Seven degrees for high-income careers

Source: Yahoo

These seven college degrees have the potential to pay you back - and then some.

By Lia Sestric

When you head to the ice cream parlor (or your favorite fro yo place), you pick a flavor you know will make you happy right? The same rule should apply to how you select your college major.
But if happiness to you means seeing a return on that educational investment, you may want to consider a college degree's payback potential. Yes, the decision may not be as easy (or sweet) as choosing a frozen scoop, but doing some smart research will certainly help.
"Some degree programs provide students specific skill sets that are rare and can immediately be applied to an employer," says John Paul Engel, founder and CEO at Knowledge Capital Consulting, a management consulting firm. If you choose a degree like this, you could increase your marketability, which may be worthy of a bigger paycheck.
Fortunately, making the wrong degree choice doesn't have to mean game over for you. And of course, there are no guarantees that a particular degree will help you land a better-paying job, but it may help put the odds in your favor.
Are you ready to learn more? Here are seven majors that could pay back.

Degree #1: Computer Science

If it feels as though life has become very computerized, that's because it has. Everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to the latest gadgets. Only question is, are you ready to jump into the driver's seat and direct where technology heads next? If so, you may want to think about earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, which may lead to a career with an attractive salary.
What You May Learn: Students in computer science programs study the way humans and computers interact, according to the College Board, a nonprofit organization that promotes higher education. As a student you may take mathematics for computer science, software engineering, and digital system design, to name a few.
How It Pays Back: "Every modern enterprise of any size relies on experts in computer science to keep their critical systems running," says Engel. "Whether your goal is to invent the next must-have application, join the armies of enterprise resource consultants, or simply build cool websites for local businesses, a degree in computer science will serve you well." Translation? Many career avenues that may be financially rewarding.

Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.

Potential Careers*:

• Computer and information systems manager
  Median annual wage: $120,950
• Applications software developer
  Median annual wage: $90,060
• Computer programmer
  Median annual wage: $74,280

Degree #2: Health Care Administration

Do you want to get involved in the booming health care field? If you want to make a difference, as well as a healthy salary, think about earning a bachelor's degree in health care administration.
What You May Learn: Students in a health services administration program might take health care courses such as health care law and health care ethics as well as classes like accounting, anatomy and physiology, and statistics, according to the College Board.
How It Pays Back: "As the baby boomers age, there will be an ever-increasing need for more health care facilities of various kinds," says Engel. "A degree in this field will help you learn the many complexities associated with running a modern health care facility from an assisted care facility to a major hospital. Every community needs health care administrators." And that need could mean employers are willing to pay good money for people who can fill this role.

Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.

Potential Careers*:

• Medical and health services manager
  Median annual wage: $88,580

Degree #3: Civil Engineering

Are you fascinated by the Golden Gate Bridge or the Sears Tower? How would you like to learn how to design great bridges and buildings for today and generations to come? If you're intrigued by the idea, you may want to consider a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. It's a major that can pay off in more ways than one.
What You May Learn: How do you feel about math and science? According to the College Board, civil engineering majors learn how to combine the two to create construction projects. These majors also learn about calculating a structure's maximum weight load and identifying environmental concerns on a project.
Students may take courses in engineering economics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, and strength of materials.
How It Pays Back: Engel says it comes down to simple economics: "Decades of neglect have created an enormous need for people who can build and rebuild our nation's critical infrastructure."

Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.

A civil engineering degree will prepare you to pursue this type of work, which may offer more than reasonable pay, he adds. "Civil engineers learn how to design and build roads, bridges, and buildings that can weather whatever Mother Nature can throw at it," says Engel. "Civil engineers are the builders of society."
Potential Careers*:

• Civil engineer
  Median annual wage: $79,340

Degree #4: Psychology

Do you like to people watch? If studying human behavior is one of your favorite pastimes, why not study psychology? A bachelor's in psychology could prepare you to pursue many fascinating job possibilities that could pay back.
What You May Learn: If you major in psychology, you could study the way humans and animals think, feel, act, and learn, according to the College Board. And don't be surprised if your class work becomes very hands-on with you playing the human guinea pig, adds the College Board.
Common courses may include perception and sensation, neuroscience, personality, and statistical methods in psychology.
How It Pays Back: A psychology degree pays off because every profession values the ability to understand human behavior, says Claudine Vainrub, an independent college counselor.
"Psychology majors become great assets in corporate departments such as human resources management and industrial relations, as they are ready to assess personalities and abilities, work with people, understand their concerns, and address individual situations," says Vainrub. "People graduating with a bachelor's in psychology can also be an asset in marketing departments, especially to analyze consumer behavior and understand market trends."

