What if you could turn a favorite pastime into a paycheck? This could become your reality when you choose a degree based on interests.

In other words, finding and enrolling in a higher education program would mean committing to spending more time on one of your hobbies. This frame of mind can help make the admissions process feel a little less daunting and a whole lot more fun.

Here are some options for matching your personal interests to a college degree program.

YOUR DEGREE BASED ON INTERESTS

Your Personal Interest: Art

Consider a: Graphic Design Degree Program

With a graphic design degree, you can translate your artistic interests and talents into the digital world.

Coursework spans typography, logo design and branding, and the Adobe Suite of Products — InDesign®, Photoshop® and Illustrator®.

Graduates may find employment in many different fields, including marketing, advertising, public relations, and digital agencies. 

This is also a career with great self-employment potential. In addition, graphic design skills are easily transferable into other in-demand careers, such as art directors and web developers.

Graphic Design Expected Earnings: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), graphic designers in the U.S. earned a median annual wage of $50,000 in 2018.

Your Personal Interest: Cars

Consider a: Diesel Mechanic Trade Program

Diehard car fans can make it a career.

Diesel mechanics specialize in diesel engines and machinery. Many will focus on fixing and maintaining diesel vehicles and work in care repair shops.

Trade school coursework includes diesel truck manual transmission, brake systems and chassis, and hydraulic systems training. Accelerated trade school programs range from six months to 2 years.

In addition to postsecondary schooling in diesel engine repair, employers may also require industry certification for this specialized trade.

Diesel Mechanic Expected Earnings: According to the BLS, U.S.-based diesel mechanics earned a median annual wage of $47,000 in 2018.

Your Personal Interest: Science

Consider an: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Put those scientific chops to good use helping others.

An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) places you on the path of becoming a Registered Nurse. Study anatomy, biology, nutrition, and more.

Work in medical offices, hospitals, emergency rooms, or operating rooms. It’s one of the most fulfilling and fastest-growing fields in today’s job market.

Registered Nurse Expected Earnings: According to the BLS, RNs earned a median annual wage of around $72,000 in 2018.

Your Personal Interest: Video Games

Consider a: Game Development Degree Program

It’s a dream job in a fantasy world.

There’s a great deal that goes into designing and developing interactive games: character concepts, user experience, gamification techniques, animation, 3D modeling, and much, much more. These are some of the core classes for game development students. Become a game designer, programmer or artist.

Game Designer Expected Earnings: Those with a Bachelor’s degree earned a median annual wage of around $73,000 per year in 2018, according to the BLS.

BE MATCHED WITH A DEGREE BASED ON INTERESTS

Your personal interests can be a powerful driver and help steer you in the direction of a dream degree and career.

These are just a few of the countless degree options and in-demand career paths available. Enrollment Advisor features the top schools and flexible degree programs to fit busy adult student schedules and so much more.

It’s time to take the next step. Get started on search.enrollmentadvisor.com and find your degree based on interests today!