Find your perfect college degree
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The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly wreaked havoc on the educational sector, increasing limitations to access to learning, unprecedented student loans, and skyrocketing costs. Apart from that, it has also brought the issue of the reputation and worth of higher education to the forefront.
While higher education has gone through its most transformative phase due to rapid digitalization, many students were impacted by new and unexpected challenges. And it has resulted in many students reflecting and evaluating which degrees make sense in a post-covid world amid a recovering economy.
With many students having financial challenges to pursue a degree and the uncertainty of the economy’s future, the value of a particular degree has been highlighted by the majority of students.
They are now finding a quality academic program that will translate to a solid investment – one that results in a rewarding and stable career that is relevant in a post-pandemic world.
Cybersecurity
More and more industries are adopting innovation and digitalization, portraying that many people are relying on the internet, smartphones, tablets, and computers for their daily routine.
With rising numbers of information security vulnerabilities and cyber-attacks threatening the country, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand by financial institutions, defense ministries, government agencies, and other organizations that have massive and confidential data.
Information Security Analysts have one of the fastest-growing and stable occupations in the country, with a whopping 32% faster than average employment outlook. These professionals pursue a bachelor’s degree in I.T., computer science, or any related discipline like mathematics and engineering.
However, some cybersecurity professionals enter the workforce with a high school diploma. To supplement their credentials, they pursue industry certifications and training programs.
Pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity is one of the best degrees that still make sense in a post-COVID world, primarily for its collective benefit. The academic program will provide students with holistic, rigorous training to help them become proficient in the field of cybersecurity.
It keeps them updated with the latest IT security trends, products, and cyber threats, identifying cybersecurity best practices and other essential components.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Cybersecurity
Marketing
Digital Marketing is one of the most flexible academic programs that can help you find stable and long-term career opportunities in a diverse range of industries. The era of digitalization has highlighted the importance of digital marketing, especially since many businesses and organizations are shifting online.
With people always on their smartphones and computers, finding everything in an instant is crucial to every business owner. It is primarily the reason why digital/social media marketing has been rampant in the online world.
A baccalaureate or MBA degree with a specialization in Marketing pairs well with a variety of areas of discipline. Students will learn concepts in finance, management, accounting, and human resource management. Apart from that, they develop their emotional and cultural intelligence, effective communication skills, interpersonal skills, and marketing techniques.
Since the field of marketing highlights a growing demand for digital marketers, completing a degree in Marketing is one of the best degrees that are still relevant and useful in a post-COVID work setting. Digital marketers can find a variety of employment opportunities in different industries.
Regardless of the nature of the business, they develop and facilitate ads or campaigns for their clients who want to have a wider customer reach through social media ads, digital promotions, and web searches.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Marketing
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration – Marketing
- Master of Business Administration – Marketing
Information Technology
The primary driver of making digitalization and innovation possible is in the field of Information Technology. It is inevitable and undoubtedly one of the best academic degrees that will certainly make sense in a post-COVID era.
The field has always been a popular industry among employees working remotely. The opportunities for tech professionals are abundant, especially those who prefer a location-independent career.
With a growing dependency on technology to boost productivity and profitability, the skills gap in the tech industry has widened.
As a multifaceted discipline, I.T. degrees provide graduates with the opportunity to pursue a variety of professions, including database administrators, network engineers, software developers, and QA engineers.
Enrolling in an I.T. academic program will teach students the different fundamentals of computing systems, including network administration and security, operating systems, algebra, and computer programming.
The program also provides a holistic overview of cybersecurity and an essential understanding of different network security and computer threats and vulnerabilities, including social engineering threats, phishing, hacking, malware, scams, and identity theft.
Some schools offer students an option to tailor their program to their career by integrating a specialization.
Students can pursue specialized courses in Advanced Software Development, Information Assurance and Security, Advanced Cybersecurity, Cyber Network Defense, Cloud Computing, and Advanced Networking.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Information System
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Business Administration
Every business or organization thrives to make double efforts to recover from the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is one of the most commonly sought-after degrees that make sense in a post-COVID era, educating students on a diverse range of management and business principles utilized in large corporations and small businesses alike.
Regardless of size and scope, all organizations and businesses rely on professionals with business expertise to ensure the management, human resources, finance, logistics, and operations run effectively and productively.
