And there are plenty of ways students can earn these degrees, from two-year associate programs that can give people the knowledge they need for entry-level jobs to doctorate programs involving years of research.

Regardless of the type of program they pursue, students generally encounter a few standard courses, including music theory and music history. From there, they’ll take more specialized classes. 

Anyone interested in becoming a music teacher will take education classes as well as hands-on instrumental courses to hone their own skills before they instruct others. Performers looking to become professional musicians or singers may choose to immerse themselves in a conservatory program in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in music, in which they’ll dedicate most of their studies to music classes.

These degrees also can prepare people to work in the business side of the music industry, which can land them jobs at record labels or working with artists directly, such as an agent. Or, they can learn more about the technology involved in making music, which can prepare them for jobs in fields like sound engineering.

Below, we’ll break down the different levels of music degrees available and how to earn them, along with a look at some of the schools that offer the programs.

Bachelor of Music (BMus or BM)

The standard presented at most conservatory programs, BMus degrees typically require students to earn 70% to 80% of their credits in music classes. 

This program is more intensive than other music degrees, geared toward people who aspire to work as performing musicians, whether it be in a studio as a backing musician or in a professional band or orchestra. 

Students focus on a family of instruments or a single instrument, although schools usually require them to have skills in a secondary instrument.

Example program: Northwestern University Bienen School of Music students can choose to enroll in a Bachelor of Music program. 

Students focus on musical performance, with options to hone in on specific instruments, instrument families, or jazz studies. Or, students can concentrate on Music Studies, which looks at the actual makeup of music, such as theory and composition, or music education. Northwestern also offers the BMus as an “ad hoc” second major.

While the degree requirements vary by major, Northwestern’s BMus students generally take core courses such as music theory and conducting. Depending on their degree focus, they then hone their studies with either instrumental performance courses or topics in areas such as musical history.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The BA is best for students who want a well-rounded academic education or who want to double major. The undergraduate program consists of fewer music credits than the BMus degree, typically 30% to 60% of students’ total courses. 

Students round out their coursework with classes in the liberal arts, giving them the experience that can prepare them to work in an area besides music. Needing fewer music-based credits also gives students more freedom to fit in time to study abroad and still graduate on time.

Example program: Michigan State University has a BA offering for music majors. 

While the program does not prepare students to earn a music teacher certification, it may set them up to enter a Master of Music program.

MSU’s program requires prospective students to audition for faculty members in person on campus. During their studies, BA music students often connect their major to another subject, sometimes through electives. 

Alumni who earned this degree have gone on to work at businesses such as Apple and Google as well as for radio stations and performing arts centers. They’ve landed jobs as not only performers and composers but also church music directors and entrepreneurs.

Bachelor of Science (BS)

While very similar to the BA, the BS is often used to pursue music production, music business, and music recording. Sometimes, schools may even offer a BS in Music Education instead of a BMus. 

Music production and recording can involve studying more specific fields, such as sound design or audio engineering, leading to behind-the-scenes careers in the entertainment industry. 

Music business, meanwhile, involves precisely what it sounds like: working in the music industry, whether it be as a record company executive or a music lawyer (after additional legal education).

Example program: Northeastern University  offers a BS in Music, which mixes business and music production classes. 

Students at the Boston school choose from one of two concentrations: music technology and music industry. Music technology students learn how to use digital sound technology in various industries and fields such as film, apps, and theater. 

The first of its kind in the city, the music industry program teaches students about the ins and outs of the music business and the different jobs they can pursue, such as artist management or working for a music label.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

The BFA typically is reserved for musical theater majors. 

Like the BMus major, the BFA is an intensive, conservatory-style program that prepares students for a performing arts career. 

Students will dedicate about 65% to 75% of their credits to music courses, not leaving much room for electives or study abroad trips.

Example program: At Kent State University in Ohio, students can earn a BFA in Musical Theatre as part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. 

Students take classes about the history and practices of the theater industry alongside training in dance, acting, and music. The department also keeps an eye on students’ progress throughout their time at Kent State, evaluating them at the end of their first three years so they can stay on track toward their goals. 

Seniors look ahead to life after graduation by preparing head shots and getting ready to audition. They then show off all they’ve learned in the annual Musical Theatre Showcase in New York City, which casting directors, agents, and other industry professionals attend. 

Alumni have gone on to work in major theater cities such as New York and Chicago, while others have pursued MFAs.

Master of Music (MM or MMus)

The Master of Music is a graduate degree that full-time students can complete in two years. People who already have a bachelor’s degree in music or a related area are ideal candidates for the MM, as those working in the field want to add to their resumes. 

Master’s degree programs can focus on performance, including music therapy, or more technical aspects of the field, such as pedagogy or music production. 

Students take classes but also perform in ensembles and recitals. They also should expect to have to take a comprehensive exam to complete their degree.

Example program: The New England Conservatory awards the Master of Music degree in more than a dozen majors. 

Students can choose from specific instruments across the orchestral spectrum as well as vocal performance and pedagogy. Other majors include jazz, composition, and different types of conducting.

The Boston-based school also provides opportunities for students to learn from top-notch professionals through masterclasses featuring “musical luminaries.”

In addition to training in their major, students will take lessons in areas such as music theory plus electives.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

The MFA usually is a master’s degree in Musical Theatre, which provides students further training in not only theater but also dance. 

Some schools have more specific MFA programs, focusing on subjects such as dance/choreography and sound design. 

MFAs are considered terminal degrees, and alumni may be able to pursue teaching opportunities at the collegiate level with such a degree.

Example program: The Boston Conservatory at Berklee offers a 2-year MFA in Musical Theatre. 

This diverse, extremely selective program provides students who already have professional experience with further theatrical training at the hands of faculty as well as guest artists. 

And the conservatory’s location in one of the nation’s leading cities means students can attend shows around Boston, from community theater on up to professional productions. 

The school describes its students as committed to exploring their potential and making connections with professionals to help them further their careers. 

The program, which takes five semesters to finish, has produced so many Broadway performers that Playbill included it on its list of the 10 most-represented colleges on the Great White Way for three years in a row. 

Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA)

The DMA is a terminal degree in which a student completes a musical project, such as a concert or album release, as his or her thesis. 

Students pursuing a DMA likely are interested in teaching at colleges or universities and can focus on concentrations such as composition or performance.

DMA programs generally take three or four years to finish, with half that time spent in class and the remaining time dedicated to finishing a thesis or dissertation.

Example program: University of Southern California Thornton School of Music offers a DMA in which students choose a major from over a dozen options. 

These fields include performance on specific types of instruments as well as composition, choral music, and teaching and learning. DMA students also strengthen their background by choosing another academic field and two elective fields to study. They end their time at USC with a comprehensive exam that can also include projects or research papers.

USC also offers PhDs, which we discuss next…

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD is a doctorate degree for which students must complete a thesis paper as their final project is a thesis paper. 

People who want to focus more on research will want to pursue a PhD rather than a DMA, as PhDs sometimes do not require students to engage in performances.

Example program: The PhD program at Princeton University is fully funded, so every student receives a year-round stipend for the five years it takes to complete the program. 

Students choose from two focal areas, composition, and musicology, and do seminar work for the first two years of the program leading up to sitting for the General Exam.

Those who successfully take the exam then start working on their thesis, which, for composition students, involves crafting and original musical work plus an essay. Musicology students also are expected to attend conferences and teach in the department while they finish their dissertations. 

