Green training, financial degrees, health care and high-tech: These top degrees are expected to see a lot of growth in the coming years. With a career training program that suits your interests and needs, you could earn a degree that makes you a perfect fit for the dream job you might not even know existed.
The most popular degrees are common for a reason: Theyre linked to jobs with a lot of projected growth, stable futures, and exciting work. Check out these top degrees and learn which hiring managers are looking for them.
Green engineering degrees
When is a petroleum engineer a green career? When theyre working to create innovative new ways to use materials. Shale oil deposits in the U.S. could mean an independence from foreign oil, but engineers first need to figure out how to extract the oil. Enter petroleum and biochemical engineers. Petroleum engineers earned mean annual wages of $119,140 in 2008, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Look for a bachelors or masters degree in petroleum or biochemical engineering.
If youre looking for a career you can jump into sooner, consider technician positions in engineering. Technicians are needed to install solar panels, help create sustainable houses and more. Environmental engineering technicians, who help prevent and control environmental hazards, earned mean annual wages of $44,440 in 2008, the BLS notes. An associate degree in environmental engineering stands as solid preparation for the career.
Bachelors degrees put finances back on track
As troubled economic times slowly give way to new prosperity, individuals will begin looking for financial advisors to help them rebuild their portfolios. A whopping 41 percent projected growth is expected between 2006 and 2016 for personal financial advisors, the BLS notes. For such a lucrative position, thats a lot of potential growth; the BLS reports that personal financial advisors saw mean annual earnings of $92,970 in 2008.
Interested in this career? Put your own finances on the road to recovery with a bachelors degree. To start, youll need to earn a bachelors degree in a related field such as economics, business, mathematics, finance, accounting or law. Special licensure may also be required for more competitive positions, and your biggest clients may expect you to earn an M.B.A. before working confidently with their money.
High tech bachelors degrees
As technology grows more sophisticated, the workers behind the scenes become more valuable. Take the six-figure salaries already earned by computer engineers, for example. Computer hardware engineers saw mean annual earnings of $100,180 in 2008, according to the BLS. Look for a bachelors degree in computer hardware engineering, math or computer science.
The BLS reports that other IT careers are expected to see big gains through 2016. Among them:
- Network systems and data communications analysts
- Computer software engineers
- Computer systems analysts
- Database administrators
When researching IT careers and degrees, consider one rule of thumb: While most entry level technician careers require only an associate degree, salaried positions like the ones above typically require a four-year bachelors degree. Certifications may also be required, but a bachelors degree in management information systems, computer science, network administration or other related fields gives you the broad base of training you need.
Green marketing career training
Like the green engineering jobs above, these careers rely in part on the publics shift towards green technologies and products. The old recycling bin is giving way to compact fluorescent bulbs, compostable trash bags, earth-friendly batteries and electric cars. The green revolution is good for the planet, and with the right training, it could be good for your bottom line, too.
Consider green marketing careers. As long as there is a product to sell, there are people working behind the scenes to sell that product. As a green market research analyst, youll use your bachelors degree in marketing to determine when people buy eco-friendly products and when they dont feel the need. Your analytical skills will come with a healthy reward -- mean annual earnings of $67,340 in 2008, according to the BLS.
Add an M.B.A. degree in marketing, and you could advance in the field. Imagine leading a team of smart, motivated analysts as they tackle new challenges and bring in new clients. Marketing managers earned mean annual salaries of $118,160 in 2008, the BLS notes -- a six-figure salary for a challenging career.
Health care careers mean big business
No matter what happens with the proposed health care plan, the careers themselves are expected to see big gains. An aging population and technology improvements are behind the shift. Consider medical assistants, who use an associate degree in medical assisting to work in basic clerical and clinical ways in a doctors office. The career, which paid mean annual wages of $29,060 in 2008, has a projected employment growth of 35 percent from 2006 to 2016.
Jobs for skin care specialists, physical therapist assistants and pharmacy technicians are all expected to see big gains through 2016. If youre hoping to earn a two-year associate degree and get to work sooner, these are all smart careers to consider.
Degrees and certificates for future careers
While no degree program can guarantee a job or salary, hiring managers in the careers above typically
