Looking for top online degrees for starting a new career? As most parts of the world have just started to recover from depression, jobs are scares and the fear of losing our jobs has become a grim reality for many. To make matters worse, it seems that advances in technology are helping to take jobs away from people at an alarming rate. All is not lost however, there are plenty of career trends that seem to be skyrocketing and will be pertinent for many years to come. Two career fields in particular are doing very well in this economy with no end in sight of slowing down. Here is a look at the top two career fields today and how you can study to become a part of them.

Law Enforcement

As we all know, the crime rate and substance abuse rises during tough times. While it makes for a sad situation, a rise in crime also means that there has to be a rise in the amount of security officers and behavioral counselors to handle the influx of need. Jobs in law enforcement, private security officers, drug and alcohol counselors and other security type positions will increase.

Many college online degrees in law enforcement, securities and counseling are available through community colleges and universities. Some technical classes may have to be taken in person at the particular college, but most of the schools offering online degrees offer most classes that can be taken solely online.

Computers and Technology

Technology is a field that will just keep growing through the years. If you want a career that is challenging, fun and won’t be obsolete in five years, you may want to consider something that includes computers.

Networks systems analyst careers are one of the fastest growing occupations right now and the trend shows that there is only room for growth in the field. Networks analysts are an imperative part of data communication systems. They work with computer programmers to analyze, test, design and assess the performance of computer programs and systems.

There are many top online programs available that certificate and degree programs for certified systems analysts. Many online colleges also offer associate online degrees as well as bachelor’s and MBA online degrees. Obtaining a degree in this field will definitely give potential employees a leg up over the competition.

Computer software engineers are very high in demand and will continue to be in demand as we continue through the technology age. As businesses embrace new technologies and learn to rely less on humans and more on computers to do tasks, computer software engineers will need to be there to step up to the plate and create new and innovative software and systems to accommodate business owner’s ever changing needs.

To become a computer software engineer, you will more than likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering. Persons interested in this field should check with their local universities online degrees programs to see what is available for these types of programs.

Of course, there are other fields that will stand the test of time. So if you have been laid off from your current position, are undecided about your career path, or even want to start a new career path, you may want to consider checking out trade school online degrees or even looking in to college or university online degrees offered in your area.

Sources:
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/6_fast-growing_careers.htm
http://www.geteducated.com/career-center

An auto mechanic career can be quite lucrative for those interested in the mechanics of a vehicle and how to solve problems with vehicles. A mechanic must not only have an excellent understanding of vehicles, but they must also have superior  reasoning skills in order to diagnose a problem and find a precise solution. They must be an outstanding problem solver.

With the evolution of automobiles, being an auto mechanic takes more than just knowing what is under the hood. A person desiring an auto mechanics career must  understand complex electronic performance systems of each make and model of a vehicle.

Auto mechanic careers are continually changing and evolving. More and more job training is expected from business owners before they consider a mechanic for a position. Many auto mechanic schools offer several types of training certification programs. Post secondary programs are also available for those interested in obtaining a degree in auto mechanics. These programs are available through technical schools, junior colleges, and some four-year colleges.

Many automobile manufacturing companies offer their own specific training programs that are available through specific schools. These programs teach students the intricacies of their automobiles and how to build and maintain them. In USA, these programs are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.

An automotive mechanic career can sometimes start with a 3 to 4 year apprenticeship program in place of a certification, but with the specialized skills that are needed to repair today’s vehicles, apprenticeships are becoming more and more obsolete.

Because there are so many different types of auto mechanics careers, the pay scale depends on the specialization of the mechanic and the level the mechanic is working at. Of course, the amount of education that the mechanic has completed  and the type of mechanics the worker specializes in will drastically raise the pay scale for a mechanic.

