Associates or bachelors in IT?

College Majors
1

Once upon a time when I was 19, I had no idea what I wanted to do like everyone else and then it hit me… I wanted to be a school guidance counselor because my middle school counselor was such an inspiration. I still had my doubts throughout the semesters but I still stuck with it. After I got my associates, I headed to the University in another city for two semesters and then ran out of money. To make a long story short, I had to move back home to a small town in rural Alabama and the only job I can get with my associates is mental health work doing a job that doesn’t require anything above a high school level and fast food. I have also lost interest in pursuing my school guidance counseling prospective career because of various reasons. I am currently 26 and although unsure, I believe that I will try my luck again in dealing with IT work.

I have little to no real world experience with helping other people with their computers but I have always had one and I did find it enjoyable in the past when I had to fix my own. In the matter of a degree, computer information systems has caught my eye as well as information technology with an emphasis in networking. My question is that since I already have an associates degree in an unrelated subject, should I get another associates in computer networking or head on toward getting a bachelors? I have asked other people, but I never get a straight answer. I am not sure if employers value an associates more for IT or a bachelors. Thank you for your time and please respond if you can. Thank you :slight_smile:

2

One way to answer this question is to do an exploratory job search in your area and see what current IT positions are looking for.

I did that on Indeed, in my own area (greater Seattle). Most of the positions I saw required only an associate’s in IT. Some didn’t require a college degree at all - they said that it would be a plus if you got one.

It might be a good idea to start with an associate’s in IT - that way you can get working more quickly. Then you could perhaps pursue a bachelor’s part-time while you work.

3

Most of the posts around where I live state that they require a bachelors degree :/. It just depends on where one is located I suppose. I have done much thinking on it today and I have about decided to carry through with a bachelors if I can but take transferable classes from a CC. The thought of going through another associates is not appealing at all when I consider that I could have a bachelors in 2.5 years or so. I may still do an associates though.

4

You should do a bachelor’s, then - you’ll always have more opportunities with a BA. You can do the jobs that require an AA and any that ask for a BA. Also, with an AA you may hit a ceiling if you want to move into management, but a BA will allow you to move into those positions.