Technical Management Degrees: A Diverse Education for a Diverse Field

Smart businesses are using their computer resources to drive competitive advantage in every industry from food service to financial services, manufacturing and transportation to education. Think about how much less time it takes per transaction at fast food drive through windows, the convenience of online banking, the efficiency of robotic manufacturing, geographic-information system assisted routing of planes and trucks, and college courses delivered over the Internet.

Technical Management Employment Outlook

It is no wonder that the job outlook for technical managers who design, deliver, and support the systems that keep our world running should be good between 2006 and 2016. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 42,000 new computer technology managers are expected to join the workforce during that time--an 18 percent rate of growth.
If you have good technical, management, and communications skills, or the willingness to learn them, a career in this field offers job satisfaction and a good paycheck.

Technical Management Degree Program Availability

The typical minimum preparation for a career as a technical manager is an associate's degree, with most companies requiring entry-level workers to have a bachelor's degree. Positions as chief technology officer and chief information officer often require an advanced degree plus work experience.
You can prepare for or advance your career with a technical management degree program. Various degrees (such as an associate's or bachelor's) are offered through online education programs. The availability of online degree programs may be an important consideration if you cannot take time off from your present position to attend a campus-based program. Online education also can eliminate the time and expense of commuting. Numerous programs are available, so you are likely to find one that fits your schedule and budget.

Technical Management Career Options and Potential Salary

Businesses that employ more than a handful of people traditionally need technical managers. Technology services firms employ the most technical managers, with financial services, insurance, and government following close behind. The median annual salary for technical managers, particularly in computer and information systems was $112,210 in 2008, according to research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Managers
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Managers, Wages

Lorraine Watkins is a freelance business writer and marketing consultant. She is a graduate of California State University, East Bay with an MA in English.

The Ins and Outs of an Online Web Development Degree Program

A Netcraft report in January of 2008 pegged the total number of Web sites at 156 million. That's a lot of websites and a lot of code written by Web developers over the years. It's doubtful that number has gotten any smaller with the rapid growth of computer technology, which means aspiring Web developers should have great career prospects.

Getting an Online Education Edge: A Web Development Degree Program

A Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is one degree that could put you on the road to a career as a Web developer. Bachelor's degree programs in computer science or computer engineering are other possibilities. Advancement into graduate degree programs can help to pave the way for a move into managerial roles. Some of the coursework in an undergraduate degree program may be:

• Systems analysis and design
• Programming
• Database design
• Web development technologies
• Network architecture

Because Web development is a very dynamic field, you should expect to continue learning as new computing languages are created and old ones evolve. You might want to learn and earn your certification in a Web development language or two like HTML, PHP, Java, CSS, ASP, Perl, Python, Ruby on Rails, and .NET to name a few.

A Quick Peek at the Career Outlook for Web Developers

A Web developer can annually earn between $54,750 and $81,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Moving up to a senior Web developer role bumps up your salary expectations to $71,000 to $102,000 per year. Even in hard economic times, all signs seem to be positive for careers in technology and related fields like Web development. Currently, the BLS is predicting a 37 percent growth in jobs in the decade ending in 2016. Maybe that number will shrink a little, but still, those are pretty good prospects with great pay opportunities.
With a Web development degree on your wall, you may be the one to create the latest Web site that captures the attention of Internet visitors around the world.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Scientists and Database Administrators
Digital Inspiration, The Total Number of Web sites on Earth, by Amit Agarwal, February 8, 2008

James Tolles is a freelance writer with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Creative Writing and History.

