Are associate degrees REALLY pointless?

I think it depends on your field, but it doesn't have much (if anything) to do with whether or not you go on for a Bachelor's in the same field.

An Associate's in a field like liberal arts or general studies is probably pretty pointless for most jobs. The job market is tough enough for someone with a Bachelor's in either of those fields. On the other hand, an Associate's in something like nursing or culinary arts is enough to get you a decent job. Yes, you might need to go on for a higher degree in those fields to take on higher-level, higher-paying, and more complex jobs, but the jobs you can get with just the Associate's aren't bad.

If you're just talking about self-advancement through education then no degree is really pointless -- you'll just wind up with a slightly different skill set depending on your field of study and the level of degree you complete.

I agree with you, it depends on what you get it in. I'm transferring to a 4-year this fall to get my bachelors and I already have an associates however, after I obtain my bachelors I will go back to school to get another associates in but in Respiratory Therapy. Respiratory Therapy only needs an associates in order for people to work in the field.

However, I have been brain washed the past 22 years to believe that I need to obtain that bachelors. I don't need it, but I want it. The bachelors won't make me money, but the associates in Respiratory will. It's weird haha

Associates Degrees are not pointless. They show a completion to your attending 2 yrs of college and They show you set goals and have direction instead of just bouncing around the campus without purpose. They have merit on your resume far more than just simply saying ..Two yrs of college -working toward my BA in _____(whatever). Some people take 10 yrs to get their Bachelor degree.

If you can claim you have an AS even in General Education, it shows your two yrs of college is a complete two yr education and that you have fulfilled the General education requirements.toward your BS goal. I hope I made sense.

There are two main reasons for higher education - employment qualifications and self-improvement.

For the second reason, all education is valuable.

I have used my undergraduate degree many times over the years to qualify for various jobs and to represent many clients