Is it possible for you to get degreed based on you life experience in your previous job roles. Some colleges ( universities do) go and speak with a counselor. I wish u much success.

Apply for the positions especially if the post says 'degree preferred'. In a cover letter highlight your experiences and in the interview be very specific with your answers to show off your knowledge and experience.

There are plenty of people with jobs and no degree. A good resume and attitude are much more valuable.

Sonya, it sounds, based on what you have written that you are indeed polished. That's a great asset, in any company. Have you told everyone you know what type of job you're looking for? Including the people you bump into on the subway. I know it sounds crazy, but doors open in the strangest places. Take an adult ed class in the things you love to do, when you're not working. Or take a brush-up course to get certified in data entry. Anything that will get you out of the house and meeting new people who have similar interests, including the instructors, who tend to have day jobs. Get yourself a business card. Simple, doesn't have to be graphic in nature. It should have your name, phone number, email address and the role you wish to perform, i.e. Administrative Assistant. Use one font. Make your name a little bigger and you can use a horizontal line or a vertical line to create depth to your card. You also said that you worked for American Express; contact your old boss, or someone whom you got along well with; they may be hiring again, and you are a known quantity. Don't give up and don't stop looking. You will also need to go to the source of the jobs, not the recruiters or middle men. Think of an industry you would really enjoy working in, do some research on the Internet. Find out what trends are going on in that industry. Look at competitors. Then you have something interesting, relatable, and shows the employer that you've done your homework. Prepare a 30 second shpeel about yourself. if you're taking classes, you can say that you believe, in continuing your education, and that you are considering going back to get your degree. The company, if it's big enough, might just pay for your education to boot. I spent 15 years in NYC, Brooklyn, and I know what it's like there. It's very intense, but lots is going on always, so put yourself out there and network. Join a professional club, even a book club. You need to meet people. Go to your favorite museum. Take a class at the Open Center, or the Lexington Avenue YWCA. Don't be shy about asking people you meet for help. Many times people will refer you to someone else. It's the "who you know game" and it works. Good luck! Just keep looking and putting yourself out there. You will find the job that's looking for you.

Hi Sonya, This may sound simple but acknowledge your strength and weaknesses in your cover letter. Hence, " I have over 10 years experience as an EA" Make sure your writing, punctuation, and grammar are on point and throw in a few strategically placed big words, bullet point accomplishments and things you exceeded at. Anything that you can clearly win over in the cover letter. Offer a temporary trial to show them that you have confidence in your skills. Use that sentence to acknowledge that you do not have a degree and are not trying to hide it. "I understand that you are requiring an Associates degree in which I do not have. However, If you give me a 30-day chance I can show you I have acquired the knowledge and skills that are required to fulfill this position." ......Good luck :)

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Hi Sonya, I think more than anything, the 'sudden' need for degrees has more to do with the economy and abundance of workers to jobs openings. Employers are trying to get biggest bang for the salary they are paying. I have seen the same trend in accounting positions, I have a masters degree and over 20 years experience; however, I never saw the need to get my CPA, to me CPAs have a different mindset, than a Sr Level Accountant/Manager of Accounting positions ... but this is a different story.

I'm not sure that this trend will change in the near future. You could take a few classes and get your business degree, there are several very good online programs, then you could, at the very least, put on your resume, working towards a business degree, expected graduation XX. And there are some companies that actually help you pay some of these costs if you get hired.

Get college degree by testing out of subjects you already know. I got B.S. in Liberal Arts in less than a year, just by taking CLEP exams, EXCELSIOR college exams, and TCEPS. I never set foot in a classroom or took an online course. I cost me less than most people pay for a semester at a community college. I learned lots of stuff in math, accounting, sciences, computers, and engineering just by taking free online courses. Many websites offer free training in just about anything you can imagine. Math was always my worst subject, but ALEKS math taught me everything I needed to know to pass the CLEP exams in algebra and trigonometry. I learned for free and took the tests for $80 each. There are exams in just about anything you want a degree in. All you have to do is take them. You can take as many as you want to, including enough to satisfy the degree requirements. All exam scores are transferable into Excelsior college for a degree program of your choice. They even have exams to satisfy masters degree requirements. They're a bit more challenging, and a little more expensive. That's what I'm working on now. You just need the motivation to learn stuff on your own and the time to take exams. I was 35 when I did this, and wasn't exactly the model student. My only work experience was the type that required a strong back, tough hands, and the willingness to sweat and get dirty. You probably already have more knowledge than I did when I started, so It'll probably be a lot easier for you than it was for me. I didn't know the first thing about a computer, and I failed math and science miserably back in high school. So if I could do it, anybody can.

Hi Sonya, that is a tough situation. I believe a get around may be to go door to door. Go to job openings in person and give them your resume. It may help?

No way around it. You can however showcase your experience and share that you are pursuing the degree to formalize your credentials and ability to perform essentials of the position. I suggest you move quickly with the dudiligence in pursuing that piece of paper = degree.