The Ivy League school offers other perks as well, including funding for research and summer language study, as students must fulfill a language requirement to earn their degrees. Students who finish the five-year program may be nominated to receive funding for a sixth year.

Artist Diploma (AD)

The Artist Diploma is a 2-year degree focused on helping a musician become a stronger performer. 

Performers usually pursue an AD after earning a bachelor’s or master’s, but in some conservatories, the AD is considered a more exclusive program, admitting a limited number of high-caliber students. 

AD programs generally do not involve any liberal arts studies, instead having students focus on music-based classes.

Example: Boston University offers an Artist Diploma in music, which is considered a specialized, non-degree program. 

It aims to develop students’ proficiency in musical techniques and their knowledge of different styles of music.

Students, who will present three recitals during their two years living at BU, also are expected to expand their artistic judgment so they are prepared to work as professional musicians.

BU’s program is open to anyone with at least a bachelor’s degree or other music diploma. Applicants also need to audition in person and submit a recording.

Associate’s Degree (AA)

The Associate degree is a 2-year music degree students often pursue at community colleges. Students who earn this degree often can find entry-level music jobs or transfer their credits to another institution to count toward a bachelor’s degree in music.

While the focus of an AA depends on the school, some allow students to concentrate on music education or performance, while others are geared more toward rehearsal and conducting. Students can expect to take courses ranging from music theory to music history.

Example program: Fullerton College in California offers two options for obtaining an AA degree in music.

In the Music Associate in Arts Degree program, Fullerton students gain basic knowledge of music and earn credits to take with them into a four-year music program at another school. They also will be prepared to start working in the music industry.

Students who want to carry their credits on to California State University campuses to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music should pursue the Music Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer, aka the Music AA-T Degree. 

In this degree path, students finish certain transferable credits and gain priority admission to a CSU bachelor’s music program.

The post Discover the 10 Types of Music Degrees appeared first on collegegazette.com.

Or, you can educate the public about the effects of chemical spills on the environment and on human health. All three paths are devoted to the public’s health and safety, and a public health degree is a stepping stone.

Of course, a meaningful cause is not the only motivating factor for choosing a degree in public health. Job growth and salaries should not be discounted. The good news is that many jobs in the public health field are expected to grow within the next 5 to 10 years. 

The median salary for a bachelor’s in public health is $50,444, with many opportunities for advancement. 

In sum, if you are looking for a meaningful, impactful, and financially rewarding career, a degree in public health is a great place to start. Below is a list of 10 the most common career options for this degree.

Epidemiologist

If you want to be on the forefront of stopping the spread of diseases and viruses, a career in epidemiology is for you. Epidemiologists are the detectives of the health sector. They investigate the causes of diseases and viruses, their spread, and who is most prone to getting them. They also make recommendations to stem the spread of diseases and prevent future outbreaks. Epidemiologists gather and analyze the information necessary for medical research and for developing effective, preventative care.

Typically, epidemiologists are employed by hospitals, colleges and universities, and health departments at local, state, and federal agencies. Most work for government agencies, such as the Center for Disease Control or National Institutes of Health. There are many opportunities for fieldwork, such as conducting interviews and collecting samples to bring back to the lab. 

Most epidemiologists have a master’s degree in public health (MPH), with a specialization in epidemiology. A master’s degree is needed for most entry-level positions in the field. It is not uncommon for some to have completed doctoral work in medicine or epidemiology.

Whether you have a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, your job prospects as an epidemiologist are good overall; the public needs you. In 2020, the median pay for an epidemiologist was $74,560/year.

Healthcare Administrator

Another promising career path for a public health degree is health administration. If you are passionate about equitable access to quality healthcare and resources and have a penchant for leadership, a career as a healthcare administrator might be your calling.

As a healthcare administrator, you help develop and manage healthcare programs and systems that serve the needs of families and communities. Healthcare administrators work for hospitals, hospital networks, or large healthcare systems. Through management and administration, they provide the infrastructure needed to support the work and activities of primary caregivers. 

The work is quite comprehensive; not only do you need to understand the basics of public health, but you will also need to navigate the maze of policies and laws governing hospitals and healthcare administration. This is not an easy feat as laws and policies vary across county, state, and national levels. 

The minutiae of billing, staff schedules, and HR are as important as knowing the demographics of the populations you serve. 

While a bachelor’s degree in public health, or another relevant field, can land you a managerial position in medical and health services, a master’s degree (plus some experience) is required for many advanced positions or promotions. The base salary for a healthcare administrator ranges from $41k-$113/year, depending on a combination of education, experience, and location. The median salary is $69,927.

Health Education Specialist

As a health education specialist, also known as a health educator, you will have the opportunity to combine an interest in public health with an educational mission. In many ways, education is at the heart of public health initiatives and programs. Education specialists, alongside healthcare providers, are the bridge between policymakers, health administrators, and the general public. They convey the information necessary to make initiatives effective in their mission by planning programs, collecting and analyzing community data, and promoting healthy environments, practices, and lifestyles.

Health educators work in various sectors, from hospitals and clinics, schools, governments, to community organizations. With a public health degree, you would be able to lend your expertise in educational initiatives and programs focused on disease prevention and patient care, or community outreach in general. This is just one possible application of public health in health education. 

There is a projected job-growth rate of 11% for health education specialists and an average salary of $54,101/year.

Emergency Management Director

Mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

These are the pillars and phases of emergency management in dealing with disasters and emergencies. Going down this route, you will apply your public health degree to areas beyond disease prevention and control. You will be entrusted with the responsibility of devising plans and procedures for responding to disasters and catastrophes.

Emergency management directors work for hospitals, schools, private companies, and, of course, local and state governments. The specifics of the job vary from sector to sector and across industries. Those who work in the private sector provide technical, scientific, and security services, identifying and assessing hazards, damages, and risk in the workplace. They also train employees and staff in emergency responses.

As long as wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters pose a threat to humans, there will be a vital need for emergency management directors in many sectors and all over the country. In fact, the projected job-growth rate for this role is 4% within the next ten years, with directors making an average of $76k/year.

Health and Safety Engineer

This is the first occupation on this list primarily concentrated in the private, science, and technical services. Health and safety engineers serve companies, organizations, and consumers by developing safer work environments and products. Your main objective as a health and safety engineer is to help prevent people from getting injured or sick, whether at work or from using a product or equipment. Your job is also to ensure that a workspace is compliant with health and safety regulations.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree in public health, engineering, or occupational/industrial hygiene, health and safety engineers must possess sharp observational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Often, you will have to tackle complex and multi-faceted problems that draw on these skills, as well as your ability to think outside the box. Overall, it is one of the most demanding jobs on this list.

Because of advancements in biomedical engineering and software safety engineering, an aspiring health and safety engineer will not be out of job prospects anytime soon. The median annual salary is $91,410. Private science and technology sector salaries typically exceed salaries in government and construction.

Environmental Scientist

A bachelor’s degree in public health will enable you to get an entry-level job in the environmental sciences, which is an excellent choice for someone passionate about Climate Change and other environmental issues. At the core, environmental science is about the protection of human health and environmental health. It dovetails nicely with a degree in public health because of the issues and problems that overlap between the two, specifically those centered on human health and safety in the present and long term.

What do environmental scientists do exactly? Environmental scientists study physical, biological, and chemical conditions of the environment and how these conditions affect the organisms living under the conditions. Deforestation, a chemical spill, or air pollution can harm the health of organisms, including humans. As an environmental scientist, you would study these problems and provide solutions for countering their effects.

