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Hot business careers you don't need an MBA to pursue


Hot business careers

Did you think an MBA was required to score a hot business career? Not so. Check out these six bachelor-based business careers.

By Terence Loose
When it comes to pursuing a hot career in business, you may think you need a master's in business administration (MBA) to join the pinstriped, corner-office crowd.
And if you have yet to get your bachelor's degree, that MBA threshold can seem especially daunting.
But before you trash your suit and tie dreams, along with your plans for going back to school, you should know that there are plenty of exciting, in-demand, business-related careers that require no more than a bachelor's degree.
"Attaining an MBA is not always necessary to build a great business career," says Laura Labovich, president of The Career Strategy Group, a full-service career consulting firm. "In fact, getting a bachelor's degree in a specific area that fills employers' needs, and an area that you're passionate about, can take you a long way."
On that advice, we spoke to various experts, and backed up their information with research from the U.S. Department of Labor. So read on for six growing business-related careers that don't require more education than a bachelor's degree to pursue.

Hot Non-MBA Career #1: Human Resources Specialist

2010 to 2020 Growth:* 21 percent, or 90,700 new jobs
Companies are realizing that one of their most valuable assets is their staff. And, keeping them happy, motivated, and loyal demands the skills of great a human resources team, says Beverly Morgan, partner and general manager with WinterWyman, a national recruiting firm.
HR specialists do things like recruit, screen, interview, and place workers, says the U.S. Department of Labor. They also might train workers, explain benefit or incentive programs, and even ensure that all human resources functions comply with regulations, the Department of Labor adds.
Morgan says these skills need not be attained in an MBA program, but are in high demand. "Organizations understand that a good HR professional can empower their employees, keep retention at an all-time high, and have the recruiting skills to hire the best talent. Without a strong HR organization, the morale, culture, and turnover will affect the overall success of any business," she says.
Education Options: Most human resources specialist positions require a bachelor's degree, says the Department. For example, most employers prefer applicants who have a bachelor's degree in business, human resources, or a related field for human resources generalist positions, says the Department.

Hot Non-MBA Career #2: Public Relations Manager

2010 to 2020 Growth:* 16 percent, or 68,300 new jobs
Public relations (PR) has changed dramatically in the past decade, says Phil Dunn, president of Synapse Services Co., a web technologies and marketing company. Nowadays, he says, PR managers need to be all about social media, blogging, videos, and other fast-paced, techie ways to get messages out. "The ones who really know social media these days have great careers," says Dunn.
PR managers create and maintain a good public image for their clients, and help clarify the organization's point of view to its main audience, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Dunn says that companies and clients care more about your skills than any master's degree. "They want to see high-quality content and coverage in social media," says Dunn. One traditional trait they do want is interpersonal skills, however. "Good PR can start with a back and forth conversation on a topic or some good data to move on," he says.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, only a bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or journalism is generally required.  However, as of 2010, 25 percent of PR managers held master's degrees.

Hot Non-MBA Career #3: Accountant

2010 to 2020 Growth:* 16 percent, or 190,700 new jobs
Accountant may not be the sexiest job in town, but it has two big things going for it, says Deb Hornell, a business and management consultant with 25 years of experience: It's going to be in demand in the business world as long as businesses need to manage money - and it doesn't require a master's degree for a decent paying position.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, accountants do everything from preparing and examining financial records, to assessing financial operations so companies can run more efficiently.
"Accountants are absolutely essential to all business. It's an infrastructure thing: they are part of the foundations of successful businesses," Hornell says. And after the scandals of the past decade or so, accountants are needed more than ever to ensure proper accounting methods and ethics in business, she adds.
Education Options: Most accounting positions require a bachelor's degree in accounting, or a related field, says the Department of Labor. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master's degree.

Hot Non-MBA Career #4: Market Research Analyst

2010 to 2020 Growth:* 41 percent, or 116,600 new jobs
No, that 41 percent growth prediction is not a typo; the U.S. Department of Labor says the career of market research analyst will be very hot over the next decade. Why? Big data - the massive amounts of information on customer and population trends that companies have been accumulating - needs to be analyzed in order to pay dividends, says John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., a global outplacement firm.
Specifically, market research analysts crunch data and tell companies who will buy their products, in what regions, and at what price, says the Department of Labor.
"For example, retailers for the holiday season are monitoring their traffic flows hour by hour, store by store in much more depth than ever before," says Challenger. This way they can fine-tune their staff, their products, and their stock, to maximize profits and minimize loss, he says.
Education Options: Market research analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in market research, or a related field, says the Department of Labor. However, many have degrees in fields such as computer science, math, or statistics, while others have a background in business administration, communications, or one of the social sciences. The Department adds that many market research positions require a master's degree.