Click to Find the Right Psychology Program.

In other words, earning a psychology degree can help you go after more than one career with good earning potential.
Potential Careers*:

• Social worker
  Median annual wage: $54,560
• Probation officer
  Median annual wage: $48,190

Degree #5: Business Administration

What does every successful business need? A plan. Consisting of what? Smart choices. If you want to see that college investment pay off, a wise choice may be to major in business, says Vainrub.
What You May Learn: Ready to nail down a business plan? Business courses may help. If you're a business administration and management student, major courses might include operations management, financial management, accounting, and management information systems, says the College Board.
How It Pays Back: "As generation Y seeks to create their own jobs, business administration is the field that can allow them to learn how to become successful entrepreneurs," says Vainrub. "This field might have the biggest payoff as students begin developing their own brands and companies while they are in college and start making money."

Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.

She adds, "If being an entrepreneur is not the student's choice, consulting and jobs in the financial industry are one step away for these professionals." In essence? Earning a business degree may offer many viable career opportunities with sizeable pay.
Potential Careers*:

• Human resources manager
  Median annual wage: $99,720
• Financial analyst
  Median annual wage: $76,950

Degree #6: Accounting

Can you easily crunch numbers in your head, or do calculations make it spin? If you belong to the former crowd, a bachelor's degree in accounting may be for you. If you work the math, you may find that this degree could pay you back.
What You May Learn: The College Board says an accounting program teaches students how to interpret an institution's financial performance. Classes for this degree might include multiple levels of accounting courses, as well as business law, auditing, and tax accounting.
How It Pays Back: A bachelor's in accounting opens the door to many careers because the degree shows you acquired a valuable skill set, says Engel.
"Accountants have the analytical skills to understand the metrics that drive the business," he says. "They help senior management understand performance and drive increasing productivity." Furthermore, Engel adds, "This career is often a gateway to senior management for ambitious accountants that obtain a CPA and public accounting or consulting experience.

Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.

What happens when you work your way up the career ladder? You guessed it, more pay.
Potential Careers*:

• Budget analyst
  Median annual wage: $69,280
• Auditor and accountant
  Median annual wage: $63,550

Degree #7: Nursing

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? If you enjoy helping others, why not earn a nursing degree? A bachelor's in nursing could prepare you to help people get better - and the pay isn't bad, either.
What You May Learn: Ready to train to help the sick and disabled? A student pursuing a nursing degree may take courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and psychology, in addition to nursing courses like adult or mental-health nursing, says the College Board.
How It Pays Back: A nurse's relationship with a patient oftentimes is incomparable, says Engel. While health care continues to evolve technology-wise, Engel says technology cannot replace the bond shared between a nurse and a patient.

Click to Find the Right Nursing Program.

Plus, Engel adds, "With more people having access to insurance and a rapidly aging population of baby boomers, nurses are going to be in higher demand for decades to come. While doctors are the most highly compensated members of the medical profession, nurses are the professionals on their right hand administering care."
Potential Careers*:

• Registered nurse
  Median annual wage: $65,470

Hot degrees to pursue in 2014 and beyond

Source: Yahoo

If you're planning on going back to school in 2014, make sure you choose a degree that employers love.

By Terence Loose

Are you thinking of improving your career choices by going back to school for your bachelor's degree?
While that might be a good plan, you want to make sure the degree you choose will be in demand in the future. Because, frankly, some degrees are going to be hot, and some are just not.
And choosing the right degree is just as important as having relevant work experience and skills, says Marie Zimenoff, a career management, job search strategist, and certified résumé writer at A Strategic Advantage, a career coaching company.
"The competition [will be] stiff," says Zimenoff. "So be ready to show innovation and initiative in your résumé, at an interview, and on the job to be successful."
Fortunately, we asked her and another career expert which degrees will be hot in 2014. So read on to get a jumpstart on what degrees and skills add up in the success equation.

