A degree in General Education can open up a wide variety of career paths for you. It provides students with a strong and comprehensive educational experience while also enabling them to gain expertise in different areas like science, humanities, liberal arts, etc.
This is a good time to join a General Education program. Many of the occupations that can be pursued with this degree will have lots of new vacancies in the coming years. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted an 11% employment growth (14,100 new jobs) for Community Health Workers from 2018 to 2028.
If you feel that a General Education degree will be right for you, then read this piece. It carries valuable information on the best study programs and career paths in the field.
What Is General Education?
General Education usually refers to a program designed to provide a dynamic and multi-faceted study experience. The idea is to keep the courses as broad as possible so that students become well-rounded professionals capable of doing well in different fields. People who are unsure about which sector to pursue can also enroll in a general education program to gain some clarity.
What Can You Do With a General Education Degree?
With a General Education degree, you can look for work in various sectors. Some popular professions include Real Estate Sales Agent, Office Administrator, Accounts Manager, Human Resources Executive, Hotel Manager, Community Health Worker, Customer Service Representative, Travel Agent, Legal Assistant, etc.
*Some of these occupations will require additional specialized education.
The following section provides details about compensation and career outlook for a few of these roles as reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Real Estate Sales Agents
Real Estate Sales Agents assist their clients in the buying, selling, and renting of properties. They usually work for and under the supervision of real estate brokers.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $48,930 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 7% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $62,060 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | Florida | 19,240 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $111,800 |
Community Health Workers
Community Health Workers serve as an important link between healthcare personnel and the communities in which they operate. They are responsible for devising and implementing strategies to address the medical concerns of people in their community.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $40,360 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 13% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $44,390 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | New York | 7,750 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $62,780 |
Customer Service Representatives
Customer Service Representatives are responsible for handling customer complaints, processing orders, and guiding them about a company’s products/services.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $34,710 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | -2% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $37,320 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | Texas | 291,550 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $46,390 |
What to Expect from a General Education Degree?
Over the course of a General Education degree, you will learn about Humanities, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Liberal Arts, Life Sciences, Mathematics, General Science, Community Healthcare, Research Tools and Techniques, Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), etc.
How to Choose a General Education Degree?
There are a few things that you must consider before deciding upon a General Education degree to pursue. Among them, the “accreditation status” of a program is the most important one. Apart from this, you must also look at the course contents, available majors, fee structure, research options, location of the campus, residence facilities, career outlook, etc.
Admission Requirements for a General Education Degree Program
Degree programs at different levels have varying entry demands. The criteria also differ based on the requirements of a particular school. For instance, you will need a High School Diploma or GED (General Educational Development) Certificate to enroll in an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree program.
You may also have to take a standardized entrance exam like the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Testing). In the same way, a Master’s program is likely to have a minimum GPA condition (during undergraduate studies) among its requirements.