What do you guys think about A.A.S degrees?

Hi All

If everything plays out perfectly from now until next February, I will have an opportunity to start working on a A.A.S degree from my community college (full time student), and then graduating from there and joining the work force.

I will be able to pull this off comfortably without much financial risk, as I will only have to endure 2 years of fluctuating living expenses.

My father is nearing 60 years old and the wear and tear to his strength and body is starting to show, I am not sure how much longer he can work full time. Not to mention that without papers who knows how long more he will even have work opportunities, so I can't necessarily rely on him to help me through 4 full years of college.

If I was to lets say start next September (instead of next February), for me to pull off 4 years, I would have to somehow take as much credits as I can every semester (18 credits maybe?), while also my father being able to work somewhere and cut down the living expenses so that we don't bleed as much money so by the time my 4 year is up I will have completed 120 credits and probably have a miniscule amount of savings left over...lol...as you can see the 4 years would have to be a PERFECT calculation without any hiccups (For example no extra medical expenses, I would still need to have DACA or something better, my Father would still need to be working, I may even have to still work part time, all while trying to purse an Engineering degree) I am not sure it is worth the risk, it doesn't seem like a smart risk IMO.

I was planning on completing a A.A.S, then getting into the workforce after that and possibly getting a 4 year degree by completing additional courses at night and/or on the weekends. This is the most feasible plan IMO. It gets me working as soon as possible in a better job than I currently am working at with vacation time, sick days, benefits etc. And I at least have a 2 year A.A.S under my belt and work experience from the new job I would hopefully get from it, while pursuing my ultimate goal of a Bachelors degree

I was hoping to become an Electrical Technician and work with a team of other Technicians, led by another team of Engineers...and then hopefully get more opportunities down the road to get my Bachelors?

There is just so much that can go wrong, I do not think a Bachelor degree is worth the risk. I hardly have any financial help, and I am borderline on my own.

I could technically work for 5 more years for example and then possibly pull off a 4 year degree after that as a full time student, but this current job is wearing me down physically and mentally.

I am in a tough spot.

I'm tempted to be snobby and talk smack about Applied degrees, but if your goal is to get a job fast rather than transferring to a 4 year school then this something to consider. Only you can decide.

The smack is fine.

I need as much input as possible from real people, and you don't get more real than other immigrants who are going through what I am going through

I google so much stuff about this, because next year is fast approaching and I need to make a decision and get ready.

By next September I may be so burnt out from my current job, I fear I may just linger into depression or something which I want to avoid. Coming to this place kills my ambition and soul every day, lol....but I keep on sticking it out as it is the most rational thing to do right now.

My ultimate goal is to get an A.A.S as an Electrical Technician, work in an Engineering environment with teams, make good money (if I can make $40k-$50k starting with an A.A.S, that would be OK IMO), go to additional college classes the years after getting the A.A.S hopefully getting a Bachelors in the process...and while I am doing all of this I am trying to learn Computer Programming on the side to maybe venture into personal projects and possibly open another career opportunity.

Now I could maybe, possibly, barely, pull off a 4 year degree. Don't get me wrong, I want an Engineering Bachelor degree more than an A.A.S. But everything has to be perfect. The only way for me to definitely get a Bachelor degree without much risk, is if I work here for like another 3-5 years. But I would be around 33 years old 5 years from now, then say for example 4 years in college, I would be 37...almost 10 years from now. It seems like a waste than If I was to start next February, go 1 1/2 - 2 years, get a A.A.S, join the workforce, and then continue my academic career on the side while I explore the job world.

There's no shame in obtaining an AAS degree whatsoever. Some 2-year degrees are actually in very high demand and make great money right away, especially in healthcare-related careers like Dental Hygienist, or Nursing (tough to get into though). One of my coworkers is going back to school to study Electrical through an apprenticeship and did mention the demand is high for that and the pay is good.

Well I was thinking healthcare, but the only one I would probably do is Radiologic Technician...

...but I fell in love with my math class, and I loved the problem solving aspect of it...and my professor even suggested that I just stick to a math oriented career as I got a 100 in the class.

If I had one wish, I would ask for the chance to complete a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering without any worries about not being able to finish it...but alas I must work with the cards I got.

Although I may have to transfer from my community college to another community college as they offer Computer Engineering Technician, and Electronic Technician here...not Electrical...not sure if one is the same as an Electrical Technician, but best not to take that chance I suppose.

All in all, I think its worth it. AAS degrees generally tend to do well. Some certificates do well as well. It always a plus to have both, of course.

I'm close to finishing up my AAS degree in Mech Eng Tech, and I am glad that it pays very well. I'm also considering a BS, and use the AAS as a way to pay for the BS. It wouldn't take very long after that. I may as well go for it now that I have no responsibilities.

Sure it's the long way there, but not all of us are born with silver spoons in our mouths.

Pluribus, please let me know how your Tech career goes after graduation, I have about another year before I have to make my choice for real and I would love to have a Dreamer testimonial about how it went.

Yeah, if you want to know, I'll let you know.
I've gotten job offers in the range of $20-$25 an hour, but I'd much rather finish up the degree.

I read your first post, and I'm in that situation. It's not that bad, but it's similar. I believe it's the same for a lot of people I've met.
The one thing that I could recommend, you don't have to take it, but I've know folks get certificates for their fields, and work part time with them. At the same time finishing up their AAS with afternoon and night classes. This would take longer, but provides some relief financially in the meantime. Or maybe, you could maybe work 3-4 months full time during a summer, and full time student for two semesters. Again, they are just ideas.
Ultimately, you do want you want to do.

I wish I could give you some insight on the electrical engineering or engineering technician programs, but I'm not familiar with them. What I would do is to get a hold of a couple of professors that teach in those programs. They would know more than I do, and hopefully point you in the right direction.