Cookouts, fireworks and warm nights--summertime comes with its own special flavor. But when the kids start heading back to school in the fall, why should you stay behind? Online degree programs give you a chance to hit the books and work your way through a degree that interests you.
Career training eases your worries
Worried about making ends meet? The months or years you spend going back to school can mean a lot to your lifetime earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers with an associate degree earned over $300 more per week than those with less than a high school diploma, and earnings only increase with more education.
Worried about unemployment? An education can help you there, too. The BLS reports that unemployment levels were at a whopping 9 percent for workers with less than a high school diploma. Compare that with 3.7 percent for anyone with an associate degree, and it becomes more clear how a degree or certificate program can make a real difference in your life.
Degree and certificate programs online
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If you haven't been to school in a long time, you might be surprised at the way education has changed while you were gone. Online education programs let you set your own pace for learning, working with real instructors and interacting with your fellow students as you pursue an interesting degree.
A number of popular career training programs are available online. Check out some of the most promising career boosting degree and certificate options for the 2009-10 school year, and find out why students everywhere are piling back into the classroom.
Career booster #1: nursing associate degree
Bigger boost: nursing bachelor's degreeThe shortest path to this booming health care career is an associate degree. If you'd like to specialize in a particular field within nursing, you may continue your education with a bachelor's or master's degree. As a first step, the associate degree gives you a chance to enter the field sooner.
How's this for a boost? Registered nurses earned mean annual wages of $65,130 in 2008, the BLS reports. Making a real difference in the lives of your patients only adds to the appeal of this satisfying career.
Career booster #2: technology certificate
Bigger boost: computer science bachelor's degreeInterested in managing technology and making a healthy salary while you're at it? You may only need a certificate or associate degree in computer science to work as a Web master. With more education in the form of a bachelor's degree in computer science , you could move into work as a database administrator, earning $72,900 per year. That healthy salary could even increase with experience and additional training, leading to management positions with real responsibility and rewards.
In the IT world, education means much more than a degree; it means catching up with shifting technology and keeping your skills current.
Career booster #3: business administration bachelor's degree
Bigger boost: M.B.A.If you're considering a business degree to boost your earning potential, you're not alone. Kathy Gamboa, director of the University of Phoenix campus in Reno, Nevada, recently told Northern Nevada Business Weekly about the influx of business degree students at the college. "People are looking at how they can make themselves more valuable," she said. Go for a bachelor's degree to get on the management path. An M.B.A. further hones your skills in the field of your choice.
Career booster #4: graphic design certification
Bigger boost: graphic design bachelor's degreeWorking as a graphic designer gives you a chance to combine your love of technology with your strong creative ability. About 25 percent of all graphic designers are self-employed, making this a great career choice if you have big commitments elsewhere in your life. Use a brief certificate program to learn the software and begin your portfolio, or go for a full bachelor's degree to improve your resume.
Graphic designers earned mean annual wages of $46,750 in 2008, according to the BLS. With training, you could find yourself with an exciting job and a healthy salary.
Career booster #5: pharmacy aide certificate
Bigger boost: pharmacy technician associate degreeSnag a stable job with a strong future by earning a certificate or diploma as a pharmacy aide. While formal training isn't always required for the career, tough economic times could mean your resume has to go head to head against those with training. With a little more education in the form of an associate degree, you could find yourself working your way into a pharmacy technician career requiring a little more responsibility.
The BLS reports that pharmacy aides earned $21,500 in 2008 while pharmacy technicians earned $28,500. In either career, you'll work with patients and their medication, playing an integral part in helping people feel better.
Get ready for the fall semester
Ready to head back to class? While no degree or certificate can guarantee success in the workplace, hiring managers often prefer or require formal education in the fields above. It's not too late to apply to most online schools, which often have rolling entrance dates. You might find yourself in a classroom sooner than you think.
