Turn Your Dream Into a Dream Job
Looking to leave your job behind for something more rewarding or maybe start your career journey on the right path? Going into 2020 with a clear vision of your best long term options can be a big advantage, whether that means switching it up in your company or striking out in an entirely new direction.
But don't take the plunge until you've done your due diligence and researched the best career and education options available. The right preparation can make all the difference, turning dreams into a dream job — and UCI Division of Continuing Education (DCE) can help every step of the way, with a wide range of certificate programs that target the hottest occupations of 2020 and beyond.
It's an opportune time for anyone with a bachelor's degree to consider gaining a competitive edge through continuing education. The U.S. employment outlook is exceptionally bright and many of the most in-demand jobs are also among the most lucrative.
Let's look at the 10 fastest-growing U.S. occupations and the UCI DCE programs that can put you on the track to success. Projected 2019-29 job growth is indicated by percentage and provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI).
#1 Software Developers (25%)
This field is positively booming, with more than 3 million software developers currently employed in the U.S. Consider that Apple's App Store accounted for nearly 26 billion downloads in 2017 alone, bringing in $77 billion in revenue. UCI DCE offers several Technology programs such as machine and deep learning, full stack web development, Java, Python, mobile application development, and more. There is also a Coding Boot Camp offered on the UCI campus, available as part-time and full-time options.
#2 Market Research Analysts (20%)
The Digital Marketing & Communications program provides cutting edge training for those seeking to enter this fast evolving field. Advances in technology such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality are opening new worlds of possibilities for digital marketing professionals, and this program prepares candidates for the future with hands-on experience, creating a practical basis for crafting marketing strategy and building campaigns on multiple platforms. The program is intended for marketing, communication, and product management specialists who want to update their skill sets and lead strategic marketing planning. In addition, market research analysts evaluate and research market conditions. The Data Science certificate program is designed for professionals in a variety of industries and job functions who are looking to help their organization understand and leverage the massive amounts of diverse data they collect.
#3 Financial Managers (16%)
Looking to get into the lucrative field of finance? The Personal Financial Planning certificate program can launch current professionals as well as recent college graduates onto the path to becoming a Certified Financial Planners (CFP)™. The program is designed for a range of candidates in the world of finance, including bankers and accountants — any professional who wants to become a Personal Financial Planner. The 15- to 26-month program, mixing on-campus and online instruction, is registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the certifying body for this discipline. Upon completion, the student satisfies the educational requirements to sit for the CFP® exam. Annual salary ranges up to $163,000.
#4 Registered Nurses (13%)
There is a plethora of RN programs to choose from, but current RNs can make themselves even more marketable by expanding their skill set through DCE's Healthcare Analytics and Lean Healthcare programs. Lean thinking and methodology are increasingly utilized in the healthcare industry to identify and streamline factors that waste time, money and supplies. And Healthcare Analytics takes a deep dive into health informatics, providing the research and analytical skills needed to collect, organize and visualize data to improve patient outcomes, lower costs and optimize business operations.
#5 Management Analysts (12%)
This key role can take on different titles in various organizations, but the responsibilities and core skills are the same — gathering and analyzing data and serving as liaison between multiple departments. DCE's Business Analyst certificate aims to enhance a student's knowledge and background while opening new doors for professionals in business as well as IT, any candidate who can analyze data to improve value and streamline functions. This program aligns with industry standards set forth by the Project Management Institute and International Institute of Business Analysis and prepares students to sit for PMI® and IIBA® certification exams.
#6 General and Operations Managers (10%)
DCE's Business Administration certificate program provides a solid background for success in any managerial role. Courses cover a range of areas, from finance and digital marketing to communication, leadership, and modern business writing. The Organizational Leadership & Communication program is designed to cultivate managerial potential and equip candidates with the skills, insight and passion needed to lead and inspire team members. DCE also offers short on-campus business leadership courses.
#7 Accountants and Auditors (10%)
Accountants are always solidly in demand, even when the economy dips. More than 1.3 million of them are currently employed in the U.S. with an annual salary that can range up to $92,000. The Applied Accounting certificate program can lead to career success for financial professionals who want to satisfy educational requirements for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination without pursuing an advanced degree. It's also a great entry point for anyone with a bachelor's degree who's looking to become an accountant, a career that can be applied across a wide range of organizations and industries.
#8 Business Operations Specialists (9%)
A Supply Chain Management online certificate can provide a competitive edge for candidates working to create greater operational efficiencies within an organization — analysts, supervisors, directors and executives — any professional responsible for managing or working in a supply chain. This 6- to 12-month online program recognizes that today's supply chain management isn't just a process for reducing costs and enhancing efficiencies, it also involves alignment of end-to-end business processes, creating a collaborative relationship among suppliers and customers for greater value and mutual gain.
#9-10 Elementary & Secondary School Teachers (7%)
The need for qualified teachers will continue to grow, and so too will their responsibilities to keep up with a changing student body and educational system. Ranking #9 and #10 respectively on the list, elementary and secondary teachers benefit from continuing their education as a way to burnish their credentials and prepare for advancement. DCE's teacher education programs are perfectly aligned with those needs. Take the online Gifted & Talented Education (GATE) program for example. This highly popular program is designed for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of teaching to this challenging and diverse group of students. The Reading program helps teachers become literacy leaders in their classroom, while satisfying federal, state and local regulations that mandate all students receive proper reading instruction. There are also California Commission on Teacher Credentialing-approved offerings for those seeking to advance to administrative positions within their school or district, and the TESOL and TEFL programs prepare career changers to teach English to speakers of foreign languages both here and abroad.
Whether you are pursuing one of these growing fields, or simply want to become more proficient in your current one, make UCI Division of Continuing Education your destination for professional and career development in 2020 and beyond.
Learn more about DCE’s program offerings.