re: Are Associates degrees useless these days?

2-year degree or a certificate for a machine operator, welder, or other skilled position basically assures you a job. In the manufacturing industry, there are NO skilled laborers in the workforce right now. If someone comes to us with industrial training or experience, we've got the jobs. It's not a degree that's going to get you OT Baller status, but you can earn $40k, $50k, or even more if you get in with the right company and play your cards right.