10 Highly Profitable Two-Year Degrees

[one...two...tree 2,762]

10. Camera operator. While competition to break into TV broadcasting and film can be stiff, the continued rise of Web content means more opportunities for camera operators. Television and film work often involve long or unusual hours. For that reason, many camera operators gravitate toward commercial advertising or corporate videos. The more computer skills a camera operator has, the better their job prospects. Average salary: $42,558 a year.

This is what I've been shopping in the Inland Northwest cos my degree gives me these skills. Unfortunately the market here for that is deceptive and I have a four year degree in it. Right now most TV stations need camera operators but they are offering to pay them only $7.00 an hour, especially when you're right out of college. I feel this is incredibly out of balance. How am I supposed to eek a living off of that and pay back student loans in the first year? I haven't looked in other markets yet. I mean hell if I could start out and make that kind of money I'd be willing to relocate for sure otherwise it's another year of college for me to prep for graduate school in film. Part of this is due to the signs of the economic times.

What about doing camera work on a low budget film for practically nothing? It would be something to put down on a resume and would most likely lead to other opportunities.

Camera operator...

i assume more $ in the porn industry and you get a raise daily...

...the excitement would wear rub off.

Eww..

Anyways...

I've had some offers like that through networking but they are all wanting to go abroad. I've been keeping an eye out in the Northern panhandle region I'm in. The only low budget films being made are students ones which is fine. The last film I know for certain they did in my region was where these men come together and they bring a guest who happens to be a famous rapper whose name I can't recall and they hunt him in the wilderness of Hell's Canyon. He outsmarts them and lives. I wish I could remember the rappers name or the name of that film. Any ideas?

I don't know, but I'd say if I were looking to establish myself as cameraman, I'd look for opportunities that are high profile (beyond student films) but offer little or no pay, but with the hope that doing so would open more doors. I wouldn't bother doing TV work...just seems too methodical and non-creative. Just my two cents.

The only thing I can think that I've gotten offers like that are from the advertising/marketing companies in Boise that come to my region to do shoots and want me to be a production assisstant for no pay. Do you mean take jobs like that?

I don't think a PA job would open up to camera work, but I could be wrong. If you could move out to CA or NY, that's where I'd go looking for opportunities to do camera work for a low budget film or perhaps a music video. Location is going make a huge difference, IMO. Perhaps there some blog sites where film production crews are looking for camera operators right-out-of-college?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

10. Camera operator. While competition to break into TV broadcasting and film can be stiff, the continued rise of Web content means more opportunities for camera operators. Television and film work often involve long or unusual hours. For that reason, many camera operators gravitate toward commercial advertising or corporate videos. The more computer skills a camera operator has, the better their job prospects. Average salary: $42,558 a year.

This is what I've been shopping in the Inland Northwest cos my degree gives me these skills. Unfortunately the market here for that is deceptive and I have a four year degree in it. Right now most TV stations need camera operators but they are offering to pay them only $7.00 an hour, especially when you're right out of college. I feel this is incredibly out of balance. How am I supposed to eek a living off of that and pay back student loans in the first year? I haven't looked in other markets yet. I mean hell if I could start out and make that kind of money I'd be willing to relocate for sure otherwise it's another year of college for me to prep for graduate school in film. Part of this is due to the signs of the economic times.

What about doing camera work on a low budget film for practically nothing? It would be something to put down on a resume and would most likely lead to other opportunities.

Camera operator...

i assume more $ in the porn industry and you get a raise daily...

...the excitement would wear rub off.

Eww..

Anyways...

I've had some offers like that through networking but they are all wanting to go abroad. I've been keeping an eye out in the Northern panhandle region I'm in. The only low budget films being made are students ones which is fine. The last film I know for certain they did in my region was where these men come together and they bring a guest who happens to be a famous rapper whose name I can't recall and they hunt him in the wilderness of Hell's Canyon. He outsmarts them and lives. I wish I could remember the rappers name or the name of that film. Any ideas?

I don't know, but I'd say if I were looking to establish myself as cameraman, I'd look for opportunities that are high profile (beyond student films) but offer little or no pay, but with the hope that doing so would open more doors. I wouldn't bother doing TV work...just seems too methodical and non-creative. Just my two cents.

The only thing I can think that I've gotten offers like that are from the advertising/marketing companies in Boise that come to my region to do shoots and want me to be a production assisstant for no pay. Do you mean take jobs like that?

I don't think a PA job would open up to camera work, but I could be wrong. If you could move out to CA or NY, that's where I'd go looking for opportunities to do camera work for a low budget film or perhaps a music video. Location is going make a huge difference, IMO. Perhaps there some blog sites where film production crews are looking for camera operators right-out-of-college?

I've been searching the forum sites but not the blogs yet. Hmmm...I'll have to do more research but thanks for the tips! We are looking at LA and NYC for relocation. He wants NY but I'd rather have LA with that kind of cost of living and sunshine almost 24 hrs. I love California. Never been to NY. The only realistic way I see us making the leap to either one of these places is if I go to Graduate School in one of these regions for film.

[kaydee457 13]

Where's the Messiah's "careers"....No ditch digging, light bulb changing (uh, Energy Star Technician), bridge/overpass Master Painter or roadside Flagman (person?)? All those UAW guy's will be relieved that Obama has a "plan", a "jobs" plan. They can be retrained to dig a hole, then refill it, all at taxpayers expense! What a deal! Oh, wait a minute...that's what they already did, didn't they?

How about Solar Panel farmer (we need lots of "free" energy and everyone knows that Solar Panels can be grown in place of those pesky bean crops)....

