The Associates Degree is normally considered the lowest tier in the hierarchy of programs offered by institutions of higher learning, whether they be colleges and universities, technical schools, and others. This degree program normally encompasses two years of study and covers what is usually considered the general education of a standard degree program. Although the associates degree is generally thought of as the precursor to a four-year degree, some use the degree with the intent of entering the workforce upon graduation, especially when they often have another degree in a different area of study that they intend to compliment their first degree with.
Fortunately, a large number of Associate Degree careers are available that require only the two-year course of study and are rewarded with well-paying jobs. And even in this period of economic downturn, just an Associates degree can be a person’s ticket to a good job.
If the economic downturn has taught workers anything, it’s the fact that there’s no longer such a thing as a secure job. And in this type of employment market, not only is having an Associates Degree a good thing, but it can also make a big difference if whether you get or keep a job over a competitor. The key difference is when a skill can be adequately learned in a two-year program, but less than a four-year (or longer) degree.
Many medical careers, for example, hold these types of characteristics. A two-year R.N. degree program is an excellent case. Although the pay rates are higher for four-year and graduate level degrees in nursing, a two-year R.N. can earn a considerable amount more than a similar job with only a high school diploma. An example of this would be an L.V.N. or practical nurse certification. Other medical professionals that can benefit with just an Associates Degree are physical therapist assistants, x-ray technicians, and other clinical staff.
The so-called “middle-skill” workers are also an excellent example of jobs that are in high demand even with job candidates that only have an Associates Degree. These positions include bookkeepers, receptionists, and legal assistants, all of whom hold positions that could ordinarily hold these jobs without a degree, except that the specialized nature of the professions require them to have some sort of training.
Paralegals often have only an Associates Degree, although some do have additional training in the legal profession. Paralegals are responsible for gathering information for documents and other actions related to legal cases being handled by attorneys. They are also frequently instrumental in leading investigations for actions related to legal cases.
The growing concern over the environment is not only spawning the demand for workers with Associates Degrees in traditional fields such as forestry and related areas, but entirely new programs are constantly being developed to keep pace with the changing landscape of legal requirements. Those wanting to fill these positions are not only looking for workers who have at least an Associates Degree in the general area of specialization, but frequently with an emphasis on the field itself.
Many jobs in the transportation and manufacturing sectors require that those who hold these positions have at least an Associates Degree. Not only do employers expect job candidates to be better qualified in order to step into a job, but according to several studies, a large number of jobs in these areas are being held by workers who can be expected to retire in the next few years, making the demand for qualified replacements critical.
A large number of technical jobs that demand at least an Associates Degree level of training will be in demand in the new few years. These include aircraft mechanics, electricians and other skilled positions. It is worthy of note that these positions earn considerable salaries with $ 63,430 and $ 56,900 respectively in annual earnings. And as the Internet continues to grow, computer programmers who sometimes only have an Associates Degree can find themselves in great demand among many companies that are forward looking. Those that are focusing on the capabilities of the future such as social networks and cloud computing will be in demand by those who are early adopters of the technologies.
As the economy recovers and grows in new directions, employers will need many workers with middle skills with Associates Degrees and like industry certifications. In fact, students at community colleges and technical schools are finding jobs in industries like health care, optics and other technologies because they have these specialized skills. These avenues of training are being recognized by an increasing number of new students who are anxious to update their skills for the changing work environment. Fortunately, these institutions are working together to provide the training necessary to meet the needs of today’s new business world.