Associate’s Degrees in Unconventional Subjects

September 10th, 2009

Associate’s Degrees typically serve as stepping stones for many major degree programs around the country, but they can also cater to a specific class of students who want to gain certification in a particular field that does not typically offer Bachelor’s Degrees.  These students are eager to get ahead in this type of industry and without ten years of experience, the best alternative is an Associate’s Degree from either an online college or a community college.  It is shocking how many of these unconventional degrees have begun to sprout up out of nowhere and have still gained an ever-increasing student audience.

Welding Associate’s Degrees

If you enjoy working with your hands, welding is a suitable career path for you.  Most students who earn an Associate’s Degree in welding go on to work in either manufacturing or construction industries.  While employment within the welding industry has not grown as fast as other industry, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has nevertheless demonstrated that employers have noted that it is difficult to find qualified employers.  Therefore, associate’s degrees in welding are very attractive to potential employers in a market that offers little training.  Degrees in welding teach students courses in basic welding, welding techniques, and even technical math.

Retail Merchandiser Associate’s Degrees

If you have enjoyed working in retail all your life, an associate’s degree in retail merchandising is a perfectly applicable degree to enhance your career goals.  This degree allows you to play a more active role in designing the products and layouts for retail stores.  Additionally, years of retail experience aids your future prospects with this degree, as it trains your eye in what to look for throughout various displays.  For those who have not had the years of retail experience, this degree offers courses in selling, merchandising, buying, and marketing so that you can make up for this lack of career experience.  Furthermore, this degree helps prepare you for a future managerial position in high-end retail stores, as some managers earn as much as $80,000 a year and buyers earn as much as $50,000 a year. 

Exercise Science Associate’s Degree

Finally, exercise science degrees allow you to be able to begin your career as a fitness professional.  After enrolling in courses in physiology, anatomy, fitness, and nutrition, this degree will prepare you for a future in fitness, personal training, or even hospitals that offer therapeutic rehabilitation services.  Additionally, after graduation from this program, you will have the skills to become certified through many national certification exams including those offered by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise.  Careers inthis field are rapidly growing every year, as sports and exercise have only increased in popularity, meaning that more trainers and fitness instructors are needed in every forum.

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