Kaydee, you should go back to school. Your engineering degree lost its meaning about 30 years ago.

Ok Chris....

Edited December 23, 2008 by *entitlements_yay

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I've been searching the forum sites but not the blogs yet. Hmmm...I'll have to do more research but thanks for the tips! We are looking at LA and NYC for relocation. He wants NY but I'd rather have LA with that kind of cost of living and sunshine almost 24 hrs. I love California. Never been to NY. The only realistic way I see us making the leap to either one of these places is if I go to Graduate School in one of these regions for film.

Good luck with whatever decision you make, but take some risks and be willing to work for practically free if it's a high profile project.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Where's the Messiah's "careers"....No ditch digging, light bulb changing (uh, Energy Star Technician), bridge/overpass Master Painter or roadside Flagman (person?)? All those UAW guy's will be relieved that Obama has a "plan", a "jobs" plan. They can be retrained to dig a hole, then refill it, all at taxpayers expense! What a deal! Oh, wait a minute...that's what they already did, didn't they?

How about Solar Panel farmer (we need lots of "free" energy and everyone knows that Solar Panels can be grown in place of those pesky bean crops)....

Kaydee, you should go back to school. Your engineering degree lost its meaning about 30 years ago.

Ok Chris....

Seriously, Kaydee - you consistently dismiss photovoltaic technology as a viable energy source regardless of how many experts say otherwise and are quite confident in your understanding and rigid opinion. I don't know where you got your engineering degree but something tells me it was a long time ago...before man had even landed on the moon. It's time to catch yourself up to modern times. Pick up the latest Popular Science magazine, or Scientific American. You'll be surprised at what you've missed.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Mister Fancypants

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I've been searching the forum sites but not the blogs yet. Hmmm...I'll have to do more research but thanks for the tips! We are looking at LA and NYC for relocation. He wants NY but I'd rather have LA with that kind of cost of living and sunshine almost 24 hrs. I love California. Never been to NY. The only realistic way I see us making the leap to either one of these places is if I go to Graduate School in one of these regions for film.

Good luck with whatever decision you make, but take some risks and be willing to work for practically free if it's a high profile project.

Well I have other plans like a low budget film for $200,000 like Napoleon Dynomite but with some quid-pro-quo actors with SAG cards. But that's down the road after I take to task a few social issues in some Documentary films I'm chewing on right now.

[Heracles 417]

Where's the Messiah's "careers"....No ditch digging, light bulb changing (uh, Energy Star Technician), bridge/overpass Master Painter or roadside Flagman (person?)? All those UAW guy's will be relieved that Obama has a "plan", a "jobs" plan. They can be retrained to dig a hole, then refill it, all at taxpayers expense! What a deal! Oh, wait a minute...that's what they already did, didn't they?

How about Solar Panel farmer (we need lots of "free" energy and everyone knows that Solar Panels can be grown in place of those pesky bean crops)....

Kaydee, you should go back to school. Your engineering degree lost its meaning about 30 years ago.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/18/college-m...0618majors.html

[Niels Bohr 72]

These survey gives hope for some 2 year folks. I wouldn't bring such high hopes.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Anyone who can do a 2 year and get good grades is smart enough to do a 4 year.

If you're a CS major (for example), you're not gonna get into an Accenture or Deloitte with a 2 year degree.

[Heracles 417]

Seriously, Kaydee - you consistently dismiss photovoltaic technology as a viable energy source regardless of how many experts say otherwise and are quite confident in your understanding and rigid opinion. I don't know where you got your engineering degree but something tells me it was a long time ago...before man had even landed on the moon. It's time to catch yourself up to modern times. Pick up the latest Popular Science magazine, or Scientific American. You'll be surprised at what you've missed.

Solar energy will never ever be anything more than a supplementary energy source.

Anyone who thinks solar power will someday power a city like LA is on crack. The North Hemisphere is quite overcast and has long dark winters. What do they use for power during that period. Rave glow sticks maybe?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Solar will be useless unless it's easy (low cost, easy setup, scalable) to store it.

[Heracles 417]

As well as, how much sun exposure do we get up here in the NE during winter.

Solar power works in places with an ample number of sunny days. Yet even in such environments, it is still only a supplementary power source.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Aficionado

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

.

SAY IT!

[Dan J 277]

2. Web designer. As long as there are companies, organizations and creative agencies with something to sell or promote, there will be a need for people to design, code, and maintain their websites. Though many Web designers are self-employed, countless others work in staff positions. Average salary: $48,785 a year.

4. Registered nurse. If it's a high-growth field you want, you can't beat registered nursing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs are the largest occupation in the health care field, with 2.5 million jobs out there, about 587,000 new jobs expected to open up by 2016, and 59 percent of RNs working in hospitals. Average salary: $55,276 a year.

5. Computer support specialist. Such specialists include the tech support and help desk workers who assist customers and users with problems they're having with their computer hardware and software. Often, computer support specialists can enjoy the luxury of working from home or working flexible hours. Average salary: $46,111 a year.

They make a lot more than that here in sunny southern Calif! I know we are paying web developers up to around 75k a year. Support staff are making close to the same and my friend's wife is a RN and is making close to 100K a year with her OT

Its probably averaged over the country. You wont get much more than that here in Minnesota, though that depends who you work for.

[Heracles 417]

Anyone who can do a 2 year and get good grades is smart enough to do a 4 year.

If you're a CS major (for example), you're not gonna get into an Accenture or Deloitte with a 2 year degree.

True but with IT a degree is definitely not a prerequisite. I know a lot of people without even a semester of college under their belt earning from $120 to $280K.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Aficionado