Hot Non-MBA Career #5: Financial Analyst

2010 to 2020 Growth:* 23 percent, or 54,200 new jobs
It first happened with the computer revolution, after which every company had a computer or IT guy. Now, it's the finance person that's in just as high demand, says Anthony P. Carnevale, director of Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce.
Financial analysts assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other investments to help businesses make sound financial decisions, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
"Financial structures are now so complex that every company needs their own finance person or department," says Carnevale. He says that finance is one of the fastest growing areas in the economy because of its penetration and importance to virtually all business sectors.
Education Options: The Department of Labor says financial analysts typically have bachelor's degrees in areas such as finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or statistics. A master's degree is required for advanced positions, the Department notes.

Hot Non-MBA Career #6: Personal Financial Advisor

2010 to 2020 Growth:* 32 percent, or 66,400 new jobs
With the large population of baby boomers planning for - or reaching - retirement over the next decade or so, personal financial planning is in high demand right now, and for the foreseeable future, says Labovich.
Personal financial advisors help people with important financial decisions, like stocks, bonds, and other investments, taxes, and insurance, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Though personal financial advisors do not need an MBA to succeed, they do need interpersonal and analytic skills, as well as a solid business or financial education, says Labovich. "They're making decisions about your money. This is what is going to let you have an easier retirement, put your kids through school, have another child. These are the most important things, so it's an in-demand job," she says.
Education Options: Personal financial advisors typically need a bachelor's degree, says the Department of Labor. And though they say employers don't always specify a particular field, they do say majors that provide good preparation are finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, or law.

Degrees that can prepare you for a job after college


Degrees for employment

Worried about finding a job after college? Here are six degrees that can prepare you for a post-graduate career.

By Diana Bocco
Worried about finding a job right after you graduate? You have a right to be concerned. According to a February 2013 survey published by the U.S. Department of Labor, 12.6 percent of recent college graduates were unemployed in 2011.
The good news is that some degrees are more likely than others to help you navigate through today's tough employment market - since they are more likely to give you the skills you need to be successful in certain fields.
Wondering which ones those are? Take a look at six bachelor's degrees that are in high demand, and why they can put you one step closer to finding a job after graduation.

Degree #1: Bachelor's in Computer Science

As a computer science graduate, you'll be well versed in a number of highly-employable areas, including information systems, cyber security, web design, and software development, says Mika Nash, academic dean of and associate professor in the Division of Continuing Professional Studies at Champlain College.
"Employees appreciate this kind of degree because it enables them to leave their options open and to create opportunity across the entire field," She adds that a "computer science degree, at its best, prepares students to use what they have learned as a foundation for a constantly changing field."
What You'll Learn: As a computer science major, you might take programming classes, according to the College Board, a non-profit organization that administers the SAT admission text. You might also take other courses such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, digital system design, and mathematics for computer science.
Potential career opportunities*:

Degree #2: Bachelor's in Business Administration

Business administration is an excellent generalist degree for someone who wants to go into virtually any area of business, says Nash.
"Students study finance, marketing, human resources, management and supervision, economics, and ethics to gain a depth of understanding for best practices in a variety of industries," Nash explains.
In addition to that, "business students are afforded years of practice in problem-solving and decision-making, enabling them to become strategic thinkers by the time they graduate from college - a critically important skill in our rapidly changing economy," according to Nash. Because of the broadness of the degree and the many subjects studied, graduates are able to move into a number of roles in the business world and often be successful right out of school, Nash says.
What You'll Learn: As a business administration and management major, you'll likely take courses such as human resources management, accounting, financial and operations management, marketing, and business ethics and law, according to the College Board.
Potential career opportunities:

