Theres a reason that more than half of all U.S. high school seniors go on to earn some kind of college or other post-secondary degree. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that lifetime earnings for someone who spends just two years in pursuit of higher education outstrip earnings for a typical high school graduate on average by 250,000 dollars. High school seniors eager for better pay and a solid career path may want to consider a two-year Associate Degree from a local community college or technical school.
In many respects, the Associate Degree fits hand-in-glove with the three-tiered earnings structure found in many career fields. This is caused in large part by increasing levels of specialization in which different jobs require different levels of education. Within any career field, job seekers will find jobs requiring a multi-year graduate degree, a four-year Bachelors degree, or in many cases just two years of specialized training culminating in an Associate Degree.
The health-care field illustrates this trend well. Top wage earners in this field doctors and dentists, for example all must complete more than four years of college or university work. Those holding second tier jobs in the health care sector a physical therapist or recreation administrator in a nursing home or hospital require a four-year university degree. But high school grads who invest just two years to earn their Associate Degree will also find plenty of good-paying third level job opportunities in the medical and health-care sector. Job examples include medical records technician, occupational therapy assistant or registered nurse.
While the health care field illustrates the many career opportunities open to the holder of an Associate Degree, it is not the only job sector where grads can anticipate earning above-average salaries. Depending on the type of degree they earn there are two basic kinds of Associate Degree with specific degrees ranging from the Associate of Arts degree to the Associate of Applied Science degree grads can find jobs in many high-paying professions. Job titles may include medical laboratory technician, surveyor, car mechanic, water-treatment plant operator or registered nurse.
Besides the prospect for a secure career path with a high-paid job, there are excellent upfront reasons to choose a two-year course of study. In most cases, high school grads can get their diploma within easy driving distance from home at a nearby community college, junior college or technical school. Besides saving on living expenses, they also benefit from the generally lower fee structures found at community colleges or local technical schools.
For students who want to work full-time and complete their two-year degree at their own pace, online learning may be an alternative worthy of consideration especially for working adults. Dozens of the country's leading online universities offer two-year degree programs in addition to their traditional four-year degree programs. The nations biggest online university, the University of Phoenix Online, is one place to start investigating this option. The University of Phoenix offers several different kinds of Associate Degree programs through its sister organization, Axia College of University of Phoenix. Youll find links to help you explore this option in the resource box below.
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Matt Paolini works from home as a distance learner. Visit University of Phenix Online or University of Pheonix Online for free distance learning info.
