college degree

10 Great Careers You Can Have With a Liberal Arts Degree

Paul Michael — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:30:11 +0000

It's quite possible you were warned against getting a liberal arts degree. "It's too broad" or "you won't earn a great living" are statements often hurled at people who pursue liberal arts. Common majors include English, mathematics, communication, history, language, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and the arts (fine art, music, performing arts). However, there are many great careers and opportunities out there that pay an excellent wage, and offer a fulfilling vocation. Here are 10 of the best.

1. Public Relations Director

A public relations (PR) director is responsible for developing and executing strategies and tactics that will shine a positive light on his or her clients. You've no doubt heard the phrase "that's good PR," and most of the time, there's a PR director behind the campaign. The director will have climbed the ladder from lower positions in the PR department, and is responsible for managing those people who help make things happen. These days, a lot of PR is done through social media and TV appearances, but it can be done in any number of ways, including stunts, viral videos, promotions, and public appearances. The hours are not typically 9-to-5, but the rewards can be tremendous.

Annual salary: $88,169-$161,449

2. Archaeologist

Before you don the fedora and the whip, realize that archaeologists like Indiana Jones are pure fantasy. But that doesn't mean it's not a fun and rewarding career. Archaeology is the study of human activity through the ages, and involves the recovery and analysis of "material culture." Most archaeologists study human prehistory and history, and a typical week's work could involve surveying, excavating, and analyzing the findings. Where we have been, and how we got here today, are areas of great interest to archeologists. And of course, much of what they recover ends up on display in a museum.

Annual salary: $29,965-$71,266

3. Senior Copywriter

Do you have a way with words? Are you skilled in the art of persuasion? Do you often come up with wild and inventive ideas that would make people sit up and take notice? Then a career as a copywriter could be right up your alley. Most copywriters start out on pitifully low salaries, especially those working in the big name ad agencies. But after 5-7 years, you can land the role of senior copywriter, and make close to six figures. If you go freelance, you can double, or even triple, that amount. Senior copywriters often go on to become creative directors, and those salaries can hit seven figures in the New York and London shops.

Annual salary: $56,992-$95,357

4. Sales Director

It takes a certain kind of person to excel in sales. The main focus of the sales director is to sell products and/or services through the implementation of national (or even international) sales plans and promotions. The sales director will have a team of regional sales managers to oversee, and is responsible for the overall performance of the brand's financial success. Sales directors need to excel in negotiating, motivation, building relationships, coaching, market knowledge, developing budgets, and managing complex processes. It's a stressful job, but one that has great financial rewards.

Annual salary: $111,721-$207,227

5. Economist

If you're one of those lucky people who enjoys crunching numbers and researching economic trends, you could make a very comfortable living. An economist typically collects and analyzes data relating to economic issues, designs policies to solve economic problems, and prepares reports for businesses, governments, and individuals. Although math is at the core, economists work in a variety of different fields, including business, health, education, the environment, and energy. The insight of a talented economist can be invaluable, and as such, skilled economists are in high demand — the salary clearly reflects this.

Annual salary: $80,978-$174,300

6. Sociologist

Sociology gets a bad rap. It's frequently said that people who get a sociology degree mean well, but have not thought things through. Typical jobs synonymous with sociology are social work, roles in correctional facilities, and counselors. All of these positions have a low median wage, but that is only one side of the story. Professional sociologists can earn an excellent living. Their workweek involves designing research projects to test theories on social issues, collecting and analyzing data, collaborating with social scientists, and helping government policymakers to create the best possible initiatives. Areas of interest include health, crime, education, family, population, gender, and poverty. And helping others can be extremely fulfilling work.

