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25 Awesome Business Jobs for 2016

By U.S. News & World Report

Explore the best jobs in the business world.

Business jobs run the gamut, from event planning to analyzing financial statements. So, which are the best? These business professions ranked highest among the U.S. News 2016 Best Jobs rankings. They balance high pay with low stress and great growth potential. Click on to see more.

25. Bookkeeping, Accounting and Audit Clerk

Median Salary:

$36,430

Unemployment Rate:

3.9 percent

Expected Job Openings:

-148,700

These professionals handle financial paperwork and accounts for their employers. Their job may include completing financial statements or reporting errors to accountants.

Learn more about bookkeeping, accounting and audit clerks.

24. Office Clerk

Median Salary:

$28,670

Unemployment Rate:

6 percent

Expected Job Openings:

95,800

These office multitaskers do everything from answering phones to filing paperwork and entering data.

Learn more about office clerks.

23. Executive Assistant

Median Salary: $51,270
Unemployment Rate:

3.9 percent

Expected Job Openings:

-44,600

These professionals serve as the right-hand men — and women — for executives and other higher-ups. Their duties may include updating the boss’s calendar and scheduling meetings.

Learn more about executive assistants.

22. Credit Counselor

Median Salary:

$42,110

Unemployment Rate:

7.9 percent

Expected Job Openings:

5,000

These credit and debt experts work with clients to dig out of debt, including talking with creditors and consolidating loans.

Learn more about credit counselors.

21. Meeting, Convention and Event Planner

Median Salary:

$46,490

Unemployment Rate:

4.9 percent

Expected Job Openings:

9,900

Meeting, convention and event planners coordinate with clients, vendors and entertainers to put on a flawless party, conference or other social occasion.

Learn more about meeting, convention and event planners.

20. Loan Officer

Median Salary:

$62,670

Unemployment Rate:

7.9 percent

Expected Job Openings:

24,500

These professionals make debt available to qualified businesses and individuals. They may work at banks, credit unions or car dealerships.

Learn more about loan officers.

19. Fundraiser

Median Salary:

$52,430

Unemployment Rate:

4.8 percent

Expected Job Openings:

6,900

Fundraisers spend their days raising money for their employer and may work at nonprofits, universities or for political campaigns.

Learn more about fundraisers.

18. Administrative Assistant

Median Salary:

$33,240

Unemployment Rate:

3.9 percent

Expected Job Openings:

64,000

Administrative assistants must be ready to fill in on a variety of roles, from helping with paperwork to organizing meetings and office events.

Learn more about administrative assistants.

17. Compliance Officer

Median Salary:

$64,950

Unemployment Rate:

1 percent

Expected Job Openings:

8,700

These specialized business professionals make sure organizations are following policies and regulations.

Learn more about compliance officers.

16. HR Specialist

Median Salary:

$57,420

Unemployment Rate:

3.1 percent

Expected Job Openings:

18,900

An HR specialist may work on anything from keeping track of compensation and benefits to hiring and recruiting.

Learn more about HR specialists.

15. Social and Community Service Manager

Median Salary:

$62,740

Unemployment Rate:

2.7 percent

Expected Job Openings:

13,200

This job requires advocating for a group of people or a community, identifying problems and serving as a voice for that population.

Learn more about social and community service managers.

14. Cost Estimator

Median Salary:

$60,050

Unemployment Rate:

3.5 percent

Expected Job Openings:

18,700

Cost estimators analyze data to determine the time and resources necessary to manufacture a product or complete a building project.

Learn more about cost estimators.

13. Financial Analyst

Median Salary:

$78,620

Unemployment Rate:

2.2 percent

Expected Job Openings:

32,300

Financial analysts work long hours, advising clients on how and when to buy and sell investments and keeping up to date on financial news.

Learn more about financial analysts.

12. Logistician

Median Salary:

$73,870

Unemployment Rate:

1.6 percent

Expected Job Openings:

2,500

These experts coordinate with a range of parties to accomplish a task, from aiding in disaster relief to ensuring quick deliveries to customers.

Learn more about logisticians.

11. Market Research Analyst

Median Salary:

$61,290

Unemployment Rate:

2.4 percent

Expected Job Openings:

92,300

Market research analysts help their clients identify and understand their customers, including who they are and what their buying habits are.

Learn more about market research analysts.

10. Financial Manager

Median Salary:

$115,320

Unemployment Rate:

2.6 percent

Expected Job Openings:

37,700

Financial managers oversee their employer’s finances, write reports and ensure that their boss is complying with various laws and regulations.

Learn more about financial managers.

9. Actuary

Median Salary:

$96,700

Unemployment Rate:

4 percent

Expected Job Openings: 4,400

These numbers experts measure and analyze the financial consequences of risk.

Learn more about actuaries.

8. Business Operations Manager

Median Salary:

$97,270

Unemployment Rate:

3.7 percent

Expected Job Openings:

151,100

These corporate know-it-alls coordinate and strategize on various teams and projects, including hiring staff and addressing budget concerns.

Learn more about business operations managers.

7. Management Analyst

Median Salary:

$80,880

Unemployment Rate:

3 percent

Expected Job Openings:

103,400

These problem-solvers hone in on ways to make organizations run more efficiently and increase profits.

Learn more about management analysts.

6. Medical and Health Services Manager

Median Salary:

$92,810

Unemployment Rate:

1.7 percent

Expected Job Openings:

56,300

These managers coordinate and direct the behind-the-scenes action to ensure medical facilities run smoothly.

Learn more about medical and health services managers.

5. Mathematician

Median Salary:

$103,720

Unemployment Rate:

4 percent

Expected Job Openings:

700

Mathematicians crunch numbers and analyze outcomes while working in a range of math-related jobs, including teaching and research.

Learn more about mathematicians.

4. Financial Advisor

Median Salary:

$81,060

Unemployment Rate:

3.3 percent

Expected Job Openings:

73,900

These money experts advise clients on their finances, from investing in a retirement plan to budgeting for a child’s education.

Learn more about financial advisors.

3. Accountant

Median Salary:

$65,940

Unemployment Rate:

3.2 percent

Expected Job Openings:

142,400

Accountants inspect financial records, with potential employers including government agencies, private corporations, nonprofits and individual clients.

Learn more about accountants.

2. Operations Research Analyst

Median Salary:

$76,660

Unemployment Rate:

3.8 percent

Expected Job Openings:

27,600

Workers in this No. 2-ranked field analyze raw data and mathematical equations to help businesses make educated decisions.

Learn more about operations research analysts.

1. Statistician

Median Salary:

$79,990

Unemployment Rate:

4 percent

Expected Job Openings:

10,100

Statisticians use data to make decisions, including collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from their number-crunching.

Learn more about statisticians.

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25 Awesome Business Jobs for 2016 originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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