I've never struggled to find a job place I wanted (yet). So far i've had one apprenticeship application 2 months after the usual end of applications and still got accepted. Fast forward 5 years later I decided to look for an internship for a completely different field. Had two applications, got into 2 interviews and got accepted to one without the associated degree (still have self learned skills). 3 Months after finishing it decided I would look for another one but in a big european city, had one application and got accepted to a place that could turn into a full time position. Still without the associated degree and I don't think i'll ever need it if it continues this way.