Innovative Technology Raises the Ante for Technical Support

Personal computers have never been more personal, more convenient or more intuitive. For example, the Acer Iconia 6120 is a 5.8-pound laptop with a 14-inch display--and another 14-inch display where a conventional notebook puts its keyboard. The lower of the twin touch screens works as either a virtual keyboard or a window onto a Web browser, letting you view a long Web page on both screens or video chat while collaborating on a document. It's an innovative spin on multimedia multitasking.
In the tablet world, the Apple iPad 2 faces stiff competition from rival tablets such as Motorola's Xoom, BlackBerry's PlayBook, and HP's TouchPad, but this svelte 1.35-pound slab reigns as king of the category with features like FaceTime video chat, 10-hour battery life and Smart Covers that make turning a computer on and off as easy as opening and closing a book.
Yes, today's notebooks and tablets are miracles of technology. And technical support has never been more challenging.

Turning point in PC market reorients computer repair

There have been two turning points in the PC market lately. The first came in the third quarter of 2008, when global sales of laptop PCs topped those of desktop models for the first time--and never went back. This had significant implications for computer repair. For one thing, desktop PCs hardly ever get moved from place to place. Notebook PCs do. And they get dropped. So technicians who can replace busted LCD screens have had steady work for years.
For another, it takes the combined skills of a surgeon and watchmaker to work in the confined spaces of mobile design. While desktops have their share of small parts (pause for old-timers to wax nostalgic about inserting RAM chips and setting jumpers on motherboards), opening a desktop's case reveals relatively wide-open spaces. You can replace a hard drive with mittens on. By contrast, working with notebooks requires extra practice and precision, as well as familiarity with specialized, compact parts such as SODIMM memory modules and 2.5- and 1.8-inch hard drives.

Tablet revolution

The second turning point came in early 2010 with the debut of the iPad, which Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously declared marked the beginning of the end of the PC era. Traditional technical support skills aren't completely obsolete yet, but their days are limited.
Not only are devices smaller and lighter, but sleek, smooth-surfaced touch screens replace keyboards. Flash memory replaces disk drives. You're familiar with the desktop and laptop operating systems Windows and Mac OS? Say hello to iOS, Android and WebOS. And all of these tablet technologies have come or are coming to cutting-edge laptops like the Iconia, MacBook Air and HP's forthcoming WebOS/Windows hybrids.

Careers in computer repair and technical support

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth in the computer support field could reach 14 percent between 2008 and 2018. If you're a computer repair technician who specializes in today's portable technology, you should find yourself in high demand. Entrepreneurs can open their own shops, while those who like to work in uniform may join a major retailer's in-store support team, the best-known examples being Best Buy's Geek Squad and Apple's Genius Bar crew.
Either way, you should be challenged to keep up not only with ever more sophisticated notebooks, but with what lies beyond them. The latest sensation is the Motorola Atrix 4G, a smart phone that doubles as a big-screen computer and Web browser, plugging into a slim screen and keyboard frame when you need a notebook and a multimedia docking station when you want a desktop.
In a few years, of course, the Atrix may look like old hat. But the need for up-to-the-minute tech support should be as great as ever.

Social Science

The field of social sciences is a broad one, ranging from anthropology to sociology. This hybrid between humanities and physical sciences emphasizes the study of human activity using proven methods of scientific research. If youd like to become a social scientist, youll need at least a bachelors degree to start, and probably a masters or PhD to advance a career in academia, government or private research.
However, social science degrees arent just for academics. College degrees in economics, behavioral science and conflict resolution are highly valued in a variety of industries. Public administrators and corporate titans alike can benefit from the knowledge base of these subjects and the soft skills they develop, such as critical thinking, detailed analysis, and communication. Whether you seek a subject-specific job as a historian or a wide-ranging career in business or the nonprofit world, a degree in social science will serve you well.

Understand the Nature of Language with a Linguistics Degree Program

If you enjoy foreign cultures and languages, why settle for learning just one or two languages in the course of your college education? With online education, you can open up the entire world of languages through the study of linguistics.
Linguistics is an examination of language: its structure, formation, evolution, and impact on culture. The study of linguistics, therefore, can be seen as a key to opening up a greater understanding of the world. It facilitates learning specific languages for a literal understanding of foreign speech and literature, but more broadly, it also provides a clue to some of the cultural differences that can either divide the world or make it a more fascinating place.

