After graduating and getting out into the workforce, I quickly realized that my communications degree was too general, which could play into my favor as I was qualified for just about any job. However, many times I didn’t even get interviews and I lost out on positions several times because I was knowledgeable but did not have specialized skills. I basically had a glorified high school diploma. I got my foot in the door with marketing, and because I was able to finally land a job I learned particular skills that allowed me to move into other positions. However, none of them were very good.

An associates degree would have allowed me to gain a specific marketable skill. For instance, I wish I would have gone into either ultrasound technology or massage therapy. Both of these would have allowed me to get a higher starting salary, and these specialized skills lend themselves to moving into part time positions and still retain full time hourly wages. For me, this would have been ideal as I have two small children and ideally would like to work part time. However, with my communications degree, it is very difficult to find part time work that pays well hourly. Everything I see offers around $8.50 per hour, and this is after getting a four year degree! With an associates degree, I could be making three times that and only have gone to school for two years.

All in all, I guess my experience will help me to guide my sons into looking into all of their options. Just because a degree costs more and schooling is longer doesn’t mean it will be the right choice for you.