Want To Avoid Unemployment?

Statistics show a clear link between education level and employment.

There is no sure-fire way to prevent unemployment.

But if unemployment statistics are any measure, there is one way of improving your chances of staying employed: earning abachelor's degree.

U.S. Department of Labor statistics from the last 12 months, from June 2009 through June 2010 prove the point: the unemployment rate for people 25 years and over holding at least a bachelor's degree was 4-6 percent lower on a monthly basis than for people having only a high school education.

For example, in June of 2010, the unemployment rate for bachelor's degree holders and above was 4.4 percent - compared to a whopping 10.8 percent for those with only a high school education.

So if you're wondering whether that bachelor's degree is worth the cost, consider that it may be your best form of unemployment insurance.

"I think that it's worth it to get a college degree," says Andrea Koncz, an employment information manager for the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). "And, depending on your major, I think you have a lot more opportunity when you have a college degree."

What jobs are bachelor's degree grads getting? According to a recent NACE study, here's a selection of top industry employers for the class of 2010, their average salary offers, and some career options.

Accounting Services 
Starting Job Offer: $50,402*

Job Option #1 - Accountant/Auditor

Career Path: For an entry-level job in the field, a bachelor's degree in accounting is practically a must for any candidate. But once you've earned that first offer, the potential for increasing your salary and advancement remain strong. Search for Accounting degree programs now.

Employment Outlook: If you desire a career with tremendous job growth, consider accounting. Some 279,400 new positions for accountants and auditors are projected to arise between 2008 and 2018.**

Salary for Accountants/Auditors: $67,430***

Job Option #2 - Budget Analyst

Career Path: To put you in line for that first job offer, it's necessary to have a bachelor's degree inaccounting, finance, business, public administration, economics, statistics, political science, or sociology. A year or two after that first job offer, you'll find promotions to intermediate- and senior-level positions are well within reach. You can avoid unemployment by demonstrating expertise, integrity, and objectivity over the course of your career.

Employment Outlook: More than 40 percent of budget analysts work in government, but the overall number of jobs is projected to increase from 67,200 jobs to 77,400 jobs between 2008 to 2018.

Salary for Budget Analysts: $69,240

Financial Services
Starting Job Offer: $49,703

Job Option #1 - Financial Analyst

Career Path: A bachelor's degree is what you'll need to get that first job offer, but you have the flexibility of earning one in a number of disciplines, including accounting, finance, business, statistics, or economics. Once you're in the field, improve your professional standing by earning certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), sponsored by the CFA Institute. Your degree, work experience, and a series of three CFA exams are factored into earning the designation, which will help keep you employed throughout your career.

Employment Outlook: Nearly 50,000 new job openings for financial analysts are predicted for the decade between 2008 and 2018.

Salary for Financial Analysts: $85,240

Job Option #2 - Cost Estimator

Career Path: To get that entry-level job offer, a bachelor's degree in fields such as accounting, finance, andbusiness can come in handy. Entry-level estimators might work alongside an experienced estimator on projects to learn nuances of the job, such as how to read blueprints. Once you've got two or more years of estimator experience, professional certification can enhance your potential for promotions, salary increases, and continued employment.

Employment Outlook: A 25 percent increase in the number of cost estimators equals to 55,200 new jobs created between 2008 and 20018.

Salary for Cost Estimators: $61,190

Engineering Services
Starting Job Offer: $56,367

Job Option #1 - Engineer

Career Path: A bachelor's degree in engineering is what you'll need for most entry-level engineering jobs. As a new engineer, you'll likely train with an experienced engineer. Showing an ability to handle projects and design efforts on your own will set you up for specialist work or a supervisory role. Staying employed in the field means you'll want to seize opportunities to become an engineering manager as your career progresses.

Employment Outlook: Overall employment for engineers is projected to grow by 11 percent during the period from 2008 to 2018. That represents a total of 173,800 new engineers, including specialists such as civil and industrial engineers.

Salary for Civil Engineers: $81,180

Job Option #2 - Computer Software Engineer

Career Path: To land an entry-level position designing and developing software, look into earning abachelor's degree in software engineering. Skilled workers who keep abreast of the latest technologies are the best prepared for earning promotions. In larger companies, for example, you can earn a spot as lead programmer or supervisor with experience and proven expertise. This will allow you to avoid unemployment while increasing your advancement potential.

Employment Outlook: A rapid growth in the number of computer software engineers will help the number of jobs created rise by 295,000 between 2008 and 2018.

Salary for Computer Software Engineers, Applications: $90,170

Educational Services
Starting Job Offer: $33,682

Job Option #1 - Teacher

Career Path: A bachelor's degree is considered the most traditional means of earning an entry-level teaching position in public schools. All states require that you must be licensed, which is not always the case with private schools. News of school budget cuts might seem ominous to those considering a teaching career, but you should be aware of the high demand for math, science, and bilingual education instructors and those who are willing to teach in urban or rural school districts.

Employment Outlook: Close to a half million new teaching jobs are expected to be created from 2008 to 2018, due in part to higher salaries and greater public interest in education.

Salary for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education: $55,150

Job Option #2 - Education Administrator

Career Path: Education administrators often start out as teachers who break into the field with a bachelor's degree. Once you've gained valuable teaching experience, you might consider advancing to an assistant principal's position or an administrative job at the school or district level. A bachelor's degree also earns jobs offers for those who want to work in admissions, student affairs, and financial aid. A key to staying employed often involves getting a master's degree to move into higher administrative positions.

Employment Outlook: The growth in enrollment of school-age children works as a key factor for the rising number of education administrators, who will see 37,000 new jobs created between 2008 and 2018.

Salary for Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School: $87,390

*Starting job offers represent average salary offer determined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), in July 2010.
**Employment projections from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.
***Average annual salaries from by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2009