Associates Degree- is it worth it?

[SweetheartSarah 3]

It's clear that I want to go to culinary school however I feel that I should have something under my belt that is something with a little more stability, in the case that all else fails. Now, I don't want to spend a lot of time and money and effort on a full-length Bachelor program, so I'm considering the possibility of doing an Associates Degree, perhaps a general one, such as an associates degree in Science without a specialization.

What do you think? Any experiences or advice, or any other recommendations or ideas?

Thanks!

[wee carrington 33]

From what I see an Associates Degree is like the new High School diploma.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Not worth it at all. (!!!) It's not enough to get you a job that requires a Bachelor's, and it won't give you any boost over high school graduates.

[Boiler 43,494]

I agree.

[Dan and Judy 614]

I agree.

with who?

[Boiler 43,494]

It was to the first, but actually both.

[skiptex 225]

OP..

it depends if you begin your studies at a Community/Junior College.. there are several trades/programs.. that have a 2 year curriculum.. when completed.. you receive an ASSOCIATES DEGREE..

a friend of mine went to a Junior college completed Criminal Justice Program there for 2 yrs.. THEN transferred those courses to a 4 year school got Bachelors and is will be done with Masters this May..

only 25% of the USA population have a college degree.. so anything is better then nothing.. if you can pick one up on your way to achieve something else.. by all means do so.. there are benefits to HIGHER EDUCATION achievements, no matter how small or large....

[awkwardsoul 20]

Associate degrees use is mostly to bridge from college to university to finish a bachelor's degree. Say your grades aren't top-notch to get straight into a university bachelor degree, the associate degree will let you in with lower grades.

Job wise.. not much, if any, out there that calls for an associate degree. It looks like a "work in progress" really. If you are interested in going to college, it be a good way to explore other options/areas of study but it could get costly.

[Ippsy Pippsy 31]

Unless you are independently wealthy, or being happily financed by your parents, you need to do an analysis of costs/risk/benefits. Why do you want to go to school? What do you hope to gain out of it? Will it further your career goals? Are there jobs in whatever you want to major in? (Unless it is medical or engineering, probably not.) What degree do you actually need to get those jobs?

[Mononoke28 134]

I see an associates degree as the equivalent to "some college". Some employers may like to see that you went a bit further than high school but others will see as not going all the way, which pretty much that's what it really means since most people use it as a springboard to get into college whether it's because their grades were not good enough or because it's more affordable than paying for four full years of college.

Diana

[katchoo12 8]

What about a university certificate ? Here in Quebec its higher than college. Will it worth something in United States ?

[david'sgirl 134]

I got my Associates Degree in Nursing and have a well paying professional job. I was planning to finish the BS after I had my son but I managed to work my way up from floor nurse, to charge, supervisor and manager through experience and on the job training. I ended up never needing the additional degree. I know a lot of people, including the child I put through a 4 yr degree who are making minimum wage. It really depends what your goals are with regard to the degree. It is a good place to start if you want to get your Bachelor or Master's degree. The credits for the basics you will need in any 4 yr program are cheaper in an Associates program. If you want the 4 yr degree you could take your basics and the transfer the credits.

I disagree about it being just "some college". I worked my butt off to earn a degree in a respected profession. Some college applies to folks who took a couple of courses but never finished school.

[yachachiq12 43]

Some culinary programs give you an associate's degree along the way. If you decide the AA is worth it, try to find a culinary program that includes it. It may take a semester or so longer.

[Mononoke28 134]

Some college applies to folks who took a couple of courses but never finished school.

Not really, I've seen many documents, including job applications, that only give you those choices: high school, some college, bachelor's, masters, doctorate. So if someone has an associates degree but not a bachelor's degree, they' have to pick the some college option. That's what I was referring to.

Diana

[TheFantastics09 19]

Associate degrees use is mostly to bridge from college to university to finish a bachelor's degree. Say your grades aren't top-notch to get straight into a university bachelor degree, the associate degree will let you in with lower grades.

Job wise.. not much, if any, out there that calls for an associate degree. It looks like a "work in progress" really. If you are interested in going to college, it be a good way to explore other options/areas of study but it could get costly.

The reason above is what would make the degree worth it in my opinion.