Is there value in taking a slower, experience-based approach to an Occupational Therapy career?

How do you know when it is worth getting a certain level of education? My thought it to get an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant and enter the workforce. If I wanted to have more responsibility, I could work part-time while doing a bachelor's completion program and master's to become an OT. I want a flexible path where each stage is a useful stopping point in itself rather than getting a bachelor's just because I feel like I should on a certain timeline. Does anyone have experience in this kind of approach, slower, but with more experience gathered along the way to confirm if continuing education would be worth it for ones goals?