In many cases, environmental scientists work to prevent or solve environmental problems or provide guidance to governments, organizations, and companies to limit hazards to the environment and human health. Many environmental scientists work in labs or offices; others conduct fieldwork, collecting and analyzing samples. As an environmental scientist, you are no mere lab rat; the work you do, whether in or outside a lab, serves the public good.

Because of heightened public interest in environmental issues, the future bodes well for a budding environmental scientist. The projected job growth rate exceeds the average for all occupations, at 8% from 2019 to 2029. The average salary is $71,360/year.

Biostatistician

When it comes to public health issues and policies, you want the most accurate and timely data on health, diseases, biology, and medicine. Whether you need to know the effectiveness of a new pharmaceutical or the cause and transmission rate of a disease, data is necessary. This is where the biostatistician comes in. Biostatisticians utilize statistical research tools, applying math and data to the areas of biology and medicine.

Biostatisticians have a central role in public health research, collecting data from experiments, surveys, and questionnaires, which they frequently design and execute. As a biostatistician, you will analyze the data and disseminate your findings to agencies, organizations, and any group involved in public health and health policy.

The majority of entry-level jobs for biostatisticians require a master’s degree. A master’s degree in statistics and a specialization in public health is a winning combination. A biostatistician can expect an average annual salary of $85,742.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Occupational health and safety specialists ensure that employees have a safe work environment. They work in various industries and settings to ensure that workplaces, procedures, and equipment comply with standards and regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As with most career paths for public health degrees, a career in occupational health and safety is devoted to the well-being of others. And since almost everyone spends most of their day in a workplace setting, this career is an outstanding and impactful choice for someone with a degree in public health.

The day-to-day responsibilities of an occupational health and safety specialist include inspections, investigations of workplace accidents, proactively communicating with employers and management, and developing procedures for improving workplace safety. Tech-savviness, critical thinking, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability are some of the core skills necessary to excel in this job.

An entry-level position in occupational health and safety requires a bachelor’s degree. To boost your chances of landing a great job, getting a master’s degree in public health, with a concentration in occupational health, is an effective strategy. Overall, the job outlook in this field is promising. The reported average salary for occupational health and safety specialists is $76,340.

Community Health Coordinator

The overall job outlook for aspiring community health coordinators is promising. Due to an increasing focus on affordable, preventative care, this career will not disappear any time soon; it is an excellent option for someone interested in public health.

Community health coordinators create and manage health initiatives and programs that address various health issues and improve health outcomes, especially for specific populations. These programs inform local residents about diseases such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, to name a few. Another component of these programs is to encourage and aid residents in adopting preventative measures to improve their health or to help them manage their health conditions.

Like many, if not most, jobs on this list, community health coordinators can work for a wide variety of institutions and agencies, chiefly schools, non-profits, and government agencies.

Most community health coordinators start with a bachelor’s degree in public health, biology, or health education and subsequently earn a master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or healthcare administration. An entry-level position usually pays around 45k/year.

Public Health Attorney

The careers we have mentioned so far are research-heavy, focused on education, centered on safety, or on administering care. A legal career in public health is another great track for someone interested in public health.

Public health attorneys work as advocates, legal representatives, or advisors for individuals, communities, and government agencies. They contribute to public health by developing policies aimed toward improving wellness and health. At other times, public health attorneys advise businesses, individuals, and governments on their legal rights in public health.

To be an excellent public health attorney, you need to have good organizational and public speaking skills; being able to assemble, organize, and effectively communicate complex information is vital. Strong problem-solving skills are equally important as you will need to identify solutions to complex problems that may arise in a case. Last but not least, a bachelor’s and law degree are required. It is a good idea to choose a law school that offers a specialization in public health law. Even better, some schools offer a dual degree in JD/MPH, which will adequately prepare you for a career in public health law.

The national average salary for a public health attorney is $70,959. 

The post What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree? Careers & Salaries Revealed appeared first on collegegazette.com.

Not all English majors aspire to become bestselling authors, and becoming one is not the only ticket to success. English majors can choose to work in many fields, some more writing-focused than others. Writing, speaking, and critical thinking are transferable skills to many areas, including politics, marketing, and public relations.

We would also like to add that an English degree has some serious earning potential. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in English earn an average salary of around $50k. Not bad for someone straight out of college!

 Look at our list of some of the most popular and lucrative careers for English majors. 

Journalist

Journalists serve an essential role in society and have been doing so since freedom of the press became an enshrined right. The core function of journalists is to inform the public of important information and news, with the pursuit of truth being a key component of what they do.

Journalism is a dynamic and comprehensive realm of work; it can entail anything from beat reporting, writing about community happenings in the local newspaper, to conducting an in-depth report about the effects of corporations relocating overseas on the local economy. It encompasses politics, entertainment, sports, medicine, and much more.

Someone with an insatiable curiosity about the world, a knack for asking the most incisive questions, and a talent for writing would excel as a journalist. Not to mention, English majors are naturally suited to this profession. They learn to communicate effectively through writing and hone their critical thinking skills by engaging with complex pieces of literature. An English degree can also hone the ability to develop compelling arguments and synthesize bits of information.

Many English departments offer tracks in journalistic writing. But this is not the only option. There are opportunities for getting a start in journalism during or after college, such as freelancing for or interning with news outlets. Some go on to pursue a graduate degree in journalism. 

The salary range for a journalist is typically between $36k-47k/year, with the median being $41,604.

Copywriter

The catchiest jingles and ads are penned by copywriters, some of whom may have English degrees under their belts. This goes to show the versatility of an English degree, which opens many opportunities for someone with a creative itch but who does not aspire to become another New York Times bestselling novelist or a poet. Copywriting is another creative and writing-intensive career option for an English major.

Copywriting, like journalism, is dynamic and varied. Copywriters are responsible for producing engaging and clear texts for various modes of advertising, such as print media, catalogs, and websites. This sounds straightforward, but copywriters need to be very creative and imaginative as they must create content that will attract and retain the desired audience of a company, agency, or client. 

Nowadays, it is not enough for a successful copywriter to be a highly creative and talented writer; copywriters need to understand how search engine optimization (SEO) works to bring traffic to a website and be versed in a variety of content strategy tools. Copywriters also need to stay on top of the latest advertising trends and have a keen interest in commerce and popular culture as well.

Copywriters work in-house, as long-term employees of a specific company or agency or as independent contractors and freelancers, taking on a variety of clients and projects successively or simultaneously. There is no clear-cut path from English degree to copywriting. Undergraduates can intern or dabble in the freelancing world to develop a portfolio before they graduate. It is also helpful to choose one or more areas of focus for writing. Many agencies and clients want copywriters who are well-versed in niche areas, such as cars, technology, etc.

As for salary, a copywriter can make anywhere between $36k-$76k, depending on experience, location, and niche. The median salary for copywriters is $52,821.

Technical Writer

Many employers looking to hire a technical writer prefer someone with a bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or STEM. With that said, English majors bring a lot to a technical writing position, such as writing well, synthesizing information, and communicating effectively. 

Not only are employers eager to hire undergrads with a strong writing background, but the job outlook for technical writers means good news for an English major looking into the field. Due to ubiquitous and rapidly evolving technological and scientific products, the demand for technical writers is predicted to increase over the next decade.