Annual salary: $43,280-$129,760

7. Real Estate Broker

First, let's establish the difference between a real estate broker and a real estate agent. A real estate broker is a licensed individual who works for him or herself, whereas a real estate agent usually works for a broker or agency. Real estate brokers are typically go-getter types. They are driven, organized, ambitious, and charming. Day-to-day duties include soliciting clients who want to buy and sell properties, marketing those properties, arranging presentations and open houses, organizing paperwork, and supervising agents on the payroll. As it is primarily based on commission, the salary range is vast. Good brokers can earn a very handsome annual salary.

Annual salary: $29,333-$147,741

8. Psychologist

The lines between psychology and psychiatry often get blurred. The basic difference is that a psychologist focuses on treating emotional and mental suffering with behavioral therapy; and a psychiatrist is a trained medical doctor, and can therefore prescribe medications and go beyond therapy. But it takes a lot longer to become a trained and licensed psychiatrist. As a psychologist, you will spend the majority of your day interacting with individuals, couples, and groups. It may be emotionally stressful at times. Many psychologists work for themselves, some out of their own homes. You can set your own hours, and feel good knowing you spend every day helping people feel better.

Annual salary: $69,953-$111,703

9. Executive Assistant

If you are exceptionally well-organized, have software and scheduling skills, and are happy jumping whenever a big cheese demands it, then you should look into a career as an executive assistant. Big corporations these days have dozens of high-paid executives, and they all require an assistant to keep everything in order. It will go beyond just answering phones and emails, though. Get ready to conduct research, schedule travel and meetings, coordinate special projects, and supervise a lower tier of assistants and clerical staff. As top executives often work 70-hour weeks, you may be required to come into the office at unusual times. And don't be surprised to get phone calls at 3:30 a.m.

Annual salary: $47,717-$75,320

10. Actor

People with liberal arts degrees have a foundation of skills that make them good with people, and they are usually in touch with their emotions. These are both great qualities for an aspiring actor. While many actors, male and female, have to work a fairly ordinary day job to support themselves at first, some find their way into Hollywood's spotlight. And they can go from serving food to being served the finest meals in five-star hotels. For someone who makes it all the way to the top, like Dwayne Johnson ($64.5 million a year) or Jennifer Lawrence ($46 million a year) — it's a career that brings incredible rewards.

Annual salary: $20,040-$209,525…and way beyond!

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Signs Your College Is a Scam

Samantha Stauf — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:30:24 +0000

A college degree opens doors. While there are certainly ways to find professional and financial success without a college degree, it can be a harder and longer path. The relationships built, the skills learned, the knowledge granted, and the credentials earned open pathways that might have beyond an individual's reach.

However, not all colleges in the United States deliver the type of education that will lead to financial success. ITT Technical Institutes' recent and sudden closure after it was barred from admitting students utilizing federal funds, was a reminder of that fact. The closure of the school put the educational and financial prospects of thousands of students in jeopardy.

Prospective students need to remember that technical schools and colleges — even nonprofits — are run like businesses. They won't necessarily broadcast that they aren't capable of delivering the type of education you expect. It's up to you to investigate the school and discover any red flags that indicate the college is a total scam. Here are a few warning signs to look out for.

1. It's in Poor Financial Health

ITT Tech's closure due to financial issues isn't an isolated, once-in-a-blue-moon incident. Inside Higher Ed reports that on average, five colleges close down annually. The number of college closures per year is expected to triple in the coming years as admission rates at smaller colleges drop. Smaller private and public colleges are dependent on tuition to remain financially viable. This means that years of low admission rates can result in a slow, prolonged death for the college which can blindside students.

When a school closes, students might need to:

Restart the school vetting process;
Pay admission and application fees for new colleges;
Find an institution that will transfer the most credits;
Potentially apply to have federal loans discharged;
Contend with issues keeping housing benefits.

In order to avoid enrolling in a college that might go under before you graduate, potential college students can check the financial health of their college by doing a Google search about the school's financial health or admission rates.

