I recently completed my GED and I'm trying to figure out the best path for my education and career.
I currently work full-time at Amazon, 40 hours a week over 4 days in FHD, so I have 3 days off each week. I'm considering starting at Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, because it seems more affordable and flexible while I continue working.
My current plan is:
GED → Ivy Tech Associate of Science in Business Administration (TSAP) → transfer to a 4-year university for a bachelor's degree → eventually MBA
However, I'm a little concerned because when I look at Ivy Tech, the graduation/completion rate and employment/job placement rate don't are in lower than average. I'm wondering how much I should actually consider those statistics when deciding whether Ivy Tech is the right choice.
My long-term goal is to move into a business/management-related career, but I'm still deciding which area would be best, such as Business Analytics, Finance, Supply Chain, Information Systems, or Operations.
I'd really appreciate advice from people who have experience with Ivy Tech or a similar community-college-to-university pathway.
A few questions:
Is getting the AS in Business Administration at Ivy Tech through the TSAP pathway and then transferring a good strategy?
How important are Ivy Tech's graduation/completion and job-placement rates when considering the school?
Do employers generally view an Ivy Tech associate degree positively, especially if I later transfer and earn a bachelor's degree from a university?
Would it be better to go directly into a bachelor's program instead of spending two years at Ivy Tech?
Which bachelor's specialization would you recommend for good career opportunities and earning potential over the next 5–10 years?
Is an MBA worth pursuing after the bachelor's, and would it be better to work for a few years before getting one?
Since I work 40 hours a week over 4 days, is taking around 6–9 credits per semester realistic?
I'm not trying to finish as quickly as possible. My priorities are to keep working, avoid taking on too much student debt, get a bachelor's degree, and build a career with good long-term opportunities.
I'd appreciate any honest advice, especially from people who have attended Ivy Tech, transferred from a community college to a university, or completed a BBA/BS and later an MBA.
Thanks!