Hot Degree #1: Bachelor's in Finance

Some say love makes the world go round, but business leaders usually say it's money. And that's one reason a degree in finance will be in high demand well into the future, says Nicole Williams, LinkedIn's career expert and the author of "Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success."
Why It'll Be Hot in 2014 and Beyond: "Finance is a degree that can be used in a myriad of different professions and is a discipline that benefits anyone, regardless of where they land in terms of their specific job," says Williams.
She adds that finance not only teaches you how to analyze and interpret financial numbers, it also gives you an integrated understanding of how business works - a skill that you could apply in fields as diverse as law and marketing.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
Typical Courses: Choose finance as a major and you'll likely take courses such as investments, analysis of financial statements, international finance, and financial management, according to the College Board, a nonprofit research organization that promotes higher education.
Potential Career: Financial Analyst. These professionals assess the performance of investments, such as stocks and bonds, to give businesses financial advice, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Financial analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in a field such as business administration, accounting, economics, or finance. The Department of Labor expects this occupation to grow by 23 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Hot Degree #2: Bachelor's in Computer Science

If you're into tech, a degree in computer science could be a good call, says Williams. It will be in high demand from employers, resulting in high pay, she says.
Why It'll Be Hot in 2014 and Beyond: "All businesses, regardless of the industry, are relying more and more heavily on technology to do everything from recruiting, marketing, networking, selling, and delivering products and services," says Williams.
This degree teaches specific computer skills like programming, computer languages, and network design and engineering, all of which companies need for their computer networks, she adds. Finally, Williams says, "This degree also teaches broad skills such as problem solving and working within a team."
Next step: Click to Find the Right Computer Science Program.
Typical Courses: The College Board says computer science majors take classes like digital system design, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and the theory of formal languages.
Potential Career: Software Developer. Does designing computer applications sound fun? That's what these creative minds do, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Software developers usually have a bachelor's in computer science. According to the Department of Labor, the projected job growth for software developers from 2010 to 2020 is 30 percent.

Hot Degree #3: Bachelor's in Marketing

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that in today's world, marketing is crucial to the success of any business. And that's why Williams says this degree is a good bet for the future.
Why It'll Be Hot in 2014 and Beyond: "We're all selling something, and that's an industry that will never die. There will always be people willing to spend money to get their messages out there," says Williams. She adds that social media is the buzzword for employers in marketing, but employers will also seek out these individuals for their strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Zimenoff says marketing students gain valuable skills in market research, branding, marketing strategy, and product life cycles, as well as currently hot skills like web and graphic design.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Marketing Program.
Typical Courses: Advertising and promotion, international marketing, marketing management, and consumer behavior are just a few of the typical courses in this major listed by the College Board.
Potential Careers: Advertising, Promotions, or Marketing Manager. These people create and manage advertising campaigns to generate interest in products and services, says the U.S. Department of Labor. A bachelor's degree is required for most of these positions, and courses in finance, accounting, management, statistics, and business law are helpful for pursuing this career. The Department of Labor adds that this job is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Hot Degree #4: Bachelor's in Accounting

Like crunching numbers? This degree might be for you. And if it is, consider yourself lucky, because Zimenoff says employers will seek accounting majors in 2014 and far beyond.
Why It'll Be Hot in 2014 and Beyond: "Similar to finance, accounting is in demand because businesses need to be able to track and analyze their financial transactions to make the best business decisions," says Zimenoff. "They are also facing ever-increasing regulations and need employees who can meet these requirements while also providing business intelligence."
Williams says accounting majors learn the advanced accounting skills needed to meet the demands of today's sophisticated financial world, such as more complicated rules and regulations. "The old stereotype of the brainy but quiet accountant doesn't fit anymore. You'll also develop communication and presentations skills."
Next step: Click to Find the Accounting Program.
Typical Courses: As an accounting major, coursework could include accounting information systems, business law, cost accounting, tax accounting, and auditing, says the College Board.
Potential Careers: Accountant or Auditor. Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, ensuring that taxes are paid properly and on time, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Most accountants and auditors need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. The Department of Labor projects that job growth for accountants and auditors will be 16 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Hot Degree #5: Bachelor's in Health Care Administration

Want a degree in what Williams describes as one of the hottest industries going forward? Try a bachelor's in health care management, which Williams says will likely offer opportunities in many different jobs and clear roads to advancement.
Why It'll Be Hot in 2014 and Beyond: "This degree will be more in demand because of rapid and extended growth in the industry as health care becomes increasingly critical for an aging and health-conscious population," says Williams. Zimenoff agrees, adding that older students who already have some work experience combined with this degree will be most competitive.
Williams says this degree will give you skills that mirror the complex health care world. You'll study everything from accounting and technology to human resources and marketing, she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Typical Courses: The College Board says health care administration majors take courses as diverse as accounting, health care ethics, human resources management, and anatomy and physiology.
Potential Career: Medical Health Services Manager. These are the professionals who work closely with doctors, nurses, and other health care staff while managing a specific department or an entire facility, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health administration. According to the Department of Labor, this occupation is projected to have 22 percent job growth from 2010 to 2020.