2. It Lacks Proper Accreditation

Proper accreditation is vital to a degree or certificates' worth. According to RuthAnn Althaus, a program coordinator at Ohio University, accreditation is vital because it "provides assurance to students, their employers, and the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) that institutions are meeting rigorous educational standards and are professionally sound."

If you accidentally attend a college without proper accreditation, you will not be qualified to work in a field that requires a degree, and employers might not recognize your degree as a valid educational credential. You can ensure that the institution is accredited by searching for the school's website for the accreditation information. Be sure to double check the accreditation claim on the accrediting institution's website.

3. Does It Have National or Regional Accreditation?

There's another layer to the accreditation conundrum. In the U.S., colleges and programs can either be regionally accredited or nationally accredited. Accreditation from nationally accredited institutions (a lot of for-profit schools fall into this category) are often not recognized by public colleges.

ITT Tech students are currently dealing with this issue. Due to the fact that ITT Tech was nationally accredited, students have very few options as they attempt to find a replacement school. Right now, ITT students who want to transfer to another school are limited to other nationally accredited schools and the few community colleges that are willing to consider transferring their credits.

Before you apply to a nationally accredited institution, you should seriously consider if you would like the option to eventually transfer to a regionally accredited institution.

4. The School Is Facing Accreditation Probation or Withdrawal

Accreditation isn't a lifetime endorsement for a college. Accredited institutions must continually prove that they meet the required educational and financial standards to keep their certification. Schools that fail to meet standards can be placed on probation.

Enrolling into a college that is in a probationary period is risky. Failure to improve can lead to the institution losing their accreditation either voluntarily or by having it revoked. The loss of accreditation will mean that if you want a degree that is actually worth anything, you will need to transfer to another school. If this happens in the middle of the semester, you can lose time and money.

5. It's Linked to State or Federal Investigations

State or federal investigations of the school or its accrediting agency might be a sign that the school will not be a good investment. While not all investigations indicate wrongdoing, in recent years, the federal and state investigations of ITT Technical Institutes resulted in the Department of Education barring the school from utilizing federal aid to enroll students. That restriction led to the collapse of the school.

When accrediting agencies are investigated, the fallout can be even more extreme. ACICS, the agency that accredited ITT Technical Institution, has been recommended for termination after a federal investigation. If the recommendation goes through, every college ACICS accredits will have 18 months to get recertified with a different agency. Those school's ability to find another certification agency to endorse them really depends on the quality of the institution and their financial health.

To be safe, before you enroll in a college, you should search for any news of investigations of the colleges you are vetting or the agency that accredits the college. If the investigations have to do with the school's finances or recruitment practices, you might want to dig a little deeper into the investigation before enrolling.

6. It Has Low Freshman Retention and Graduation Rates

Enrolling in a college with low student retention and graduation rates is an extremely risky endeavor. While you shouldn't discount a school entirely due to low rates, it should at least be a warning sign that should lead to further investigation.

Low rates can be the result of:

Students transferring to another school before graduation;
Students taking more than four years to graduate;
Low emotional and academic student support and guidance by teachers and advisers;
Lower academic standards for admission.

You can check the rates of colleges utilizing the website College Scorecard.

Colleges whose rates are around the national average — you probably don't need to investigate further. If the college has lower than average rates (10%-20%), that might be a major red flag to take into account before enrolling. You should at least prepare yourself for an uphill battle in your quest to earn your degree.

This article is from Samantha Stauf of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Reasons to Get Your Master’s Degree Abroad

Shannah Game — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 15:15:16 +0000

Traditionally, when we think about studying abroad, it is associated with an undergrad degree. But there is a trend emerging for students to get their master's degrees, or even a second bachelor's degree abroad. And not just spend a semester, but many years in a foreign country.

According to the Institute of International Education, more than 46,500 students from the U.S. pursued full degrees abroad in 2011-2012. Experts believe that, on average, this number grows by 5% per year with more and more U.S. students looking for new opportunities and a lower price tag for their education. If you are looking at furthering your education, check out these three amazing reasons to get your master's degree abroad.

