| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Enter data, such as coordinates of images and color specifications, into system to retouch and make color corrections. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Import text and art elements, such as electronic clip art or electronic files from photographs that have been scanned or produced with a digital camera, using computer software. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Select number of colors and determine color separations. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse. |
Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs ![]()
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Desktop Publishers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Desktop Publishers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Desktop Publishers":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
8,200U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
7,200
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
-1,000 (-12.3%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
800
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Transmit, deliver, or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Collaborate with graphic artists, editors and writers to produce master copies according to design specifications. |
| Importance: 40 (%) | Description: Create special effects such as vignettes, mosaics, and image combining, and add elements such as sound and animation to electronic publications. |
| Importance: 37 (%) | Description: Store copies of publications on paper, magnetic tape, film, or diskette. |
| Importance: 25 (%) | Description: Load floppy disks or tapes containing information into system. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities. | |
| Deliver items. | |
| Enter information into databases or software programs. | |
| Format digital documents, data, or images. | |
| Monitor operational quality or safety. | |
| Operate computers or computerized equipment. | |
| Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy. | |
| Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements. | |
| Select resources needed to accomplish tasks. | |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | |
| Store records or related materials. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Communicate with others about operational plans or activities. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance. |
| Activity: Move materials, equipment, or supplies. |
| Activity: Operate computer systems or computerized equipment. |
| Activity: Process digital or online data. |
| Activity: Process shipments or mail. |
| Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes. |
| Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects. |
| Activity: Stock supplies or products. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Photoshop | |||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationship management CRM software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Salesforce software | |||||||||||||||||
| Data base management system software: | |||||||||||||||||
| MySQL | |||||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Access | |||||||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe InDesign | |||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Visual Basic | |||||||||||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Acrobat Microsoft SharePoint | |||||||||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise application integration software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Extensible markup language XML | |||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | |||||||||||||||||
| SAP software | |||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator | |||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Oracle Java Perl Python | |||||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Apple macOS Microsoft Windows UNIX | |||||||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||||||||||
| Process mapping and design software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Visio | |||||||||||||||||
| Project management software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Project | |||||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe After Effects | |||||||||||||||||
| Web platform development software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||||||||
| WordWeb | |||||||||||||||||
| Data conversion software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||
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| Desktop publishing software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||
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| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe PostScript Scalable vector graphics SVG | |||||||||||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Color management software EMC Documentum Microsoft SharePoint Server | |||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| Information retrieval or search software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Online image and graphics database software | |||||||||||||||||
| Map creation software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Mapping software | |||||||||||||||||
| Network security or virtual private network VPN management software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Virtual private networking VPN software | |||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Adobe ActionScript Sun Microsystems Java | |||||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Corel WordPerfect Office Suite OpenOffice.org | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Apple AppleScript | |||||||||||||||||
| Optical character reader OCR or scanning software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Corel CorelScan Corel OCR-Trace 8 Nuance OmniPage Professional PANTONE ColorVision ProfilerPlus | |||||||||||||||||
| Spell checkers: | |||||||||||||||||
| Spelling and grammar checking software | |||||||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Corel WebDraw | |||||||||||||||||
| Voice recognition software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking | |||||||||||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||||
| Actuate DocBook Adobe Dreamweaver Social media software |
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
| These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 44.3 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 38.7 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 11.1 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.9 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.0 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 24.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 16.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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American Amateur Press Association (AAPA) | |
|
Association of American Publishers | |
|
In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) | |
|
International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) | |
|
Magazine Publishers of America | |
|
National Association of Real Estate Publishers (NAREP) | |
|
Newspaper Association of America | |
|
Printing Industries of America | |
|
Publishing Triangle | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Desktop Publishers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Desktop Publishers
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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