August 2023 Archive: Is an Associate's Degree in IT Worth It?

In August 2023 we published a practical take on whether an associate's degree in Information Technology is useless. The piece cuts through hype and gives clear, usable advice for job seekers, students, and career changers. If you want a quick sense: the degree is not useless, but its value depends on your goals, learning attitude, and extra steps you take.

The article starts by explaining what an associate's degree covers: basic networking, system administration, coding foundations, databases, and IT support skills. You get hands-on labs, entry-level certifications prep, and a two-year timeline that costs less than a four-year degree. For many people, that combination is a fast, practical route into tech.

Who should consider it?

Think about it this way — if you want to start working in IT quickly, need a low-cost pathway, or are switching careers, an associate's degree makes sense. It suits people who want technical, immediate jobs like help desk, junior sysadmin, or network technician. It also helps learners who plan to earn certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, or Cisco CCNA alongside their classes.

If you aim for software engineering at big tech firms or research roles, the degree alone might not be enough. But it can be a stepping stone. Many students transfer credits to a bachelor's program later, while others build a portfolio of projects, certifications, and freelance work to boost employability.

Practical tips from the post

The August piece gives concrete tips: focus on hands-on labs, build a simple portfolio (like a GitHub repo or documented home lab), and treat certifications as career tools, not trophies. Network with local tech groups, volunteer for small IT projects, and do internships or part-time support roles to get real experience. Employers care more about what you can do than just a diploma.

It also warns against passive learning. If you expect a degree to hand you a job, you'll be disappointed. Combine the degree with side projects: set up a home server, automate tasks, or contribute to open source. Those projects show initiative and problem-solving capability.

Salary and career trajectory vary by city and effort. Entry roles often pay enough to cover living costs and fund further learning. With two to five years of focused work, an associate's graduate can move into higher-paying roles or a bachelor's program with credits already earned.

Finally, the article encourages readers to weigh costs and time against outcomes. If you need quick entry, want practical skills, and will follow up with projects and certifications, the associate's degree is a smart, affordable choice. If you want top-tier research or software roles right away, plan for more education or targeted experience.

That's the August 2023 story — clear, practical, and focused on real steps you can take after graduation to make the degree pay off.

Want next steps? Check local community colleges for programs, ask about transfer credits, compare costs, and plan two or three certs you can earn during study to boost hiring chances quickly and start small projects now.