Since most business careers involve office work and electronic communications, achieving a business degree online fits right into the skill set needed to achieve success in the office," says Pittsley-Fox.
"And many times," she adds, "working with people from all over the world in an online course opens your mind to new possibilities that you can take to the office to strengthen your interpersonal skills with your colleagues and supervisors."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
Potential Career Options*:

• Human resources manager
• Financial manager

Online Degree #2: IT and Information Systems

Love the idea of developing computer programs or helping an organization work out its technical kinks? An online degree in information systems or IT could be just what you need to gather the necessary skills without sacrificing your full-time paycheck.
In an information technology program, you could take courses in computer networking, computer systems and architecture, and Web technologies, according to the College Board. You'll also focus on learning how computer systems support communications and business needs.
The Online Advantage: Pittsley-Fox says that the IT field is a hot one for online education because its very essence is focused on continued education and the latest technological advances.
Plus, by earning your degree in information technology while working, "you also display an exceptional ability to multi-task and self-motivate," Pittsley-Fox says. It also shows "that you're a driven, proactive professional who doesn't need someone watching over their shoulder to get their work completed," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right IT and Information Systems Program.
Potential Career Options:

• Database administrator
• Network and computer systems administrator

Online Degree #3: K-12 Education

Have you always dreamt of teaching and mentoring the youth of the nation? An online degree in education could allow you to pursue your teaching passions without leaving your current full-time job.
"Education majors study how people learn and how to best teach them," notes the College Board. "Classes cover such topics as educational psychology, school health and safety issues, and the planning of classroom activities."
The Online Advantage: The entire educational world is moving towards online and blended learning models, just as higher education is, says Pittsley-Fox.
"Teachers who have utilized online learning management systems will be able to bring technology into their classrooms in a much more meaningful way. It also opens many doors into online tutoring and other supplemental education opportunities," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right K-12 Education Program.
Potential Career Options:

• Elementary school teacher
• High school teacher

Online Degree #4: Accounting

Love crunching numbers but don't want to be crunched for cash when your bills are due? Earning your degree in accounting online could allow you the flexibility to work full-time while going to school in your free time.
You may take courses in intro, intermediate, and advanced accounting, reports the College Board. Business law, auditing, and tax accounting are also typical types of coursework.
The Online Advantage: Pittsley-Fox says that the accounting world is increasingly technology-driven, and earning your degree online puts you face-to-face with that technology right up front.
"Accounting majors that earn their degrees online get first-hand knowledge of the latest computer applications and [Enterprise Resource Planning] systems, so they may find themselves ahead of the curve when it's time for the real deal," she adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
Potential Career Options:

• Accountant
• Auditor

Online Degree #5: Nursing

Do you see yourself working in the fast-paced environment of the medical field, but don't see yourself spending years in med school training to be a doctor? An online degree in nursing allows you the opportunity to pursue a career in this exciting field without quitting your full-time job.
According to the College Board, in a nursing program you could expect to take classes in things such as health assessment, childbearing-family nursing, pharmacology, and complex nursing.
The Online Advantage: Pittsley-Fox says you'll get first-hand knowledge of the rapidly-changing technological aspects of the medical field when you study your degree online.
And while the U.S. Department of Labor says that earning an associate's degree is one way to enter the nursing profession, if you're already working as a nurse, Pittsley-Fox says that earning a higher degree online (like a bachelor's or a master's, for example) could prep you to advance toward management opportunities.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Potential Career Options:

• Registered nurse
• Nurse educator

Online Degree #6: Paralegal Studies

Love the thrill of the courtroom but can't envision how you could earn a degree that puts you into the action while still working your full-time job? You may want to consider earning your degree in paralegal studies online.
What can you expect to study? The College Board says typical courses in a criminal justice program could include civil procedure, ethics, litigation, and law office administration.
The Online Advantage: "Working as a paralegal requires extensive research, computer, and administrative skills," says Pittsley-Fox. "Pursuing an online degree in paralegal studies not only proves to your employer that you're capable of doing the work required in the job, but that you've already had serious practice in those skills while earning your degree."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program.
Potential Career Options:

• Paralegal
• Legal assistant

Online Degree #7: Graphic Design

Do you look at magazine ads and billboards and envision how the design could be better? If yes, did you know you could earn your degree in graphic design without quitting your current job?
It's true. And the College Board says that classes like graphic design techniques, Photoshop for designers, and typography could comprise the typical coursework for a graphic design major.
The Online Advantage: "Online graphic design degrees are great because all of your day-to-day work in that field is going to be done online anyhow," says Pittsley-Fox.
"The time you save in commuting to school you can use to build sites for your portfolio, which will be the most important aspect of your applications," she says. "Most graphic designers even have their own business and do freelancing work from home, so the classroom environment could mimic that 'remote' sentiment."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Graphic Design Program.
Potential Career Options:

• Art director
• Graphic designer

How to leave your work at work

Robert Half International

As the world becomes more interconnected, separating one's professional and personal lives is harder than ever. Many people still aspire to "leave their jobs at work," but not everyone is successful.

