College Degree Advice for Aspiring Remote Workers

Quick Highlights:

Remote work is becoming increasingly popular, with over 4.7 million workers in the U.S. working remotely over half the time.
Key skills for remote work include strong technical skills with tools like Zoom, Slack, and Trello, along with crucial soft skills such as communication, time management, and self-motivation.
Degrees in fields like Computer Science, Business, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, and Health Informatics are highly conducive to securing remote job opportunities.
Remote work offers flexibility and a better work-life balance but can also lead to feelings of isolation and requires self-discipline to stay productive.

Imagine rolling out of bed, grabbing a cup of coffee, and starting your workday without ever leaving your house. Sounds pretty sweet, right? This is the reality for over 4.7 million workers working remote over half of the time according to an article published by B2B Reviews. Remote work is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s changing how we think about our careers.

If you want a remote job, the first thing you need to consider is what type of degree you’ll need. In this article, we’re going explore the world of remote work and help you figure out which college degrees can set you up for success in this exciting new landscape.

Related:

Understanding the Remote Work Landscape

Remote work isn’t just a trend – it’s a full-blown revolution. Check out these mind-blowing stats:.

According to a study by Upwork, 65% of workers want to be remote all the time, while 32% would prefer a hybrid work environment.
Indeed reports that certain industries have a greater percentage of remote workers. 67.4% of information industries and 49% of professional and business industries use remote workers.
It is estimated that 32.6 million Americans will be working remote, either hybrid or fully remote, by 2025 according to Upwork.

It’s clear that remote work is here to stay, and it’s only going to get bigger.

Benefits of Remote Work: Why is it so Appealing?

So, why are people so excited about remote work? Let’s break it down:

Flexibility: Want to work in your pajamas? Go for it! Remote work also gives you the flexibility to complete your work from wherever there’s wifi.
Work-life balance: No more long commutes means more time for family, hobbies, or just chilling out.
Global opportunities: You’re not limited to jobs in your area. You have more variety in the jobs you choose.

Challenges of Remote Work: It’s Not All Sunshine and Rainbows

Of course, remote work isn’t perfect. Here are some hurdles you might face:

Isolation: Working alone can get pretty lonely sometimes.
Communication issues: It’s harder to chat informally with coworkers when you’re not in the same room.
Self-discipline: With no boss looking over your shoulder, you need to be good at motivating yourself and staying on task if your job has a set schedule.

Key Skills for Remote Workers

Remote work isn’t for everyone. There are some key skills you’ll need to have to work in a remote or hybrid position. First, you will need to have strong technical skills. You don’t need to be a computer whiz (although that might be helpful), but you need to be comfortable with:

Video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype
Cloud storage systems like Google Drive or Dropbox
Basic troubleshooting for common tech issues

If you are serious about working remote, you’ll also want to get familiar with:

Slack or Microsoft Teams for team communication
Trello or Asana for project management
Google Workspace or Microsoft Office for document collaboration

And while technical skills are important, don’t forget about the soft skills. A study by Harvard University and the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Center found that 85% of job success comes from having strong soft and people skills. To be successful, you’ll need skills in:

Communication: You need to be clear and effective in writing and speaking.
Time management: No one’s going to be looking over your shoulder, so you need to manage your own time.
Self-motivation: You’ve got to be able to push yourself to get work done, even when Netflix is calling your name.

Best College Degrees for Remote Work

Not all college degrees are equal when it comes to finding remote work. Some degrees just lend themselves better with face-to-face positions. If you’re set on working remote, you might be wondering which degrees are best for landing a job. Here are some top contenders:

Computer Science and IT

If you love all things tech, a degree in TI or computer science might be a great fit. Jobs in this field are in high demand and often remote-friendly. In fact, the computer and IT sector was the top industry for remote work in 2024 according to FlexJobs. Some possibilities include:

Software Developer
Web Designer
IT Support Specialist

Business and Management

Business degrees can open up a world of remote opportunities. Top remote roles in this sector for 2024 include:

Project Manager
Recruiter
Accountant

Digital Marketing

In a world where everything’s going digital, marketing skills align very well with remote work. Some remote-friendly jobs in this field include:

Social Media Manager
SEO Specialist
Content Marketer

Graphic Design and Multimedia Arts

Got an artistic streak? These degrees can lead to exciting remote careers like:

Graphic Designer
UI/UX Designer
Video Editor

Communication and Journalism

If you have a way with words, consider these remote-friendly roles:

Content Writer
Copywriter
Journalist

Health Informatics

This emerging field combines healthcare knowledge with tech skills. Remote opportunities include:

Medical Coder
Health Data Analyst
Electronic Health Record Specialist

How to Choose the Right Degree

Choosing the right degree for a remote job is not an easy task. With so many options to choose from, it can be a challenge! We give you some questions to think about as you decide which degree might be the right fit.

Assess Your Strengths and Interests: Before you pick a degree, take some time to think about:
- What subjects do you enjoy most?
- What are you naturally good at?
- What kind of work environment do you thrive in?

Research Remote Job Market Trends: There is a lot of research out there about the top remote work trends. Organizations like bloomberry and FlexJobs produce regular reports on statistics and trends around remote work. Keep an eye on:
- Which skills are in high demand for remote work?
- What new remote job titles are popping up?
- Which industries are embracing remote work the most?

Getting Ready for Remote Work During College

You don’t have to wait until graduation to take advantage of remote work opportunities. Remote internships are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of fields including graphic design and marketing. Some students are successful in finding part-time remote jobs that fit around their class schedule. These opportunities look great on a resume as they show the hiring manager that you can handle some of the challenges around remote work.

Online Courses and Certifications

Take advantage of online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, or Udemy to:

Learn new skills related to your degree
Get certifications in specific tools or technologies
Explore areas outside your main field of study

Networking and Professional Development

Even though you’re aiming for remote work, networking is still crucial. Try:

Joining online professional groups in your field
Attending virtual conferences or webinars
Build up your LinkedIn profile
Connecting with alumni who work remotely

Choosing the right college degree for a remote work career is a big decision, but it’s also an exciting opportunity. Remember, the key to a successful remote career isn’t just about the degree you choose. It’s also about developing the right skills, gaining experience, and staying adaptable so you can make strategic employment decisions to advance your career.