An associate's degree in criminology affords many career options. While some positions in the criminology field require a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree graduate can pursue employment as a law enforcement officer, a prison guard, an assistant to law enforcement officials and other positions. Private investigations firms and crisis centers also hire workers with criminology degrees.
Hospitals and other medical institutions are the biggest employers in many regions and an associate's degree in any medical area provides plenty of professional options. While you won't be a doctor, dentist, or nurse, you can hold positions such as a medical office manager, an office assistant, public administrator, a home health worker or a nurse's aide. Pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies often hire associate's degree graduates with medical backgrounds, as well.
Writing, singing, dancing, and theater are often considered areas in which it is difficult to build a sustainable career, but an associate's degree in one of these fields can help you find long-term work as an assistant or member of a troupe. Writers might find jobs producing copy for advertising companies, while dancers with degrees can teach dance in addition to performing. Theater majors find work in theater administration positions, and sometimes do voice overs or other work which requires public speaking.
Sociology, psychology, anthropology and other social science associate's degrees are usually thought of as stepping stones to more advanced degrees. However, an associate's in these fields can help a graduate secure a position as a research associate, data entry aide or lab assistant. Graduates can also document case notes for social workers and therapists, or work transporting clients.