An associate degree in general studies can be a stepping-stone to a bachelor’s or it can get you ready for an entry-level career right now. It’s a well-rounded degree program that allows you to choose from a range of subjects and departments to customize your academic experience. And it provides you with important skills that today’s employers look for in new hires such as critical thinking, communication, and relationship building.
Use Your General Studies Degree to Sample Majors
If you intend to pursue a bachelor’s degree, a general studies associate degree allows you to sample a range of courses. General studies is a path that can leave your options open, while you build a strong learning foundation across a range of different courses, including:
- Introductory English
- US History
- Fine Arts
- Physical Science
- Lab Science
- Analytical Writing
- Speech Writing
- Algebra
- Social Sciences
- Economics
- Literature
- Ethics
- Various Electives
Explore a Variety of Career Paths with a General Studies Degree
An associate degree in general studies can prepare you for a variety of different industries. Among the fields you might enter will the well-rounded experience of general studies are:
- Business
- Technology
- Math
- Science
- Writing
- Social Sciences
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Communications
- Media
- Public Relations
- Law
- Finance
General Studies Associate Degree Careers
Because your associate degree program will teach you how to communicate, learn, and think critically, there are a variety of specific jobs you may be qualified for upon its completion. Entry-level positions that you could consider include:
- Executive Assistant: As an executive assistant, you can work in different fields and be well-positioned to move up the ranks in your company. Your degree program will prepare you with organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills to help perform the job well. Duties in this position include clerical tasks like organizing files, scheduling meetings, greeting customers, managing calendars, purchasing, and more.
- General Manager: Whether restaurant, retail, or something else entirely, general managers are responsible for managing operations and a team of employees. In this role, you’ll be responsible for tracking daily income, scheduling, hiring, and inspiring your team to excel. You can pick up a lot of the organizational and basic math and communication skills for this role in a general studies program.
- Bookkeeper or Financial Clerk: If a company can’t keep track of its finances, it doesn’t know whether it’s making or losing money. That’s why they often need a team of accounting professionals. These two entry-level roles are where you might start your career and would also give you a glimpse of what a career in finance might be like. Your associate degree program should provide you with the foundational skills in math and writing you need to get started. Once you gain experience, you may consider pursuing a degree in business administration so you will have the credentials to move up in your company or find another.
- Social Media Manager: Every company seems to have a social media presence these days. That’s why they need good, responsible communicators with an excellent command of the English language to represent their brands online. As a social media manager, you would post on behalf of your organization and respond to users online. Because your associate degree program will teach you how to research, analyze, and write well, you could become an important member of a company’s marketing team.
- Nonprofit Roles: The nonprofit sector is a great place to land if you want to work in an organization that supports a mission or social issue that you’re really passionate about. Your associate degree can prepare you for a variety of nonprofit roles including program management, development, or communications. The key here is to find an organization you’re passionate about, and then focus on a specific role.
What You Learn in an Associate in General Studies Degree Program
This program will give you a strong foundational survey of coursework from a variety of disciplines. So, no matter your dream career, you can build valuable skills that apply widely across the board. You’ll learn about a range of subjects like English, history, social sciences, math, economics, and more. Plan to strengthen your communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These can help prepare you to pursue a bachelor’s degree or begin work in one of the above fields.
Bluefield University is built on strong Christian values and believes in preparing our students for a life of service to others. We have more than 70 different degree programs including undergraduate, graduate, online, and in-person. We also offer an Associate Degree in General Studies Degree that can be completed in-person or online. Visit our program page now to learn more about how this degree path may be right for you.