Sure, it's possible to get a job without an education. The downside comes when you find yourself stuck on a lower level of the career ladder, watching others move up around you who might be less experienced at the work.
The good news? If you already have some experience, a little education can mean a big leap in your career future. Earning a degree or certificate online means you can set your own pace with your education, often working on your degree without having to quit a full-time job.
Students of online education programs are motivated and ready to take their career futures into their own hands. Take a look at the top picks for career upgrades, with degree and 2008 salary information by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Registered nurse
Upgrade from medical assistantWhile on-the-job training may be all you need to get some entry level positions as a medical assistant, a bit more education could mean working as a registered nurse. Come to the profession with a diploma, associate or bachelor's degree, and earn your RN certification for a big potential salary boost. Registered nurses enjoy mean annual earnings of $65,130 a year. That's over $36,000 more than medical assistants earn every year.
Network systems analyst
Upgrade from IT tech support workerMove up from the tech support job you could do in your sleep. Computer support specialists earn mean annual wages of $46,370; not bad for a job that might require just an associate degree or certificate. Bump up your education, however, and you could earn a lot more as a network systems analyst. Streamlining computer networks as a systems analyst typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, information studies or management information systems. Systems analysts earn mean annual wages of $73,830.
Paralegal
Upgrade from entry-level secretaryLooking to break out of the secretarial pool? An associate degree in paralegal studies gives you the training you need to work behind the scenes in law firms nationwide. The work may be more interesting than secretarial work, particularly when your work could mean the difference between winning and losing a real criminal case. If you already have a bachelor's degree, brief certificate training makes the transition even easier. Paralegals earn mean annual wages of $48,790, over $18,000 every year than an entry-level secretary. Talk about a degree that pays for itself quickly.
Electrical engineer
Upgrade from electrical engineering technicianEarning your bachelor's degree to become an electrical engineer means more than getting the chance to work without supervision. The job is more creative and challenging than typical technician work, and licensed engineers enjoy the high salary that proves it. Electrical engineers earn mean annual wages of $85,350, which is $31,000 more, every single year, than electrical engineering technicians. After five years, that's over $156,000 extra in the bank, just for the degree. And beyond that? You do the math.
Dental hygienist
Upgrade from dental assistantDental assistants, who are often trained on the job, earn mean annual wages of $33,170 per year. Imagine earning up to twice as much every year with an associate degree. Dental hygienists have a more varied day at work as they perform x-rays, tooth cleanings, and examinations. Over half of all dental hygienists work part time, coming to work less than 35 hours a week. After all that, the mean annual salary of $66,950 is just another bonus.
Advertising sales manager
Upgrade from advertising sales agentThe advertising industry requires communication skills and the ability to work well under pressure. While advertising sales people used to come into the industry with a high school diploma, education is becoming the industry standard. But where do you go from there? The M.B.A. can mean a lot to a manager; the tailored knowledge comes in handy in the business world, and the advertising industry is no exception. Advertising sales managers may hold an M.B.A. with an emphasis on marketing. Advertising sales agents earn mean annual wages of $53,170, while their managers earn $94,720. That's over $41,500 every year for experience and education already within your grasp.
Accountant
Upgrade from accounting clerkIf you're good with facts and figures, working as an accountant can mean big rewards. Many accountants start out as clerks, using an associate degree or certificate to perform lower-level tasks for accountants and clients. Add a bachelor's degree in accounting, however, and you have more options. Accountants earn mean annual wages of $65,840; almost twice what accounting clerks earn, at $33,800. Earning a bachelor's degree in accounting plus CPA certification opens possibilities, like the potential for working from home or opening your own business.
Career training means upgrade possibilities
No degree or certificate can predict the money you'll make as a result or guarantee you a career, but the training you complete can mean the difference between moving up the career ladder and staying on the same rung for years. Imagine the long-term benefits of investing in an educational program. The time you spend in school can translate to higher earnings, a more secure job, and a career that offers more every day.
