What can I do with a degree in environmental engineering?
During our brief existence on Earth, we humans haven't exactly been the best house guests. Forget leaving a wet towel on the floor or eating the last of the leftovers -- our thirst for industry played a lead role in the deaths of 4,000 Londoners during "The Great Smog" nearly 61 years ago and has turned Beijing into "Greyjing." Meanwhile, our collective agricultural genius has created a summertime dead zone the size of Connecticut along the Gulf of Mexico, practically turned Kazakhstan's Aral Sea into a kiddie pool, and was responsible for a little event called "The Dust Bowl." And that's without touching catastrophes like the Exxon Valdez and BP oil spills.
Yet not all of our handiwork causes the planet harm. There are those who dedicate their professional lives to protecting it, and among them, environmental engineers may be some of the most fascinating. They devise manmade solutions that actually benefit the environment, whether they help contain major oil spills, design more efficient recycling methods, manufacture the next best electric car, or even create bridges that help animals safely cross highways.
If you've got a mind for logic and a soft spot for Mother Nature, earning a degree in environmental engineering could be your calling. Offered from the associate to doctoral level, there's a range of choices based on your professional interests. Learn more about environmental engineering degrees, schools and the careers they could lead to in our infographic below.
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What can I do with a degree in criminal justice?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov, 2012), in 2011 over 47,000 bachelor's degrees were awarded to students studying homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services. Criminal justice disciplines were by far the most popular, with safety studies and law enforcement administration representing over 80 percent of all degrees awarded.
A criminal justice degree is an exceedingly broad field of study, and graduates may find themselves working in many different areas within the criminal justice system, including local and federal law enforcement agencies, law firms or corrections facilities.
Police officers, detectives, parole officers, and even secret service agents are all possible occupations for those armed with a degree in criminal justice. Meanwhile, related programs like forensic science can be beneficial for those who want to be a real-life crime scene investigator. Some criminal justice programs dip into law, preparing students to work as paralegals or legal assistants. Criminal justice may also be a good undergrad choice for those who plan on attending law school.
If you're interested in enforcing laws, defending citizens' civil liberties, helping past offenders rejoin society, or preventing crimes from happening in the first place, a criminal justice degree is worth considering. Find out more about where a criminal justice degree may be able to take you in the infographic below.
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What can I do with a degree in cybersecurity?
A recent study by Burning Glass Technologies found that in the past five years, the demand for cybersecurity experts has grown 3.5 percent faster than other IT jobs and 12 times faster than all other jobs. And with the threat of cyberwarfare constantly looming, there's a pressing need to train new digital crime fighters who can shield government, business and personal networks from crippling online attacks.
"Industry, academia, and government need to do more to create a clear and comprehensive career path in cyber security starting as early as middle school," says Diane Miller, the director of information security and cyber initiatives for Northrop Grumman Corporation. "Current staffing shortages are estimated between 20,000 and 40,000 and unfortunately that trend is continuing."
Luckily, governmental agencies and academic institutions are beginning to take notice. In February, the Department of Homeland Security introduced the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, an evolving compendium of knowledge for those interested in the field. Universities are also responding. Many are now featuring dedicated cybersecurity programs, either as standalone majors or concentrations within their business, computer science, or IT programs. Others are diving even deeper with programs in areas like digital forensics -- and, not surprisingly, more than a few are available completely online.
To learn more about where an online degree in cybersecurity could take you, check out the infographic below.
Live infographic available here.
