I originally planned to finish a four-year business degree, but after completing the associate-level portion and having only two classes left, I realized how much I disliked college. I took some time away, and now that I'm ready to return, I've decided to pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in web development at my local community college. I'm supposed to register for spring classes soon, but I'm getting nervous after looking at local technology jobs. Many junior positions require a bachelor's degree, and the discussion around AI has made the job market seem even more uncertain. I've been teaching myself programming with help from AI and a learning app, and I genuinely enjoy it. My goal is to become a full-stack web developer, but I'm worried that switching paths—or choosing a two-year program—was a mistake.
3 Answers
Switching doesn’t automatically mean you made a mistake, especially since you actually enjoy building things. Just treat the associate degree as a possible first step rather than assuming it will be the final credential. A CIS program focused on web development can teach useful skills, but it may not open as many doors as a bachelor’s degree for software development jobs. Ask the college which credits transfer to bachelor’s programs in CS, CIS, or a related field before enrolling. Also, use AI as a learning aid rather than letting it write everything for you. Try problems yourself, understand the code, debug it, and build projects you can explain in detail. A portfolio, practical experience, and strong fundamentals will matter when entry-level roles are competitive.
You may want to finish those last two business classes. Being that close to a completed degree could be valuable, and companies often use a bachelor’s degree as a screening requirement even when the work itself doesn’t strictly require one. You can still continue with CIS afterward, and the business background may give you another path into technology-related roles.
That’s fair. I hadn’t really considered how useful the completed business degree could be, especially since some of those general education credits might transfer toward a bachelor’s later.
The market is competitive, and an associate degree alone may not be enough for many software engineering positions, particularly when employers can choose from applicants with bachelor’s degrees. That doesn’t mean the program is pointless, but you should decide what job you’re targeting and work backward from the requirements. Full-stack development will require more than knowing a few programming languages: you’ll need solid HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a frontend framework, backend development, databases, Git, deployment, testing, and the ability to complete projects without relying entirely on generated code. AI may reduce some entry-level tasks, but people who understand the fundamentals and can build and maintain real systems will still have an advantage. Start the program if you enjoy the subject, but make a transfer plan and build a portfolio at the same time.
The program is specifically a CIS degree with a web-development concentration, which is the direction I want to take. I’ve already built an app and a website for it with a lot of AI assistance, and I’m still working on finishing them. I also didn’t realize that my completed business coursework could make transferring into a bachelor’s program easier.