• Online
  Degrees
• Online
  Programs
• Online
  Courses
• Online
  Colleges
• Campus
  Programs
• eLearners
  Advisor
• Articles &
  Resources
• Blogs &
  Forums

Best Online Degrees for Multiple Industries

How to Strengthen and Flex Your Marketability Muscle

Today's job market and economy can make you feel like you're on a corkscrew roller coaster. The dizzying ups and downs challenge even the most disciplined employees and household budgets.

In times like these, people question their security and worry about what the future may hold.

Avoid getting catapulted out of financial stability and earn a degree or certificate that is valuable within many fields.

Where to start?

Identify the skills you already have (i.e., business, technical, interpersonal, service-related, hands-on, etc.). Now list outstanding contributions you have made in your current or recent position. Your achievements look good, but let's step up your game.

Ask yourself, "What additional skills can I learn to become more valuable in my current job? How can I broaden my future career choices in the event of a lay-off or unexpected move?"

Many online "multi-purpose" programs build skills that are transferable across industries and positions. Consider, for example, computer science programs. Whether you work for a corporate business, government office, hospital, school, or trade, computer skills are generally non-negotiable. You've got to have them! A variety of online programs are available to provide computer skills that are useful and transportable across many fields.

Become more adaptable along your career path! Begin here and consider these six "multi-purpose" programs that are helpful in securing jobs across various industries:

1. Project Management

The cornerstone of project management is setting goals and creating realistic schedules and plans to attain them.

What Project Managers Do:

• Allocate resources
• Manage strategic planning meetings with partners
• Launch new products
• Manage the development of new technologies
• Implement new standards or practices

It requires both hard skills — knowing the nuts and bolts of your industry — and soft skills — knowing how to sensitively and effectively manage coworkers and employees.

Project management skills are useful in all walks of life — from parenthood to student life to professional success. How will you be able to use your new project management skills in today's job scene?

Industries for Project Managers:

• Architecture
• Banking
• Biotechnology
• Construction
• Engineering
• Insurance Companies
• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Real Estate Development
• Technology

2. Marketing

According to WetFeet.com, "the four components of marketing are product, price, promotion and place."

A marketer's job is to analyze the characteristics of a particular product and work closely with advertising, public relations, and sales teams to bring the product to market. New products are being developed all the time — and competition is fierce to attract consumer attention — and dollars.

What Marketers Do:

• Conduct customer surveys
• Analyze consumer-related statistics
• Collaborate with the product team
• Create strategic product promotions
• Develop pricing approach
• Strategize how to bring new products to market

Earn an online certificate or degree in marketing, and you'll find job opportunities in nearly every field and industry.

Here's where you can use your new marketing skills today:

• Banking
• Beauty and Skin Care Industry
• Engineering
• Entertainment Industry
• Fashion Industry
• Food Industry
• Pharmaceuticals
• Real Estate Development
• Technology

3. Programming

Pursuing a certificate or degree in computer programming opens a vast array of career choices.

Programmers work in: computer security, database development and management, homeland security and information systems, networking, programming, security administration, and Web development.

What Programmers Do:

• Write code
• Test and debug software
• Develop and administer databases
• Create Web sites
• Develop computer network software

The long list of job categories should hearten programmers about the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "as technology evolves, however, and newer, more sophisticated tools emerge, programmers will need to update their skills in order to remain competitive. Obtaining vendor-specific or language-specific certification also can provide a competitive edge."

Here's where you can use your new programming skills today:

• Accounting
• Engineering
• Financial Institutions
• Government Entities
• Internet Companies
• Online Retailers
• Telephone and Television Companies
• Video Game Companies

4. Writing

Writers come in many shapes and sizes.

In a marketing department, a good writer will attract and persuade. In the real estate industry, a good writer will entice and sell. For technical writers, they will clarify and organize. For journalists, they will tell a factual and clear story.

What Writers Do:

• Edit and write copy
• Write columns or feature articles
• Develop instruction manuals
• Write training guides
• Conduct research
• Write reports

Above all, good writers have a superior command of language and excellent communication skills.

Combine your current professional skills with a certificate or degree in writing, and watch your salary grow. Technical writing is a fast-growing and rewarding field, particularly if you have expertise in science, medicine, economics or technology.

Here's where you can use your new writing skills today:

• Colleges and Universities
• Freelance
• Human Resources Departments
• Internet Companies
• Marketing Departments
• Niche Markets (business, economics, science, medicine)
• Print and Online Publishing
• Real Estate

5. Design

If you take a look around, you'll be hard-pressed to find something that hasn't been touched by the creative hand of a designer.

What Designers Do:

• Create newsletters, brochures, and other print materials
• Design business logos
• Craft typefaces (fonts)
• Dream up new products
• Design fabrics and clothing
• Use computer software to make layouts and designs
• Create digital graphics for Web sites and games

Open a magazine, and you'll see a designer's advertisement. Go shopping, and you'll enjoy a designer's window display. Surf the Net and you'll find banner ads and interactive Web sites — you guessed it — created by designers.

The clothes you wear, your lunch's food packaging, your shampoo bottle, all have been created with the input of a designer.

The field of design is competitive — register online to edge out the rest.

Here's where you can use your new design skills today:

• Department Stores
• Entertainment Industry
• Fashion Industry
• Freelance
• Interior Design
• Internet Companies
• Landscape Design
• Marketing Departments
• Print and Online Publishing

6. Accounting

If you have a strong attention to detail, and love numbers and money, accounting is for you.

All types of businesses and organizations require an accountant's skills in managing ongoing duties like payroll, taxes, and balancing the books.

What Accountants Do:

• Analyze budgets
• Record capital inflows and outflows
• Align expenses and profits
• Implement payroll
• Pay bills
• Assist in filing taxes
• Collect and organize tax-related information
• Execute audits

With an advanced certificate or degree in accounting, additional duties can be awarded to motivated individuals. For example, experienced accountants may be called upon to provide financial planning assistance, analyze and adjust budgets, and help make critical decisions about growth.

Here's where you can use your new accounting skills today:

• Accounting firms
• Commercial businesses
• Government agencies
• In-house accounting offices
• Tax firms

No matter how much experience you have in your current job, a "multi-purpose" online program will pack your résumé with more punch. You'll be able to roll with the ups and downs of the market and apply your newfound skills in diverse workplace settings.

---

Ronni Rowland is a writer based out of Orange County, CA. She regularly writes for eLearners, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, and San Diego Family Magazine. Her work has also appeared in Nick Jr. Family Magazine, Daughters, Montessori Life and the Orange County Register.

We welcome all comments directed to: recession [at] elearners [dot] com.