An auto mechanic salary will also depend on where the mechanic is located. Mechanics working in rural areas typically make much less than those living in the city. Since rural areas have a lower cost of living, the salaries of workers in these parts of the country will reflect as such. Those living in larger cities can earn upwards of $55,000 to $60,000 per year, while mechanics living in more remote locations generally earn between $30,000 to $40,000 per year. Of course these are just averages and exact wages will vary depending on several factors.

Another advantage to becoming a mechanic is that there is plenty of room for advancement in the field. Since the development of vehicles is only going to become more high-tech over time, a career in auto mechanics is an excellent choice of career as the demand for trained mechanics is only going to become greater in the future.
 

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http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos181.htm
http://www.careeroverview.com/auto-mechanic-careers.html
http://www.search-colleges.com/articles/21/3/Auto-Mechanic

Court reporters have an important job in the judicial system as they create transcripts of court hearings, legal proceedings, conversations, meeting and other important events verbatim for records, legal purposes and other places where transcripts need to be preserved in writing.

While many court reporters work for a judicial branch or court system, most work as freelancers hired by attorneys. The average court reporter salary for an entry level employee working in a judiciary office is most often between $30,000 and $40,000 annually. For those that have racked up a few years of experience, a court reporters salary can reach up to $90,000 per year.

Freelance court reporter salaries vary greatly depending on experience and the amount of work the court reporter does on a freelance basis. A freelance court reporter starting salary can be even greater as they have the option of offering other services as well, so that can increase their salary greatly. Also, besides offering their services for a fee, they can also earn money with the transcripts that they make as well, which typically range in price from between $2.00 and $4.00 per page.

To earn a certified court reporter salary, a person will have to complete a certification process that should include two to four years of education at an accredited schools, and passing a certification exam. Of course, a court reporter must be proficient with the computer or typing programs they are expected to use in their field. They must also possess a strong sense of vocabulary and have excellent language skills.

The job market for court reporters and freelance court reporters is expected to expand by over 25% within the next decade with the increase in judicial cases, lawsuits, and increased popularity in airing court sessions on television. Freelance court reporters may even see a bigger jump in demand for their services than predicted as they can provide multiple services without the employer having to hire a full time employee.

Of course, greater demand for this position will more than likely drive the average court reporter salary up from the amount that it is set at now, especially in a freelancing position as freelancers have the freedom to accept work from many clients instead of only working for one for a set wage. With increased technology, new positions may come available for court reporters over the next few years as well. Overall, studying to become a certified court reporter is a fairly safe career choice for the future.

*Note from Damen: Most of the discussions done here apply to USA only, but you can still consider this career based on your home country's situations as many points raised should be valid in other countries as well. For any questions, feel free to leave your comments here.

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A Licensed Practical Nurse certification usually requires one year of college or vocational school training and/or hospital training. After an LPN has completed the required educational and training requirements, they can opt to continue their education for one more year to earn their Associates degree as an Licensed Practical Nurse. The Associates degree LPN program focuses more on technical skills than the one year program observes and also allows for the LPN to continue their education if they so desire.

If the nursing student chooses to continue their education after they have obtained their Associates of Nursing degree, they can continue on to attain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This is normally a four year program, although there are so fast track programs that allow an already licensed LPN to earn their BSN in just four semesters.

An LPN can then take the state registered nurse certification test and can then use the title of RN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN degree program and those with registered nursing certification are the most preferred by most employers as this type of degree offers flexibility in what tasks the nurse can perform.

For those Registered Nurses looking to continue their registered nurse certifications, there is a Master of Science in Nursing Degree program available through many universities throughout the country. Those wishing to specialize in a specific medical field, administration or research will usually be required to obtain a Masters degree and coinciding nurse certifications.

Those interested in obtaining a PhD in nursing can then go on to become hospital administrators or even open their own practice giving limited care to patients under a doctor’s orders.

Positions in health care, especially nursing are expected to raise dramatically over the next decade and beyond. (Side Note: Some said the reasons are populations are aging in many developed countries) If a nurse possesses a registered nurses certification, they can expect to earn significantly more than those nurses that have a LPN certification. Registered Nurses will also be offered more positions and higher up positions within their field in the coming years as well.

