[ A Look at Today’s Hottest Fields ]
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ccounting
Getting your master’s degree in accounting may give you an edge in this fast-growing field. As the economy rebounds the number of businesses will grow, which means more work for skilled advisors, tax preparers, auditors and accounting managers. With employment for accountants expected to grow over 20% in the next few years, if you’ve got a background in bookkeeping or undergraduate-level accounting, or you’re a CPA looking to enhance your expertise, this is a great time to get your advanced degree. According to a salary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, as of July 2009, master’s degree candidates in accounting received starting offers averaging $49,786 a year.
Helpful Hint Healthcare and Criminal Justice are just two of today’s hottest fields. We’ve assembled several career guides to give you an inside look at the satisfying and profitable jobs in both professions, including what you’ll need to study, and what your career options will be. Check out our Guides here [12]
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Business Administration and Financial Operations
When it comes to business, a competitive environment is your friend. In fact, the business and financial industry sector is expected to create 1.2 million new jobs over the next few years. That’s an increase of about 11% over past years, and a great number of firms will be looking to hire workers with master’s degrees. A great number of these new jobs will be created in the management, scientific and technical consulting industry, as well as in government, healthcare, finance and insurance. Large organizations often pay more than small ones, and salary levels also can depend on the type of industry and location. Financial analysts in 2008, for example, earned median annual wages of $73,150, which is more than double the national median wage.
Management Analysis This industry sector is expected to grow by 24% over the next decade, with the plum jobs going to analysts with advanced degrees. Management analysts and consultants use their expertise to help businesses improve their performance. Many analysts are self-employed, working on a contract-by-contract basis; others join specialty consulting firms in a range of disciplines. Management analysts and consultants are needed in all types of businesses, such as biotechnology, healthcare, information technology, human resources, engineering, and marketing, to name a few. Consulting and analysis can be very lucrative: for example, the median annual wages of wage and salary management analysts in May 2008 were $73,570.