What do technical writers do? Technical writers write instruction manuals, journal articles, and how-to guides for products and equipment, and other documents that communicate complex and technical information in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. For example, a technical writer makes it easy for someone with little to no home-improvement background to set-up and operate a table-saw by writing an instruction manual that is clear and precise.

Technical writers primarily work in the computer, scientific, and technical industries. When job hunting for a technical writing position, it helps to have some knowledge or experience in a specialized area. However, novice technical writers should not feel deterred; the ability to learn new things quickly is an asset and it helps to build a portfolio through freelance or internship opportunities.

The average annual salary for a technical writer is $74,650.

Working for a Publisher 

Whether working for big-name publishers like Penguin Random House, a small literary magazine, or starting up an independent publishing company, the world of publishing is a popular field for English majors. The title “publisher” can apply to an individual, company, or organization. There is a broad range of jobs within the publishing company, such as editing, sales, contract negotiations, marketing, website maintenance, and many more. At most large companies, there are separate divisions or departments that perform these duties. In contrast, an individual running their own independent publishing firm may assume some, if not most, of these responsibilities.

In general, publishers are in the business of overseeing the publishing process for print and/or digital publications. The process entails managing teams of editors, overseeing the production and distribution of content, determining the target audience, managing contracts, and interfacing with content with writers and content creators. This is far from an exhaustive list of what publishers do.

Working as part of an editorial team seems like the most natural fit for English majors. But the utility of an English degree is not limited to this role. The fact is that someone with a background in English can work in any part of the publishing process, including sales, copy, and website maintenance. These jobs require some training or proven experience, depending on the employer.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a publisher or someone working in the publishing industry is $67,329.

Copyeditor

Copyeditors have important roles within a publishing company, ensuring that manuscripts comply with formatting and style standards set by the company. But they are certainly not relegated to working for publishers. Copyeditors can be found in a wide array of industries in the public and private sectors. Basically, any company, large and small, that produces print and digital content wants to hire a copyeditor.

Copyeditors are responsible for proofreading text for grammatical and stylistic errors, fact-checking information, and checking and revising a text for style and readability. Occasionally, a copyeditor may oversee the layout of content, which can include advertisements and articles. Not only are the best copyeditors bona-fide grammar nerds, they are also thoroughly familiar with different style guides, such as Associated Press (AP), the industry-standard for news publications.

An English degree is a great start for a career in copyediting. In many cases, a prospective employer may want some experience or a substantial portfolio of work. A good way to begin building a portfolio is by landing freelance gigs or writing for the student-run college newspaper during the undergrad years. Copyediting certification is available to those with little to no prior experience in the field.

The median annual salary for a copyeditor is $58,870.

Editorial Assistant

An editorial assistant assists editors in numerous capacities. They check texts for grammatical errors and stylistic inconsistencies, fact-check information, and serve as a point of contact for writers. Editorial assistants may also help the editor select content for a publication. 

They also work with creative, marketing, and production staff, depending on the company to achieve publishing goals. Overall, this position is an excellent entry point for anyone looking to get into publishing or work their way up to an editorial position or, at the very least, flex those English skills.

English majors develop the necessary skills for excelling in this position, specifically writing and proofreading skills. The ability to do complex research and pitch content ideas are also invaluable skills honed by an English degree. These are the bare minimum skills required of an editorial assistant, which may be adequate for some employers. Some employers may require working knowledge or proficiency in publishing, printing, and graphic design software or advanced knowledge of word-processing and desktop publishing.

The mean salary for an entry-level editorial assistant is $36,620.

Public Relations Specialist

A career in public relations is an excellent fit for English majors interested in communications beyond the written word. People in this field work for a diverse array of organizations, such as schools, hospitals, companies, and non-profits. 

A public relations specialist works to improve an organization’s relationship with the public at large by improving the company’s image and marketability. This is accomplished through written and oral communication in print and media. Public relations specialists produce the content of these communications and develop strategies and plans for a company’s or organization’s public relations campaigns.

Written communications include press releases, speeches, and other kinds of content that will be released to the media and to the general public. PR specialists evaluate advertising and promotion campaigns, as well as public opinions of their clients or the companies they are representing. Furthermore, they reach out to media outlets and agencies that promote the company or organization’s materials. An extroverted English major with a knack for public speaking would undoubtedly thrive in this role.

With an annual median salary of $61,150, PR specialist is one of the highest paying career options for an English degree.

K-12 Teacher

For those interested in reading, literacy, and education, a career in K-12 teaching can be a gratifying career.

English teachers are passionate about reading and writing, and the best ones inculcate their students with the same enthusiasm for these subjects. English teachers help their students develop written and oral communication skills necessary for many careers. 

Of course, English teachers also help their students develop or improve their reading and comprehension skills. They are employed in many different educational settings, but most commonly in public and private schools.

Unlike most careers on this list, the path to becoming an English teacher often requires additional steps beyond a bachelor’s degree. A state-issued teaching license and various certifications are often required for anyone who wants to teach at a public school. 

To obtain a license and a certification, a prospective teacher must take and pass a series of tests. This is an extra step for anyone who has completed a bachelor’s degree in English without previously taking a teaching preparation program. The requirements for teaching at a private or charter school vary from state to state and localities.

The average salary of an English teacher differs across grade levels and states. High school English teachers, for example, can earn anywhere between $34k and $48K.

College Professor

A high school or undergraduate class on Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream can spark a lifelong passion for 17^th century English literature and for college-level teaching. College-level teaching is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to explore and share their love for 17^th century English literature at higher levels of education. 

An academic career path is ideal for anyone who loves the idea of being paid for researching, reading, and teaching about subjects that inspire them. An English major is not limited to teaching English or literature at a college level. Becoming a college professor in the philosophy or political science departments are viable options.

Colleges or universities employ college professors. Depending on the institution, the position can be either teaching or research-heavy. Typically, small liberal arts colleges place a heavy emphasis on teaching and expect their faculty to devote most of their time to teaching undergraduate courses. Many large universities place a premium on research and expect their faculty to devote much of their time to research and publishing. 

Overall, college professors work as instructors in introductory and advanced-level courses in their fields and produce original research. They can also serve as mentors for undergraduates and serve their institutions in other capacities.

The annual median salary for a college professor can vary widely, depending on whether the position is full-time, part-time. Pay also depends on rank within the department. 

A full-time, tenured college professor in the humanities can earn as much as  $100,353 a year. College-level teaching requires a doctoral degree in the relevant field. In some cases, someone with only a master’s degree can be hired for a teaching position. In graduate programs, those training to become college professors gain teaching experience through teaching assistantships and as instructors of their own courses.

Librarian

Perhaps it is safe to assume that someone pursuing an English degree is a bibliophile, a lover of books and reading. A career as a librarian is ideal for book lovers and anyone passionate about information access, education, and literacy.

Librarians collect, organize, and issue resources, most notably books and other print and digital media. They help patrons and guests locate the information that they need, whether it be materials for a senior thesis project, a book report, or the latest issue of Time Magazine. 

Librarians may also develop special programs and tutorials for university students or the local community. A librarian can design and present a tutorial on word processing for senior citizens or resume writing for job seekers who have been out of the labor market for some time.

Librarian jobs at academic, public, and special libraries require master’s in library science from an ALA-accredited program. For those aspiring to a high-level administrative position at a university, a doctorate is required. As with public school teaching, a state-issued certification may be required for a job at a public library.

The reported median salary for a librarian is $59,050.

