The eLearners News Blog : Jobs, Careers, and Salary

Top 10 Best Jobs Based upon Average Salary, Growth, Job Openings

helenh — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 07:00:00 GMT

Top 10 jobs of "500 Best Jobs Overall", based upon median annual earnings, projected growth through 2010, and the yearly number of job openings:

Job Title	Annual Earnings	Percent Growth	Openings per Year	Education Required	Suggested Fields of Study
1. Computer Software Engineers, Applications	$70,210	100%	28,000	Bachelor's degree	Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology
2. Computer Systems Analysts	$61,990	59.7%	34,000	Bachelor's degree	Information Technology, Information Systems
3. Computer and Information Systems Managers	$82,480	47.9%	28,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree (or higher)	Tech Management, Information Systems, Information Technology
4. Postsecondary Teachers	$52,115	23.5%	184,000	Master's or Doctoral degree	Education
5. Management Analysts	$57,970	28.9%	50,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree (or higher)	Finance, Management, Accounting, Information Systems
6. Registered Nurses	$46,670	25.6%	140,000	Associate's Degree	Medical and Dental, Nursing, Health Administration
7. Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software	$73,280	89.7%	23,000	Bachelor's Degree	Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology
8. Medical and Health Services Managers	$59,220	32.3%	27,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree (or higher)	Health Administration, Health Services, Human Services, Public Health
9. Financial Services Sales Agents	$59,690	22.3%	55,000	Bachelor's Degree	Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration
10. Securities and Commodities Sales Agents	$59,690	22.3%	55,000	Bachelor's Degree	Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration

[Best Jobs for the 21st Century" by Michael Farr. Based upon occupational information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Census Bureau.]

To me, what's really striking about this list is that, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree is the most significant source of post-secondary education or training for 9 of the 10 best-paying, fastest-growing occupations.

(Click here to see #11-20!)

Add to:

Next Top 10 Best Jobs Based upon Average Salary, Growth, Job Openings - #11-20

helenh — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 12:00:00 GMT

Top #11-20 jobs of "500 Best Jobs Overall", based upon median annual earnings, projected growth through 2010, and the yearly number of job openings:

Job Title	Annual Earnings	Percent Growth	Openings per Year	Education Required	Suggested Fields of Study
11. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	$59,690	22.3%	55,000	Bachelor's degree	Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration
12. Computer Support Specialists	$38,560	97.0%	40,000	Associate's degree	Information Technology, Information Systems
13. Sales Managers	$71,620	32.8%	21,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree	Marketing, Business Administration, Management
14. Computer Security Specialists	$53,770	81.9%	18,000	Bachelor's degree	Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science
15. Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$53,770	81.9%	18,000	Bachelor's degree	Networking, I.T., Computer Information Systems, Tech Management
16. Financial Managers	$70,210	18.5%	53,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree	Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration
17. Financial Managers, Branch or Department	$70,210	18.5%	53,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree	Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration
18. Treasurers, Controllers, and Chief Financial Officers	$70,210	18.5%	53,000	Work experience + Bachelor's degree	Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting
19. Accountants and Auditors	$45,380	18.5%	100,000	Bachelor's degree	Accounting, Finance
20. Auditors	$45,380	18.5%	100,000	Bachelor's degree	Accounting, Finance

["Best Jobs for the 21st Century" by Michael Farr. Based upon occupational information from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Census Bureau.]

What are you waiting for? A college degree opens doors to greater financial freedom and security. It is possible to earn your degree completely via the Internet - explore your online education options at eLearners.com.

(Did you miss #1-10? Click here!)

Add to:

Average starting pay for college graduates is on the rise

helenh — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 14:00:00 GMT

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers's Spring 2006 Salary Survey, here are some note-worthy starting salaries by discipline:

Discipline	Average starting salary	% change from 2005
Accounting	$46,188	+5.4%
Business Administration / Management	$40,976	+3.9%
Computer Science	$50,892	-0.8%
Economics / Finance	$45,058	+5.3%
Marketing	$37,446	-1.0%
Chemical Engineering	$56,549	+4.2%
Civil Engineering	$45,544	+4.8%
Computer Engineering	$54,200	+5.3%
Electrical Engineering	$54,053	+3.9%
Mechanical Engineering	$51,761	+1.4%
Liberal Arts	$30,958	+2.0%

U.S. Census Bureau research confirms that college graduates make more money. In 2003, a full-time employee with a bachelor's degree had a median income of $40,287, whereas a high school graduate earned $21,948. Those with master's degrees averaged earnings of $50,021, while doctorates made $64,372. Professional degree holders topped out at $75,722.