Degree #3: Associate's or Bachelor's in Nursing

Many people only think of nurses in hospitals - and while a high percentage of nurses do work in hospitals, there are many other places nurses can be employed.
According to Barbara Lockwood, director and associate professor at the School of Nursing at Aurora University, nursing graduates today can be found working in a variety of settings. For example, nurses can be found working in ambulatory care settings such as doctor's offices, surgery centers, freestanding clinics, occupational health, insurance companies as case managers, long term care, and home health care.
As a result, nursing majors have a variety of employment opportunities after graduation. 
What You'll Learn: Common classes for nursing majors may include microbiology, pharmacology, health assessment, psychology, and anatomy, according to the College Board.
Potential career opportunity:

Degree #4: Bachelor's in Health care Administration

With more Americans having access to affordable health insurance, and tens of thousands of baby boomers edging past retirement age, the demand for health care in this country has never been greater, says Letha D. Williams, chair of the Health Administration Program at A.T. Still University (ATSU).
Even better news is that it's not just 'front-line' personnel (doctors, nurses) that are needed. "There's tremendous opportunity now for individuals trained in health care administration, the management side of the industry," Williams says. That's because graduates with a health care administration degree have an understanding of health care economics, finance, law, and regulations, along with health organizations' specific HR needs, and how to measure patient satisfaction, Williams says.
What You'll Learn: Health services administration students usually take classes in long-term care and aging, human resources management, health care ethics, health care policy, and health care statistics, according to the College Board.
Potential career opportunities:

Degree #5: Marketing

Marketing might be a good career choice for you if you are intrigued by trends and how they affect consumers. And it's exactly the importance of predicting those consumer trends that makes a marketing degree so appealing to employers.
"Nowadays, if a company does not have a chief marketing officer (CMO) at the table alongside the CEO, they are selling themselves short," says Joe Rojek, director of admissions and financial solutions at Olivet Nazarene University.
In fact, more and more companies are now employing marketing graduates to help them not only market a product but also conduct research that should be presented before creating or altering a product or service, Rojek explains.
What You'll Learn: Typical courses for marketing majors could include advertising and promotion, marketing management, marketing research and strategy, marketing communications, and consumer behavior, according to the College Board.
Potential career opportunities:

Degree #6: Accounting

If numbers and spreadsheets seem to call your name, a degree in accounting might be a good choice for you. And because accounting majors are exposed to all types of business organizations, activities, and transactions during their education, graduates have a lot of options once they start looking for work, explains Joyce A. Strawser, dean of the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University.
"[Accounting graduates] are excellent candidates for opportunities in finance, management, marketing, and other business domains," Strawser explains.
What You'll Learn: Students focusing on an accounting major are likely to take classes in accounting information systems, auditing, business law, and cost accounting, according to the College Board.

5 ways to decide if a master's is worth it

Source: Yahoo

Is grad school worth it?

Grad school costs time and money - but there are ways to determine whether it's worth it for you.

By Terence Loose
Are you considering going back to school for your master's degree, but wondering if it's worth it? After all, there are costs - financially and socially - to pursuing a graduate degree.
But the time, money, and sacrifice invested into a graduate degree may be worth it. The 2013 study, "Hard Times: College Majors, Unemployment, and Earnings," by Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce clearly demonstrates that master's degrees, on average, increase earning potential and decrease unemployment likelihood. But before taking this big step, there are some important questions you should ask yourself.
So we rang up Dr. Anthony P. Carnevale, director of Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce and coauthor of the "Hard Times" report, to get his take on how to decide whether grad school is right for you.

Can You Afford the Time?

Often, a master's degree is pursued by those who have already been in the workforce for some time, i.e., mid-career. That means that other obligations - a mortgage, job, family, or just a healthy social life - could give you pause. And the time factor is a valid concern, says Carnevale.
He says that studies have shown that ideally graduate school students should work only 20 hours a week or less. "We know that if you work more than 20 hours a week, it will hurt your academic performance. So a half-time job is good. A full-time job and going to college is tough," he says.
Tough, but doable. Carnavale says it will just require some good time-management skills.

Will a Master's Degree Help Advance Your Career?

Carnevale says that the majority of grad students pursue their master's degrees in order to advance their careers in the same field. And, he says, this usually results in the highest returns.
He says graduate school is often a solid way to help advance your career with a promotion and more pay. "That's because you're already in the door. You may not be in the office or job you want, but you're in the industry. So it's a fairly powerful synergy between the job and schooling," Carnevale says.
He adds that often employers are very encouraging of their employees going back to school for a master's, and there is an almost implied understanding that it's for the purpose of advancement.