Lawyer 

We cannot restate it enough that solid written and oral communication skills are crucial in any career. This is undoubtedly the case for a career in law. As we have mentioned, English majors are trained to be effective communicators and develop the critical thinking and persuasion skills necessary for becoming successful lawyers. 

In fact, the legal profession is a popular destination among English majors. According to College Consensus, English is one of the top 10 degrees for getting into law school.

We cannot list and adequately describe every specialization in law, as there are so many of them! An aspiring lawyer can choose to get into real estate law, public health, environmental law, or child advocacy. There are many quality law schools throughout the country that offer these specializations and more. 

Here is a list of what students can do with a law degree, including expected salaries.An entry-level lawyer can expect to earn around $60,138 annually.

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The field of criminal justice is interdisciplinary, drawing on not only criminology and criminological theory, but also psychology (to understand the mental and emotional components of criminal behavior), sociology (to understand the sociocultural and community-level drivers of crime), political science (to understand the structure of government and interests of various stakeholders and groups), and history (to understand the development of the current justice system and chart its course into the future), among others. 

The ultimate goal in studying criminal justice is to better understand and help contribute to society’s safe, effective functioning. 

Graduates with a degree in criminal justice can choose to pursue diverse career paths that utilize their expertise in the court system, law enforcement, and corrections process. This expertise can be put to good, and sometimes lucrative, use in domains such as crime prevention, advocacy (for instance, for victims), private investigation work, forensics, and jails/prisons and other correctional/rehabilitation facilities. The common theme among criminal justice-oriented careers is a desire to protect people, enforce the law, give a voice to the voiceless, and stem criminal behavior. 

After obtaining an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, many students immediately begin careers in domains like law enforcement, corrections, or community programs. Others choose to go onto additional schooling; criminal justice majors are a popular foundation for those who intend to go to law school, for instance. The opportunities are wide-ranging and rewarding. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular and interesting careers available to those with a degree in criminal justice, and what salaries new employees can expect. 

Police Officer

Median salary: $67,290

Police officers are not just the protagonists in shows like Chicago P.D. and Brooklyn Nine Nine, they are also key features of everyday communities small and large. 

And contrary to popular stereotypes, police officers don’t spend their afternoons drinking coffee and eating doughnuts at diners. Rather, they work hard to enforce local, state, and federal laws to protect property and people in the community. In the course of a shift, police officers might patrol a certain area to ensure it is safe and abiding by the law, respond to 911 calls, report incidents that arise, issue traffic and parking violation citations, and when necessary, make arrests. 

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the median salary of a police officer is $67,290, and as of 2020, demand for law enforcement officers was increasing at a rate higher than the national average. In the future, It is likely that degree programs in criminal justice and police department training programs for officers will incorporate more coursework and training around social justice and de-escalation.

Private Investigator

Average salary: $53,320

Private investigators might work in private detective firms, police departments, private companies, or be self-employed. Anyone can hire a private investigator, from an individual citizen, to an attorney, to an entire government agency. 

The bulk of a PI’s job entails fact-finding and gathering information. Sometimes information can be gathered by sleuthing the web, but other times PIs must conduct surveillance, solicit information via interviews, and even go undercover to obtain insights into a case. Importantly, PIs must understand the legal limits as their role, because they are acting as private citizens. Any evidence they collect illegally cannot be used in court.  

PIs conduct background checks, locate and verify information, search for people who have gone missing, investigate potential crimes, look for new evidence or leads in cold cases, and gain access to information that the average person probably could not locate on their own. 

A degree in criminal justice is an excellent foundation for a career as a PI, but equally important is first-hand expertise through apprenticeship. Future/novice PIs typically shadow and learn from a veteran PI. Furthermore, most states require that PIs obtain proper licensing.

Crime Scene Investigator

Average salary: $59,150

Crime Scene Investigators, also called CSIs, forensic science technicians, crime lab analysts, or crime scene specialists, focus on using a variety of specific technologies and techniques to inspect crime scenes. CSIs often collect physical evidence such as hair, fingerprints, footprints, and other tangible traces that might offer clues about the crime.

The average CSI salary is approximately $59,000, but CSIs who work for a government agency can expect to earn much more than that, with top professionals earning close to $100,000 annually. Their qualifications and analyses are well-respected and play a key role in prosecuting the guilty and liberating the wrongly accused.  

Correctional Officer

Average salary: $47,410

Correctional officers work at local, state, and federal jails and prisons, overseeing the day-to-day lives of those who have been arrested, are awaiting trial, or have been sentenced to serve time in prison. 

Working conditions can vary greatly depending on the facility. Newer facilities tend to have high-functioning temperature control, smart design, and adequate space, whereas older facilities are notorious for being cramped, hot, noisy, and sweaty. Facilities also differ according to whether they are owned by the local, state, or federal government, or by a private company. Federal prisons tend to have the best funding. Further, facilities differ based on their level of security; jobs in maximum security prisons tend to involve more conflicts with inmates than do jobs in minimum security prisons. 

Working in a jail or prison is not for the faint of heart, but it can come with some good perks, especially if the correctional officer is a government employee. Professionals in this role who are employed by the government tend to receive excellent healthcare and retirement benefits. 

State Trooper

Average salary: $61,000

State troopers enforce traffic-related safety laws on local and state roads and highways. They patrol roads and highways, issue traffic tickets where appropriate, and arrive at the scene of motor vehicle accidents. In addition, they often complete accident reports and conduct investigations to learn more about the circumstances of an accident, and they may be called upon to testify in court. In some areas, particularly those with a limited police force, state troopers act as back-ups for local law enforcement. 

Different states have different requirements for their troopers, but almost all involve some form of intensive training. State troopers are often the first to arrive on the scene of an accident or other emergency situation, so they need to be skilled at thinking on their toes and remaining calm under pressure. Job prospects are stable, and the career path offers multiple opportunities for promotions and salary increases. In New York State, for instance, the average base salary is about $53,000 during training, $70,000 a year after training, and $85,000 after five years as a state trooper. 

FBI Agent

Average salary: $72,375

A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent’s duty is to guard the United States against wrongdoing. Some FBI agents conduct fieldwork, while others are stationed in offices conducting research. The work FBI agents carry out is high-stakes, secretive, and often requires irregular hours and last-minute travel. 

To conduct investigations, FBI agents do everything from interviewing witnesses to working with local police officers to arrest suspects and collecting evidence to be used in significant cases. Because FBI agents deal with such classified, risk-laden work, any prospective agents must undergo a rigorous screening and training process. Agents are typically on call 24/7 and need to be able to enter a potentially dangerous situation at a moment’s notice. Entry-level FBI agents can expect to make around $52,000 as a base salary, while mid-career to senior-level agents earn around $80,000 as a base salary. 

Parole/Probation Officer

Average salary: $55,690

Probation officers monitor convicted criminals who have received probation sentences rather than prison sentences, while parole officers monitor criminals who have been released from prison. Their roles and duties are similar, but the criminals they work with differ in their sentences. 

Probation officers help to equip law offenders on probation with resources and key social services to aid in their rehabilitation and prevent them from committing additional crimes. Probation officers keep in frequent contact with the people they are supervising and establish strong lines of communication not only with the convicted criminal, but also with members of the offender’s family in order to ensure that they are adhering to the terms of their probation and taking steps to rehabilitate. 

Parole officers work with convicted criminals who are released from prison, and help to prevent these offenders from ending up in prison again. Recidivism is a huge issue; a 2019 report indicates that 83% of state prisons were re-arrested within a nine-year period after being released from their sentence. Thus, the need for effective parole officers is very great, especially as cries for prison reform and a greater focus on rehabilitation grow louder. 