Begin your search for accredited online education at eLearners.com.

Add to:

Ready for a New Career? Take this Quiz!

helenh — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:00:00 GMT

From the June 19th issue of Newsweek:

"Changing jobs can be one of the most stressful events in life, but it can also be an exciting opportunity to pursue one's dreams. How do you know if a second career is right for you? Take our test to see if a new job might be worth pursuing.

ANSWER YES OR NO:

Are you thinking in terms of what you want to do in a new career and not simply in terms of what you want to leave in your current job?
Is your decision reversible? Could you return to a similar job if you leave for something new?
Have you thoroughly researched the new field you are considering?
If you were to make a change, and for some reason the new job or business didn't work out, would you think the risk of a new career had been worth it?
Do the most important people in your life agree with your contemplated change?
If necessary, are you prepared to work for a lower salary or income if you start your own business?
Are you ready to be the new kid on the block in a new job or a rookie in a new business venture?
Are you ready to prove yourself all over again with a new employer or in a new line of work?
Are you ready to interact with younger people who may be your peers or even your managers?
Are you ready for the possibility that your new career will not meet your expectations or that you may not succeed in your new job?

RATING YOUR ANSWERS:

If you answered yes to seven or more questions, you may be ready to take the plunge. Take part two of our test, which is available online, for ideas about how you might proceed and what issues you should consider as you ponder a second career.

If you answered yes to six or fewer, you may not be ready to make a professional career move at this time.

Of course, circumstances sometimes force people to think about a career change even if they aren't ready for one. If you find yourself in that situation, part two of this test can help you evaluate your priorities as you re-enter the job market.

TEST PREPARED FOR NEWSWEEK BY RICHARD FEIN, AUTHOR OF NINE BOOKS ABOUT CAREERS INCLUDING HIS LATEST, "THE BABY BOOMER'S GUIDE TO THE NEW WORKPLACE."

Add to:

Education Online for Police & Law Enforcement Professionals

helenh — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 07:38:00 GMT

"Learning Online" in the May 2006 issue of Law Enforcement Technology reflects upon some of the available distance learning options for law enforcement personnel.

Due to the erratic schedules inherent in working rotating shifts and assignments, as well as the need to work overtime with little or no notice, attending even adult-friendly classes offered at night and weekends is virtually impossible. On-line education makes it possible for police officers, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, and other law enforcer-types to complete or continue their college educations.

Some note-worthy schools receiving a mention include:

Kaplan University: "Almost 98 percent of faculty are current or former law enforcement," says Dr. Allen Lowery, Kaplan's undergraduate dean. 'They've been judges, sheriffs, state troopers - they've been where you are. They can help you synthesize the knowledge. You don't find that in most seated campuses."
Bellevue University: "According to Professor Robert Cook, the director for the B.S. program in criminal justice, instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. 'Our adjunct professors are upper-level police personnel from all over the United States," Cook says. "We have a state police commander from Minnesota, police chiefs from Florida and Iowa, and county sheriffs from various places.'"
Keiser College: "'We started offering criminal justice on campus six years ago,' says Dr. Arthur Keiser, co-founder and chancellor of the Keiser Collegiate System. 'We were a primarily technology-driven institution, and adapted the criminal justice programs to provide distance education. Then, with the events of 9/11, there was increased awareness and increased demand for these subjects by students," he adds."

[Interested in other colleges and universities offering fully accredited criminal justice degrees? Search or browse all of our online Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement degree programs at
http://www.elearners.com/online-degrees/criminal-justice.htm.]

The article concludes with the observation that education is increasingly necessary for those wishing to enter the criminal justice field, as well as those seeking to advance further: "Some police departments require that applicants have at least 60 college credits, and some federal agencies won't consider candidates who don't possess at least a bachelor's degree."

[If you're in need of your bachelor's degree, please visit the Online Bachelor's Degree section of our website.]

Remember, there are only two entities that recognize accreditation agencies in the United States: the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA is part of the requirements for institutions to be able to offer students federal financial aid. Accreditation also allows students to more qualify for tuition reimbursement under various state, industry, corporate, or union-sponsored tuition assistance plans requiring enrollment in an accredited college or university. eLearners.com will only list colleges and universities that are accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or CHEA!

Add to: