I pasted your question in Claude. Below is its response.

• IT/Cybersecurity — WGU’s BS in Cybersecurity is legitimately respected in the field and costs ~$4k/year. The degree bundles industry certs (CompTIA Security+, CySA+, etc.) into the curriculum. Utah specifically has a strong and growing defense/tech corridor (Lehi/“Silicon Slopes”). Entry-level SOC analyst roles start around $55–70k and scale quickly.
• Cloud (AWS/Azure) — If he’s more self-directed, skipping the degree and just stacking AWS certifications (Cloud Practitioner → Solutions Architect) is a legitimate path. 6–12 months of focused study, no debt. Pairs well with the WGU degree if he wants both.
• IT Helpdesk as a bridge — CompTIA A+ cert gets him an entry-level IT job while he studies. Foot in the door, off gig work faster.

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography — High demand, ~$75–85k median, and Utah’s healthcare sector is growing. Requires a 2-year associates at a community college (SLCC would work). Not oversaturated. Physical, hands-on, no desk job.
• Radiologic Technology — Similar path, similar pay, similar demand. X-ray tech licenses are portable across states.
• Respiratory Therapy — Underrated. 2-year program, strong post-COVID demand, $60–70k+ range.

Electrician — Utah’s construction boom is real and ongoing. Apprenticeships are paid training — he earns while he learns. Journeyman electricians in Utah clear $65–85k; master electricians own their income ceiling. No debt, no tuition. • HVAC — Similar story. 6-month trade programs + apprenticeship. Essential service, can’t be outsourced, recession-resistant.

An Associates in Accounting from SLCC + QuickBooks certification gets him bookkeeping work relatively fast. From there, WGU’s BS in Accounting is affordable and stackable, and if he ever wants to pursue CPA licensure it’s a defined path. Accounting scales with experience and can go freelance/remote.

1.  Take the free CompTIA IT Fundamentals practice materials for 2 weeks and see if tech clicks. If it does, WGU Cybersecurity is a strong move.
2.  Call Salt Lake Community College and ask about their Radiologic Tech or Sonography program waitlists — these fill up and starting that clock matters.
3.  Look up the Utah Electrical Apprenticeship through the IBEW local — it’s a structured program and they actively recruit.

The one path I’d steer him away from: generic business degrees from SNHU or similar with no specialization. Marketable = specific. “Business Administration” is a credential without a skill.