As you can see, there are many career options available for nurses of all levels. Experts suggest that in the future there will become even more opportunities for nurses in specialized fields. Many states understand the need for qualified nurses and offer many educational benefits for those wanting to obtain registered nursing certifications.

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Radiology technicians work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and centers using diagnostic imaging. Besides being properly trained in the field, the radiology technician must also possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients, doctors and other medical professionals. They must also be efficient in operating radiological devices by obtaining diagnostic images. One of the most important parts of the job is providing accurate summaries of their professional findings within the x-rays themselves.

Those interested in becoming a radiology technician should be aware that the job does require that the applicant obtain a degree before they can begin their radiology technician training. For those wishing to complete their degrees online, there are many accredited courses available. The student should always research the college they choose thoroughly and might even call the medical facility they plan to apply for a job at to make sure that they accept a certain school’s degree programs. Some employers will only accept students from certain schools.

There are many radiology technician degree programs that one can complete in order to enter the work force as a radiology technician. An associate’s degree is the most common type of degree program for this profession and normally takes two years to complete. A bachelor’s degree will take up to four years for completion and will allow students to specialize in their field in areas such as MRI diagnostics or CT scanning. Some educational institutions offer master’s degree programs for those students wishing to build their career as chief radiologist, or even an educator in the field of radiology.

Once a student has completed their formal education, they usually have to attend specialized training classes or work in the field as an apprentice before they can take the test to become a certified radiology technician. The amount of training a radiology tech needs varies so it is important to check with local authorities to find what the laws are.

Radiology technician jobs are in high demand in most parts of the world and the demand is expected to increase within the next ten years. Radiology technician degrees can also be found as x-ray technician degree programs and are offered by many trade schools and community colleges as well as universities.

Radiologists are also paid a fairly high salary. In most parts of the country, radiology technicians at entry level positions were earning around US$30,000 per year, while those in the highest positions earned close to US$100,000 per year. The current average salary for a radiologist with two or more years of experience is around US$50,000 per year.
 
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Anyone interested in becoming a funeral home director may be interested in obtaining a college degree in mortuary science. Many colleges offer two and four year degrees in the subject. Courses in physiology, pathology, embalming, restoration, and anatomy should be included in both associates and bachelor degree programs.

Once a person has made the decision to become a funeral director, they will need to become licensed by the state that they are practicing in. All states require that a person be licensed by that state before they can become a funeral director. Many of these states require that a person have completed an apprenticeship before they will issue a license. Each state requires that a person pass a state licensing examination before obtaining a license.

Funeral directors need to not only be good business people, they also need to have excellent communication skills and be compassionate and sympathetic. As a funeral director, one will arrange details of a funeral, prepare remains for a funeral, perform ceremonies (depending on the deceased person’s religion), provide spiritual guidance and comfort for those that have lost loved ones, and carry out the disposition of the deceased person or persons. Most funeral directors are also licensed to practice embalming, which is a preservation process of deceased bodies.

Many funeral director jobs are within small, family run funeral homes so the funeral directors salary will depend on the amount of business they get throughout the month or year. Most funeral homes only have one or two funeral directors, so they also serve as the record keeper, bookkeeper, etc. A funeral director salary can also depend on the amount of sales they make each month. Many funeral homes also provide caskets for sale and rent, and will make a profit from these as well.

In larger funeral homes, there is room for advancement and a chance to increase funeral director salaries by becoming home manager, branch manager or even general manager or the funeral home company has more than one funeral home that they run.

With the population of baby boomers reaching old age within the next ten years or so, funeral directors will become more and more in demand. Job growth in the funeral home director industry is expected to grow at above or at the least average rate over the next ten years, especially for those funeral directors who also specialize in embalming. Funeral directors salaries are also expected to raise on average as much as other industries within the next decade.

