Colleges in Indiana

Indiana Students: Finding the Right Career Path for You

Indiana Offers Diverse Job Opportunities in a Variety of Industries -- But You Might Need a Degree to Qualify Indiana has a strong and growing economy with jobs in a wide range of industries. Though long known for its manufacturing capabilities, Indiana's economy has been steadily diversifying as many manufacturing facilities have moved overseas. With programs such as Indiana University's New Business Incubator and Biotechnology Research Center, more and more companies are popping in what has long been primarily a rural state. With the growth of the economy comes a rise in the standards Indiana's employers hold for new employees -- you just might need a degree to qualify for the job you want most.

Where Will Your Education Take You? Whether you let your academic track set your career path or choose a degree program based on your career goals, many employers today will expect you to have a college degree. Many professions set the bachelor's degree as the minimum requirement for entry-level positions, others may only require an associate's degree, and for some jobs you may only need a certificate to get started. The best job opportunities in business, banking, or technology will generally go to those who have a bachelor's degree -- and senior positions will generally require a master's.

Online Solutions Make it Easy Today's students are following the evolution of technology to the Internet where more and more colleges and universities are taking their courses. With many schools you now have the option of attending either online or in the classroom, but distance learning offers distinct advantages over the classroom setting. You don't have to deal with the hassle of finding a parking space, attending night classes if you have a full-time job, or if you're a parent, finding a babysitter. If you want to get started on your degree, going online might be the answer.

Are you ready to go to college? Do you have family and friends in Indiana that you don't want to leave? Don't worry; there are plenty of great colleges in Indiana that can meet your needs.

Before you enroll in a school, however, you should do some soul searching. There are a number of different Indiana college degree programs out there, and you need to try to pick the one that works best for you. At many colleges in Indiana, you won't have to pick your major until you've already completed some basic liberal arts courses. If you plan to go to one of these four-year liberal arts schools, you basically need to make sure that the school has a good overall reputation, because you won't pick your major until later. If you decide to go to a technical or vocational college in Indiana, you may need to already know what field you want to study. Many associate degrees programs in technical colleges are geared toward a specific career, meaning that you won't have much time once in school to figure out what you'd like to do for a living.

If you currently work full-time and want to go back to college, you may want to consider enrolling in an online Indiana college degree program. Online programs have become very popular among working adults because they provide academic flexibility. Online courses are designed for people who need to balance both work and education.

Indiana at a Glance:

Indiana's nickname is "The Hoosier State". Even though it is perhaps the most recognizable state nickname, no one knows what a Hoosier actually is or where the name definitively came from. Origins aside, the term carries with it a positive sense of community and sensibility. Colleges and universities in Indiana are known for having a great education while also carrying the tradition of Hoosier Pride.

Geographically, Indiana is one of the Great Lakes states, bounded on the north by Lake Michigan. The state falls within the Rust Belt. The 41-mile Lake Michigan waterfront is one of the world's great industrial centers, turning out iron, steel, and oil products. Indiana is also located well within the Corn Belt. In addition to corn, Indiana's agricultural output includes hogs, soybeans, wheat, oats, rye, tomatoes, onions, and poultry.

The state has its share of tourist highlights. Wyandotte Cave, one of the largest caves in the nation, is located in Crawford County in southern Indiana. West Baden and French Lick are well known for their mineral springs. Other sites of interest include Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, and the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.