Hot Degree #6: Bachelor's in Business Administration

Here's a versatile degree that gives you a broad range of knowledge that will fit into virtually any industry, says Zimenoff. But she warns that although this degree will remain a good, practical choice in the future, graduates will have to distinguish themselves from others with the same degree.
Why It'll Be Hot in 2014 and Beyond: "Although it may be in demand, new graduates with a business degree may struggle if they don't have a specialty or experience in a certain direction," says Zimenoff. "With their degree of breadth in business knowledge, they will need to be able to pull the pieces together and demonstrate their relevance in a specific position or industry."
She says getting work experience while in school is key, because that's what employers want - the core business and management skills this degree offers coupled with practical skills in areas like marketing, human resources, and even leadership. "Fortunately, most business programs push internships hard, and students with these experiences will find their job search [to be] much shorter," she says.
Next step: Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
Typical Courses: Choose a business major, and the College Board says you'll likely take these courses: accounting, human resources management, operations management, and financial management.
Potential Careers: Personal Financial Advisor. These professionals help individuals with financial decisions regarding taxes, investments, and insurance, says the U.S. Department of Labor. A bachelor's degree is needed for most of these positions, and while no specific major is required, a degree in business, finance, economics, accounting, mathematics, or law is good preparation for this career. The Department of Labor also notes that this occupation is expected to grow by 32 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Six Positions Employers Are Always Hiring

Source: Yahoo

Even in today's economy, employers are struggling to fill some jobs. Are you qualified to apply?

By Jennifer Berry

You may not believe it in this sluggish economy, but many careers are still experiencing strong growth year after year, and employers are having trouble finding qualified applicants to fill open positions.
If slow economic recovery makes that seem hard to believe, consider this: According to Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, president/CEO of Great Resumes Fast, "employers are struggling to fill positions that require specialized training or expertise. If the position requires a specialized subset of skills or experience that only a few select candidates have, these positions become very hard to fill."
Marie Zimenoff, President of The National Resume Writers' Association, agrees. "There is a mismatch in the skills people have been trained for and what the market needs," she says. "The workforce needs are changing much faster than educational institutions can create new programs to fill them."
If you're thinking about going back to school, it's important to have the skills appropriate for today's job market. To help you sift through your options, here's a list of jobs that employers need to fill now - and how you can prepare to pursue them.

Career #1 - Accountant

Do you enjoy trying to figure out the best use of your financial resources? That same instinct could serve you well in a career as an accountant - one of the jobs employers are looking to fill right now.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, accountants keep accurate financial records, compute taxes, and help companies run efficiently by assessing their financial operations.
Why They're Needed Now: Two reasons we're seeing an increased demand for accountants? "Stricter regulations and the recent financial crises," says Hernandez simply.
Zimenoff agrees: "Accounting has been a growing field as the financial regulations on businesses and individuals have become increasingly more complex."
Just how much is the field growing? The Department of Labor expects employment for accountants and auditors to increase 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, which means we should see 190,700 new accounting jobs.
Click to Find the Right Accounting Program.
How to Prepare For The Job: You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field to get started, according to the Department, though some employers seek people with a master's degree in accounting or business administration with a concentration in accounting. To enhance your job opportunities, you could get certified as a public accountant (CPA).

Career #2 - Dental Hygienist

If you're always trying to get your loved ones to take better care of themselves, and you're looking to get into a field with high demand, you might want to consider a career as a dental hygienist.
Need a refresher on the world of oral care? No problem: Hygienists might do everything from applying sealants to taking dental x-rays to keeping track of patient treatment plans, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why They're Needed Now: Surprised this field is growing so quickly? There are a couple of big reasons why. "The field of dentistry has shifted from single-dentist offices to larger offices, which typically employ more hygienists and fewer dentists," says Zimenoff. "This has created more opportunities for hygienists."
Click to Find the Right Dental Hygiene Program.
Opportunities for dental hygienists arrive in the form of 68,500 new jobs from 2010 to 2020, says the Department of Labor, a 38 percent increase overall.
How to Prepare For The Job: According to the Department of Labor, dental hygienists typically need a certificate or an associate's degree in dental hygiene to get started in a private dental office. They are also required to have a license.

