The recent decline in the global economy resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs. Although the economy is beginning to recover, the situation remains frustrating for many high-school graduates who are finding it difficult to discover their niche in the competitive job market. There are an increased variety of degrees on offer and the introduction of online university degrees has made it easier to obtain qualifications in the field of your choice. However, obtaining a degree today does not automatically translate into a lucrative job.
While it is important to choose an online university program that you will enjoy doing, it is also important to consider how much demand exists for people with that degree in the job market. When choosing your study area consider your interests, the employment outlook of the course you intend to study and the income potential of the field you are targeting. Below are online university degrees in high demand that offer some of the most lucrative salaries for fresh graduates.
Engineering has traditionally been one of the most lucrative professions, holding 8 of the top 10 positions on the list of degrees in high demand. Fields such as petroleum, aerospace, electrical and chemical engineering still hold top spots in high demand. Online university degrees in various fields of engineering are now available allowing graduates the opportunity to compete for engineering jobs such as petroleum engineering with starting salaries of up to $93,000. However, recovering gas and searching for new oil reservoirs requires a lot of traveling, making it difficult to advance your qualifications as well as keep up with work. Online university degrees allow working engineers and other professionals the flexibility and freedom to obtain advanced qualifications while working.
Other online university degrees available in the field of engineering include nuclear engineering that pays an average starting salary of $63,000. Contrary to popular belief, online university degrees in engineering are just as intensive as those offered on campus and can be very challenging.
Increased use of information and computer technology has translated into high demand for professionals in these fields. Online university degrees in computer science and information technology are among the most popular online university degrees offered today. Starting salaries in these professions range from $54,000 to $61,000. These courses are ideal for those with interest in computers and who are good at math. It should be noted that online university degrees in computer science and information technology are just as intensive as online university degrees in engineering.
For those with no interest in the sciences but with considerable Mathematics skills, online university degrees in economics and finance may be of interest. Those majoring in economics can look forward to starting salaries of $48,000, while those in finance can expect to earn at least $47,000 to begin with.
Other online university degrees that are in high demand include teaching, sociology, history and English. Although salaries in these fields are not as lucrative as those in engineering and computer science, salaries change with the demand for graduates at any given time. Teachers and social workers, who are at the lower end of the scale, earn an average of $33,000.
