Three Degree Options For Problem Solvers

Posted on Dec 08, 2011 Add a comment

Not everyone is a born problem solver. The ability to think outside the box, come up with creative solutions, and work to find answers to questions others can’t solve is often a learned ability. This ability can be honed and polished though a combination of quality education and real world experience. Whether online or on campus, there are a variety of educational options that might be right for someone who likes to sink his or her teeth into a tasty problem or two.

If you find solving problems interesting and invigorating, and feel that a career in which you would encounter such challenges on a regular basis is right for you, there are certain degrees that you might find more attractive than others. Here are a few of those options that might suit you well.

Criminal Justice
A degree in criminal justice could be the perfect educational option for a problem solver. While not every job or career in the industry offers the chance to be your own Magnum P. I. or Hercule Poirot, there are numerous roles within the field that present a variety of challenges when it comes to problem solving.

You may find that working as a police officer or in a similar law enforcement position could be the perfect job to allow you to solve problems on a regular basis. While it might seem that such a role would only allow for the enforcement of the written laws, there are often a variety of ways in which you may assist people in how they choose to employ or enforce those laws and may even be able to solve their problems in unique ways that benefit all parties involved. While the law is the law, better helping people to understand and decipher those laws can be a wonderful way to make a difference in your daily duties. Knowing the right kinds of questions to ask, pulling minute details from reports that could prove someone is lying or not, and understanding and utilizing psychology could all come in handy as a law enforcement officer.

Others may find that they like to do a little more digging when it comes to problem solving, and would prefer a role in which they are allowed to tackle larger issues that might takes days, weeks, even months or years to solve. In this case, you might find that working as a detective could be more beneficial to your career aspirations. You may find yourself drawn to the more rules and regulations bound side of detective work on a police force or large corporation, or could feel that working largely on your own and employing your own methods of investigatory work as a private investigator is more in line with your expectations. You might even find that a role within the FBI, CIA, US Customs and Border Patrol, or similar agency, provides the regular chance for problem solving as well.

If this is something that tickles your fancy take a look at schools offering online criminal justice degrees.

Project Management
A project management degree could be another educational option that appeals to problem solvers. You could find yourself working in construction, information technology, emergency management or a variety of fields in which companies or corporations might need individuals or teams trained to handle certain specialized projects, or aspects of projects. In these areas you might have challenges put to you requiring your expertise in the field of project management. Handling overtime projections, determining project scheduling, evaluating decisions when it comes to time versus cost, managing inventory, developing production schedules, and coming up with a slew of other solutions to various project aspects or problems could all be part of your regular routine as a project manager. Online project management certificate programs are quite popular amongst the working adults.

Management
A general or business management degree could be one of the broadest degrees when it comes to an education that can prepare you for being a problem solver in just about any field or industry. Typically offering a course curriculum based around leading, motivating, communicating, and understanding employees and the rules and laws that affect the managing of those employees, a management degree can provide a fantastic educational background to strengthen your problem solving abilities.

Sure, there are plenty of things you will likely learn on the job or that are company or industry specific when it comes to how you handle and solve problems. With a degree in management however, you may find yourself better prepared and with a base of general knowledge that can make you more attractive to employers. Hopefully, prospective employers will realize that with such an educational background, the time it will take to get you trained and ready for the processes involved in handling issues such as resolving conflicts between employees, working through scheduling conflicts, handling employee performance or productivity issues, and putting out other fires and daily problems, will likely be shortened. View a comprehensive list of online management degree programs.