Spring into a New Career Thanks to Adult-Friendly Degree Programs

April 29, 2009 - PRLog -- Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side - especially as winter finally gives way to spring. As people clear the cobwebs from their closets and watch the flowers grow outside their windows, they're dusting off their career aspirations, too.

"Spring is the perfect time to recreate your career," says Gina LaGuardia, editor-in-chief of The CollegeBound Network (http://www.collegebound.net). "You can capitalize on a season of new beginnings." Rejuvenate your own career in one of these top growth industries:

Health care
Health care and social assistance, which includes occupations in hospitals, residential care facilities, as well as outpatient and home settings, will grow by 25.4 percent and add four million new jobs by 2016, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Key occupations in the industry include nurses, home health aides, and medical assistants. Health care education (http://www.collegesurfing.com/ce/search/health/) requirements range from short-term vocational training to an associate or bachelor's degree in a health care field.

Energy
The up-and-coming energy industry is primed for growth and is not one to be overlooked. According to the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries represented more than nine million jobs in 2007, and ASES forecasts 37 million jobs in these industries by 2030. Hot job areas include electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, environmental scientists, and chemists. Most of these occupations require vocational school training (http://www.collegesurfing.com/ce/search/) at the minimum; some necessitate a related college degree.

Education
According to the BLS, public and private educational services will grow by 10.7 percent and add 1.4 million new jobs through 2016. Public school teachers are required to complete a bachelor's degree program, but requirements for private school teachers may not be as stringent. To keep your options open, pursue a bachelor's degree program in education (http://www.collegesurfing.com/ce/search/education/index.php) with a major in a shortage area such as math, science, or foreign languages.

Computer software engineers
Technology is constantly evolving and advancing. As a result, the demand for a person knowledgeable and capable enough for this field is imperative. In one of the fastest growing occupations, as predicted by the BLS, computer software engineers with at least a bachelor's degree will have many opportunities to secure a job in the 2006-2016 decade. Training programs and certifications help in the continuing education and experience of computer software engineers (http://www.collegesurfing.com/ce/search/technology/index.php).

Accountants
A love of math and a bachelor's degree are pretty much essential if you're going into the field of accounting (http://www.collegesurfing.com/ce/search/business/index.php). However, the best jobs are available to those who have a master's degree in accounting. While accountants are vital in helping individuals manage their taxes, they also play a role in managing budgets, financial advising, and future planning. Experience is key to advancing in the accounting field and those who have obtained their accounting degrees can go far.

"No matter what the season - and even in economic recession - careers in health care, education, and energy will not lose steam," adds LaGuardia. "CollegeSurfing.com continues to offer timely resources so adults can confidently reinvent their careers and their lives through education."

More than 3 million surfers utilize The CollegeBound Network's resource sites each month, which include http://www.CollegeBound.net, CollegeSurfing.com, http://www.SpaBeautySchools.com, Advanced-Degrees.com, and others.

Since 1987, The CollegeBound Network (CBN) has worked with America's leading colleges, universities, and career schools in connecting learners with educational opportunities. CBN specializes in recruitment lead generation solutions for 900+ educational institutions and 3,500 campuses, using its content-rich portals.