Get Out of the City: Top 20 Rural Colleges and Universities

Attending college in a rural setting, where all activities seem to revolve around the school and its students, can give students a true college experience. Rural college campuses may also offer access to outdoor recreational activities while being located within easy driving distance of a larger metropolitan area for the occasional excursion.
Whether you're tired of big-city life or just love the country, earning a bachelor's degree or starting graduate school at one of these rural colleges promises to be unforgettable. Check out the top 20 rural schools in the U.S., and start researching your degree program.

Top 20 Colleges and Universities Out in the Sticks

1. Washington and Lee University: Washington and Lee University is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. This area boasts many hiking and biking trails, and it's within driving distance of Washington, DC and Richmond.
2. Slippery Rock University: Slippery Rock University is situated in picturesque Butler County, PA, and is within driving distance of Pittsburgh. This Pennsylvania campus, which was founded in 1889, is located in a gorgeous, historic rural setting.
3. Colby College: Colby College is located in the small town of Waterville, Maine. Students have access to some of the nicest ski slopes in the Northeast, and some of the larger cultural centers of New England are within driving distance.
4. Appalachian State University: Appalachian State University is situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Located in Boone, it is within easy driving distance of Charlotte and Raleigh, and the beaches of North Carolina are only a little further away.
5. Middlebury College: Located in Vermont, Middlebury College is in the middle of beautiful, rural New England, but within driving distance of cultural centers such as Manchester and Boston.
6. Plymouth State University: Plymouth State University is located near Lake Winnipesaukee, in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Skiing and water sports are popular at this small school in the middle of New England, and students can take a drive to Manchester or Boston for their cultural activities.
7. University of Montana Western: Montana is Big Sky Country, and the University of Montana Western is in the middle of it. Situated in the small town of Dillon, Montana, University of Montana Western is close to national parks and recreation activities, yet within driving distance to the cities of Butte and Missoula.
8. University of Idaho: The University of Idaho is a larger school, but is located in the rural area of Moscow, Idaho. Excellent ski slopes are nearby, as are hiking and biking trails, and world class fishing.
9. Southwestern University: Southwestern University is in rural Texas near horse trails, lakes for fishing and boating, and plenty of history to explore. Yet it is close to the culture and nightlife of Dallas and San Antonio.
10. Southwest Minnesota State University: Southwest Minnesota State is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Located in rural Marshall, yet near Minneapolis, the school is close to lakes, and winter sports are very popular.
11. University of Wisconsin Stout: University of Wisconsin Stout is a part of the University of Wisconsin system, but is located in rural Menomonie, Wisconsin. Students have a large number of recreational options, with Lake Menomin nearby and Minneapolis just down the road.
12. Indiana University of Pennsylvania: Located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers the best of both worlds. Students enjoy a small-town atmosphere, and when the mood strikes, they can head for Pittsburgh's cultural centers, or Lake Erie's recreational opportunities.
13. Longwood University: Longwood University is situated in the small town of Farmville, Virginia. Students enjoy the college town vibe. This school is within driving distance of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Richmond, and Virginia Beach.
14. Emory and Henry College: Emory and Henry College is very small, with about 1,000 students. Located in the mountain foothills of Southwestern Virginia, the school is near Roanoke.
15. Western New Mexico University: Founded in 1893, Western New Mexico University is located in Silver City, New Mexico, where students can enjoy the old west while earning their degrees.
16. University of Mississippi: The University of Mississippi, "Ole Miss," offers tradition and history. Founded in 1848, the school is located in the small college town of Oxford. Oxford has been recognized as one of the best college towns in the country.
17. Shepherd University: Shepherd University calls Shepherdstown, West Virginia home. This rural college town of less than 5,000 has a thriving artist community and many small shops and restaurants. White water rafting and kayaking in the nearby rivers is popular.
18. Frostburg State University: Frostburg State University is located in the rural mountains of Western Maryland, not far from West Virginia University. Hiking, fishing, and boating are popular, and so are day trips to Pittsburgh.
19. Washington College: Washington College is one of the oldest colleges in the country--George Washington gave permission for his name to be used for the school. The school is located in rural Maryland, close to Maryland's beaches, and Washington, DC.
20. University of Virginia's College at Wise: The University of Virginia's College at Wise is located in the far southwest corner of Virginia. Mountain food, mountain sports, and mountain music are plentiful in the small town of Wise.

Attending college at a rural school offers the best of all worlds--tons of outdoor activities, a small-town atmosphere, and a short drive to a big city.

