At one point or another, we’ve all asked ourselves the question, “What do I want to do with my life?”
While some people have it figured out by the time they graduate from college, plenty of others change their mind throughout their undergraduate studies, or when they start a new job, or when they’re 20 years into their career.
Even if it seems impossible to pinpoint what career path you want to embark on, there are endless job options out there — and USC has the online graduate programs to give you the necessary tools to land your dream position.
The first step is narrowing down your options to your ideal field. If you’re in need of inspiration, we’ve gathered some of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to help you find out which program you should learn more about.
Home Health
If you feel fulfilled by forming connections with others to help them live their best lives, you may want to pursue a position in home health.
Those in the home health field assist people with disabilities, those with chronic illness or the elderly with their day-to-day tasks in a variety of environments, including clients’ houses and group homes. It’s an incredibly rewarding job — which is most likely why is has become so popular.
If this is the path you’re looking to take but want to expand your training in the management of organizations like retirement communities or assisted living facilities, consider getting your online Master of Long Term Care Administration at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
With the program, you’ll take a dive into the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging, and you will be trained in administration of long-term care organizations.
There are other options available if gerontology piques your interest, including the online Master of Science in Gerontology and the online Master Of Aging Services Management.
Nursing
One of the oldest, most beloved occupations out there is nursing — and if there is one major takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s how immensely valuable nurses are. It’s a profession that will enable you to care for others and make a true impact in your community.
So, consider working toward becoming a family nurse practitioner with the online Master of Science in Nursing program at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School Of Social Work Department of Nursing.
First, you will need to become a registered nurse and complete at least one year of clinical practice, but then you can take part in this unique program to truly enhance your nursing skills. The program is offered for both full-time and part-time students.
Skills taught in the program include interpreting lab results and X-rays, diagnosing and treating common health programs, prescribing medications, and providing patient education and counseling to promote wellness. Students will complete coursework focused on pharmacology, health care policy, health care technology and more.
Physical Therapy
Of course, some people want to break into the medical field, but they can’t exactly visualize themselves as a nurse.
Working as a physical therapist has similar benefits — caring for those in need and improving people’s health — but you also assist patients in learning or relearning physical movements and managing pain.
USC offers a Doctor Of Physical Therapy through its Division Of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, a top-ranked graduate physical therapy school, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The hybrid online/in-person DPT program features online classes with a 12:1 student to faculty ratio as well as clinical experience in students’ own communities.
After graduation, students can sit for the National Physical Therapy Exam in their state to get a license to practice and start changing lives.
Data Science
Another one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. is data science. A data scientist is the perfect position for someone who holds numbers dear and can read facts and figures like a book.
If that sounds like you, consider getting your Master of Science in Applied Data Science from the Viterbi School of Engineering, which will prepare you to enter this whirlwind world of math, computers and data.
Students will gain the ability to write data science programs in Python and learn to apply machine learning and data mining techniques.
The program, which is offered in-person or online via DEN@Viterbi, can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. Either way, you’ll walk away with a truly invaluable skill set and the ability to join career realms like software design, computer security and bioinformatics.
Information Security Analysis
What exactly is an information security analyst? Well, they plan and carry out techniques and practices to keep an organization’s computer networks and systems secure — so it’s an incredibly important position to hold.
Being an information security analyst involves a high level of responsibility and therefore is perfect for those looking to truly grow and be challenged at work.
The Viterbi School of Engineering offers a Master of Science in Computer Science (Computer Security). Students will learn about computer security research and engage in coursework that highlights cryptography and the statistical analysis of attacks.
Full-time and part-time enrollment is available for the program, which is offered in-person or online via DEN@Viterbi.
Just like with data science, getting your master’s in computer security sets you up to work in a variety of worlds, including aerospace and defense, government security, bioinformatics and consulting firms.
Medical Services
As the health care industry continues to expand, so do its job opportunities. One such position is a medical and health services manager, which is expected to grow an astonishing 32 percent from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Medical and health services managers plan, coordinate and direct the business activities of health care providers, and they work in a variety of health care facility offices, including group medical practices, nursing homes and hospitals.
As a medical and health services manager, you must adapt to changes in health care laws, regulations and technology as well as oversee budgeting, record keeping and more.
If you excel in communication and are looking to step into a leadership role, consider getting your online Executive Master of Health Administration from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Students in the program will have the opportunity to sharpen their business acumen and gain exposure to in-depth knowledge of the latest theories and the best in contemporary health management practice.
There are other degree paths available if you’re drawn to the health care industry, including the online Master of Public Health and the online Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity.
These are just a few of the programs USC Online offers to prospective students who are looking to switch up their careers, enhance their job skills or simply learn something new. Explore the rest of USC’s online graduate programs today.