Less Debt and Better Living Options

Unless you've been living under a rock, you are keenly aware of the steep price tag to get your education in the U.S. According to Finaid.org, the average cost for a master's degree in 2015 in the U.S. is between $30,000 and $120,000, which varies depending on the type of degree and college you wish to attend. If you already have student loans from your undergrad degree, adding another giant loan on top of that is probably not a great decision.

Also, most international universities have a reputation of graduating students in 2-3 years, compared to the U.S., where an undergrad degree might take 4-5 years, and a master's degree might take 3-4 years. What does this mean for you? Cutting just a year from your educational expenses means that you've got more money in your wallet, and you can get to that career and paycheck you've been studying for even quicker.

If you like the sound of a free degree, look no further than Germany. Germany is the current leader in free education, coupled with a low cost of living, and one of the most popular places around the world for millennial job growth. Germany even has a growing entrepreneurial scene and is investing heavily in those types of projects that originate in Germany. Other than a few small university fees, students can enjoy a free education with classes taught in English.

Germany also has a reputation for high learning standards and a great reputation for students who graduate from their programs. Two of the top destinations to study are Berlin and Munich, where the cities offer great living options, loads of activities, and a great culture to explore.

A few other countries leading the way in free (or low-cost) degree programs taught in English are:

France (high living costs)
Denmark (high living costs)
Finland (high living costs)
Norway (high living costs)
Greece (affordable living costs)
Czech Republic (affordable living costs)

If you are looking to find a country with a degree that will fit your budget, check out Studyabroad.com and simply plug in the country and subject and then you are off to the races.

Exploration

One of the best reasons to get an international degree is to be able to explore the world that is literally outside your door. Studying in any of the European Union countries like France or Germany means that you are just a short train or plane ride away from so many other destinations for weekend or summer trips. Imagine attending a true Oktoberfest in Munich, or sipping wine from a vineyard in France, or seeing the running of the bulls up close and personal in Spain. Seeing the world will give you a much more well-rounded vision of different cultures and ways of life that can only enrich your future career, no matter what it might be.

International Experience

With all this exploration, you will be racking up some serious international experiences. There are many degrees like an MBA, or International Relations, or Conflict Resolution where you can benefit from the experience of studying abroad in a foreign country. You are able to learn their rules and regulations, ways of doing business, and might actually have an easier entry into your career if you plan to stay abroad.

Most students aren't allowed to stay in the country once they graduate without a work visa. However, what better way to make contacts and forge those relationships than when you are studying there? For those of you who want to come back to the U.S. for your career, having multiple years of foreign experience under your belt can be a real resume booster and will make some great talking points in your interview.

Whatever your reason is for going abroad, be it a purely financial decision or your desire to travel the world, the truth is that our world is so interconnected now that having an international master's degree can only add value to your future career aspirations.

Have you studied abroad? Share your experience below!

This article is from Shannah Game of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Employers Care More About Skills Than Your Degree — So Here's What You Should Do

Mikey Rox — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 17:00:03 +0000

Our generation has seen the cost of a college degree inflate dramatically while simultaneously becoming far less valuable than it would have been 15 or 20 years ago.

It's not just that there are a lot of them or that more people have access to financing and are able to get a degree. Rather, the quality of the education has dropped, the price has skyrocketed, and the value of what you do learn has become increasingly less cohesive with what employers want to see. (See also: 10 Ways to Improve Your Decision-Making Skills)

So what does this mean for you, Joe and Jane College Grad Job-Seeker? How can you advance yourself now that a degree is no longer the be all and end all? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Develop Skills Outside of the Formal Classroom

It's not that formal education doesn't have value. But we live in a time when we have such a vast amount of information available to us, that we can (in part) educate ourselves.

