There are many ways that an Associate of Arts Degree can improve your career and even your life. An Associate of Arts Degree is one of a variety of Associate’s Degrees that exist within education. It is a type of degree aimed at people with a high school diploma or GED who wish to advance in their career or add to their skills in order to find new employment.
There are many differences between an Associate’s Degree and other forms of higher education, such as the length of study, the types of courses on offer and the different benefits afforded to the students. There are plenty of reasons to choose an Associate of Arts Degree and here are just a few examples to get you started.
Greater Choice
One of the best attributes of the Associate of Arts Degree – or the AA degree – is the variety of elective courses that are available to students. This focus on choice allows you to fine tune what you are seeking from your education to achieve your own specific career goals. With this in mind, you will be better prepared to tailor your education to suit your needs.
Freedom
The freedom of undertaking an AA degree compared to the weighty decision of embarking upon other types of longer higher education makes it an excellent choice for people who have time commitments already in place, such as jobs and families. Instead of leaving work, commuting or having to find childcare, you can receive course materials online and participate in distance learning. This gives you the freedom to continue to earn money as you earn your qualification alongside.
More Opportunities
Although you may have found a career that suits you, adding to your list of skills and qualifications will always put you in good stead for advancement and greater rewards. If you are currently seeking employment, an AA degree can be a huge help in giving you an edge over your competition for the best jobs. The more qualified you are, the more likely an employer will give you the chance to prove your capabilities. You will find that once you’ve achieved your AA degree, you’ll have more opportunities to chase.
Salary
With more qualifications, comes the opportunity for more promotions and higher pay. However, taking the time to leave your job or your job hunting to attend full time college can be daunting, especially if you can’t afford to stop work. As mentioned above, AA degrees can be obtained through online courses that allow you to continue making money while you work but they also help your earning potential for the future.
With the right qualification, you will be higher up a potential employer’s list and therefore can be choosier about where you work based on the offered salary.
Diverse Career Options
Just as an AA degree can help you find jobs with better salaries, it can also give you more choice in the job market as a whole. Depending on the electives you choose for your qualification, you’ll be able to apply to a wider variety of jobs and gain more attention from different types of potential employer.
Solid Educational Basis
An AA degree is the perfect balance between finding employment and educating yourself to a level that allows you to work the way you want to. You won’t have to spend years and years training for a career you may not even want, and you also won’t have to narrow down your options too hastily. With a solid education at the core of your skill list, backed up by the qualification, you’ll be more attractive to employers and will be able to afford a certain level of choosiness. Employers want to hire people with relevant knowledge and experience, which is what your AA degree will give you.
Proof of Diligence
Whenever you choose to start your AA degree, whether before or during your working career, the very fact that you have chosen to apply yourself to this type of vocational learning proves to prospective employers that you are committed to improving yourself. This makes you an appealing candidate.
Job Security
It feels as if the current job climate is rarely stable or predictable, apart from the fact that it is seemingly always everyone for themselves. Obtaining job security can make a huge difference to your quality of life, especially if you have people who depend on your income. With an AA degree, you will be in a better position than most when it comes to proving yourself to be an indispensable employee.