Completing a business administration degree will provide graduates with an in-depth understanding of several components of managing and operating different types of businesses.
As they graduate, students are equipped with practical knowledge and critical thinking abilities in more than one area of specialty. Since it is a multifaceted degree, graduates can pursue many career opportunities regardless of industry type.
Regardless of whether students want a change in career or advancement in their profession, the Business Administration degree is ideal for anyone wanting to build a solid foundation in the field.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, highly proficient individuals with a business management background are valuable resources to any organization.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration
- Master of Business Administration
- Master’s in Management
Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management will require high business continuity potential during post-pandemic times. The world has witnessed how crucial it is to have an effective and stable supply chain despite the volatility and uncertainties.
With an 18% faster-than-average job outlook, supply chain managers or logisticians are highly desired since many government sectors and companies rely on these professionals to distribute products smoothly and efficiently, resolve logistics and supply chain problems, and suggest improvements.
As e-commerce is booming and becoming more complex, supply chain managers are essential to help address the challenges in logistics, especially the delivery of goods to customers.
Since many people are switching to online shopping, fast and smooth-sailing delivery will become a more crucial aspect of tight competition in the market, accelerating the need for more skilled logisticians.
Pursuing a degree in the field of supply chain management is undoubtedly one of the best degrees that are relevant after the pandemic.
Through the academic program, students will acquire knowledge in logistics, production, and procurement, which are all crucial for exploring career opportunities in a variety of industries.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Supply Chain Management
- Bachelor of Science in Operations Management
- Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management
Healthcare Administration
While many individuals love pursuing a rewarding profession in the healthcare setting, some of them prefer a career that doesn’t emphasize immediate patient care. Pursuing a profession in the field of healthcare administration helps address a variety of challenges in the healthcare setting.
The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, highlighted the shortcomings, challenges, and areas that require improvement in the healthcare sector, especially when it comes to staffing. Healthcare administration takes charge of these aspects, working on the business aspects by helping organizations or facilities operate smoothly and effectively.
Healthcare is consistently a valuable career path, especially in times of uncertainties and market volatility, since there will always be work to be completed. If you’re looking for recession-proof careers with stable incomes, pursuing studies in healthcare administration is one of the best degrees that make sense in a post-COVID era and the ideal option for you.
Completing healthcare administration-related programs will help professionals in the related industry balance human resource demands, competitive pressure, and financial responsibilities to streamline healthcare facilities and patient management.
Graduates with a healthcare management/administration degree will offer useful expertise and valuable experience in a results-oriented setting in the healthcare field.
Through the curriculum, they learn from case-based techniques integrated with practical experiences and peer collaboration. Apart from that, the program keeps healthcare executives updated with the latest strategies, issues, and trends revolving around the modern healthcare system.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Master in Healthcare Management
- Master of Business Administration – Healthcare Management
- Master of Management in Healthcare Management
Psychology
Many psychologists have discovered the role of social and psychological factors in health-related inequalities. Factors, including social and cultural isolation, stress, loneliness, and depression, have been on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pandemic survival and recovery don’t only involve measures after acquiring the virus. It also involves the complex interactions between people, the virus itself, social surroundings, and other essential components.
It is one of the most obvious reasons why more and more psychologists advocate the importance of prioritizing mental health and the well-being of the global population impacted by the pandemic.
Pursuing a degree in any Psychology-related discipline is one of the best degrees that make sense in a post-COVID setting.
With more and more people requiring professional help when it comes to dealing with grief, job loss, depression, and other major transformations in their lives, psychologists, counselors, and therapists are essential.
With a degree in Psychology, students will gain a holistic understanding of human interactions, behavior, and thought processes. They will develop an appreciation for practical and theoretical concepts of modern psychology while honing their statistical, scientific, and mathematical aptitudes.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology
- Bachelor’s in Psychology
Project Management
Almost all industries, including creative and construction, require the expertise of project managers. These professionals are responsible for providing expertise in monitoring, organizing, planning, and implementing, making sure that project deliverables are completed successfully within budget scopes and timelines.
According to PMI or Project Management Institute, the demand for project managers or business leaders will continue to increase worldwide. Many employers and companies hire approximately 2.2M project managers in the construction, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries annually.
