Road Map: How to Change Your Career With Online Courses
First off, what is it that drives you?
a.) Solving problemsb.) Making Order of Chaosc.) Helping Peopled.) Balancing Work and Lifee.) Making Moneyf.) Creating Something
Next, choose a career you can study for online[letters are from the previous section]aa.) Data Scientist: b,ebb.) Teacher: c,dcc.) Business Analyst: a,edd.) Nursing: a,cee.) Developer: e,fff.) Designer: d,f
What credential will you need?[letters are from careers above]1.) Just the skills:A number of digital professions care more about your portfolio than actual degrees.aa/ee/ff2.) Certification:Sometimes short skill-centered programs have great career advancement potential.bb/cc/dd/ee3.) Full Fledged Degree:Sometimes a whole new degree is required to get your foot in the door.aa/bb/cc/dd
What's your price point?[1-3 from previous section]<$500: 1 <$5,000: 1,2 >$5,000: 1,2,3
Results
Data Science:Description: Data scientists blend statistics and software engineering.Average Salary: $118,000Steps: [1]1.) Get good stats, math, machine learning2.) Learn to code3) Gather an Understanding of Databases4.) Learn data munging, visualization, and reporting5.) Learn Big Data
Background:High school: 5%Technical school: 5%College Graduate: 37%Masters/Professional Degree: 31%Doctoral Degree: 9%
Data Scientists come from a variety of types of academic backgrounds.Potential paths: Just learn the skills or a full-fledged degreePrice Point: $-$$$
TeacherDescription: Primary and secondary school teachers develop schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. They also facilitate relationships between pupils, parents, and larger organizations.Average Salary: $57,000Steps:1.)Obtain a bachelor's degree2.)Obtain state-specific teacher education.3.)Pass teaching credential tests (mostly the Praxis exam).4.) Advance with certifications or graduate work.
Background:College Graduate: 62%Masters degree+:38%
There are many popular online programs built around teacher schedules to advance your credentials.
Potential Paths: Full-fledged degree, CertificationsPrice point: $$$
Business AnalystDescription: Business analysts provide a crucial link between modern firms information technology capabilities and business objectives. They also manage an organization's adaptability, agility, and ability to deal with change.Average Salary: $91,512Steps:1.) Obtain a bachelor's degree2a.) Obtain industry specific experience2b.) Obtain certification or graduate business work
Background:College Graduate, certifications, masters degree+
There is a wide array of paths that can be used for breaking into business analyst positions, including online MBAs, accounting programs, information technology degrees, or skill-based learning platforms.
Potential paths: Skill-based, full-fledged degree, certificationsPrice point: $$-$$$
NursingDescription: Nurses work as specialized members of interdisciplinary medical teams, with the type of work largely dependent on specialization and care setting.Average RN salary: $66,200Steps:1a.) Become a RN through an undergraduate institution2a.) Complete an RN to BSN program1b.) Obtain a BSN through an undergraduate institution2b.) Obtain specialized skill-based training2c.) Obtain an MSN through a graduate institution
Background: [4]Associate's degree: 37.9%RN Diploma: 6.9%Bachelor's Degree: 44.6%Master's Degree: 10.3%Doctorate: .4%
There is a wide range of the educational attainment of nurses in America. Common online options include many popular and flexible online RN to BSN programs, as well as more advanced degrees or certifications that can be taken at least partially online.Potential paths: Full-fledged degree, certifications, associate's degree, diplomas, graduate degreesPrice Point: $$-$$$
DeveloperDescription: Depending on their role, developers help to create, test, and maintain a variety of systems, databases, applications, or web-based technologies.Average salary: $85,320Steps:1a.) Obtain skill-based training.2a.) Build up a portfolio for future employers1b.) Obtain a bachelors in Computer Science from an Undergraduate institution2b.) Progress through certifications or masters level work online
Background:Skills-based training: 17%Bachelors degree: 50%Masters degree: 29%Doctoral: 4%
Though the most tried and true path into being a developer is to complete a computer science degree, skill-based education is emphasized in many locations in which developers work. Bootcamps and online skill-based training are great new options for obtaining valuable developer skills.Potential paths: Skills-based training, full-fledged degree, certifications, graduate degreesPrice Point: $-$$$
DesignerDescription: Designers create visual concepts by hand or through software to communicate ideas to consumers. Whether print or digital, designers develop and produce layouts for advertisements, brochures, reports, magazines, websites, and online graphics.Average salary: $51,433Steps:1a.) Obtain skill-based training2a.) Build up a portfolio for future employers1b.) Obtain a bachelors in graphic design or related discipline2b.) Build a portfolio for future employers
Background:Skill-based training, bachelors degree
Though many positions require a bachelors in graphic design, many designers obtain practical skills through online training and leverage portfolio works for positions.Potential paths: Skill-based training, full-fledged degreePrice Point: $-$$$