15 High-Demand College Degrees for the New Economy

The economy is poised for a rebound, with job growth in health care, science R&D, and information technology leading the way. With the right career training, you can tap into some of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. These fifteen associate, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees set you up for opportunity in the decade ahead.

15 College Degrees Most Likely to Succeed

The U.S. Department of Labor has named the occupations most likely to flourish in the decade from 2008 to 2018. The top careers on this list will see booming double-digit growth, from 53 percent for network systems administrators (#1) to 27 percent for physician assistants (#30). Other occupations will drive job growth through sheer volume. The health care sector, for example, could add as many as 587,000 nursing jobs through 2018.

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA). The MBA is the gold standard for business administration and management education. Advance into a leadership role with this master's degree, which covers accounting, finance, management, marketing, and other business fundamentals.
   
2. Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering. Environmental engineering ingenuity holds promise for solving the pressing environmental problems of the 21st century. Use your bachelor's degree to reverse the effects of global warming and pollution, or develop alternative energy sources.
   
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An aging population and new medical treatments are driving demand for nurses. Help patients on the frontlines of medical care with a bachelor's degree in nursing.
   
4. Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS). Information technology systems are the backbone of our economy. Businesses, public agencies, and other organizations rely on trained MIS graduates to maintain a secure and reliable information network.
   
5. Associate's Degree in Medical Assisting. Medical assistants are among the fastest-growing occupational group, with 35 percent job growth predicted through 2018. A two-year associate's degree prepares you to keep a doctor's office or medical clinic running smoothly.
   
6. Bachelor of Science in Accounting. The 2008 financial crisis is sowing new career opportunity for forensic accountants and other financial professionals charged with enforcing federal regulations and reporting requirements. Tap into this career trend with a BS in accounting.
   
7. Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine. Veterinarians rank among the top ten fastest growing occupations, and veterinary technicians come in at number five, with 35 and 41 percent job growth, respectively. Start with an associate's degree for the technician job, and work toward the MS in veterinary medicine to boost your earning power.
8. Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. Software engineers are leading innovation in both computer applications and systems software development. Job growth ranges from 28 to 45 percent, depending on your chosen career path.
   
9. Associate's Degree in Dental Hygiene. A two-year associate's degree in dental hygiene leads to a career with generous benefits, a flexible schedule, and now, a robust economic outlook as well. The BLS expects dental hygienist employment to grow 36 percent in the coming decade.
   
10. Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. A BS in computer science provides a versatile degree for a variety of high-growth careers. Computer systems analysts, database administrators, network analysts, and software engineers are among the top-performing career paths open to computer science graduates.
    
11. Master of Public Administration (MPA). Government agencies will continue to add trained program directors and administrators, as stimulus spending and a new administration boost investment in public services. The graduate MPA features training in policy and public management.
    
12. Bachelor of Science in Information Assurance. Information has never flowed more freely, nor been so valuable to businesses and individuals. Information assurance bachelor's degrees train IT professionals to secure data and networks, in an effort to keep confidential information private yet accessible.
13. Associate's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. Training in lab science puts you in line for several of the BLS' fastest-growing careers and industries. Forensic science technicians and environmental science technicians are both on track for 30 percent job growth. The medical diagnostic testing and biomedical research sectors are also fueling demand for lab scientists.
    
14. Associate's Degree in Visual Communications. This versatile applied arts degree focuses on the technical skills and principles of communicating with images. A visual communications degree leads to high-demand jobs in Web development, Internet advertising, entertainment, and online media journalism.
    
15. Associate's or Master's Degree in Physical Therapy. With more and more older adults in need of adaptive and therapeutic physical training, physical therapists are experiencing rising demand. Therapists and their assistants can expect job growth of around 30 percent. The associate's degree gets you started as an assistant, and the master's degree qualifies you for certification as a therapist.

Choose the right degree to tap into tomorrow's brightest opportunities. Whether you choose a technical associate's degree or a health care master's program, you'll find a market for your skills in the new economy.

5 Geektastic Careers for Math Majors

Even if you've never formally labeled yourself a mathlete, the fact that you've chuckled at "don't drink and derive" makes you a math geek. You might get ribbed for being a squint, but you have some stellar options when it comes to your future career.
The five careers for math majors listed below require at least a bachelor's degree, though some might require you to take one for the mathletic team and suffer through more of what you love with like-minded math geeks in a graduate degree program. If you've got non-numerical roots such as employment or geography keeping you from campus, computer geeks have exponentially increased your math degree program options through online education. Though not infinite, the number of online degree programs available are quite real and multiplying at a rate that is begging you to calculate it.

1. Statistician

As a statistician you not only get to apply your beloved mathematical principles to data, you could specialize and get a geek-supreme job title like econometrician (statisticians who analyze economic data) or biostatistician (the statisticians of the health industry). Statistics show up in just about every industry and almost all government agencies employ math whizzes with a knack for collecting, analyzing, and making conclusions about data such as opinion polls, company earnings, or the latest flu virus.

Most statistician jobs require a master's degree in mathematics or statistics. When you're making an average annual salary of around $75,000 as a statistician, you'll be able to calculate the probability of accelerated loan repayment.

Math geek and real life statistician: Jerry Highfill

2. Actuary

If the Magic 8-ball never held your interest because you knew about probability theory at the age of 9, a career as an actuary may be a decent prediction for your future. Actuaries use math to assess risk and predict the probability of future events such as accidents and death.

You'll need to have a bachelor's degree in math and be able to pass an actuarial exam before you start making predictions, a job that will earn you almost $96,000 a year.

With actuarial jobs growing much faster than average through 2018, you may never have to "ASK AGAIN LATER" when it comes to job searching.

Math geek and real life actuary: Joan Peters Ogden

3. Mathematician

Not all mathematicians sit in a room with a whiteboard trying to figure out math problems that have never been solved--that's just some of them, the theoretical type. The other variety, applied mathematicians, use their math super powers to solve practical problems in a variety of industries. Just how much like a superhero can a mathematician be? Some mathematicians called cryptanalysts are code breakers--they analyze and decipher encryption systems and codes. That's pretty close. For math.

To be a mathematician and earn an average of $107,051 a year, you'll need a master's or doctorate degree in mathematics. Through 2018, jobs for mathematicians will increase by 22 percent!

Math geek and real life environmental mathematician: Kay Strain King

4. Operations Research Analyst

In lieu of flipping a coin, tech-savvy math geeks can choose to be operations research analysts, professionals who use math and technology to help others make better decisions. A simple question like, "Should I major in math?" might be solved using a mathematical equation, but more complex problems oftentimes require sophisticate computer programs. Make sure that average annual earnings of around $75,000 are part of your formula.

A bachelor's degree in math may snag you an entry-level position, but a master's degree and coursework in management and/or computer science can boost your employability. Jobs for operations research analysts will increase at a much faster than average rate through 2018.

Math geek and real life analyst: Amanda Peterson

5. Math Professor

Professors are math gods. They are able to inspire math geeks with mathematical theory and application, cultivating a love for one of the oldest sciences known to man--and that's something that is very hard to quantify. But not all math professors teach all the time; they also conduct research.

If academe and university life seems as prime as 7919, you'll need at least a master's degree in math, and most likely a doctorate if you're aiming for a tenure-track position. These types of professorships generally pay an average of $108,000 a year.

Math geek and real life professor: Richard Jarvinen

In this equation, math major, you are the independent variable and a degree program is a given and online education is an ideal substitution for a campus program. Any one of these promising careers for math majors is just a matter of function.

Learning Is a Work of Art: Top 25 Schools for Art Lovers

Whether you're an aspiring artist or an art lover just about to start your bachelor's degree program, you can cultivate a creative sensibility at these 25 colleges. Features include a strong arts education set amid a vibrant cultural scene of museums, galleries, and artistic communities.
As you peruse these top schools, remember not to paint yourself into a corner. An bachelor's degree in art on its own might not be the best base on which to build a career. Consider taking a few business courses, leaning towards teaching in your program, or even learning a second language. A little forethought can help you pay the bills while you create your masterpiece.

Top 25 Art Schools for the Aesthete in You

Paint the town red at one of these top art schools...

1. Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, RI) This premier school is a haven for art lovers in part because of the vast art collection on campus at the RISD Museum.
2. University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) The most literate city in the U.S. is also a visual arts mecca. In addition to Open Book, the largest book arts center, Minneapolis boasts influential art museums such as the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, and the university's Frank Gehry-designed Weisman Art Museum.
3. Cranbrook Academy of Art (Bloomfield, MI) An epicenter of the Arts and Crafts Movement, the grounds and architecture of this school will inspire you.
4. California College of the Arts (San Francisco and Oakland, CA) This university has roots in ceramics arts and the Figurative Movement. Two Bay Area campuses lend a rich, culturally diverse context for your art education.
5. Parsons The New School for Design (New York, NY) Set in the creative hotbed of Greenwich Village, this school was founded in 1896.
6. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL) This Chicago institution is an art lovers' dream: an art school within an art museum in one of the nation's most cultured cities.
7. Institute of American Indian Arts (Santa Fe, NM) Santa Fe is not only a major art market, but also site of a unique art school focusing on traditional Native American arts.
8. Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) Various art disciplines win acclaim at this public university, including glass, ceramics, and industrial design.
9. California Institute of the Arts (Valencia, CA) This Southern California institution is situated in Santa Clarita, California, listed by Money magazine as one of the top 100 places to live in the U.S.
10. Miami International University of Art & Design (Miami, FL) Art museums and a thriving fashion scene have earned Miami distinction as a leading arts center in the Southern U.S.
11. School of Visual Arts (New York, NY) This school is smack dab in the middle of Manhattan's vibrant art scene.
12. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) Who knows what present or future cinematic geniuses you might run into at this school?
13. Temple University (Elkin Park, PA) This university enjoys access to neighboring Philadelphia's up-and-coming arts scene.
14. University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) Albuquerque is one of several affordable Southwest havens for artists. The colorful art scene complements the university's art curriculum.
15. Brooks Institute (Santa Barbara, CA) An oceanfront setting offers plenty of inspiration for students honing their artistic vision.
16. The Illinois Institute of Art (Chicago, IL) This school is set in the vibrant arts city of Chicago.
17. Alfred University--New York State College of Ceramics (Alfred, NY) The historic village of Alfred, located in rural New York, offers a peaceful setting for the school's renowned ceramics and glass art programs.
18. University of Washington (Seattle, WA) Seattle's arts scene brings together the diverse influences of artisan crafts, Native American art, and technology. Glass artist David Chihuly and local fiber artists enrich local art education.
19. Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA) This university not only boasts on-campus art galleries, but there's a thriving art community as well.
20. Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY) Pratt boasts a convenient location in New York's artsy Brooklyn borough.
21. Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) Befitting its reputation as a high-tech leader, this university features top programs in interaction design and other digital media specialties.
22. Naropa University (Boulder, CO) If Boulder's offbeat art scene and mountain vistas aren't enough to draw you, this unique Buddhist university's art programs might.
23. Reed College (Portland, OR) Portland's creative free spirit finds academic expression in this university, which emphasizes independent study.
24. Corcoran College of Art and Design (Washington, D.C.) The nation's capital offers unparalleled access to American art collections, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
25. Massachusetts College of Art (Boston, MA) Home to more than 100 higher education institutions, Boston offers a rich cultural and intellectual backdrop to your art education.

Whether your interests lie in creative expression or cultural appreciation, these institutions expose you to the nation's most inspiring and vibrant artistic environments. Nothing eases the tension of finals better than a trip to the local art museum. Make your bachelor's degree or graduate education all that much more memorable at one of these great schools.

Analyze These: The Top 5 Careers for Psychology Majors

Psychology may seem entirely cerebral--after all, it's the science of mental processes and behavior--but a psychology degree has real world applications valued by many of today's most interesting, in-demand jobs.
The following five careers for psychology majors pay well, are expected to grow from 2008 to 2018, and offer rewarding work helping others.

The Top Careers in Psychology

1. School Counselor

School counselors work with students at all levels of education to help them thrive in an academic environment. These counselors often work closely with students with academic or behavioral problems, and they help all students define their academic strengths and weaknesses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), educational, vocational, and school counselors earned an average of $55,030 in 2009, and their employment is expected to grow 14 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the national average.

In most states, counselors must earn a master's degree in psychology, school counseling, or a related field to become licensed. A bachelor's degree in psychology lays the groundwork for a master's degree in counseling, and some employers help with tuition costs while you complete a master's degree program. If you work full time and want to continue your psychology training, consider flexible, online education options.

2. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists help rehabilitate people who have been convicted of crimes. Probation officers monitor those on probation to help them to find jobs and stay on track, while correctional treatment specialists educate, rehabilitate, and evaluate criminals in jail or prison. The BLS reports that probation officers and correctional treatment specialists earned an average of $50,500 in 2009, and their employment is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018.

A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, or social work is often required to begin work as a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist. Exact requirements vary by employer, but often candidates are required to pass oral, written, and psychological tests.

3. Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists foster communication and understanding among family members, and they work with families to change perceptions and destructive behavior. According to the BLS, marriage and family therapists earned an average salary of $49,020 in 2009, and their employment is expected to increase by 14 percent from 2008 to 2018.

As with other counselors, marriage and family therapists must earn a master's degree to become licensed in most states. Master's degree programs in marriage and family therapy train students to work effectively with families, and some degree programs are available through online education.

4. Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors treat patients suffering from mental and emotional disorders, including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, and grief. They practice a wide range of therapeutic techniques to improve the mental health of their patients. According to the BLS, mental health counselors earned an average salary of $41,710 in 2009, and their employment is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than any other counseling profession.

Most mental health counselors hold a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling or a related field. In order to become licensed, most States require counselors to graduate from an accredited master's degree program and pass a licensing exam.

5. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Therapist

Patients struggling with substance abuse or behavioral disorders (such as compulsive gambling and eating disorders) often turn to substance abuse and behavioral disorder therapists for help. These therapists work with patients in individual or group settings to help them address their destructive behavior and find ways to recover. In 2009, substance abuse and behavioral disorder therapists earned an average of $40,420, and the BLS expects their employment to grow by 21 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Therapists specializing in substance abuse and behavioral disorders generally need a master's degree to become licensed. In addition to a desire to help others, these therapists must be able to deal with the daily stress of working with people struggling with addiction and destructive behavior.

Get Psyched!

As you can see, the current economy supports many promising careers for psychology majors, especially those that go on to earn a master's degree. Whether you want to rehabilitate criminals or counsel children in schools, a psychology degree can get you started.

Big Major on Campus: Get Rich with the 10 Most Popular College Degrees

There are times in life when it pays to be popular, like when the receptionist can get you in to see the dentist next week instead of next year. So what if your reputation has never garnered you any favors? Well, even if you're not popular, your bachelor's degree can be. And that can pay off in a tangible way that's worth more than fast-tracked root canal.

The Top 10 Bachelor's Degrees

Check out the ten most popular majors, as reported by the national Center for Education Statistics. Learn about the top careers that go along with a given degree, too, with salaries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

10. Accounting

A bachelor's degree in accounting allows you to analyze, interpret, and manage financial information and documents that keep an organization's operations fiscally honest.

Choice career: Accountant

Average salary: $67,430

Get rich: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have the best opportunities, so consider certification. The top 10 percent of accountants make more than $102,380.

9. Chemistry

In a chemistry bachelor's degree program, you learn about the elements that compose all physical matter in the world and the scientific laws that govern them.

Choice career: Chemist

Average salary: $72,740

Get rich: Aim for a job as a chemist with the feds, who pay an average of $101,687.

8. Sociology

Sociology is the study of people's behavior as they interact and form groups--such as communities, cultures, and governments--and the impact that events, such as crime, have upon those groups.

Choice career: Sociologist

Average salary: $76,190

Get rich: Try to work for Uncle Sam. Sociologists working for the federal government make $101,320 on average.

7. Political Science and Government

In a political science degree program, you learn about the origins and development of political systems. Political scientists typically conduct research, identify political problems, and make recommendations.

Choice careers: Political scientist

Average salary: $101,050

Get rich: Pack up and head to Virginia, where political scientists are bringing in an average of $130,850.

6. Mathematics

A bachelor's degree in math can qualify you to crunch numbers for a number of occupations that require theoretical and/or practical use of mathematics.

Choice career: Actuary, a mathematician who calculates risk

Average salary: $97,450

Get rich: Pennsylvania--particularly the Philadelphia area--employs a fair share of actuaries who make an average of $120,230.

5. Biology/Biological Sciences

While in a biology degree program, you learn about living organisms and their environments as you prepare for a career in applied science or research.

Choice career: Zoologist, a scientist who studies animals

Average salary: $60,670

Get rich: Federal government agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management employ zoologists, who make an average of $116,908.

4. History

When you major in history, you learn to research a variety of recorded information and analyze facts and timelines of the past.

Choice career: Archivist, gatekeeper of historically valuable documents

Average salary: $49,670

Get rich: Being tech-savvy with databases is a plus, as is voluntary certification (which typically requires a master's degree). The top 10 percent of archivists must put their historical knowledge to use and wisely invest an annual salary of $78,680.

3. English Language and Literature

A bachelor's degree in English can teach you to communicate clearly and effectively and to analyze the power of the written word.

Choice career: Writer

Average salary: $53,070

Get rich: Independent writers bring in an average of $93,420 with the top 10 percent making an average of $105,710.

2. Business Administration and Management

As a business administration major, you should learn how to make smart financial and operational decisions that keep a business profitable, as well as gain specialized knowledge in at least one area of business, such as marketing or sales.

Choice career: Marketing manager

Average salary: $120,070

Get rich: Get career training and experience in computers and technology. Marketing managers employed in the computer industry make an average of $137,040 a year.

1. Psychology

A psychology bachelor's degree program typically includes instruction on how to observe humans' mental processes through their behaviors and interactions and how to analyze those observations, which proves useful in a variety of careers.

Choice career: Human resource training and development specialist

Average salary: $55,310

Get rich: Aim for a training and development management position so that you can plan and coordinate training activities and earn an average of $94,360. Stretch goal? Be in the top 10 percent and bring in an average annual paycheck of $146,820.

Popularity Pays

Is popularity overrated? Maybe when it comes to the dentist. But popularity pays, particularly when a top 10 bachelor's degree program can set you up on a potentially lucrative career path.

The write stuff: Top 5 careers for English majors

So... what are you going to do with that English degree? The options are limitless: English majors find career opportunity wherever communication and analytical skills are in demand. Journalism, marketing, and teaching are just a few of the paths English majors forge in today's diverse economy.

Top Five Careers for English Majors

A bachelor's degree in English allows you to write your own career story. The versatile degree sharpens your ability to comprehend, analyze, organize, and communicate information--all valuable skills in the Information Age. The following top careers for English majors offer five ways to turn your degree into a stable, high-paying career.

1. Technical Writer

Content is king in the digital age. Trained communicators benefit from the need for timely, technically precise information. Technical writers are redefining writing as a high-demand career path, specializing in scientific, legal, or technological communication for a general audience. The Department of Labor forecasts 18 percent growth in technical writing jobs from 2008 to 2018, with rapid growth in areas such as high tech product documentation and online interactive media. Technical writers earned an average annual wage of $64,210 in 2008.

Lay the foundation for a technical writing career by combining your English bachelor's degree program with technical coursework. Or advance your existing career by pursuing an online education certificate in technical writing.

2. Public Relations Specialist

Communication is at the heart of an organization's success. Businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies rely on public relations specialists to communicate their values, brand, and products to the public. Manage customer or community relationships through press releases, events, and publicity programs. PR plays to several key English-major competencies: written and verbal communication, cultural sensitivity, research, and problem solving. PR specialists earned $58,960 in 2008.

Dial up your PR career preparation by adding business courses to your English repertoire. Marketing and advertising, corporate communications, and business management will help you apply your communication skills in the business world.

3. Teacher

Reading and writing, two of the three 'R's', will never go out of style. The K-12 school system ensures constant demand for English teachers and writing instructors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for teachers will hold steady, with an average growth rate of 13 percent from 2008 to 2018. High school teachers brought home an average salary of $54,390 in 2008.

Develop your teaching vocation by adding a teacher training program to your English degree. The one-year program, available on campus or via online education, culminates in a student-teaching internship at a local school. For the best career prospects, continue on to a master's degree in education.

4. Marketing Manager

A steady tide of English majors are finding their career destiny in business administration and management, according to a National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Analytical and communication skills serve English graduates well in the private sector, putting them on the fast track to leadership and senior management positions. Marketing management combines leadership and communication skills, challenging you to develop a business strategy, communicate it to sales reps and customers, and lead a team of marketing specialists. Meanwhile, the six-figure salary challenges the myth of the underpaid humanities graduate: the BLS average hit $118,160 in 2008.

Aim for a marketing career by adding business management and marketing courses to your curriculum. Or hit the turbo button with an MBA in marketing.

5. Librarian

Today's librarians break the mold of the mousy bookworm, combining literacy with expert information management skills. Knowing your way around a database and information systems could land you a high-powered career as a library information scientist or systems analyst. Librarians earned an average salary of $54,700 in 2008. Systems analysts, one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., earned $78,830 in the same period.

Adding technical skills to your resume can put you on the fast track to a high-paying library career. Look for courses in management information systems or library information science. For the best opportunities, continue on to a Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Information Science (MIS). These graduate professional degrees are widely available through online education.

English majors face an array of exciting opportunities in today's economy. With a little initiative and some targeted professional training, you can take advantage of one of these high-demand careers for English majors.