<p>So i already got an AA, but there is a specific one I want that I had no idea was offered at my school, and I qualify for it. I already "graduated" in spring I'm still taking a summer class right not though just to transfer over more credits to UCLA. I am wondering if it is too late to get another AA? </p>
<p>Too late to get another AA? You might want to check with your CC about that sort of stuff.</p>
<p>At my CC, once you have already graduated and received a degree, in order to get a second degree you have to complete a minimum of 12 units that are separate from the original degree. Before you declare you could have 50 degrees, but once you declare you have to jump through additional hoops -aka more classes.</p>
<p>I have a sincere question, because I really don’t know. Why do students even attain an AA? Why wouldn’t the student forgo some of those classes and just work toward transferring for a BA/BS? I spoke to a student the other day who wanted to become a nurse and the AA had a specific path to it, so I guess that made sense, but the numbers at this AA graduation at my CC was crazy big and I was stunned. I know a guy who said he got his AA because he didn’t know any better and thought it was what CC was for. Which of course brings us back to the lack of information provided by many CC’s, but that’s another story. </p>
<p>Let’s face it, the BA is pretty much now the High School diploma, so to be frank, the AA seems almost useless in today’s job market. Or did I miss something here? Why do people attain an AA?</p>
<p>Sorry I derailed your thread, it just got me thinking about it. And btw, why in God’s name would anyone want TWO AA’s!?</p>
<p>@fullload </p>
<p>Well I have 2 AAs, earned ‘with honors’, and I’m pretty proud of them. I have 67 units from CC, and I only had to take 1 class that wasn’t specifically part of my transfer plan. Why wouldn’t I get it- I earned it.</p>
<p>Life is a crazy journey and you never know what the future holds. If something were to happen to prevent or delay me getting a BA, I still have my AA. For now and always, and that can never be taken away. </p>
<p>If you were in a program that let you get a MA and BA in the same program, wouldn’t you still want your BA, even though the MA was forth coming?</p>
<p>As a future lawyer, you may want to work on being less judgemental. IMO </p>
<p>I see, so it was really that it wasn’t so difficult to attain when you only needed a couple extra classes? That makes sense I guess. </p>
<p>I can speak as a former corporate guy, who hired and fired dozens of employees in my day. To be completely honest, I not only disregarded an AA on a resume, I always thought of it more as a lack of success at the university level. I KNOW that sounds wrong, but it’s true and it’s how I felt as an employer. My wife, who has hired and fired hundreds in her position, considers it an irrelevant degree. I don’t think she’s go as far as saying it was useless (like I would), but she said it has no bearing on her decision to hire.</p>
<p>I would never begrudge someone for bettering themselves, so I’m sure an AA is a perfect for some people, so don’t attack me. I’m just speaking from a former employer perspective at a Fortune 500. I’m sure there’s countless employers out there who admire and require an AA, I just don’t see the relevance in it myself when you can forgo those classes which expedites your ability to transfer to a 4-year faster. I know some professions, like nursing, the AA is relevant and a pathway to success in that field.</p>
<p>I sincerely do not mean any disrespect at all.</p>
<p>I don’t want to derail this thread further, so this is the last thing I’ll say on this topic. </p>
<p>When you say you don’t mean any disrespect, that sounds completely insincere. In your initial post here, you say “why in God’s name would anyone want 2 AAs?” You are saying that on the thread where the OP has already said he has one, and wants a second. When a person starts a sentence with “why in gods name …”, they are being dismissive and disrespectful. That statement is specifically disrespectful to the OP. This is obviously something that is of importance to the OP, which is why they started a thread about it.</p>
<p>If you want to have an honest conversation about the value of an AA, then start your own thread about that subject. Don’t derail someone else’s topic, and be disrespectful to the OP. That’s not ok.</p>
<p>I can think of five reasons a person might want an A.A.: (1) they are stopping their journey after two years. Not everyone transfers; (2) They either had everything completed for an A.A., or as candles said, needed one extra class, so go for it; (3) they may be the first in the family to reach that level so there is profound family and personal pride; (4) an individual may have struggled with a severe disability and it is a defining moment of jubilation; and (5) it’s a symbol of accomplishment, even if it is only the preliminary step in the journey.</p>
<p>That’s why they give out sports awards, academic achievement awards, community service awards starting at an early age. People are spurred by the joy of accomplishment and recognition of their efforts. If someone managed to get the equivalent of two A.A. degrees, bravo. </p>
<p>I have a question I’ve been wondering about. @fullload you keep presenting yourself as an employer in a Fortune 500 corporation, and have some sort of dealings with hundreds of potential applicants, as you have stated more than once. But you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, or any degree for that matter, as you poo-poo AAs and have noted you requested AR to start over at CC. (Plus, you can’t use the CC route if you have a bachelor’s degree from another school, so we know that’s out.)</p>
<p>The fact that you rose to a top level without any college degree is inspirational and shows smarts and hard work. Could you let the kids know your path? It’s a great educational tool when they get into the job market in a couple of years. </p>
<p>You know what? I did realize there are ways. I was misinterpreting the level. For instance, if you’re an assistant manager at McDonalds you would be looking at resumes. So I get the route. Makes sense and is totally doable. My bad. :x </p>
<p>There are many high-paying jobs for which only an AA degree is required. I wouldn’t regard them with disdain, as @fullload seems to.</p>
<p>Seriously there are ways to move up with only an AA, or in fullload’s case, no degree. So that is reassuring. Of course, there usually is a wall at some point, unless you’re a celebrity.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why anyone would look down on any level of achievement, but I have seen people including fullload look down on four year degrees from CSUs. So while I don’t agree with it, I am not surprised at the attitude by fullload toward an AA. </p>
<p>Some people need to try to put others down in order to feel better about themselves. Unfortunate, but true [-X </p>
<p>I never really thought about it to be honest. I’m in a similar situation to 2016Candles, where I only needed one class to get two AA degrees. I guess I felt like if I put in all this time and effort, I might as well transfer with as much as possible!</p>
<p>Lol, whatever. I’m out anyway. This place has gotten way too sensitive and unable to handle a wide variety of opinions without the need to mob attack people. You won’t hear from me anymore, no worries. Take care guys, enjoyed the ride while it lasted. Peace. :)</p>
<p>And to answer the idiot from earlier who asked, after HS I went directly into a lower level corporate position and worked my way up. If you want to assume that’s McDonalds, nothing I can do about that. </p>
<p>Good luck to all of you. :)</p>
<p>This is why fulload. You waste so many posts calling people snotty defamatory names or insulting them. Signed, the idiot.</p>
<p>@fullload </p>
<p>It’s a shame that you’re leaving us. We’re not intentionally grouping up on you. It’s just that we all happen to disagree with your opinions about the value of AA degrees. If you think we’re being “sensitive” because we don’t share your views and make that known to you, then I don’t really know what to say.</p>
<p>Good luck in your endeavors. I hope you get admitted to UCLA next year.</p>