Online Degree Programs Bring the World to Your Doorstep

Online degree programs potentially play a special role in the study of linguistics. Linguistics can be an excellent complement to existing degrees, or part of the pursuit of a life-long interest in languages. Online education can help make this convenient in a number of ways:

• Online education courses can be structured around your existing work schedule.
• Since you can pursue e-learning from home, you can balance it with other obligations, such as taking care of home and family.
• Online degrees eliminate the cost and hassle of commuting to and from school.
• Because linguistics degrees are highly specialized, they are not available in all parts of the country--except via online degree programs.

Practical Applications of an Online Degree in Linguistics

While linguistics has an appeal from the standpoint of pure academic exploration, it also offers practical applications. Here are some of the careers for which a degree in linguistics may be useful:

• Speech Pathology: helping people overcome developmental issues with language.
• Translation: applies to business, publishing, and diplomacy.
• Teaching English as a Second Language: as immigration increases, so does demand for this ability.

Source:
SUNY Oswego

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.

Law or Politics with a Political Science Degree Program

Political apathy has become a thing of the past. Today's generation of students and young adults is engaged and passionate when it comes to politics. If you feel you have a special calling for this field, earning an online degree program in political science could be a natural step for you.
Political science is the study of all aspects of government. This includes:

• The formation and structure of government
• How governments and policies are changed
• Various political theories and ideologies
• How politics affects international relations
• The impact of politics on everyday life

For anyone who wants a role in shaping public policy, or just wants to understand it better, a political science degree program is a great place to start.

Online Education Can Be Your Path into Political Science

That start could come via an online degree program. After all, online degree programs can offer several advantages over traditional, campus-based studies, including:

• Flexible schedules for your convenience
• Home-based study to avoid conflicts with other obligations
• No commuting costs
• Access to the programs of your choice, regardless of location

With these advantages, you can readily study political science as your primary degree, or as a complement to existing degrees.

Careers Possible with an Online Degree in Political Science

A career in politics is just one option after you earn a degree in political science. In fact, politics itself is a multi-faceted field. You could be up front as a candidate, or work behind the scenes as a campaign strategist or manager. There are also related careers, such as pollster or journalist.
Alternatively, a political science degree is frequently a first step toward a degree in law. Other careers include working for advocacy groups or in education.
It is clear that the impact of government on daily life and the economy is quite broad--and so is the scope of potential careers with a political science degree.
Source:
American Political Science Association

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.

Psychology & Behavior Degree Programs Point Toward Vital, In-Demand Careers

For some people, the ideal career involves making a living while creating a positive difference in people's lives. If that's the type of career you desire, than consider pursuing a degree in psychology and behavior.
A psychology and behavior degree program will help you understand what makes people tick. It will examine some of the environmental, developmental, and genetic factors that affect mental health. It will demonstrate how mental health manifests itself in behavior, and how people with mental health challenges can be helped to lead happier and better-adapted lives.

Educational Requirements and Online Degree Programs

The counseling jobs associated with a mental health background generally require a master's degree. Thus, a bachelor's degree in psychology and behavior is a good first step, after which you can either gain some related work experience or continue on directly to a master's degree. In addition to degree requirements, virtually all states have licensure requirements, and there is also national certification available.
Because of the qualification requirements in this field, online education can play an especially valuable role. Often, online degrees make certain programs available in regions where they are not offered on local college campuses. Also, online education makes it easier to pursue advanced degrees while working a job to gain experience and pay the bills.

Psychology & Behavior Career Prospects

The education involved is well worth it in terms of career prospects. People with a background in psychology and behavior can become family, mental health, educational, or substance abuse counselors. While job prospects vary by region and specialty, in general the outlook is very favorable.
Job growth for counselors is expected to be above the average for other occupations over the next several years. With this rising demand comes above-average compensation. In short, psychology & behavior degree programs really can lead you to a viable career that is good for yourself and for others.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.