The most lucrative careers you can break into with an online degree

1. The Most Lucrative Careers
You can Break into with an
Online Degree
By Jennifer Cook

2. 
Often I get in debates with people over the value
of online learning technology, and someone
inevitably brings up whether or not employers
value online graduates. The fact that I’m hearing
those arguments less and less indicates that
online education is being recognized for the
revolutionary tool it is, and that you can gain a
valuable degree, and big paycheck, with online
degrees and certifications. Just check out the
earnings potential of these careers that you can
move into with a degree from an online school
like Strayer.

3. Medical and Health
Services Managers

Managers in health organizations help coordinate care of patients
and operations of public and private systems that deliver services
to the public. Whether they manage a single department or an
entire care organization, health services managers may be
lookingover everyone from technicians to a clinical facility or even
a group of physicians.

Salary: $84,270*

Education required: Bachelor’s degree or higher. A lot of health
services managers have master’s degrees in public administration,
public health or even an MBA. Knowledge of the healthcare sector,
combined with education in management and health-related
degrees, can lead them to high management positions and
executive spots, which pay even more.

4. Financial Analysts

Businesses need financial analysts to provide sound
guidance for making investment decisions. They perform
market research and analysis to recommend highperformance stocks, bonds and other investment
opportunities. They also often work for individuals as well
as companies

Salary: $74,350

Education required: A lot of analysts have bachelor’s
degrees in some type of finance field, including accounting,
economics or finance. Some high-paying positions even
look for analysts with a master’s in business administration
or finance.

5. Computer and Information
Systems Managers

Our rapidly growing tech sector needs skilled managers
with knowledge of information systems, technology and
the IT industry. An IS manager plans and directs
software design projects, IT department operations and
technology investments for various organizations.
These professionals are finding work in every corner of
the economy as technology becomes a critical part of
how everything operates.
• Salary: $115,780
• An IT project manager or administrator will typically have at least a
bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science or
another technology-related degree. Courses in computer programming,
math and engineering subjects are common in these programs. Larger
organizations may even require a master’s in information systems or a
related field, or possibly an MBA to move into managing their IT
services.

6. Accountants
and Auditors

Demand for skilled accountants and auditing
professionals is always fairly high because every
business needs the financial services they provide in
order to comply with government regulations, pay
taxes and release public financial statements. They
help assess the financial health of companies and
keep their operations running smoothly, from
payroll to periodic financial audits.

Salary: $61,690
• Education required: A bachelor’s in accounting will help you land an entrylevel position in either accounting or auditing, though some firms will expect
you to move on to get a master’s in accounting or business administration for
some positions. Many accountants and auditors must also become Certified
Public Accountants to handle certain types of work.

7. Marketing Managers
• With the right experience, you can move into a
project management role and even executive
positions in marketing, either for a particular
company or a marketing agency that services
many clients. As a manager, you’ll design and
implement advertising campaigns, analyze their
performance and manage other marketing
professionals.

Salary: $108,260

Education required: Most marketing firms and companies will require that
managers have at least a bachelor’s degree in marketing or an equivalent of
impressive experience. Your future employer may be looking for someone with
a journalism or communications degree. Your classes might include consumer
behavior, market research, photography and even arts courses. An increasingly
valuable skill in marketing is the ability to understand, manipulate and draw
insight from data on customer behavior, business performance and other
metrics.
It also helps to have a portfolio of work you’ve done, including presentations,
brochures and other marketing materials you may have designed. After a few
years experience, you can move up into a project management role, handling
larger parts of campaigns and coordinating with other marketers.

8. *All of these are median salaries.
Despite the debates she has with skeptics, Jennifer Cook has been
happily digging into the facts and figures behind online education and
career development. You can read more of her insights here on
Strayer Buzz and other publications.
Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm