Top Education Investments in a Challenging Economy

In October 2008, Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's "Mad Money" said, "Whatever money you may need for the next five years, please take it out of the stock market. Right now. This week." Where would Cramer and other experts suggest we put that money? The unspoken truth is, in a down economy, education and career training could be your best bet.
Education, the next hot investment tip
With a struggling stock market and an uncertain job future, your own education is the best investment you can make. Consider the benefits of career training:
Keep your skills current
Broaden your abilities
Strengthen your current experience
Learn a marketable skill
A targeted career training course can do all of the above in a matter of months, and a longer time commitment could lead to an undergraduate or graduate degree that sends your career into overdrive.

Career training for a new career
It seems like an endless cycle: You are worried about the long-term future of your job, but the shaky economy means that you might not be able to start over somewhere new. So you stay in your job, but you're worried about its long-term future. Employment trends vary by industry, with some careers in health care and IT seeing significant potential growth. Here are just a few fast-growing industries through 2016 and median salaries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Network systems analysts: 53.4 percent growth, $68,220 annually
Veterinary technicians: 41 percent growth, $27,970 annually
Medical assistants: 35.4 percent growth, $27,430 annually
Physical therapist assistants: 32.4 percent growth, $44,130 annually
Education varies by position. For veterinary technicians, a short associate degree may be all that's required to get you into the career. To become a network systems analyst, you'll likely need a bachelor's degree in management information systems, computer science, or similar. With the right education, you could find yourself in a stable, challenging career.
Federal stimulus benefits your education
Looking for someone to hand you a little cut of the stimulus bill? With an education, you just might see the benefits. The New York Times notes that part of the recent stimulus bill includes talk for "the largest increase in federal aid since Washington began to spend significantly on education after World War II," including more money for college grants.
Whether or not all that stimulus money comes through, you still have plenty of government funding options for your education. Check out the different levels you can pursue for your career training:
Federal: With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can determine your eligibility for government grants and loans. The Obama administration intends to do away with the FAFSA and link the application to your tax return, making it even easier to determine your funding need.
Local: Scholarships in your area may be found in local churches, community centers, civic organizations and more. Start your search at your local library for more info on local scholarships.
Employer: Depending on your employer and the education you seek, you may be eligible to complete career training programs for free or a discounted rate through your employer. Talk to your HR department or your manager for more details.
You don't need to shoulder the burden of your education alone, or rack up huge credit card bills in the process. Whether you find your money in the form of loans, grants or scholarships, financial options exist to make going back to school as stress-free as possible.
Coursework offers a brief investment
Worried about making a long-term commitment to a degree program? Short coursework options allow you to take your training one class at a time. Teaching targeted fundamentals of business, communication, and technical skills, coursework is a practical way to invest in your education without worrying about the big picture. Consider a few popular ways to use coursework:
Train for IT certification programs
Work on skills suggested by your employer
Try out a degree before committing
Build your design portfolio or resume
No matter how you use it, coursework training can add a powerful bullet-point to any resume.
Online education is a smart bet
Don't let classroom attendance or a full-time job stand in the way of your education. Going to school online means you cater your study hours to your needs instead of worrying about a schedule set in stone. A keen sense of organization and drive can help you through any education, but is a particular asset to attending school online. Once you've learned how to balance school, work and life, you're ready to make the most of your educational investment.
Times are tough, but they won't always be. Invest in your education now, and imagine the power your career training will have when hiring freezes are lifted and employers start searching for new faces. No educational program can guarantee a certain career, but the jobs and promotions you want could require the training you've been considering for a long time.

reference: msn encarta, http://encarta.degreesandtraining.com/articles.jsp?article=featured_top_education_investments_in_a_challenging_economy&GT1=27004