With millions of jobs lost this year alone, unemployment rates are at their highest in decades. The manufacturing and construction industries have been especially hard hit. Rather than stay in shrinking industries, however, many unemployed workers are turning to higher education to transition to industries with more plentiful career opportunities.

Sherry Fitzgerald of Detroit is a part of this transition. When she lost her job at a Detroit auto plant a year ago, she began investigating other careers. "I had always thought of becoming a nurse," Fitzgerald says. "I knew the pay and the job security were good."

The more Fitzgerald found out about the nursing field, the more she was convinced it was the right field for her. "After getting a bachelor's and 2 years on the job, I could easily be making as much as $80,000 with good benefits," Fitzgerald says. "I thought, what am I waiting for?"

A friend recommended she visit Classes and Careers.com, a free online education information resource. In a few minutes, users can fill out a form and be connected live with an education advisor. "Not long after," Fitzgerald says, "an advisor called me and helped me find a nice, flexible online program. I could do lectures and homework at night from my computer after the kids went to sleep. It was really easy to use."

Now more than halfway through her program, Fitzgerald has left the troubled American auto industry for a secure, lucrative career in health care, and she's not alone. Statistics show that enrollment at universities and colleges has jumped in the last 6 months, and most of those enrolling are victims of layoffs. "They realize they can't stay where they were," says university career advisor Robert Green. "They've got to adapt, and education is the best way to do it."

You don't have to settle for unemployment pay or job insecurity. Go back to school and earn a degree in a more secure, high-paying field by completing the helpful online form at ClassesandCareers.com. An education advisor will help you find the right degree program to set you on a new career path.

Joining the military used to mean postponing a college education. Now, however, thanks to online education, servicemen and women can earn degrees while they’re on active duty in the military. Growing numbers of service personnel are turning to online education while on active duty for the unique benefits it offers. 

In 2008, 39,000 active duty service members earned degrees while deployed in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, 25,800 active members earned associate’s degrees,10,484 earned bachelor’s degrees, and 2,666 earned master’s degrees.

Deployed on a carrier in the Persian Gulf, Jonathan Rickman, a 2nd class Navy specialist, is furthering his education online. He typically works a long shift, gets some physical activity, does laundry, and then hits the books, logging onto his classes on one of the ship’s computers to talk with classmates and instructors halfway around the world. 

"The biggest advantage of online education is the ability to ‘attend’ class when it is convenient for me," says 25-year-old Rickman. "I can’t study like this at home. Here, when all my work is done, I don’t have anything else to do. My classes keep me busy, and I know they’ll help me get a good job when I get home."

Stephanie Martin, a field medic stationed near Qatar, is majoring in education. "I like that it provides me with a distraction from some of the harsh realities of war," Martin says. 

Fortunately, online services exist to military servicemen and women to help them find the right degree and know how to use their military financial aid. By visiting Classes and Careers.com, military servicemen and women can fill out a form and get in contact with an education advisor from a military-friendly online university.

Martin says, "They made it easy for me to figure out which classes I wanted to take and how to pay for it. It’s hard to believe I’ll be teaching elementary school kids when I’m done here."

If you are on active duty in the military, you may be able to use your GI Bill, tuition assistance, financial aid or scholarships to take classes online. Visit ClassesandCareers.com today to fill out a form, tell them about your interests, and get connected with an education advisor.

Since the economic downturn, more and more individuals are pursuing an education. This trend also includes military academies. Applications at the nation's top three military academies have increased drastically, meanwhile the military has taken their recruiting efforts up a notch.

The recession has helped drive up military recruitment and retention rates. As more and more people lose their jobs, the idea of having steady job with great benefits looks even more appealing and the military provides that.

As of last week, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis received 15,300 applications for only 1,230 positions. This is a 40 percent increase since last year and the highest number of applications received since 1988. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO also saw increases. Applications were up 10 percent for the class of 2013.

The recession is responsible for fewer college scholarships and financial aid, so people are looking at different options. The military offers free college and a steady job. Members of the military are able to finance their education through a number of different ways. These may include but are not limited to their GI Bill, financial aid, scholarships, grants, and military tuition assistance.

Many soldiers understand how important education is, and are currently taking classes online. Many different schools offer online courses. Distance learning offers flexibility because it allow students to learn anytime and anywhere, including students that are deployed. Many students by taking online classes are able to finish their degree by the time they decide to get out of the military.

With an education, these students not only become better soldiers, but also better civilians. Upon graduation, these students will not only have their military training but also an academic background. With these two types of training and knowledge, these individuals will be prepared for their futures and also have a competitive edge on everyone else.

Related Link: Undergraduate Degrees and Masters Degrees