Getting an associates degree to better my situation?

[DS9VOY]

I am sick of thinking I only have retail dead end jobs to look forward to.

I have been thinking about this for a while and have realized I could probably get an associates of arts degree pretty quickly from the community college in my city. Would this help me get out of dead end jobs? I'm not saying some kind of guarantee, but would it help a LITTLE bit even? From what I have read most people do NOT have associates degrees, and it is still the case that most people don't even have bachelors degrees. So this should put be ahead of people with just high school anyway right?

Also if I were to get this degree apparently it knocks off two years of a bachelors degree. If I were to then go to the major state university here and get a bachelors of science in criminal justice degree how much more would that help me? If I were to get the associates degree first I could get this bachelors degree in 2 more years.

 

[Matthiasa]

Just about anything helps somewhat.
However, if you plan on using it to knock time off of a bachelor's degree make sure the credits transfer.

 

[Corporate Thug]

first of all, it depends what the degree is in. art history? you just wasted two years. The job market is extremely competitive these days. Applying for a job that has any potential for growth usually requires at least a BA, so you are doing the bare minimum with a AA (unless we are talking about a trade/trade school).

temper your expectations. don't think AA is going to open any magical doors.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

anything helps. even getting involved with a CC should connect you to better job opportunities

 

[Bignate603]

Depending on what you can do it could help. I'd make sure to figure out a program that would apply directly towards a 4 year bachelor's. Most community colleges have plans of study that are designed to do exactly that and they'll be able to tell you if they have any relationship with 4 year schools in the area so you can easily transition from the community college to the 4 year university.

Community colleges are incredibly underutilized, if the one in your area is good they're an amazingly good bargain for the price you pay.

What do you want to work eventually?

 

[theflyingpig]

What you need, DS9VOY, is direction. I can tell by your post that you really don't have any idea of what you really want to do. Yes, yes you mentioned getting a degree in criminal justice, but that really doesn't mean anything. The fact that you don't mention a specific career path is proof to me that you're still trying to find yourself, and until you do, no degree can help you. Open your mind. Everyone knows this.

 

[xSauronx]

Just about anything helps somewhat.
However, if you plan on using it to knock time off of a bachelor's degree make sure the credits transfer.

do this anyway unless you want to get a very specific associates and stick yourself in a particular field. i almost did that but am very glad i was able to transfer

 

[silverpig]

First, way to go on deciding you want something better for yourself. If you want something else, and work for it, you'll get where you want to be.

That being said, you shouldn't aimlessly go to school in hopes that it will get you a job. It probably won't.

What you should do is decide on a career you want, then figure out what you need to do to get there, and then come up with a plan for how to do it.

So, what do you want to do?

 

[silverpig]

What you need, DS9VOY, is direction. I can tell by your post that you really don't have any idea of what you really want to do. Yes, yes you mentioned getting a degree in criminal justice, but that really doesn't mean anything. The fact that you don't mention a specific career path is proof to me that you're still trying to find yourself, and until you do, no degree can help you. Open your mind. Everyone knows this.

Holy crap. Us pigs think alike.

 

[Mike Gayner]

TFP is actually on the money in this case.

 

[BoomerD]

A good start before enrolling in school would be to contact your local state employment office to see if they offer aptitude and interest testing. Your local community college may also be able to point you towards suitable testing.

As someone who just went through getting Associate's degrees, I can tell you that they're better than nothing...but not much. I found out pretty quickly that the colleges store the degrees on rolls in the bathroom supply closet...for alternate uses...

I agree that you SHOULD aim for taking classes that will transfer to a 4 year university in whatever field you decide to pursue...but first, you need to decide what that field will be.

 

[JSt0rm]

What you need, DS9VOY, is direction. I can tell by your post that you really don't have any idea of what you really want to do. Yes, yes you mentioned getting a degree in criminal justice, but that really doesn't mean anything. The fact that you don't mention a specific career path is proof to me that you're still trying to find yourself, and until you do, no degree can help you. Open your mind. Everyone knows this.

wow theflyingpig was actually helpful. Amazing.

 

[Hacp]

Degree is not a guaranteed path to a job. Just know that.