| You may think that an associate's degree can't open | | | | online. This will give you more career options, and the |
| up as many doors for you as a bachelor's degree. | | | | chance to eventually earn a Master's of Science in |
| Think again. | | | | Nursing (MSN). The MSN allows you to become a |
| Truth be told, there's a lot you can do with an | | | | nurse practitioner and enter a whole range of |
| associate's degree these days. It can a faster, less | | | | specialties, some of which pay a higher salary than a |
| expensive way to start a one of 2010's top careers, | | | | doctor's. |
| start a rewarding vocational career, or work towards | | | | And it all starts with the associate's degree. |
| a four-year degree. | | | | 3. Work Towards a Bachelor's Degree |
| Here are our 5 favorite things an associate's degree | | | | If you want a bachelor's degree, or know you'll need |
| can do for you: | | | | one to eventually advance in your career, but can't |
| 1. Start a Vocational Career | | | | commit to a four-year program just yet, an associate's |
| If you don't want to spend your weekdays locked in a | | | | degree is a great place to start. |
| cubicle, there are a lot of fantastic, high-paying | | | | The associate's degree will allow you to complete |
| vocational careers out there for you to explore. From | | | | your prerequisites and preliminary coursework, many |
| cosmetology careers to automotive careers, these | | | | of which will count towards a four-year bachelor's |
| options can help you to turn your favorite hobby into a | | | | degree program when you're ready to enroll. |
| paycheck. | | | | (An added bonus: associate's programs tend to be |
| To start these careers, you'll need highly-specialized | | | | less expensive per credit hour than bachelor's |
| skills. That's where the associate's degree comes in. | | | | programs, which will allow you to save some serious |
| Many community, junior and technical colleges offer | | | | cash on your first two years of school.) |
| associate's degrees for a variety of vocational | | | | 4. Make a Career Change |
| careers, which provide the skills and technical | | | | Let's say you're already working on a particular career |
| know-how you need to get started. | | | | path. One day, you wake up and realize you hate your |
| That means the minute you have your degree in hand, | | | | job and what you really want to do is start a cupcake |
| you'll be ready to join the workforce. No unpaid | | | | delivery business. (When you do, feel free to put the |
| internships required. | | | | myFootpath corporate office address on your delivery |
| 2. Start a Career You Can Advance In | | | | route. Thanks.) |
| Who doesn't want a career that you can start fast, | | | | But while you need to get some business classes |
| advance in, and make a good paycheck? Associate's | | | | under your belt, you already have a bachelor's degree |
| degrees are often the keys that can unlock these | | | | in accounting, and you don't want to start another |
| kinds of career options. | | | | four-year program. So what are you to do? |
| Take nursing, for example. You can become a | | | | Enter the associate's degree. A specialized associate's |
| registered nurse by earning your Associate's of | | | | degree can build on the education you already have, |
| Science in Nursing. In approximately two years, this | | | | and provide the knowledge you need to make that |
| degree will have you working in a hospital, treating | | | | career change. |
| patients and helping doctors. | | | | 5. Start One of Today's Best Careers |
| While you're working as an RN, you can take the next | | | | You don't need a PhD in rocket science to land one of |
| steps by earning a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing | | | | today's top careers. |