Similar to business administration, Project Management degrees are some of the most popular options at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These academic degrees are found at every degree level in any college or university.
Depending on the curriculum, completing a degree in project management may require specialization in a particular industry, including construction, engineering, finance, or IT. Otherwise, students can pursue the general program.
A baccalaureate degree in project management includes a core curriculum consisting of business principles and courses. Several colleges and universities integrate organizational management and financial accounting as part of the curriculum.
These additional specializations will complement the project management core courses emphasizing contract management, quality assurance, and planning.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts in Project Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration – Operations Management
- Master of Business Administration – Project Management
Education
Many students and professionals have utilized their time to upskill during the pandemic, including educators. Apart from the opportunity to earn higher salaries, educators have demonstrated their commitment and in-depth understanding of the profession.
With digitalization in the education sector, many educators aspire to refine and improve their teaching strategies, advance into leadership roles, or modify program goals and learning outcomes.
A master’s degree in Education or any related field is timely during the post-COVID era since many professors have to adapt to distance learning. The academic degree will build upon graduates’ technical expertise to successfully integrate online learning management platforms and technology with their teaching methods and curriculum.
They will also hone their skills and knowledge in keeping up with the latest technological trends so they can connect with their students and fellow educators in a more impactful approach.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made access to education more challenging, being a teacher in the post-pandemic academic setting is still a rewarding, fulfilling, and significant profession.
Apart from impacting the communities and molding the lives of their learners, educators help the youth to persevere through uncertain and challenging times by teaching them new ways of learning.
Sample Academic Degree:
- Any bachelor’s or master’s degree in a specific education subject
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Arts in Elementary Education
Nursing
Nurses are part of the critical professions that advocate the well-being and health of many people. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that nurses are underrated, addressing many concerns and unfair practices revolving around the profession.
The good news is many countries have overhauled the healthcare system, increasing nurses’ wages and improving their benefits. As an essential part of the healthcare setting, nurses offer patient care services, track medication and vital statistics, and perform a variety of duties and responsibilities.
The pandemic has inevitably increased the demand for knowledgeable and devoted nurses, which is why it is one of the degrees that make sense in a post-COVID healthcare setting.
Nurses are employed in a significantly complex healthcare setting, so it makes sense that there is a growing demand for these professionals with higher studies.
Completing a nursing degree includes essential coursework in social sciences, mathematics, physiology, anatomy, biology, and chemistry. The academic program provides vital experiences and knowledge that contribute to a comprehensive foundation in patient-centered care, including clinical judgment, physical assessments, and community.
Depending on students’ academic and professional credentials, they can pursue one out of four paths to a nursing profession:
- Direct Entry/Accelerated Program
- LPN-To-BSN
- RN-To-BSN
- Traditional 4-year Baccalaureate Program
Sample Academic Degree:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master’s in Nursing
- RN to MSN
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Why is it important to choose an academic degree for the post-COVID era, you ask?
Even without the COVID-19 pandemic, a dramatic transformation in the workforce is already happening. Many companies and businesses have preferred candidates with higher studies and training to fill available jobs.
According to Foreign Policy, a variety of lost jobs will never come back during a post-COVID era. Changes in workforce demand will become evident in the recovery period. Some of the in-person service jobs won’t return to the recovery stage.
However, essential workers in the fields of supply chain management, food, public transportation, healthcare, and emergency response will have higher demands.
The demand for such workers will create new job opportunities, improve health benefits, and wage increases.
Digitalization has also revolutionized the way people learn and work. For instance, a variety of online, low-cost training programs are highly desired to educate and prepare students to fill new job opportunities.
The sudden reliance of many employees to work remotely indicates that a massive improvisation of broadband, computing systems, working spaces, and other infrastructures will be essential, requiring skills in certain professions.
Overall, tech-related degrees are one of the essential degrees that are and will still be relevant in the post-COVID era.
Whether you’ve stopped schooling due to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to a more stable profession, or planning to continue your education, you can always shift things in your favor by pursuing academic disciplines that are recession-proof.
Since many schools offer online academic programs, it’s definitely a perfect time to complete a bachelor’s or master’s program. If you want to make a worthy investment in your academics, the above ten degrees make sense in a post-COVID era.