Select A DegreeTo be sure, getting career training in the form of a degree can be a very smart choice. However, not only should your degree be in a field in which you have a keen interest, but also it should be a high growth industry that has many opportunities for you to get your dream job. Well, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has done all the hard work for you. They have conducted studies that answer these questions about every conceivable field:
- the training and education needed
- earnings
- expected job prospects
- what workers do on the job working conditions
Follow this link to get free industry reports on your career of choice, whether it be as a policeman, a nurse, a lawyer, or an entrepreneur.
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Online Programs Help Career Changers
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how completing your degree online can help you to switch careers
Changing careers is a major decision; one that should not be made on a mere whim or flight of fancy. Many things must be taken into consideration before making such an important choice. In some cases, completing a degree from any number of online programs helps make a career change possible. Complete the following steps to determine if switching careers is truly the right decision for you.
- Analyze your current career - Compare your job responsibilities and work environment against your preferences. Doing so will help you discover what you like and dislike about your current job. You may discover that you need to switch jobs not careers. For example, if you are dissatisfied with your company’s culture, switching jobs might be the answer. Disliking occupational characters indicate a career switch may be the correct course of action. For instance, if you are a research scientist who dislikes working in a lab, then switching careers may be right for you.
- Analyze your financial situation - Changing careers is costly. When switching careers, people often start at entry level jobs which may not pay as much as their current jobs. Consider all costs. A new career may require additional training; traditional educational programs may require you to work fewer hours or none at all. Unemployment insurance does not cover people training for new jobs. An online degree allows you to work while training for a new career. The flexibility of an online program allows you to fit your education into your life rather than planning your life around your education. Furthermore, online degrees cost less than many traditional programs.
- Analyze yourself - What work values, aspects of a job that you find meaningful and important, are the most important to you? Work values can range from the level of autonomy to job stability. What skills do you have? Consider your current and past jobs, hobbies, and volunteer work. What skill gaps do you have? Online degrees and programs can help you fill in any skill deficits. What interests do you have? People tend to be happier in careers that match up with their interests. There are many interest inventory tests online which can help match your interests with a potential career. The Bureau of Labor also has job descriptions which can help you choose a new occupation.
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