In-Demand Degrees You Could Earn In Two Years

These degrees could help you quickly gain the valuable skills you need to pursue another career.

By Terri Williams

Is your current job too stressful, barely pays the bills, or just doesn't fulfill you anymore? Many people remain trapped in their jobs because they think it will take too long to switch gears and train for another career. But going back to school doesn't have to be a long-term commitment

that disrupts your life. With the right degree, you could be on the path to something exciting and new in as little as two years.

While there are plenty of great careers that require only a two-year degree, you'll need to do whatever you can to get a head start on your next job. "If you're looking to make a career change in the next two years, don't wait until you've completed your training or education to get involved in the field," says Francine Fabricant, a New York City career counselor and co-author of the textbookCreating Career Success.

Fabricant recommends joining professional associations as a student member, or attending industry conferences as a student volunteer, in addition to getting involved on LinkedIn. "By the time you're actively looking for employment, your resume will be full of relevant activities and experiences," she says.

Of course, everything starts with the proper education. So now that you're armed with tips on professionalization, keep reading to discover seven in-demand degrees that could help you make your next career move.

Degree #1: Associate's in Paralegal Studies

If you've always loved the law - but not the idea of spending four or more years as an undergrad and another three in law school - a degree in paralegal studies could give you an in to the legal field in as little as two years.

According to the College Board, a nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in higher education, paralegal studies majors take legal research and writing classes and learn how to utilize such legal resources as legal journals, case summaries, government documents, and legal databases.

Why It's In Demand: "With an associate's degree in paralegal studies, you learn industry-specific terminology, and you also learn how to write legal briefs, contracts, mortgages, and other documents," says Fabricant. And afterwards, you'll be well-prepared to enter a booming field, she says. Why is it booming? Fabricant says companies are looking to cut costs by handing paralegals many tasks that were once executed by lawyers.

Potential Career: Paralegal

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an associate's degree in paralegal studies could prepare you for a career as a paralegal, as most paralegals hold this degree. Others have a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies.

Degree #2: Associate's in Nursing

If a medical profession piques your sense of compassion, but a decade of schooling, residencies, and internships leaves you feeling ill, you might pursue an in-demand associate's degree in nursing, which could be earned in as few as two years.

In addition to different nursing classes, the College Board lists anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and psychology as some of the common courses taken by nursing majors. They also often gain hands-on experience in hospitals, schools, and mental health institutions.

Why It's In Demand: According to Fabricant, "Graduates with a degree in nursing can transition into what is considered a recession-proof career," as she notes that just over 700,000 nurses are expected to be hired between 2010 and 2020. "Demand is high in this area, and many employers report difficulty finding enough nurses to fill open positions."

Potential Career: Registered Nurse

Fortunately, an associate's in nursing could help you qualify for one of these many open nursing positions. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, an associate's degree in nursing is one of three educational paths to the career. Nurses must also be licensed.

Degree #3: Associate's in Early Childhood Education

If you enjoy working with young children and nurturing them in their early stages of development, an associate's degree in early childhood education could give you career options.

Typical classes for early childhood education majors may include child development, classroom management and behavior, curriculum methods, and instructional design, according to the College Board.

Why It's In Demand: "The preschool population is expected to increase," says Fabricant, "and with today's demands in the field of early education, preschool teachers are expected to engage children in a wide variety of developmentally appropriate tasks, from socializing to pre-reading skills."

"Furthermore," adds Fabricant, "preschools cannot receive certain funds or grants without demonstrating the credentials of their teachers," which means a degree or certification in this field is essential.

Potential Career: Preschool Teacher

Requirements for preschool teachers are varied. Preschool teachers in childcare centers usually need at least a high school diploma and certification in early childhood education, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Whereas preschool teachers in Head Start programs, which are sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to promote the school readiness of children from low-income families, must have an associate's degree. As of 2013, however, at least half of Head Start teachers need a bachelor's.

Degree #4: Associate's in Construction Management

Want to gather the raw materials needed to learn a new career in construction? You might look to a hot associate's degree in construction management, something you might be able to pick up in as few as two years.

According to the College Board, course work in a construction management degree might include classes like blueprint reading, construction estimating, labor law, and electrical and mechanical systems.

Why It's In Demand: "While apprenticeships and 'moving up through the ranks' are still common in this field, a degree or certification can be an advantage for employment in more competitive environments," says Fabricant. "This includes starting your own business, or transitioning into this field from another one."

Potential Career: Construction Manager

Preparing for the career of construction manager shouldn't take long, as according to the U.S. Department of Labor, an associate's along with work experience may be enough for some positions. The Department of Labor also notes that two-year colleges offer construction management or construction technology programs.

Degree #5: Associate's in Health Information Technology

If you're a detail-oriented person who likes to analyze information, you might find an associate's degree in health information technology to be right up your alley. What's more, this in-demand degree could prepare you to pursue a hot career in as few as two years.

According to the College Board, a health information technology program might entail classes like medical terminology, health care law, and fundamentals of medical science. It also includes introduction to coding, in which you'll learn things like procedure 10180 means "incision and drainage, complex, postoperative wound infection."

Why It's In Demand: "This degree helps you understand the complex and detailed range of activities involved in managing patient information and records in a health care environment," says Fabricant. "And it also shows employers that you are committed to the industry and knowledgeable about best practices, which makes you a very desirable candidate."

Potential Career: Medical Records and Health Information Technician

An associate's degree in health information technology could prepare you for a career as a medical records and health information technician. The U.S. Department of Labor says these professionals usually need a postsecondary certificate, but may have an associate's degree. The Department of Labor also mentions that a lot of employers will require professional certification.

Degree #6: Associate's in Dental Hygiene

If the idea of helping people care for their pearly whites brings a smile to your face, you might want to earn an associate's degree in dental hygiene, which could take as few as two years and prepare you for an important career.

The pursuit of a dental hygiene degree entails such courses as dental anatomy, dental hygiene techniques, and nutrition, in addition to radiography, microbiology, and periodontology, according to the College Board.

Why It's In Demand: "There have been many recent studies linking oral health to overall physical health, and these have been instrumental in making oral care a higher priority overall in our health care industry," Fabricant says.

What does this mean for would-be dental hygienists? "With the necessary credentials, applicants can demonstrate the technical expertise required to join this booming industry."

Potential Career: Dental Hygienist

With an associate's degree in dental hygiene, you could be qualified for a career as a dental hygienist. The U.S. Department of Labor notes that hygienists usually hold an associate's degree in dental hygiene, while every state mandates that hygienists also be licensed.

Culled From Yahoo 
http://fastflexer.blogspot.com