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This story is sponsored by LDS Business College. Learn more about LDS Business College.
Deciding what you want to do for a living has never been simple, but developing skills and going into a sector with good employment prospects is a sure way to make sure that you can provide for yourself and your family.
Here are some well-paying and prevalent jobs that on average only require a two-year degree to get through the door.
Social media marketing
Have you ever wondered who's responsible for the changing architecture, functionality and look of your favorite social media pages? These current and exciting responsibilities fall under the social media management umbrella.
Working as a social media manager puts you at the forefront of the internet's evolution, and because every competitive business today needs a professional to manage its brand's social media presence, available positions are plentiful.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor found that in 2016, social media managers made a mean of $64,680 and available positions were expanding at an 18 percent rate.
Because social media management takes hands-on practice and in-the-moment understanding, applied-science programs are effective at preparing students for these fast-paced positions. Two-year degrees show students for the challenges they will meet and give a solid overview of the social media landscape.
Accountants and financial specialists
Much of the fuel that makes the world go around is green, and a job that makes sure that businesses' books are well-kept will always exist. Accounting is a field that may not prove the flashiest but provides high-paying and stable employment that many people enjoy.
Accountants learn how to use software to see the income and expenses of businesses or people, and learn how to file important financial paperwork and adapt to changing federal and state laws that govern finances.
Accounting professionals garnered $68,150 a year (as of 2016), according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Educational institutions, like LDS Business College, offer accounting applied science degrees and certificates that propel graduates into their first positions and allow them to hit the ground running.
Cyber Security
"Given a surge in digital threats like cryptominers, ransomware, and DDoS attacks, it is no surprise that the field of information security is booming," reports tripwire.com. "Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that there will be 1.5 million job openings across the industry in 2019 up from one million in 2016."
The people who protect companies, agencies and departments against cyber threats are well rewarded for their skills. According to payscale.com, those who work in this industry can expect salaries ranging from $47,000 to $115,000 a year.
Computer user support specialists
Whether customers are using programs or hardware, or employees within a company are trying to set up their work computers, everyone needs help getting their machines up and running from time to time.
Computer user support specialists and IT professionals learn about the most common problems people face when they use computers and software.
From the time they graduate two-year programs, trained professionals navigate systems and troubleshoot problems with callers or employees who come to them with problems, diagnosing and fixing common issues.
If you get a job that's similar to the median computer user support specialist position in the U.S., you stand to make $25.08 per hour, based on data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Finding a degree program
If you're looking for the right field and degree to propel you into the job market, two-year degrees are often just the ticket. For more information about two-year degrees that lead to high-paying and fulfilling careers, take a look at the LDS Business College's wide range of degree offerings.