The second largest city in the state, San Diego offers more than just beautiful beaches and glorious year-round sunshine. It’s every student’s dream, full of educational opportunities, steady job growth, and a wide mix of ethnicity and culture. A few years spent studying at America’s Finest City won’t disappoint. But, don’t think the big three (San Diego State, University of California San Diego and University of San Diego) are your only options or that you have to be in your early 20s to further your career. Schools range from the internationally-recognized Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising to the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Whether you’re into the health care industry or the technology scene, you’ve got options:

Digital Design

Traditional graphic and web design are joining forces with digital publishing and technology’s newest devices to create a bachelor’s degree program in Designing for Tablets: Digital Publishing. A relatively new emphasis, this 11-quarter, 180-credit program offered at The Art Institute of California San Diego teaches students how to create “aesthetic, functional and creative” media that engages users. The program focuses on practical application and sets students up for careers in interactive design, user experience and interface design, and digital design.

Animal Health Technology

Photo of San Diego Mesa College by Jamie Lantzy via Wikimedia Commons

Whose dream job isn’t to work with animals? Students at San Diego Mesa College can major in Animal Health Technology with an associate degree in science. With courses on animal care and management to veterinary radiography, diseases of domestic animals and general microbiology, students get a well-rounded education and finish as registered veterinary technicians. The program partners with the San Diego Zoo to provide students with internships and hands-on experience. If your dream is to work with animals in any department, it doesn’t hurt to start in an entry-level position while you’re going to school. Available at job-applications.com, applicants can find available positions at the San Diego Zoo in food services, security, groundskeeping and more.

Project Management

Photo by Alex Hansen via Wikimedia Commons

A practical approach to boosting your resume, UC San Diego Extension’s Professional Certificate in Project Management program provides professionals with skills-based, hands-on simulation experience. Here you’ll learn how to better handle projects, alleviate conflicts and thrive in a team environment. The two-year program includes courses in project planning and scheduling, leadership and systems engineering, with classes available online and in person. The courses can be used to satisfy the Professional Development Unit requirement needed by Project Management Professional credential holders.

Health Care

Photo by Geographer via Wikimedia Commons

Think the health care industry is right for you, but don’t want to put in eight years to be a doctor? Consider a medical billing course or pharmacy technician certification. Ranging from 50- to 95-hour programs, San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies offers several health care career programs. Programs are fast, skill-based and hands-on, in both online and classroom settings. With job opportunities in doctor and dental offices, sports medicine clinics and community care facilities for the elderly, this is the type of training that can launch your career in one of the fasting growing industries in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.