This is particularly true if you're going into a technical field or something computer-related. For example, those who might hire a computer programmer probably don't care if you have a degree in computer science. Since they need you to write code, develop web applications, or design web pages, they want to see you do those things. On your own time as you're preparing to enter the workforce, brush up on the skills that you'll be marketing. (See also: 8 Ways to Continue Your Education Without Going Back to School)

2. Focus on What You Enjoy Doing

Most colleges focus on a broad list of study topics when outlining their requirements for a degree. They call them "core classes" or general education requirements. The problem is that you end up spending just a little bit of time in a variety of different concepts and areas of study. You don't really focus on one particular topic until your junior year, at which point you've got at most, two years left to study it. Spend some time focusing on what actually interests you as it relates to your career. Get good at those things and make it evident to potential employers.

3. Rework Your Resume

While bearing in mind that employers want to see skills first and foremost, make sure to highlight those on your resume by putting them front and center. List relevant technical skills in a bulleted list, then move into work experience with a bulleted list of notable accomplishments at each job.

4. Build a Portfolio

If you're building a skill that can be displayed by completed work (web developer, graphic designer, logo creator, writer or journalist) look for opportunities to do either freelance or pro-bono work so that you can develop a portfolio of completed work. You'll set yourself far above the fray if you can show this to employers, so take your time to complete tangible work and document it for display.

5. Network

For people to know about your skills, they ultimately need to know you in at least a marginally personal way. The best way to make sure they do is to spend some time networking and getting to know the people in your industry. You can start on a local basis and connect through lunches or personal interaction, or go with a more broad approach and connect with people via LinkedIn or Twitter. Talk about your goals and interests with no strings attached. You're likely to get an enthusiastic response and a quick ally for when you are on a specific job hunt.

6. Work on Your Communications Skills

Being able to write and speak effectively are nearly universal requirements in today's workplace. Part of the reason is that so much communication isn't face-to-face but rather occurs over phone or computer. That means everyone needs to be able to write well and communicate effectively over a phone when the parties can't see one another.

There are a number of practical ways to improve verbal communication, like reading and listening to spoken word (podcasts or radio). The best way to improve written communication is to simply write. Respond to emails, blog, or just write down your thoughts for 20 or 30 minutes every day. You'd be surprised how much that alone can help.

7. Research Your Industry

If you want to focus your career in a specific direction, it pays to know what's going on with that industry in a broad sense. Read magazines, blogs, or just talk to people who run in those same circles so you can a feel for the trends, issues and substantive topics that are guiding that industry.

8. Learn Your Niche

You might have studied business, but it takes awhile to develop a specialty within the broad confines of the business world. It doesn't do you much good to go into an interview and say, "I'm a business major."

What makes more sense to an employer is if you can speak on their terms, using the same kind of language they use in the job description that brought you to their office. For example, "I'm an expert in small-business startup consulting and online marketing. Here's a list of small businesses that I've worked with."

You've got to have an area and a specialty and be able to target jobs looking for people with your skill set.

9. Think About the Culture You Want to Work In

Some people thrive in a team or with a lot of specific instruction while others work much better independently, without a lot of supervision or oversight. Think about what kind of culture would suit your working style the best and make sure to inquire about it in interviews.

10. Work Smart and Hard

TV host and all-around badass Mike Rowe tells a great story about going into a college counselor's office and being told to work smart, not hard. Ever since, he has consistently pointed out the value in working smart and hard, and has encouraged people not to despise skilled labor or a trade. In your pursuit of the perfect job, know that both sides of the coin are important; education and specific skills.

Best of Both Worlds

It's not that education and skilled work can't, or don't mix. In fact, they go hand in hand. So if you've got your degree, that's a good thing. Employers do like it. But it's not going to rope you a job. You still need to have a skill and a specialty. Take the time to identify and cultivate that ability. When you're being interviewed, you'll notice a major difference in your own confidence and how employers respond to you.

How have you highlighted your skillset to a potential employer? Please share in comments!

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: