If you’re eager to start your career and begin earning reliable income as soon as possible, associate’s degree programs are attractive for their relatively quick completion times. If you’re thinking of earning an associate’s degree, you likely have questions about how it would position you for future earnings as compared against more substantial undergraduate or graduate degrees. What do employer’s think about an associate’s degree, anyway?
There are areas of specialization where employers would welcome candidates with associate’s degrees. In some cases, an associate’s degree is considered the minimum requirement for securing entry-level employment. Read on to discover insights about 5 occupations in which an associate’s degree would be an asset.
Occupational Therapy Assistant
An associate’s degree is a major advantage if you want to become an occupational therapy assistant. To be considered for entry-level jobs in occupational therapy, you would need at least a high school diploma. An associate’s degree would distinguish you from other candidates. As an associate’s degree graduate in this niche, you’d be likely to earn between $55,000 and $74,999 per year. The upper level of this salary range would be realistic if you also have the necessary interpersonal skills and physical strength that are assets for performing this job.
Physical Therapist Assistant
An associate’s degree is the minimum academic requirement for becoming a physical therapist assistant. Licensure and / or certification is also required in all US states. These credentials, along with the required interpersonal skill set, qualify you to earn an annual salary of anywhere from $55,000 to $74,999.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
An associate’s degree is an asset when pursing a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer. You’ll typically be in competition with other candidates who hold one-year hospital certificates and also with candidates who have bachelor’s degrees. Professional certification is also a critical asset in this line of work, as many patients must have their sonograms performed by a certified professional in order to qualify for coverage from their insurance providers. If you have these credentials plus the required interpersonal skills, you could expect to earn an annual salary between $55,000 and $74,999.
Web Developer
An associate’s degree is an asset to some candidates seeking work as web developers. This is a role where expertise is typically prioritized over education. There are high school graduates who possess the required graphic design and programming skills to do the job. Some employers do prefer to hire web developer candidates who hold degrees. Web developers generally earn salaries between $55,000 and $74,999 per year.
Radiation Therapist
Relevant education is required for becoming a radiation therapist; your choices would be earning an associate’s degree, earning a bachelor’s degree or completing a one-year certification program. Experts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics have mentioned that many employers in this niche prefer to hire candidates who hold associate’s degrees. In addition to your degree, you’ll need to pass the ARRT certification exam and become licensed and / or certified according to your state’s requirements. These credentials and the necessary interpersonal skills would qualify you to earn an annual salary of $75,000 or more working in radiation therapy.
Conclusion
If you’re considering the possibility of earning your associate’s degree, these are career paths you’ll definitely want to consider following. Career experts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics have projected that these 5 areas of specialization are all poised for strong future growth opportunities. There are significant numbers of employers inclined to hire associate’s degree graduates in these niches. However, there are many worthwhile specializations for associate’s degree graduates, and having a degree is beneficial for most employment situations. We hope this information is helpful to you in understanding what employers think about associate’s degrees and also in choosing a course of study that’s right for you.
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