Will a Master's Teach Me Marketable Skills?

If you're under the impression that most graduate degrees only result in a lot of "book knowledge" and are purely academic pursuits, think again. Carnevale says while those degrees certainly do exist, most master's are "professional" degrees. And for good reason.
"The faculty tends to be work-oriented. Students are often working, and the emphasis is on practical skills for the workplace," says Carnevale.
He says that if your master's degree "sounds like a job," it's probably teaching marketable skills employers will desire.

Will It Help Me Network?

Talk to some and they'll tell you that gaining connections is as important as gaining knowledge when it comes to pursuing a master's degree. And while that may or may not be true, networking is certainly an important part of the grad school experience.
"It's like joining a club. You're being taught by people and going to school with people who are intending to do the same sorts of things you are. Often, they're already working, and the fact that you know the students and professors often gets you a job in the field even before you finish," he says.
So, he says, networking might be the strongest argument for going to grad school.

Will You Get a Return on Investment?

Let's face it: Getting a graduate degree isn’t cheap, so you probably want to make sure that going back to school will pay off financially. Well, the good news for many areas, says Carnevale, is that it has a good chance of doing just that.
"A good example is a master's in psychology or counseling," he says. For someone with a bachelor's in psychology, the average salary is about $40,000, while someone with a master's in the field could make anywhere between $55,000 to $60,000, according to Carnevale. He says this is because it allows them to pursue professional counseling and social work.
He calls this is an example of "gotta-have graduate degrees" that are necessary for people who want to pursue work in particular fields. For others, such as elementary school teachers or nurses, a graduate degree is important for advancement in their careers.
"Then there are the ‘crazy-if-you-don't-do-it' master's degrees. Those are in such things as STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math]. The salary bump you get from getting a graduate degree in these is very large," he says.
Even with a bachelor's, Carnevale says you have a good salary potential of $55,000 to $60,000 in most STEM careers. "But if you get the master's degree, it'll take you up to $90,000. And in some cases, like engineering, it'll take you higher," he says. Hence, his label of "crazy if you don't."
After taking into consideration the other factors that come into play, let's check out a few master's degrees that might well provide that crucial ROI:

Master's in Health Care Administration (MHA)

Here's a degree that Carnevale says will likely be in demand in the decades to come, because our grossly mismanaged health care system will need people with management skills specific to health care to shape the future of this vital industry.
Potential Career*: Medical or Health Services Manager
Median
Annual Salary**
$88,580
Top 10 Percent of Earners
$150,560
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners
$53,940

Master's in Psychology

As Carnevale stated, this master's degree could help improve your salary and career. It's a must-have degree if you want to work as a professional psychologist in any area, he says. Plus, he adds, because many of these jobs are in health care, the nation's biggest driver of jobs, it could really pay off.
Potential Career:* Industrial Organizational Psychologist
Median
Annual Salary**
$83,580
Top 10 Percent of Earners
$168,020
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners
$48,780

Master's of Science in Nursing

This is a degree that will be more and more in demand, because nursing opportunities are growing due to the following reasons, according to the U.S. Department of Labor: technological advancements, increased emphasis on preventative care, and the aging baby boomer population.
Potential Career:* Nurse Practitioner
Median
Annual Salary**
$89,960
Top 10 Percent of Earners
$120,500
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners
$64,100

Master's Business Administration (MBA)

Carnevale says that despite a lot of claims in some circles that MBAs are not as hot as they once were, the data shows that an MBA is still a very well-rewarded degree. He says that the bottom line is that an MBA pays off, because employers know that a good MBA program prepares professionals in many areas, from marketing to human resources management to finance.
Potential Career:* Financial Analyst
Median
Annual Salary**
$76,950
Top 10 Percent of Earners
$148,430
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners
$47,130

Master's in Public Administration (MPA)

Carnevale says that an MPA has always been a smart choice for those who want to work in local and state governments, the defense establishment, government relations, and regulatory agencies. That's because these government agencies recruit MPAs above other master's degrees, he says.
Potential Career:* Political Scientist
Median
Annual Salary**
$102,000
Top 10 Percent of Earners
$155,490
Bottom 10 Percent of Earners
$49,290