5 Programs Which Are Useful in Life

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When it comes to deciding which degree program will be most useful for you, it is common for most people to feel lost. You may have a few ideas about what you can study next while your peers and friends might try and steer you towards other options. And when you think about the fact that the degree you choose is going to have a significant effect on your career and your life, the pressure only adds up, making it harder to decide which option to select.

One factor that plays a significant role in most people’s study choices is the earning potential of a degree. The equation is simple – your study determines what career you choose in the future. With most degree programs being costly, it is understandable for people to want to invest in a degree program that can yield significant returns for them in the future. 

While financial factors do play a role in most people’s decisions, it is also essential to choose a program that will genuinely add value to your life and benefit you in the long-term. Additionally, it may seem like your career path selected only affects you, but the truth is that it also affects the larger society in which you will serve. After all, it is through education that we gain the knowledge and experience needed to solve not only our problems but also the problems faced by our society at large. If you can find a degree program that allows you to earn a decent living while making a positive impact on society, what could be better?

If you are deciding what you should study next, here are five useful degree programs to consider:

Nursing 

Any qualification in healthcare is always in demand, no matter where in the world you choose to study or work. As average life expectancy across the globe continues to rise and there is an increase in the number of elderly, the need for healthcare professionals is on the rise, making the future of those working in this field very bright.

If you do not have the funds or the extensive study required to attend medical school and become a doctor, you have the choice of working as a registered nurse instead. You can work alongside doctors and perform some of their duties, such as diagnosis and medical prescription. The average pay is still satisfactory at $71,730 per year, and job opportunities are expected to grow by 12% during the period 2018-28. 

Legal studies

Knowledge of legal matters is always useful in life, no matter what you decide to do and which career path you choose to take. If you find lawful things interesting, you can opt for a degree in legal studies. You can focus on any area of your interest, such as business law, international law, criminal law and justice, human rights, etc. Legal studies also make great combinations with other degrees such as Business or any other Social Science program. 

With a degree in law, your career choices are beyond from practicing as a lawyer. You can also choose to become a legal consultant and work with different companies. 

Homeland security

A homeland security degree educates and trains students on how to protect the country from all kinds of threats, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and any other large-scale emergency. The focus of the program is on developing and implementing effective strategies to prevent such threats from occurring as well as on how to deal with such emergencies if they do take place. 

Under this program, you learn about concepts of criminal justice, emergency care, and social policies. Students learn to implement preventative measures, prepare the community for potential threats, and teach them about the course of action in cases of an emergency. 

Graduates can work for law enforcement agencies and other government bodies and also play an active role with private and not-for-profit companies such as international businesses and security firms. With the recent rise in terrorist activities and disasters such as hurricanes, this is a useful degree to have. 

Languages

Got love to learn a new language? Good for you because studying languages always benefits you. With the increase in globalization bringing people together and so many businesses expanding across borders, people who can speak multiple languages are definitely at an advantage in the job market. The language industry was worth $43 billion in 2018 and is predicted to be worth $47.5 billion by the year 2021. 

Go for a language that is in high demand and widely spoken such as Chinese, Spanish, French, Arabic, or Russian. Having a degree in another language opens up many doors for some exciting career opportunities – you can work as a teacher, interpreter/translator, or even work in international relations and hospitality. 

Environmental science

With global warming, climate change, plastic waste, and air pollution affecting us all and becoming significant concerns in today’s world, environmental science is gradually becoming a highly valued degree option. Although it is still considered a relatively new profession and one that is not taken up by many, it is one that is likely to be in demand in the future.

Environmental science is an integration of social sciences, geography, biology, physics, and chemistry – this makes it a challenging field as it draws on knowledge from several different areas. Fieldwork is often an integral part of the degree as you study different climates, habitats, and ecosystems.

Job opportunities include working with local authorities and environmental agencies. Alternatively, you can work as an environmental consultant or lawyer. 

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Indeed, deciding what to study is never easy. With so many factors to consider and a variety of degree options to choose from, it is reasonable to take some time making your decision. Think about your interests, your long term career goals and weigh the pros and cons of all your options. Once you have shortlisted a few degrees, do your research, speak to career advisers, and then choose an option that feels right. Good luck! 

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