Career #3 - Market Research Analyst

Do you have your finger on the pulse of what's current today? Why not hone that natural gift and pursue a career as a market research analyst? Employers are hungry to find qualified people with these talents to fill open positions.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, market research analysts might forecast marketing and sales trends, create surveys or opinion polls, and measure the efficacy of marketing strategies.
Why They're Needed Now: For a look into why this career is growing, consider Zimenoff's illuminating comments: "As competition in the global marketplace grows, competitive and market intelligence is becoming increasingly more important to companies who want to develop products/services that meet market needs and improve their messaging to increase sales."
Click to Find the Right Business Administration Program.
How important? The Department of Labor expects employment for market research analysts to grow 41 percent from 2010 to 2020. Based on those projections, we should see the creation of 116,600 new jobs.
How to Prepare For The Job: According to the Department, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree in market research or a related field to get started - though many analysts have degrees in computer science, math, or statistics, or a background in business administration, communications, or one of the social sciences. Many market research analyst jobs also require a master's degree in something like marketing research, although many analysts get a master's in marketing, statistics, or business administration (MBA).

Career #4 - Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Were you the kid who was always trying to figure out how things work? Apply that curiosity to computer systems, and you could be poised to snag a position as a network and computer systems administrator.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, network and computer systems administrators might install network hardware and software for a company, evaluate how well it's working, and train people on how to use it.
Why They're Needed Now: This is another career with a bright future. Why? "Technology is constantly advancing and changing," says Hernandez.
"As companies grow and merge, they want to use technology to manage their business, communicate, and make operations more efficient," Zimenoff explains. "Whether it's connecting offices across the globe, upgrading systems to increase speed and decrease down time, or finding a new system to achieve a business goal, these administrators make business technology goals a reality."
Click to Find the Right Network Administration Program.
But just how real is demand for this job? The Department of Labor expects employment for network and computer systems administrators to grow 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, which should mean 96,600 new jobs.
How to Prepare For The Job: A bachelor's degree related to computer or information science is the most common requirement for this career, according to the Department of Labor. However, the Department notes that degrees in computer engineering or electrical engineering are usually acceptable as well. Some positions might require professional certification or an associate's degree in a computer field and some work experience.

Career #5 - Personal Financial Advisor

You already know money talks. But did you know it also provides a great career for financially savvy people who want to help others plan for the future and manage their nest eggs. If that sounds like you, consider pursuing a career as a personal financial advisor - another career that has open positions employers are looking to fill.
As a financial advisor you might also educate clients about investment options and risks, help people plan for specific situations like saving for college or retirement, and help monitor clients' accounts to improve performance, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why They're Needed Now: "With the recent volatility in the stock market, more individuals are seeking financial advice and firms are hiring more advisors to meet this need," explains Zimenoff. "This field also experiences a high turnover rate, as many people enter it without understanding the entrepreneurial nature and the time and effort required to build a profitable business for themselves."
Click to Find the Right Finance Program.
So if you're going after one of the 66,400 new jobs the Department of Labor expects to be added by 2020, it will pay to be focused on your goals. The strong numerical growth translates to an impressive 32 percent expansion in the field.
How to Prepare For The Job: You'll typically need a bachelor's degree to get started as a personal financial advisor, according to the Department of Labor. Degrees in finance, accounting, economics, math, business, or law, could be good preparation. The Department also notes that some colleges and universities now offer programs in financial planning.

Career #6 - Medical and Health Services Managers

Do you have natural leadership skills and compassion? Consider pursuing a career as a medical and health services manager. You could help improve the quality and efficiency of health care in your town - and help fill another open position in need of someone with the right qualifications.
Medical and health services managers direct and coordinate the health care services of a medical facility, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Some common duties include keeping up to date on new health laws and regulations, managing their facility's finances, and making schedules for their employees.
Why They're Needed Now: "Like many positions in health care, this field is growing due to demand," says Zimenoff. "As the baby boomers age and access more services, there will be increasing need for front-line and management in all health care arenas."
Hernandez adds that "services previously offered in hospitals are now shifting to doctor offices. And as the health care industry becomes more complex, physicians will rely on managers to assist them in directing the practice so they can focus on their patients."
Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
But what does this demand look like in numbers? The Department of Labor expects employment for medical and health services managers to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020 - which should create 68,000 new jobs.
How to Prepare For The Job: According to the Department of Labor, "prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health administration." Master's degrees are also common in majors such as long-term care administration, public health, health series, business administration, and public administration.