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The community college that I go to says that the degree is designed for employment, but is it a secure choice as something to get for a lifelong career? It says that graduates should expect salaries to plateau at $40K, which I am fine with. I just don't know how likely it is for me to find a job with it.
You may fufill the educational requirement for a bookkeeper, payroll specialist, or an AR/AP rep for some companies, but if you want to progress further, you need a bachelors and/or CPA certification.
Of course you'll need experience for pretty much any role you apply for anyway, so some people work at these sorts of jobs for a year and pursue internships while working on a bachelors.
Nobody hands you a job just for completing the degree. So, when you ask if it's a secure choice, the wild card in the mix is you and how well you market yourself and your degree after you get it.
You could do the books for small businesses in your area, possibly for non-profit orgs. Finding an internship in your second year would really help. Of course your options would open way up if you got a 4-year degree and a CPA. But do a job search in your area now, and around your state, to get an idea of what's available.
The community college that I go to says that the degree is designed for employment, but is it a secure choice as something to get for a lifelong career?
Nothing is a secure choice for a lifelong career.
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Originally Posted by ThatUsernameIsTaken
I just don't know how likely it is for me to find a job with it.
You will be competing with those who have more education and/or experience.
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Originally Posted by ThatUsernameIsTaken
Is an associate degree in Accounting worth anything?
Where do you want your career to go? There are jobs out there for an associate degree only.
As a CPA myself, I chose to to get the designation as I knew it would mean more opportunity, for which I now own my practice. In this day and age, without a CPA or a masters in taxation etc., the accounting field will take you only so far. Of course I speak in generalities because there are always those who make it without all of the extra education.
Where do you want your career to go? There are jobs out there for an associate degree only.
As a CPA myself, I chose to to get the designation as I knew it would mean more opportunity, for which I now own my practice. In this day and age, without a CPA or a masters in taxation etc., the accounting field will take you only so far. Of course I speak in generalities because there are always those who make it without all of the extra education.
Honestly, I don't have any real preference for what I do as long as I know that I can handle the work and I can find a job that pays a living wage. I really don't want to have to get a university degree, but that's basically my absolute last resort. I don't really have any particular interests that push me one way or another career-wise. I thought of the accounting associate program at the community college I applied to because I got a 5 on the math placement test and a math level of 4 is required to start the classes in the program. I don't really care about making a lot of money, either, I just care about making enough to survive. I really don't want the debt and long years associated with universities (I went to one for 2 years and hated it). I've had a 3.8 gpa through my two years, but I can't help but feel like universities aren't for me. (I'm also being super pressured to hurry up and pick something and go back to school by family)
Honestly, I don't have any real preference for what I do as long as I know that I can handle the work and I can find a job that pays a living wage. I really don't want to have to get a university degree, but that's basically my absolute last resort. I don't really have any particular interests that push me one way or another career-wise. I thought of the accounting associate program at the community college I applied to because I got a 5 on the math placement test and a math level of 4 is required to start the classes in the program. I don't really care about making a lot of money, either, I just care about making enough to survive. I really don't want the debt and long years associated with universities (I went to one for 2 years and hated it). I've had a 3.8 gpa through my two years, but I can't help but feel like universities aren't for me. (I'm also being super pressured to hurry up and pick something and go back to school by family)
Look into healthcare associated associates degrees. They pay pretty well.
Some of the jobs on here have associate degrees that are directly linked to them (like the cardiovascular one).'
As for your question at hand, you can become a book keeper. You'll probably be hired for small businesses like restaurants and stuff. It's not the worst thing in the world if you're aiming for a 40kish job, but I don't think it's the most financially stable career. There are better options even if you're just going for an associates degree.
No, most of the clerical jobs that this degree was originally designed for have been eliminated through efficiency and outsourcing. A good deal of bachelors degree holders who cant find meaningful work will end up falling back into what few of these roles are left. Thats not to say that you CANT find a job with a bachelors, its just that youre going to have the deck stacked highly against you.
... I really don't want the debt and long years associated with universities (I went to one for 2 years and hated it). I've had a 3.8 gpa through my two years, but I can't help but feel like universities aren't for me. (I'm also being super pressured to hurry up and pick something and go back to school by family)
Whoa! If you already have two years of college with a 3.8 gpa, do you really want an associate degree?
The upside is that (most of) your credits should transfer to the community college, so it shouldn't take too long to graduate, but it might not be possible to get all the math and accounting classes you'll need in one school year either. A visit with a community college counselor should enlighten you as to what more credits you'd need and how quickly you could get them.
If I was in your shoes, I'd go forward toward a bachelor's and become a CPA. Income, even though it's not important to you now, should be MUCH greater, and there will be a time when you're glad to have the higher degree and higher income. It probably wouldn't take too much longer nor cost much more.
If your college life isn't what you think it should be or the costs are too high, perhaps you can look into switching to a different 4-year college.
Whoa! If you already have two years of college with a 3.8 gpa, do you really want an associate degree?
Yeah, you're right, I guess I was just trying to settle and rush into real life.
I'm not really into accounting, right now I'm thinking I'll get a business management bachelor degree.
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