Top 5 College Degrees for the Real-World

Considering earning a college degree that will always be in demand? Then you may want to consider looking into one of the following degree options that can offer real-world, work-relevant value.

"Work based learning appears to be the best way for the majority of young people to prepare for the world of work," according to a Harvard Graduate School of Education 2011 study, which supports the concepts of a career-based approach.   

This type of learning goes hand in hand with how college students gain real-world skills and prepare for careers that are work relevant now and in the future. Listed below are the top 5 college degrees that analysts have predicted will be in demand.               

#1 Degree –Bachelor's in Information Technology (IT) & Information Systems

What’s consistent about technology is that it’s always changing and transforming our world by improving efficiency and solving business problems. Can you see yourself as part of these solutions? If so, as part of the real-world degree program, you can expect to study topics and gain practical experience that includes internet applications, network solutions, and operating systems. A degree in this field will launch your career as a web developer, software engineer, or business systems analyst.

#2 Degree – Bachelor's in Business Administration 

The National Association of Colleges and Employers report that 52% of employers will hire graduates with a four-year degree in business. If you know that you would enjoy working for corporate America then you should be thrilled about the prospects of your highly employable future. When considering potential career opportunities, the possibilities are endless. Employment in this field is vast and covers a wide range of opportunities. However, you just may want to consider expanding your niche and tailoring it to include various options just in case you don’t end up in the specific market that you were hoping for.       

#3 Degree – Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care

The need for health care and health related assistance has increased over the years as Americans and consumers globally have lived longer and more vibrant lives. Therefore the need for medical assistance and educated professionals will continue to be in demand. By studying real-world degree programs in this field, you'll gain skills in the classroom and in the lab that you can later use in a doctor's office or clinic. Some of the more popular careers that you can pursue with a bachelor’s degree in this field include dietitian, registered nurse, clinical laboratory technician, physician assistant, biological technician, and medical and health services manager.  

#4 Degree – Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement 

Earning an associate's degree in this field can open a few doors through studies as a paralegal. And according to the U.S. Department of Labor, this degree is becoming more popular to gain entry into this field. But if you have an interest in working on the state or federal level then a bachelor’s degree is needed and the monetary benefits will be well worth the additional two years in college. Typical careers with a bachelor’s degree include secret service agent, probation officer, bailiff, private investigator, warden, FBI agent, and legal assistant. 

#5 Degree – Bachelor's in Marketing/Communications 

According to the NACE 2010 Job Outlook report, each year employers are asked to rate the importance of certain skills and qualities when hiring possible job candidates, and each year without fail, “strong communication skills” are at the top of the list. 

If you are a college-bound student and communications and perhaps marketing is part of your career interest, you should strongly consider a four-year degree in this field. In addition to studying communications, you'll also take business-related courses that cover how basic business intersects with communication tools such as social media, public relations, advertising, and even sales.

25 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search: After The Interview

Guest Post by Kristyn L. Graham

After the interview

21. Not sending a thank-you note

Interview etiquette extends beyond the goodbye handshake. Follow up with the interviewer by sending a thank-you note, either by e-mail or in the mail. Not only is it standard business practice, it's also common courtesy. 

22. Being over-aggressive in follow-up

Thanking the hiring manager for the interview is acceptable. You can even check in to see if a candidate's been hired if you were given a deadline for the decision. However, calling, e-mail or stopping by the office repeatedly is not persistent; it's annoying.

23. Not learning from your mistakes

Not every interview goes off without a hitch, so don't beat yourself up if you flubbed an answer or two. However, if you don't take the time to review each interview you go on, you're bound to repeat the same mistakes again and again. 

24. Forgetting where you've applied and interviewed

After a few weeks, you've applied at more than dozen places and probably interviewed with a few companies. Eventually it's harder to remember where you've sent a résumé or interviewed, and applying to the same place makes you look like an applicant who applies to any posting that pops up, not the best fit. 

25. Stopping your job search while you wait for a response

Even if your interview for the job of a lifetime went well, don't freeze your job hunt while you wait to hear back. For a variety of reasons you might not get the job, or you might stumble upon an even better opportunity. You don't have anything to lose by continuing the hunt.

6 Job Tips to Jumpstart your New or Current Career

For some of you who are starting a new job, or for those of you who have been at your current job for years but are looking for some new ways to stay on your bosses good side and simply stay one step ahead of your colleagues; perhaps these 6 job tips could make a difference when the next big promotion becomes available. Good Luck!

1) Attitude – No one wants to work with a “‘sour-puss”, someone who drains all your energy, and complains all the time about every little thing. Your attitude toward work should reflect your duties and responsibilities and that should energize you and others around you to keep you motivated throughout the day. Of course you can approach your work formally, fulfilling your major duties with accuracy and on time. But an employee with “drive” and the right “attitude" who is enthusiastic and creative about their work is much more interesting for the employer. 

2) Creativity - your ability to offer exceptional ideas and innovative methods. You have a goal and you know how to achieve it. This quality is especially important for design, marketing, advertising, and will present you an advantage in any sphere of business. 

3) Result-oriented – Can you always complete what you began doing or are you a procrastinator? No matter what difficulties you may have, you are to always complete it by the deadline, but consider if you can actually turn it in early, now wouldn’t that be a something special.  

4) Resilience - A man was walking, stumbled and fell down, and then he shook himself off and went on further. For example, you are taking part in a group discussion of some urgent problem. The idea you suggested made everyone laugh and no one approved it.  You got offended, went into your shell and stopped proving your point of view. Then your resilience is very low. You should be able to stand your ground and never ever give up. 

5) Leadership - Employers hire a young specialist hoping that he has great potential and in ten years time he will become a leader. Not everyone must be a leader and become a top manager afterwards. But a good manager, that is a person able to handle the organization of other people, is indispensable in any respectable company. Recognize your leadership skill; how you can nurture it and make it grow. 

6) Team-Work – many companies have a project system of management.  Several people work on a project. The success of the project depends on each member of the team. What matters here is your ability to get on with different people, find common language with all the staff and feel like a united team. “One for all and all for one.” In any business a strong team – is a pledge of successful fulfillment of the project. Communication skills are of primary importance for any sphere, as there is no area where we can do without communication. How to make others listen to you, how to present yourself, how to uphold your point of view. This is a mini list of essential communicative skills. And essential to the success of an effective team work environment.