Many professionals are hesitant to return to their education when they already have a job that is consuming much of their time. However, taking a step back and reassessing where you’re at and where you’re headed can be a much-needed exercise when you’re starting to feel like your career is stagnating. If you had plans of becoming a top executive and that never worked out for you, there’s no reason to give up prematurely just because your current situation isn’t ideal. Going back to the educational drawing board and earning a degree online can allow you to balance your work with academics and help you earn a degree that will increase your chances of getting the job that you’d prefer rather than settling for less. With that said, here are five online degree programs that are practically guaranteed to make you more likely to be hired or promoted:
1. Master in Business Administration
Regardless of which industry you currently work in, earning a master in business administration (MBA) can do a lot to show your current employer that you’re worthy of a better position within the company. Likewise, if your goal is to look elsewhere for a job, having an MBA will immediately make you eligible to apply for management level positions. While the old-fashioned route of “working your way up” works for some people, it can’t be denied that a more optimal outcome would be to get hired at a top level position from the very start, and an MBA can help you do that (click here to find out more about the industries and specializations that this degree can be beneficial in).
2. Master in Finance
All businesses are finance-based, so having a masters degree in finance instantly makes you a more appealing candidate for just about every high level job position. Companies want managers, supervisors, and CEOs who know how to manage money well, and a masters in finance is like a certificate that says you’re on par with the best money managers in the world. Aside from making you a more capable and employable worker in your current field of expertise, a degree in finance will also allow you to begin offering financial advisory/management services to create an entirely separate revenue stream apart from your day job.
3. Master in Human Resources
Most major companies have an HR department, so earning a masters degree in human resources makes you a valuable asset to the majority of medium to large size enterprises. Furthermore, the skills and knowledge gained during your education will equip you to be a better manager, CEO, and company founder, so if you ever decide to take a more entrepreneurial route, you’ll have a degree that proves to investors you know how to manage a workforce effectively. If your goal is to make yourself eligible for more jobs, you can’t go wrong with a degree that makes you an expert in something every large business needs.
4. Master in Marketing
Even with all of the above areas of expertise covered, every business still needs a strong marketing team to help promote brand awareness and generate leads. With a masters degree proving that you’re a marketing pro of the highest order it’ll be easier to find reputable companies to hire you for a broad range of managerial jobs related to sales, customer service, and advertising. Of course, this is yet another educational credential that will not only make you a more valuable employee but also a better entrepreneur, should you decide to apply your skills to your own endeavors. Furthermore, as a marketer you’ll know how to sell your abilities to prospective employers and clients during initial interviews and consultations.
5. Master in Project Management
A degree in project management will show that you know how to be an effective and organized leader, and these are imperative traits to have if you want to be considered as a managerial employee. This kind of degree will also help sway investors in your favor in the event you’re ever looking to fund an independent project of your own.
Building a Well-Rounded Educational Background
In conclusion, all of the above degree types are suitable for advancing a career in any industry because they’re all part of a well-rounded business approach. Every company should have people experienced in the areas of administration, finance, human resources, marketing, and project management. By earning one or more online degrees in these subjects, you’ll be showing that you have what it takes to not only be a star employee but to run the entire company if need be.