While some jobs explicitly demand around-the-clock availability and others come to a full stop when the workday ends, many of us have a hard time knowing where, when -- and even whether -- to draw the line.

Here are three questions that can help you achieve a work-life balance that's right for you.

1. What are you doing?
A close look at your day-to-day habits can yield surprising results. You might be spending much more time in a marginally productive "half-work" state than you realize.

For a week, keep track of all your work-related activities, including seemingly negligible tasks. Be inclusive and honest. Do you check your phone in the locker room at the gym just in case there are messages from colleagues? Do you keep your laptop on the bedroom nightstand so you can get a head start on the next day?

Any time you spend talking or even thinking about work problems isn't downtime -- and therefore isn't truly restful. The resulting tiredness of being perpetually in work mode can create a snowball effect, making you less productive during business hours and necessitating further catch-up work after hours.

2. Why are you doing it?
Remaining at least partially available before or after the standard workday may be an understood aspect of your job. But in many cases, the extra duty is self-imposed, driven not by business necessity but by pride in being considered a go-to person. Another common motivator, justified or not, is fear about falling behind "more committed" colleagues.

Keep in mind that your habits can influence others' behavior. Answering an early morning text from a co-worker may make him more likely to text you in the future instead of asking someone else or holding his question until business hours.

If you're unsure what's expected of you, or of how accessible you need to be after hours, discuss the matter with your boss. You might learn that she'd rather have you fully recharge between workdays than stay within reach around the clock.

3. What's your top priority?
Just about everyone wants to enjoy a relaxing personal life and a rewarding career. It's entirely possible to have both. But in order to achieve the balance that works best for you, it's helpful to ask yourself which, ultimately, is most important. The answer may change throughout your lifetime as your career and personal life evolve. Your priorities may shift as you start a family or embark on a career that has a sharper learning curve, for instance.  

If you're passionate about your work, don't dismiss the possibility that it may become all-encompassing. For you, the work may be its own reward. If you do maintain a highly permeable work-life border, taking real (no-laptop-allowed) vacations becomes even more important as a way to prevent burnout.

Once you've reviewed your habits, discussed expectations with your boss and clarified your priorities, start adjusting the borders that surround your work. Doing so can take some practice, and you may have to endure some feelings of guilt or even boredom when you first disconnect.

Establishing the simplest rules possible can help you stick with your plan. For example, you might avoid checking your work email after 7 p.m. or go completely offline on weekends. Be sure to discuss changes with your boss before making them, emphasizing that you're looking to protect your performance, not to unload responsibilities.  

If your job requires you to be on call, make sure people know how to reach you in the event of a crisis. That way, you can be more secure knowing that if they need to reach you, they will. You don't have to check every email. 

Ideally, protecting your time off in a sensible way will help you not only start enjoying downtime more but also start having more fun at work. Before long, you might even find that your career and personal life begin to nourish each other, rather than just competing for your time.

Associate's Degrees With the Most Bang For Your Buck

Source: Yahoo

Your investment in these associate's degrees could mean a good salary in just two years or more.

By Terri Williams

You've heard the saying: "You have to spend money to make money." Well, investing in your education could be what you need for pursuing a better-paying career.
But your investment doesn't necessarily need to be long-term; there are plenty of great associate's degrees you could earn in as few as two years.
Not only that, but earning an associate's could make sense financially. Nearly 30 percent of Americans with an associate's degree actually earn more than those who hold a bachelor's, says the Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.
Plus, many of these degrees could prepare you to pursue careers that the U.S. Department of Labor reports have a median salary of at least $45K per year.
Looking for a good return on your investment? Keep reading to discover five associate's degrees that deliver the biggest bang for your buck.

