What Can I Do with a Communications Degree?

The options are endless when you graduate with a communications degree. Unlike other degree programs, which have a limited amount of career options available to recent graduates, those with a degree in communications will find they have an assortment of career options available to them. An example of just some of the career options for students who obtain a communications degree includes editor, media specialist, advertising executive, copywriter, journalist, columnist, technical writer, publisher, reporter, speech writer, broadcast technician, disc jockey, producer, video engineer, public relations specialist or lobbyist.

Students who obtain a communications degree can essentially apply the skills they learned while pursuing a degree to a number of different types of media including print, radio and video. While students may choose to concentrate on one particular communication medium while in school, their general educational training makes them eligible for consideration in an assortment of professions.

Certification or Degree: Technology Courses and Programs

Online colleges and universities offer such a wide variety of courses, certifications and degree programs that it can be difficult to choose. Here are a few steps to get you started.

First, clearly define your goal. If you don’t have a degree and plan to continue your education then verify the college is accredited and seriously consider obtaining a degree. This will allow you to further your education in the future. The sequence of degrees is typically as follows:

• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Ph.D

If you earn an online associates degree from an accredited college then you have the option of furthering your career at a later time. Not all programs offer each type of degree and there are many requirements associated with each so it’s imperative you speak with an academic advisor in order to understand exactly what is required.

If you have a degree but would like to earn a higher degree then you may also want to consider a degree program. For instance, many people with a Bachelors degree find obtaining a Masters degree gives them a competitive edge when it comes to time for a promotion.

On the other hand, perhaps you would like to update your skills without committing to an entire degree program. Certification provides recognition of the new skill set but without the peripheral courses associated with a full degree. Certification is also a great option for someone in the midst of a job change or who wants to enter a new field in the shortest time possible. Chances are there is a program for whatever you need!

Completing Your Bachelor Degree Makes You Healthy Wealthy and Wise

People are always searching for success. One of the best ways to achieve success is with a college degree. According to research these are just a few of the benefits reported by those with higher levels of education:

• Higher incomes: People with a bachelors degree make almost a million dollars more over their lifetime than those with only a high school diploma.
• Better benefits: Those who have earned a bachelors degree or higher are more likely to have health insurance benefits and better retirement contributions.
• Voting. People with a college degree are more likely to vote than those without a college degree.
• Fit and Trim. It’s true. People with a college degree have been shown to exercise more often and remain thinner than those without a college degree.
• Have fewer diseases like heart disease, smoking addiction or diabetes.

This list goes on but it’s important to realize the single most important decision you may ever make for yourself and your family is the decision to complete an online bachelors degree. It’s a personal decision that requires an honest appraisal but here are a few questions to consider:

• Do you enjoy your career? Do you even have a career or just a “job”?
• Is your life balanced between work and personal interests?
• Are your needs met in the event of a health crisis? Do you have adequate insurance and other benefits?
• Does your work invigorate you or leave you exhausted at the end of the day?
• Do you have the personal prestige and recognition you deserve?

Obtaining or completing an online university degree is easier than ever thanks to technology and the benefits of going to college last a lifetime.

The Lifetime Value of Earning an Online Bachelors Degree

The decision to earn a college degree requires an extensive investment of both time and money so it’s easy to understand why people want to weigh the benefits of going to college against the alternatives. It’s a long term commitment that requires considerable dedication. So, it is really worth it?

Earning an online bachelors degree is one of the smartest investments a person can make. In fact, according to the Census Bureau, the average adult with a high school diploma can expect to earn an average of $1.2 million while someone with a bachelors degree will earn $2.1 million (Day and Newburger, 2002). The financial benefits of a college degree are substantial and reflect more than just salary. Retirement benefits are generally higher since college educated employees tend to contribute more toward retirement accounts in addition to having higher salaries. Unemployment is also lower since better qualified employees tend to find work faster than less qualified workers. Combined it translates to greater savings and benefits throughout ones career and into retirement.

The benefits of higher education don’t stop with salary or saving for retirement. By earning an online bachelors degree most employees become eligible for promotions that reflect their full aptitude and interest areas. A 1998 report published by the Institute for Higher Education Policy found an overall report of improved quality of life associated with higher levels of education, better health and enhanced relationships.

When considering whether or not to pursue an online bachelors degree be sure to compare the full lifetime earning potential with associated quality of life and retirement benefits.