Border Control Agent/Customs Inspector

Average salary: $85,850

Border control agents and customs inspectors, who are employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), work with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that none of the people or property entering the United States is of danger to the country. 

Border control agents and customs inspectors are stationed at the country’s land and water borders, forming a protective net around the United States meant to keep contraband items and people who post a potential threat from entering the country. At the same time, they ensure that the borders remain open to legitimate travelers and goods. 

Entry-level border control agents typically make around $66,700 per year. Agents can regularly receive promotions to higher grade levels, which also come with higher salaries. The top border control agents make upwards of $125,000 or more per year and have great benefits and job stability.  

Crime Prevention Specialist

Average salary: $46,900

Unlike police officers, who enforce the law and arrest criminals, crime prevention specialists aim to stop crime before it starts. They serve a dual role in communities, helping to build crime-prevention programs to share with the public and helping to educate people on self-defense and how to protect themselves in the face of crime. 

In order to carry out these duties, crime prevention specialists first assess the community in question and then devise novel ways of delivering programming and knowledge. They might run initiatives such as youth crime prevention programs, crime prevention marketing that speaks to the community in their language, laying out emergency action plans, and workshops on personal safety and self-defense. Their overall goal is to make communities safer and stronger. 

The scope of a crime prevention specialist’s job differs depending on the location and circumstances, so the salary can vary widely.

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The unifying thread among the diverse roles that social work majors can play in the world is their desire to interact with people and help to improve people’s lives. Social workers often assist the most vulnerable members of society – whether children, the elderly, people in poverty, or veterans – by providing them with knowledge, resources, and support to better their lives. For this reason, a social work degree can prepare students for careers that are both emotionally challenging and incredibly fulfilling; social workers can leave their job at night knowing they have done something to make the world a better place. 

Everyone encounters difficult circumstances at some point in their life. Social workers help people to overcome those difficult circumstances and emerge from challenges such as unemployment, addiction, disability, abuse, mental illness, trauma, and poverty with a sense of hope and a concrete plan for moving forward. 

In this article, we’ll walk through some of the most common and most interesting potential career paths for social work majors, with a focus on what makes the job unique and what salary an entry-level employee can expect. As this list will show, the opportunities for students with a social work degree are nearly limitless, and they continue to grow.  

Before we dive into the list, here’s one caveat: many social work-related jobs require a Master’s degree in Social Work. So, students who are serious about pursuing a career connected to social work may want to think about eventually going to graduate school. Salaries are generally higher for jobs that require a graduate degree in Social Work. 

Child and Family Social Worker

Median salary: $47,390

Child and family social workers offer support, education, and resources to children as well as their parents and guardians. A social worker in this domain may work with families that have experienced trauma, families in serious health issues, and families in which abuse has taken place. Social workers help parents and guardians locate the support and resources needed to keep children living in the home. Sometimes, however, it is in the children’s best interest to be moved to a different home. In such a case, the social worker assists with the placement process. 

Social workers in this field also work closely with children who have experienced personal traumas, loss (such as the loss of a parent or sibling), or abuse by someone outside of their family. Child and Family Social Workers can be based in a variety of settings; some work in schools, others work for government organizations, and still others work for adoption agencies, foster care services, or other social support systems. Their focus is on ensuring children are well cared for and have their basic physical and emotional needs met. 

Substance Abuse & Recovery Treatment Counselor

Median salary: $42,170

Substance abuse & recovery treatment counselors are trained to support, educate, and coach people through the long road to sobriety and addiction recovery. Social workers who specialize in substance abuse and recovery counseling can provide recovering substance abusers with professional tools, support systems, and strategies to overcome addiction. 

Social workers in this field usually work with a team of professionals, including medical doctors and psychologists/psychiatrists, in order to best coordinate the patient’s care. A social worker gets to know a patient through one-on-one conversations about their life and history of substance abuse, and then together the social worker and patient devise a treatment plan suited to the patient’s unique needs. 

Such a plan can include anything from additional counseling to in-patient treatment. Because a patient’s needs can change over time, a social worker usually maintains sustained contact with patients and revises their treatment plans as needed. 

Substance abuse & recovery treatment counselors work in a range of different settings, including hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, community health centers, recovery treatment centers, and mental health clinics.  

Healthcare Social Worker

Average salary: $56,750

Patients battling chronic disease, acute medical crises, and/or terminal illness need more than medication and medical treatment; they also need the support, education, resources, and emotional resilience healthcare social workers can provide. These types of social workers help clients with chronic, acute, and/or terminal diseases access proper treatment, utilize all the healthcare funding options at their disposal, and resolve any serious issues that arise in the course of treatment. Healthcare social workers are advocates for their clients’ well-being, treatment, and physical and emotional needs. 

Healthcare social workers play a key role in supporting patients and families who may be blindsided by a diagnosis and do not know what to do next. In such cases, healthcare social workers can point patients and families in the direction of community health programs as well as social services such as public housing, public legal aid, education, job readiness and opportunities, and financial assistance. 

At times of serious illness or disease, patients and their families are often especially vulnerable. Healthcare social workers provide a reassuring sense of knowledge, calm, support, and consistency, seeing the patient and their family through the full course of treatment. 

Prison Social Worker

Average salary: $59,000

Prison social workers, also called correctional social workers, are rigorously trained mental health professionals who work within the criminal justice system to minimize rates of recidivism. By helping inmates address underlying psycho-social issues, develop coping mechanisms, and access social support systems outside of prison, social workers help inmates reintegrate into society to better themselves and the community.

However, these kinds of social workers do not always work in typical prison or correctional facility environments; they can also branch out into areas such as abuse crisis centers, police departments, juvenile detention centers, local, state, and federal court systems, and other settings that are correctional in nature.  

Prison social workers focus primarily on rehabilitation; their goal is to help people optimize their mental health, work through difficult emotional experiences, teach life skills, and prepare inmates for meaningful lives beyond bars. Coupled with clinical, social worker-to-patient work, prison social workers must also complete extensive administrative records, detailed files, and coordination with other professionals. 

Case Manager, Social Services 

Average salary: $39,790

Case managers in social services are responsible for coordinating clients’ care. They collaborate with multiple agencies and institutions to get all patients the optimal care for them. Whereas a social services social worker typically provides extensive therapy to clients, case managers tend to deal primarily with the coordination of care and act as liaisons between the different professionals and agencies involved in a client’s care. That said, case managers do sometimes provide limited counseling to clients. 

Case managers can find positions in diverse industries such as schools, hospitals, government agencies, NPOs, and more. Like social workers, their skills are key to the successful functioning of many different domains. 

Patient Care Coordinator 

Average salary: $39,690

A patient care coordinator, also called a care coordinator, is a health professional who facilitates a patient’s care in need of extra support, such as an elderly or disabled patient. A patient care coordinator’s duties include overseeing and coordinating patient treatment plans, helping patients understand their condition, setting patients up with different health care providers as needed, and monitoring patients’ progress through treatment.

In a typical day, a patient care coordinator might meet with patients and their family members to review the patient’s health status and treatment, spend time sharing information with patients about their condition and medicine guidelines, document patients’ progress, and collaborate with patients’ other health care providers. 

Additionally, they may help patients make appointments with specialist medical professionals, assist patients’ care teams in determining the efficacy of treatment interventions, assist as needed with garnering funds for medical treatments, and complete regular training to ensure they stay at the cutting edge of the field. 

