In the U.S., at least, associate's degrees tend to have a specific vocation as the goal of attaining the degree. In recent decades some schools (generally for-profits) have earned associate's degrees a bad reputation here, though I'm sure the usefulness of different associate's degrees varies from field to field. There are some jobs where an associate's is required for licensing or certification, and others it just looks good on a resume. Do a lot of research and talk to people in the field before pursuing an associate's is the advice I would give (and frankly applies to bachelor's and master's, too).