I originally planned to finish a four-year business degree, but after getting within two classes of completing the associate-level portion, I realized how much I disliked college and took some time away. When I was ready to return, I decided computer technology might be a better fit. I enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems with a web development concentration at my local community college, and I'm scheduled to register for spring classes soon.
I've been teaching myself programming with help from AI and a learning app, and I genuinely enjoy it. I've even started building my own app and a website for it. However, when I look at local job listings, many junior positions require a four-year degree, and the discussion around AI replacing entry-level programming work makes me nervous. I never originally planned to pursue a bachelor's degree, so I'm wondering whether switching paths was a mistake. Should I continue with the associate degree, finish my business degree first, or plan to transfer into a bachelor's program later?
2 Answers
The AAS can be a useful first step, especially since you actually enjoy building things, but don’t assume it will be the final credential for software development. Find out now how the credits transfer to nearby bachelor’s programs. CIS with a web-development focus is more applied and IT-oriented than a traditional computer science degree, but it can still lead toward web development, support, systems, networking, databases, or security roles. The important thing is to choose a target job and work backward from the requirements employers usually list.
An associate degree by itself may not qualify you for many software engineering jobs, particularly when you’re competing with applicants who have bachelor’s degrees. That doesn’t make the program useless, but you should have a plan for standing out and possibly continuing to a four-year degree. Start by checking transfer agreements, internship opportunities, and the kinds of technical roles available in your area. If you like the coursework, continuing into a bachelor’s later may be a much stronger route than giving up now.
My main goal is full-stack web development, so I should compare the AAS curriculum and transfer options against actual full-stack job postings instead of assuming that learning several languages will automatically be enough.