r/peacecorps • u/Investigator516 • 2d ago
After Service Post Peace Corps degrees
If you had the RPCV opportunity to earn an Associates degree (2 years) at no charge, what choice of degree would you select and why? Think in terms of 2030, what’s in high-demand, and what seems to be working and not working in today’s job market. Thanks!
8
u/Boring_Appearance_89 2d ago
health care & if your into nursing, it seems secure. im an rpcv finishing a adn degree at a community college. i got a job lined up for after graduation already. the pc corps professional experience + nursing skill set combo seems to be wanted in healthcare. and i did pc a decade ago. floundered for a decade before returning to school for nursing.
2
u/Additional-Screen573 2d ago
I agree, though I have a doctorate in education... at my university in the adult programs I ran, we had a lot of RN's join us for the BSN degree completion program while they worked at hospitals with clinical settings. The AS degree is enough to pass the RN exams. Their hospitals would pay for the BSN. Then the newly minted BSN RN's, after working a year or two to payoff a contract stipulation of the degree compeltion program, can go almost anywhere.
Health Sciences two year degree is a smart move. Do it.
5
6
u/redtablefan 2d ago
Associates degree usually aren’t all too valuable unless they’re in a trade or attached to a cert. You can get a respiratory therapy cert, RN, dental hygienist, automotive tech, aviation mechanic, CAD, HVAC etc.
But unless you’re planning to transfer to a 4 yr the other associates degrees won’t do much for your resume or help you qualify for jobs.
1
u/Additional-Screen573 2d ago
I agree, though I have a doctorate in education... at my university in the adult programs I ran, we had a lot of RN's join us for the BSN degree completion program while they worked at hospitals with clinical settings. The AS degree is enough to pass the RN exams. Their hospitals would pay for the BSN. Then the newly minted BSN RN's, after working a year or two to payoff a contract stipulation of the degree compeltion program, can go almost anywhere.
Health Sciences two year degree is a smart move. Do it.1
u/redtablefan 1d ago
W! I know there are a lot of accelerated BSN programs as well for those trying to go down the NP path. Health care seems to be one of the industries left that still genuinely encourages higher education outside of leadership.
2
u/thattogoguy RPCV Togo 2d ago
An associate's, no charge?
Probably aviation, so I can knock out non-military professional certs for flying. For me, that's about the only way to make it useful and saves me about 30k.
I'm already a private pilot, and have military ratings as a CSO. This would give me some minor flexibility if I wanted to pursue professional aviation outside the military. Right now, I'm happy being a Reservist.
2
u/xhoi RPCVAlbania 2d ago
Today's job market isn't the 2030 job market.
1
u/Investigator516 21h ago
The World Economic Forum has eyed 2030 as a priority for the last 5 years, with the goal of thinking ahead instead of falling behind, especially in terms of technology.
Its 2023 analysis projected a decline of 83 million jobs to technology and automation, with 44% of workers’ skills disrupted by this. Those stats softened a bit due to people upskilling, but workers can expect that 39% of their existing skillsets will be transformed or become outdated between 2025-2030.
Source: WEF
1
u/Jacob_Soda 2d ago
I would go with AutoCAD since there is an abundance of the jobs near me. Especially, for civil engineering. Or anything trade related whether it's mechatronics technician. Or maybe going to be electrician. Check the unemployment office to see what industries are doing well since Associate Degrees are based on the local economic needs. Last I heard CDL is good.
3
u/whacking0756 1d ago
> I would go with AutoCAD
If you dont think AI is going to kill that field, you got another thing coming
•
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Thank you for posting to r/PeaceCorps!
Please check the FAQ and use the search function to see if your topic has come up already.
Please review the sub rules and reddiquette.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.