Best Careers 2007 The Careers You Want, The Degrees You Need


It's the start of a new year, and once again many of us find ourselves looking for a new, better career. Thanks to US News and World Report's coverage of employment trends, you now have the inside scoop on which careers are growing, and you can use these findings to discover the job you have always wanted – and what it takes to get you there.

"Do what you love…because, as I like to put it, the world is getting flat," said Thomas Friedman, Pulitzer Prize winning author and columnist for The New York Times, during his 2005 commencement address at Williams College.

 

Careers on the Move

Traditional Campus based "brick and mortar" institutions might suit some students, but if you need a flexible program, going the Online Degree route might be the right choice for you in planning for one of the top careers in 2007.

This advice to "do what you love" and the wisdom that "the world is getting flat" speaks to what careers are hot this year. In fact, with the dynamic careers on this year's USNWR list, you are sure to find one that matches your interests and strengths.

With the world going "flat," the jobs that require personal contact will remain high in demand. These include careers in health care and Human Services. Have you ever thought about becoming a speech language therapist, a registered Nurse or a school Psychologist?

Health care is an evergreen sector. People always have health problems and always get sick, and there are numerous Health Care Degrees that can help launch a career in the field.

Friedman continued, "What is flattening the world is our ability to automate more work with computers and software and to transmit that work anywhere in the world…the flatter the world gets, the more essential it is that you do what you love, because…all the boring, repetitive jobs are going to be automated or outsourced."

This, and the fact that baby boomers are retiring, leaves voids to be filled and new areas to be explored.

 

Better Jobs Mean Better Income
Nursing is one of the fastest growing careers in America and offers a great deal of stability. Nursing Degrees can be obtained at many colleges, and the salary is rewarding. Nurses earn about $60,000 a year, and with more experience and education, the figure gets higher. Masters Degrees in Nursing, which open doors to higher paying Health Administration positions in hospitals and clinics, can be pursued online.

And despite growing concerns about the outsourcing of technical jobs, the US News and World Report ranks Engineering as one of the top careers for 2007. Why is this, exactly? Because good engineers are hard to come by, and there are certain times, particularly where government work is concerned, that outsourcing just doesn’t cut it.

Come graduation time, it is the engineering students with a Bachelors Degree or Masters Degree that are the most sought after at every university in the country. And their options are diverse. The average salary is about $72,000 a year. Engineers can also go into specialty areas such as computers, mechanics or electronics, or they can choose other fields such as banking, consulting or law.

 

Social Trends Influence Emerging Careers
Following 9/11 and the threat of crime and terrorism, careers in homeland security and Criminal Justice  are also growing. There is an increasing demand in specific fields, such as:

Paralegal Studies
Law Enforcement
Crime Investigation
Corrections
And more

Other careers that US News and World Report highlight are ones that baby boomers are going to be stepping out of soon. For example, many women who chose to work in the 1970s became librarians, nurses, Teachers and Educational Administrators. As they step down, a new generation needs to step in. And some careers that are recommended are quite different from what the average high school student might dream of doing – such as becoming an audiologist, actuary or urban planner.

 

Online Degrees for the Education You Need


Find accredited online degrees
to help you start a hot new
career for 2007 and beyond!


It is clear that higher education and training is more important than ever. This is directly correlated to Friedman's observation of the world going flat. Jobs that don't require thinking are being outsourced and automated. Education and specialized training will prove to be the continued keys to success for 2007 and beyond.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "among the 20 fastest growing occupations, a Online Bachelors Degrees  or Online associates degrees  is the most significant source of postsecondary education or training for 12 of them."

It is interesting to note that almost all of these careers are in Health Care  or Technology.

The good news about education is that it is no longer an elitist enclave reserved for those who can afford it. There are plenty of part-time and evening programs that working students can take advantage of. The last five years has seen a tremendous growth in the online education industry, as well as in the numerous sources of financial aid for tuition costs. There is a wide selection of accredited degree programs available online through schools such as ITT Technical Institute and University of Phoenix. And it is important to be sure that the school is accredited.

 

Find the Online School for You
Accredited online programs are currently very popular. University of Phoenix has about 300,000 students. The benefits of pursuing your studies online are very clear. You can study from anywhere. You can access your course materials online and work at your own pace. There are no geographic barriers with online learning. You can study while you travel, or you can pursue a degree that might not be offered by a local university near you. Many online programs are very user-friendly, offering live audio, video and text interaction with other students and instructors. For example, Capella University offers flexible online, campus-based or blended curricula that utilize various tools and teaching platforms to deliver cutting-edge career training.

Traditional Campus based "brick and mortar" institutions might suit some students, but if you need a flexible program, going the Online Degree route might be the right choice for you in planning for one of the hot careers in 2007.

With so many degrees, programs and career options, picking what's best for you can be daunting.

Fortunately, this also means that there is something for everybody, and as Friedman said, you should be able to "do what you love."