(*Note from Damen: Most of the discussions done here apply to USA only, but you can still consider this career based on your home country's situations as many points should be valid in other countries as well. For any questions, feel free to leave your comments here)
 

To begin a dental hygienist career, one must complete at least two years of school, earning either a certification or an associate’s degree plus complete an accredited dental hygiene program in order to become licensed. Of course, the education requirements will vary from state-to-state. If a person wants to earn a larger dental hygienist yearly salary, there are also bachelors degree  programs available through many colleges, universities, and trade program schools. It is important to be aware that there are many colleges and online “diploma mills” that promise an accredited diploma or certification by paying money and doing little work. These places are bogus and you will not be hired by professionals with this type of diploma.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is real growth in the dental hygienist job area. Growth in the job field and dental hygienist salary range is expected to continue to climb in the next ten years as well. While many dental hygienists go on to work with dentists, there are many other professions that they can go into as well.

Some licensed  dental hygienists salaries can be increased significantly by transitioning into sales of dental equipment and supplies. These hygienists travel to dentist offices around the country showing dentists the newest in technology and latest dental products available for them to potentially offer their patients. Others transition into the education field teaching dental hygiene to school-aged children and through college workshops.

As you can see there is a wide variety of career opportunities for dental hygienists with room for a large increase in a dental hygienist salary. If you  are interested in this type of career, it is important to research the opportunities available in your area as well as the types of accredited programs available. With the right training, you can begin your rewarding career in dental care by helping teach and assist others in maintaining healthy dental habits.

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Continuing your education either way will certainly enhance your value in the job market, but while both options have their benefits, enrolling in a community college may be the best choice for many people. Here are some reasons why:

Community college offers smoother transition for high school grads

High school seniors go from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a huge ocean, and this transition can be very difficult for some students. The smaller campuses and class sizes are a gentler introduction to college life, allowing younger students a better opportunity to adjust to greater independence and heavier workloads.

Greater individual instruction at a community college

Because universities are typically so much larger than two-year junior colleges, class sizes are much larger and personal instruction is less possible. This is especially true of most the pre-requisite courses taken during the first few years, which are typically held in large auditoriums. Smaller two-year colleges, on the other hand, offer the same courses in much smaller classes, with more opportunity for personal interaction with instructors and other students. Since oftentimes the instructors at community colleges are active in the workforce themselves, this one-on-one interaction with the professors gives you access to more real-world experience.

Community college prices are more affordable

Some recent sources indicate that the average annual cost of attending a community college can be as little as one third the cost of a year at a four-year university, placing a much lighter financial burden on families and your budget.

Easier access

If you do not live in a major metropolitan area, then attending a large university may involve a long commute. However, community colleges are just that: in your community! The convenience of a closer location not only saves time and money in commuting, but also helps those who already have a job and are looking for a career change. Many community colleges offer night and weekend classes, as well as online coursework for even greater flexibility.

Targeted preparation for specific jobs

Attending a four-year university usually involves about two years of taking preparatory pre-requisites for your major course of study. However, at a community college you can begin training in a specific field right away, with more targeted two-year degrees that will jump-start your career much more quickly.

Hot jobs available for community college degree holders

 There may be more well-paying jobs available to two-year Associate Degree holders than you think.  Did you know that a dental hygienist, for example, can make up to $58,000 a year? If you don’t already have a career in mind, talk to a Career Advisor on staff at your local community college for ideas.

For a list of the top 15 highest-paying jobs that are available with an Associate Degree, visit: 15 Hot Jobs for Two-Year Degree and Associate Degree

If you’re undecided about the field you want to enter

Many people, especially recent high-school graduates, may not be quite ready to declare a major course of study. Since in general the first two years of a four-year degree are spent taking general courses required in many fields of study, it makes sense to take these classes at the less expensive junior college.  After two years, if you have a better feel for the field you’d like to enter and decide to continue with a four-year degree, almost all universities will accept your coursework credits from an accredited community college.