Medical care for a patient in need of extra support can be complicated and time-consuming, so patient care coordinators play a vital role in educating, advocating for, supporting, and monitoring the health care plan for patients and on behalf of their families and loved ones. With America’s aging population, and given the prominence of chronic disease among the population, patient care coordinator jobs are likely to be in high demand now and into the future. 

School Social Worker

Median salary: $47,390

School social workers specialize in assisting with concerns about mental health, behavior, academic performance, classroom management, and community-level issues in school settings. As trained mental health professionals, school social workers provide support, resources, and interventions for students in consultation with teachers, parents and guardians, and school administrators. The purpose of a school social worker is to ensure that the school is a safe, positive environment where children can learn and grow. School social workers play an especially important role in coordinating the collaboration between a student’s home, school, and wider community. 

When working at a school, a social worker might be involved in anything from participating in educational planning meetings for individual students, writing a developmental history on a child with a disability, providing group, individual, and/or family counseling, intervening in a crisis involving a student, and assisting with a student’s ability to navigate emotions like anger. 

Many school districts have social workers that rotate to different schools in the district rather than being based exclusively at one school. This can be an exciting opportunity for social workers to encounter an especially diverse range of students, families, teachers, and administrators. 

School Guidance and Career Counselors

Median salary: $42,350

Closely related to school social workers are school guidance and career counselors, who also work directly with students to ensure every child’s optimal growth and development. Whereas school social workers tend to work primarily with at-risk students, such as those who have experienced trauma, have disabilities, live in poverty, or have tumultuous home environments, guidance and career counselors work with all students in the school. 

School guidance and career counselors are responsible for developing counseling programs accessible to all students in individual and group settings. Sometimes these counselors help students build resilience or create a study plan for a challenging course. Other times, these counselors help students think through the different options for their future, college, military, career, and so on. 

While school social workers spend a lot of time assessing students in need and creating customized support plans for students, such as IEPs (Individualized Education Plan), school guidance and career counselors spend their time conferencing with students, coaching them through the college admissions process, and helping them to identify and work with their strengths and areas in need of growth. School guidance and career counselors collaborate as necessary with other school personnel, including school social workers. 

Human Resources Coordinator

Median salary: $58,560

Although a career as a human resources coordinator is not typically the first job that comes to mind for a student with a degree in Social Work, many of the skills and concepts students hone while studying Social Work transfer easily to HR. 

As the name suggests, a human resources coordinator coordinates all central HR duties and programs, including concerns or issues employees raise related to the company, work environment, or general employment, as well as policies around salary and benefits, union and other labor negotiations, and employee relations. 

HR coordinators work in close contact with other HR personnel, such as the HR director, hiring managers, and third-party recruiters. Although companies are not legally required to have an HR department, most medium and large companies do, so this is a field that tends to have solid employment prospects across a full range of industries. 

HR personnel ensure that the work environment runs smoothly and that employees feel safe, supported, and confident in their work.  

Public Policy Analyst

Median salary: $58,560

Some graduates with a degree in social work elect to pursue a role that is less about day-to-day interactions with people in need and more focused on evaluating and improving macro-level social services and strategies. For students interested in enacting change on a broader social scale, a career as a policy analyst could be a good fit and a meaningful vocation. 

Non-profit organizations and government agencies hire public policy analysts/social workers to help bring about macro-level social change. Public policy analysts take stock of existing social systems, evaluate their efficacy, and, where appropriate, suggest ways to improve upon or overhaul those systems to make them function more smoothly and create a greater positive impact. 

Public policy analysts might, for instance, work with a local government planning board to develop new public housing units or zoning laws to support economically disenfranchised city residents. They might also initiate and oversee large-scale public works projects that benefit both people in need and the community as a whole. 

In some cases, public policy analysts may also play a hand in formulating new legislation designed to serve the public good, especially the needs of marginalized or at-risk groups. Finally, public policy analysts might conduct training programs for places like local community centers or conduct educational outreach efforts to communities in need. 

The post What Can You Do With a Social Work Degree? 10 Careers & Salaries Revealed appeared first on collegegazette.com.

People also find themselves in life circumstances, such as being diagnosed with a food allergy or chronic inflammatory disease, that requires them to change the way they are used to eating drastically. These are just some of the many reasons people look to professionals with a nutrition degree to help them optimize their food, health, and life. 

Nutrition is a complex science, and studying nutrition in college entails extensive coursework in chemistry, biology, physiology, human metabolic processes, and so on. Nutrition professionals do much more than tell clients to eat more fruits and vegetables; they assess each individual’s unique needs and view nutrition as one component of the holistic picture that is human health. 

We live in an era of great interest in and knowledge of health, wellness, nutrition, exercise, non-toxic lifestyles, and the interconnection between what we put into our bodies and how we feel. However, we are also bombarded with more food choices – some healthy, some junk, others somewhere in between – than ever before in human history. Therefore, this is a prime time to pursue a degree in nutrition, which opens doors to a remarkably diverse array of potential career paths. 

In this article, we will explore some of the most common, as well as some of the most unique, career options for graduates with a degree in nutrition. 

Nutritionist

Average salary: $63,900 

The most straightforward and customizable career path for those with a degree in nutrition is to become a nutritionist. Broadly speaking, nutritionists are health professionals who specialize in using food and nutrition to help people optimize their health and prevent or minimize the impacts of disease. 

Nutritionists offer their patients guidance, sometimes in the form of detailed meal plans, about what foods to eat in what quantities and what foods to avoid. Using evidence-based research, nutritionists counsel their patients on selecting, preparing, and learning to love healthy, nutrient-dense foods.

Nutritionists work in a wide range of settings: schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and private practice, to name a few. They can often choose to specialize in a particular area of nutrition, for instance, sports nutrition, eating disorder nutrition, pediatric nutrition, and public health/community nutrition, among others. 

Some nutritionists work with a large team of professionals in public settings such as schools and hospitals, while others work independently in solo practice. The career lends itself to many different settings and work arrangements, and can really be customized to suit the strengths and interests of the nutritionist and the patients’ needs. 

Registered Dietician (RD)

Average salary: $53,495

A Registered Dietician (RD) is in many ways similar to a nutritionist, except that an RD must undergo a certification process, whereas anyone can use the “nutritionist” label. Specifically, in order to obtain RD certification and the legal right to call oneself an RD, a person must hold a bachelor’s degree with a set of courses that have been approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, complete at least 1,200 hours of supervised apprenticeship at an accredited facility, and pass a national Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. 

Once a person has completed all the necessary steps to become an RD, they, like nutritionists, can work in a wide range of domains, including but not limited to schools, businesses, healthcare facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes, and the food and beverage industry. The exact job description of an RD will differ depending on where they work, but in general, RDs counsel patients on food and nutrition. That might mean creating meal plans, disseminating knowledge, getting to the root cause of health issues, performing community outreach, and/or conducting research to build new knowledge and understandings. 

Food Safety Auditor

Average salary: $69,370

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, food safety auditors are a subcategory of the Occupational Health and Safety Specialists group. Food safety auditors tend to be well paid, especially those with years of experience under their belt; ZipRecruiter notes that the highest-paid food safety auditors earn upwards of $140,500 per year. Many food safety auditors spend much of the year traveling for work, so a great deal of their living expenses are paid for by the company.

