So i recently changed my school plan. I was going to graduate from my local community college with an associates degree then transfer to a university and get Bachelor's degree. I am paying for school all on my own and I have to work because I don't have parents to help me out with living, food, etc.. So I changed to just graduate with an Associates degree and not transfer. But is an Associates useless without a Bachelor's?
ibu guru
Depends on what you studied & what you do with what you have. However, most associate's degrees, without continuing for at least a bachelor's, are not in any demand. E.g. accounting - maybe get some clerical work, but with a glut of accountants with bachelor's & master's, first of all, you are NOT an "accountant," and cannot compete with university grads for entry-level jobs. Paralegal - corporate legal departments & law firms typically only want those with bachelor's degrees, plus the 2-year ABA paralegal program, although about half of all new paralegal jobs actually go to law school graduates.
For those who only go to community college, those who do best take vocational/occupational training programs which require 2 years or less of education & training for their certification.
So what did you study, and how can you convince a prospective employer that you can actually do something worth paying for? What do you have to offer?
Joseph B
It depends what you plan to do. As others have noted, in some professions, an associates degree is sufficient. Before it is too late, you should contact the guidance counselors at your community college for advice.
drip
A general education associate degree really isn’t helpful to get a job. It’s purpose is to get your ged eds out of the way cheap and go on to a bachelor degree.
Unfortunately it really doesn’t give you much of a leg up over.You may want to work slowly at getting your Bachelor degree. Taking a class or two each semester while working. You if can declare yourself independent and possibly get more financial aid.
You may be able to take 12/15 credits and work part time. Being able to attend full time and pay for food and rent.
wldswede
Depends on what you want to do and if that associates is general versus specific... if the work you want to do requires a bachelor's degree, then you'll have a problem. But, there are lots of positions that would only require an associate's degree or at the very least, put you at a higher pay level than someone with a high school diploma only.
Anonymous
Depends what it's in. A doctorate in 15th century French poetry is pretty useless compared to a 6 month trade school in plumbing or electrical work.