For the past decade, an increasing movement has emerged in the form of demand for online education and distance learning. Millions of individuals each year seek out new career opportunities via formal education. Given that no two people are alike, the need for individualized schedules and programs is not surprising.
Not all careers and degrees offer the same level of benefits, whether that be short-term or long-term. Ultimately, pursuing the best career that is relevant to your specific skills, interests and needs is paramount. However, it is also important to ensure that the career you’ve chosen offers the degree of flexibility in your day-to-day life that is required.
To help students find the best and most flexible opportunities, here are six lucrative careers that can be studied from anywhere in the world (often through the convenience of online learning).
Computer Science
It should not be surprising that a career field focused on technology would be ideal for those studying from home or abroad. A computer science degree opens a plethora of opportunities to students who are technologically-inclined and enjoy working with a variety of network, software and hardware applications.
With particular focuses in this field on database management, networking, programming and development, there is a wide array of specialized computer science degree programs available. Given the nature of the field itself, pursuing this career via the internet is much easier than for many other degrees that require more innate hands-on experience.
The average salary for a computer science graduate is substantial when compared to many other career fields. Entry-level computer science graduates can easily earn $60,000 per year or more depending on their exact field of study, with experienced professionals often earning $100,000 per year or more once they have cultivated solid resumes and comprehensive skill-sets.
Business Administration
In the United States, the single-largest share of college graduates have a degree in business – roughly 20 percent of those possessing bachelor’s degrees have a degree based in a business field of study. However, those who want to further their income potential and career opportunities often seek out a specialized degree in business administration.
A master of business administration degree program creates a world of new opportunities for business graduates – and given its popularity, can be pursued in virtually any country or community (including online). For those seeking to pursue an MBA online, it is important to ensure that the university is an accredited institution; this ensures that the degree program in question maximizes long-term value for a student.
Business administration graduates with a master’s degree regularly earn more than $75,000 per year as analysts, investment strategists and financial planners – just to name a few of the many career possibilities. To learn more about accredited online MBA programs and how to maximize its long-term potential, click here.
Accounting
Some individuals have a naturally data-oriented mind, loving to work with numbers and figures rather than people. Given the modern demand for economic precision, it is no surprise that accounting majors are in high demand. Because of its innate focus on specific laws, regulations and mathematical understanding, an accounting degree is an ideal area of study to pursue from anywhere.
Accounting graduates have much room for growth in terms of salary and advancement. While entry-level accountants may earn from $40,000 to $50,000 per year, experienced accountants and/or accounting majors employed in more sophisticated industries can easily earn more than $100,000 per year. Given there will always be demand for budgetary compliance, an accounting major is a smart choice for those who love working with numbers.
Marketing
In a global marketplace where recognition, reach and awareness are key to business survival, the world of marketing is a rapidly-growing industry. As such, the demand for marketing graduates is more robust than ever. With both needs for traditional and digital marketing strategies abundant, individuals who pursue this career field can enjoy long-term job security in a dynamic career field.
The tenets of marketing are fundamentally based around a combination of technology and psychology – two aspects that can be easily learned remotely or via traditional, local education. As such, marketing degrees are common-sense career paths that can be obtained through a local university or via remote learning, depending on your exact needs.
Engineering
Regardless of country or economic climate, the role that engineers play in day-to-day life is almost immeasurable. In both public and private sector projects, engineers help guarantee the safety, viability and success of major and minor endeavours alike. From local water systems to major, nationwide forms of infrastructures, engineering is among the fastest-growing job sectors on a global scale.
With a plethora of different engineering specialities (including electrical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering and chemical engineering), finding a specific niche in which your interests are piqued isn’t difficult. The average engineer earns well over $100,000 in their later years of employment, with entry-level positions often offering well north of $50,000 per year.
Most engineering degrees can be easily pursued via online learning, given its innate focus on mathematics and science-related concepts.
Project Management
With large-scale projects and plans required in today’s hyper-complex business world, virtually every major business and corporation needs the services of astute planners. A degree in project management is the epitome of this assistance: project managers help schedule, plan and supervise large projects that would otherwise be unruly and difficult to accomplish. A variety of project management focuses exist, focusing on specific industry-level needs.
A bachelor’s degree in project management can be an immensely useful career tool for professionals, but a master’s degree in the field is recommended. This career path often focuses on digital management procedures in the 21st century, so it should not be surprising that this form of formal education can be pursued via distance learning, online classes or through traditional instruction.
Depending on your exact area of focus, employment, degree and experience, project managers can earn anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000 per year.
Whether you are juggling multiple family and job-related responsibilities, working from home or travelling the world, pursuing professional careers from anywhere is a luxury not available in every degree field. These six lucrative careers are among the best examples of those that can be pursued from anywhere – and that provide ample financial and occupational benefits.