Thanks to the 2016 Food Safety Modernization Act, food safety auditors will likely continue to be in high demand. In the wake of this Act, many more facilities were required to carry out food safety audits than had previously been the case, and demand for this specialized work continues to this day. 

The goal of food safety auditing is to confirm that facilities comply with the most current guidelines set by the FDA for that particular industry. Food safety auditors might audit manufacturing plants, farms, restaurants, food packaging plants, and any other environment in which food is prepared for public consumption. After completing an audit, food safety auditors must fill out extensive documentation on their findings, demanding meticulous attention to detail. However, while food safety auditors often visit sites in person, much of their work also involves auditing daily reports from facilities. 

Health Coach

Average salary: $45,538

Health coaches tend to take a broad, holistic view of health; they counsel clients not only on diet and nutrition, but also on lifestyle, exercise, mental health, relationships, and other domains that impact a person’s overall well-being. It is important to note that anyone can call themselves a health coach, because there is no national accreditation service for this profession. Thus, a degree in nutrition is not a prerequisite to becoming a health coach, but it nonetheless provides a strong foundation in food and nutrition science. A degree can enhance the credibility of a health coach. 

Like sports coaches, health coaches seek to challenge and motivate their clients, track progress, celebrate successes, and hold clients accountable to their goals. Whereas a nutritionist or registered dietician tends to be more analogous to a clinician who sees patients once every week or two for a set appointment, health coaches typically play a more active role in clients’ lives, communicating regularly via text, email, or phone. Clients seeking specific guidance on how to eat for a specific medical condition or how to lose a set amount of weight might seek the help of a registered dietician, whereas people who want to look and feel better in all dimensions of their lives might be drawn to working with a health coach. 

Nutrition Educator

Average salary: $46,080

Nutrition educators are responsible for designing and delivering courses, seminars, presentations, and interactive events to disseminate knowledge about nutrition and healthy eating. Occasionally, if a nutrition educator is also a registered dietician, they might also counsel clients and perform diet- and nutrition-related assessments. 

A large part of a nutrition educator’s job involves researching current trends and best practices in nutrition and dietetics, and then coming up with straightforward, approachable, engaging ways to convey that information and insights to different audiences. Nutrition educators are in essence teachers who specialize in nutrition. Thus, people considering this career should be comfortable leading workshops, seminars, courses, and one-on-one meetings online and in person.

For people who are skilled at research, garnering input from industry professionals such as doctors and nutritionists, and packaging that information into actionable insights for specific audiences, a career as a nutrition educator might be a good fit and a meaningful way to share potentially life-changing information with others.

Blogger/Content Creator

Average salary: $32,000+

The internet and social media have given birth to (and continue to give rise to) unique careers that could not exist without modern technology tools and platforms. Blogging is one such internet-based career. Health and wellness are among the most popular and potentially lucrative blogging niches, but the space is crowded and the competition is fierce. 

To stand out, a blogger (or a “micro-blogger” on Instagram, or a video content creator on a platform like TikTok) should choose a relatively narrow target audience, rather than trying to appeal to everyone. For instance, a recent nutrition graduate might create nutrition content for undergraduate men on a college meal plan. Another nutrition graduate might focus on creating nutrition content for teenage and young adult women who are preparing for long-distance running competitions. Being specific is an asset as a health food blogger.

Content creators tend to have flexible, self-directed work schedules and the ability to work remotely from anywhere with an internet connection. However, the trade-off to this freedom and flexibility is that it can take time to build a following, and income is not guaranteed. It can take years before a blog or Instagram account begins making money. For this reason, it is probably best to initially treat blogging or content-creating as a side-hustle rather than the primary source of income. 

Food Scientist

Average salary: $66,400

Food scientists study the microbiology and chemistry of foods to understand how they deteriorate in different environmental conditions (for instance, in the refrigerator vs. in a paper bag on the counter) and how they are processed. They also analyze the nutritional content of food to accurately determine its nutrient levels and supply the information needed for food nutrition labels. 

Additionally, food scientists explore the natural world in search of new food sources and help to devise ways to ensure that processed foods have great flavor, nutritional profiles, are free of toxins, and are health-supporting rather than health-diminishing. They also find ways to enhance the production of processed foods. 

Most food scientists work for the federal government, universities/research centers, or privately-owned companies. They wear multiple hats in the course of their work lives, remaining abreast of current regulations and ensuring food is safe, tasty, and nutritious. They might also work to improve the flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and/or chemical composition of food. Nutrition degree graduates who are thinking of a career in food science should keep in mind that the working conditions often involve unconventional environments, such as very cold temperatures (for storing and preserving food) and proximity to animal products. 

New Food Product Developer

Average salary: $62,000

New product food developers combine a range of different skills, from the science background of a nutrition major to the “finger on the pulse” ethos of a trend-spotter and trend-setter. 

In order to develop a successful new food product, a developer needs to understand not only the chemistry and nutrition of food, but also the realities of the consumer market. Ideally, a new food product developer wants to be at the forefront of what will become a major food trend. Some examples of successful new food products developed over the past decade are iced coffee, Icelandic skyr yogurt, “superfoods” like chia seeds and acai, and coconut water. 

Successful food developers know how to combine the science of food with the instincts of an entrepreneur on the lookout for market vacancies and unfulfilled consumer needs. New food product developers frequently test new products and document the results of product trials. They may also play a role in the marketing and branding of a product. 

Corporate Wellness Consultant

Average salary: $72,900

Nowadays, many corporations offer wellness programs and health initiatives to employees; if employees are healthy and at peace, their productivity and quality of work increase, which is ultimately good for the company. Thus, corporate wellness initiatives serve the interests of both the employees and the employer. As part of their wellness programs, corporations often employ a corporate wellness consultant/corporate wellness coordinator to oversee the implementation of the initiative and to augment and improve it over time. 

Corporate wellness programs often struggle to get employees to participate, so a designated wellness consultant can boost engagement and tailor the program to employees’ needs and interests. Corporate wellness consultants are also instrumental in evaluating the efficacy of existing programs and helping companies devise strategies to minimize employee healthcare expenditures, which are on the rise due to the number of Americans with chronic health conditions. 

Careers in corporate wellness are likely to become even more in-demand in the coming years, especially since interest in health and wellness among the general population continues to increase and companies continue to recognize the value of investing in programs that keep employees healthy. 

Public Health Nutritionist

Average salary: $53,000

Unlike clinical nutritionists, who work one-on-one with clients, public health nutritionists aim to improve health and nutritional habits at the community level. Public health nutritionists are typically registered dieticians who choose to focus their attention on implementing practices to enhance the health and nutritional status of a population. 

In order to do so, public health nutritionists must be skilled at identifying gaps and problem areas in a community’s nutrition level and coming up with unique and practical strategies to address those issues and ultimately improve nutrition. Because public health nutritionists work at the community/population level, they may be called upon to offer educational resources to the community and develop programs to share with the public in hopes of improving the population’s nutritional status. 

When devising a plan of action, public health nutritionists need to consider the resources, culture, and receptivity of a population to shifts in nutrition practices. These professionals may need to develop innovative ways of reaching people that would greatly benefit from improved nutrition practices but are hesitant to give them a try. 

Public health nutritionists can find work in a variety of domains; they might work for a government program such as WIC/food stamps, or in schools or nursing homes to ensure that children and the elderly receive meals suited to their nutritional needs. They take the best knowledge and practices of nutrition and apply them not just to individual patients, but to entire communities.

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