You’ve probably heard the dreaded question several times after high school: “What will you do next?” Don’t panic, there are several avenues to take and time to figure it all out. One path many students take is pursuing an associate’s degree. No matter if you’re a recent high school grad or years removed from school, maybe this is the option for you.

What is an Associate Degree?

An associate degree only requires two extra years of schooling post-high school graduation. Community college institutions, online schools, and some 4-year colleges offer an associate program. If you don’t have the time or money to complete your bachelor’s, you can attain an associate degree in half the time and use it to land some pretty lucrative job positions.

Types of Associate Degrees

Just like any other degree, there are different types of associate degrees you can earn that will aid you in getting specific jobs. The four types of associate degrees are as follows:

• AA (Associate of Arts)
• AS (Associate of Science)
• AAA (Associate of Applied Arts)
• AAS (Associate of Applied Science)

Many employers value an associate of arts degree in different fields. With a 2-year degree, you may qualify for jobs such as:

• Marketing Assistant
• Paralegal
• Administrative Assistant
• Pre-School Teacher
• Web Designer

An associate of science degree may also qualify you for positions like these:

• Dental Hygienist
• X-ray Technologist
• Physical Therapy Assistant
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Medical Assistant

Comparing Average Salaries

Your salary can oftentimes reflect the level of education you have completed. If you are unsure whether you should take the extra step from a high school diploma to an associate degree, see if the differences in salaries could help you decide. The average salary in the United States for those with only a high school diploma is $40,000. However, the average salary for those with an associate's degree is over $51,000. That’s more than a 20% differential between the two just by doing an extra two school years.

Average Cost of Schooling

The tuition costs for most places offering associate degrees are lower than the prices for attaining a bachelor’s. The average cost of attending a public college for an associate's degree is less than $11,000 per year. Private schools can nearly double the price, so if you want to stay cost-efficient, go with public schools. In comparison, the average cost of getting a bachelor’s degree at a public school is nearly $20,000 per year. So, it takes half the cost and half the time to acquire an associate degree.

What to do After Your Degree

Alas, you have made it to the end of your associate degree journey. You are now probably looking to join the workforce as soon as possible. Here are some tips to help you land your ideal career—fast.

1. Create a profile on popular job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Workable, and Ziprecruiter. Make sure your profile picture is professional and your resume on file is up to date. Having a profile will make you visible to recruiters and employers looking for new hires.
2. Search for remote positions or positions within your commuting range that pertain to your area of expertise. Check the qualifications of each job before applying to make sure they encourage associate degree graduates to take on the role.
3. When applying for any position, add a cover letter to give the employer more insight into who you are and your experiences. A resume is great for giving an overview of your credentials, but a cover letter takes it a step further that other candidates may not provide.
4. Some positions may encourage further certifications that you can also get in conjunction with the associate degree. For example, law firms may ask that their paralegal hire is able to notarize documents. Becoming certified as a notary public can certainly enhance your chances of standing out in the application process. Certifications such as this typically only take a couple months to complete at an inexpensive rate.

The Big Picture

An associate degree is a practical step for someone looking to improve their chances of landing a higher paying job. If you are not looking to do extensive schooling and pay at least double the amount annually, this could be the best option for you. Pick which type of degree you want, specify your area of study, and follow the above steps to aid you in getting a job in a faster time frame.