Associate's Degree #1: Information Science

Are you the type of person who helps your friends and family members when they have problems with their laptops and smartphones? By earning your associate's degree in information science in as little as two years, you could prepare yourself to seek compensation for all of your technological tinkering.
The Value Factor: "As more organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software, there is an increased need for support services to perform installation, repair, and maintenance, which, in turn, creates a flood of new jobs," says La-Dana Jenkins of Career Calling, a career development firm in New York City. "An associate's degree in this discipline can quickly provide the educational background to enter this well-paying and rapidly-growing profession," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Information Science Program.
Potential Career: Computer Support Specialist
Computer support specialists provide computer help and advice to companies and other organizations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And the pay isn't bad either. The median salary for a computer support specialist is $46,420, the Department of Labor says.
According to the Department, while an associate's degree is sufficient for some computer support specialist positions, a bachelor's degree may also be required for certain jobs. More technical roles are likely to require a degree in areas like computer science, engineering, or information science, the Department says.

Associate's Degree #2: Paralegal Studies

If Perry Mason, Matlock, and Law & Order's Jack McCoy are your role models - and you enjoy investigating facts and researching laws - you probably should consider a legal career. But before you sign up for seven years earning your bachelor's and then your J.D., you might consider an associate's in paralegal studies, which could be obtained in as little as two years.
The Value Factor: How do you get bang for your buck with this degree? While a law degree can run upwards of $100,000 over a three- or four-year period, Jenkins says, an associate's program in paralegal studies is normally two years with a much lower average cost. "If someone is interested in the field of law, but is not seeking to become an attorney, obtaining an associate's degree in paralegal studies is another avenue to pursue and it is more cost effective," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Studies Program.
Potential Career: Paralegal
Paralegals support lawyers and could find themselves maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, and drafting documents, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They could also be rewarded with a good salary for this support: The Department of Labor says the median salary for a paralegal is $46,990.
Most paralegals either have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a certificate in paralegal studies and a bachelor's degree in another field, reports the Department.

Associate's Degree #3: Nursing

If you have a compassionate heart combined with a passion for the medical field, you may have the perfect combination for a career as a nurse. And you don't have to spend four or more years in school to prepare for this career, either.
The Value Factor: "[G]iven the salary that can be earned with an associate's degree, nursing has a good return on investment," Jenkins says. "This is a field that is continuously growing, so the earning potential will always be great for individuals seeking a career in nursing," she adds.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.
Potential Career: Registered Nurse
Registered nurses coordinate and give care to patients, set up plans for patient care, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And nurses can receive handsome compensation for their work. The Department of Labor reports that the median annual salary for a registered nurse is $65,950.
An associate's degree in nursing is one of three educational paths toward the career, the Department says. The other two are a bachelor's degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program. The Department also adds that registered nurses must be licensed.

Associate's Degree #4: Industrial Engineering Technology

If you're analytical and detail-oriented with a gift for effectively organizing people and processes, you could consider earning a degree in industrial engineering. How long will it take to earn this degree? You guessed it - as few as two years.
The Value Factor: "Because a person with this degree can work in so many different industries, including green occupations, and in public, private, and non-profit arenas, this is a beneficial and cost-effective educational investment," says Jenkins.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Technical Trade and Engineering Program.
Potential Career: Industrial Engineering Technician
Industrial engineering technicians plan ways to use personnel, materials, and machines in factories, stores, health care organizations, and other areas, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And as assistants to industrial engineers, they can earn a pretty decent wage. The Department says that these technicians earn a median of $50,980 annually.
According to the Department, industrial engineering techs usually need an associate's degree or certificate. It notes that prospective technicians should study applied science, industrial technology, or industrial engineering technology. The Department also says courses that help students develop computer skills are helpful for learning computer-aided design or computer-aided manufacturing software on the job.

Associate's Degree #5: Dental Hygiene

If you want to help others keep their chompers sparkly and white, you might find fulfillment in a career improving the dental health of others. In as few as two years, you could earn your degree in dental hygiene - which could prep you to pursue the field.
The Value Factor: Jenkins says that earning this degree could not only give you a good ROI for your education, but you also don't need a bachelor's to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. "A dental hygiene degree is a win-win situation for a person interested in dentistry because this two-year degree can provide a median salary that exceeds $70,000 a year," Jenkins says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
Potential Career: Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists do things like clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases, and provide other preventative dental care, says the U.S. Department of Labor. And the Department of Labor median annual salary figure is on par with Jenkins' estimate: $70,210.
The Department of Labor states that an associate's degree in dental hygiene is typically needed for dental hygiene positions. Dental hygienists are also required to have a license, the Department says.