Comparing Bachelor Degree Requirements for Online and Traditional Students

In general, the academic bachelor degree requirements for online and traditional students are very similar. This includes the types of courses which are required, the number of credits which are required as well as the methods of demonstrating an understanding of the course materials. However, the significant difference in the bachelor degree requirements for online and traditional students is the way in which the learning process takes place.

Traditional students typically spend the majority of their time in lectures and are required to do additional reading and homework assignments outside of the regularly scheduled lecture times. Additionally, their aptitude is typically tested through examinations and completion of projects and assignments. Online students may also be tested through examination, projects and assignments but the majority of the learning process will be self directed. Lectures covering the required material are usually available to the students online but it will be up to the student to either download and follow these lectures or make time to attend live lectures, if available. This flexibility enables the student to learn at a pace which is convenient for him.

Achieving an Accelerated Degree Online

Students who wish to achieve an accelerated degree online have a large number of options available to them but they also have to do quite a bit of research to ensure they are selecting a program which is not only legitimate but also ideal for their specific needs. The first step in obtaining a degree online should involve a great deal of research. Similar to the way a traditional student would evaluate potential colleges, online students should also carefully evaluate the online programs they are considering. Most importantly it is important to seek out an accredited program which is, ideally, associated with a well known traditional college. This is important because it will help to ensure potential employers will recognize the degree you obtain. Additionally, it is important because the name recognition of a particular college can have a positive impact on career aspirations.

Care should also be taken to ensure you are capable of meeting all of the requirements of the online degree program. This is important because difficulty in completing the assignments as a result of insufficient computer capabilities can prevent the student from completing the required coursework. Also, some online programs may require students to be available to attend lectures in live online sessions. In these cases, the student must be sure his schedule will accommodate these lecture times.

Finally, students who wish to obtain an accelerated degree online should realize there will be a significant amount of hard work and dedication involved. The student must be prepared to complete all assignments and apply himself to learning the necessary course material. Failure to do so can make it difficult for the student to pass the courses he needs to complete to obtain his degree.

Distance Learning In The Corporate World

It is estimated that corporations spend over $60 billion a year on distance learning for their employees. Employees are the company's greatest investment, and employers can help retain and promote their staff by investing in their education. Most large corporations will contribute to a higher education program. Online degree programs are especially desirable to corporate employees because they can learn at their own pace without having to cut back hours or quitting. Corporate e-learning is done at the worker's pace after work hours. It's a good idea to check with your human resources or benefits department to find out more information about financial assistance toward an online degree.

Focusing Your Major

Many schools allow students to narrow the focus of their bachelor in business degree. The most common areas of focus are marketing, finance, and accounting. Students can also combine an online bachelor degree in business with another online major to achieve a dual-degree. Many students are choosing to go the route of a double major and as a result, the average college graduate is spending up to two years longer in school. Ask your academic advisor about a double major program. Although they require more work, it could open some more doors for you when you graduate.

Four questions to consider before you enroll in an online MBA program

Pursuing the MBA degree, whether online or on campus, is a huge commitment and prospective students should perform a careful self-evaluation before enrolling in a program. Here are four questions to ask yourself before you sign up:

1. How much time can I commit to participating in classes and studying? Expect to spend 2 to 4 hours per credit per week on your studies. (6 to 12 hours per week for a 3-credit course.) Online MBA degrees can take as little as 18 months or as much as 3 years to complete.

2. Am I disciplined enough for online learning? Online degree programs require more discipline than classroom-based degrees because much of the work is done at your own pace. Some students are more motivated by a classroom setting with a fixed schedule.

3. Can I afford it? Most online MBA programs offer some kind of financial aid. Your employer may also offer tuition assistance for programs related to your industry. Check with your human resources department for more information.

4. Do I have the right combination of experience and education? MBA programs, whether online or classroom-based typically require that students have some business experience. Some MBA programs are specifically designed for students with management experience. Check with admissions officers before you enroll to ensure you have the necessary skills to handle the coursework.

What Can I Do with a Liberal Arts Degree?

Any student should ensure the degree they are pursuing will help meet the intended career aspirations of the student. This is important because a liberal arts degree can actually be applied to a wide variety of careers.

Unlike other degrees in which the career paths are clear cut, students with a liberal arts degree may have a wide variety of options available to them simply because they have taken a variety of different courses in pursuit of their degree. The challenge for these graduates lies in convincing potential employers the ways in which their education applies to the position they desire. Students with this type of degree should focus on their well roundedness as opposed to the ways they may not be qualified for a particular position. This involves remaining positive and focusing on the strengths which were fine tuned while achieving a liberal arts degree.