Just Wondering....

Bravu

[Bravu]

Are there any decent jobs or careers out there that do not require a college degree? My teachers have led me to believe you can't do much in life without one.

[grellis]

The rest barely make a living wage eg: sales clerks in department stores even sales people in car dealers only 10% are successful.

Just out of curiosity, did a college degree assist you in the creation of the above sentence? Its a work of art.

I do not have a degree.

I do speak English.

[HairOfTheDog]

If you skip college you may end up with a good job eventually, but you would miss the time of your life. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I'm a computer software Engineer and do some hardware engineering as well. I don't have a lick of college.
Experience is the key. In many cases a prospective employer would rather see related experience rather than a degree. That's how I obtained my current position with a market leader. I know it's a Catch-22 but you've got to keep your eyes and ears open and ingratiate yourself into situations where you can pick up the experience.
Many years ago I was selling for a company when they were switching over to a new point-of-sale and inventory computer system linked by a WAN. They outsourced the setup and install but hadn't made any plans for a system administrator. I volunteered and taught myself UNIX and learned the applications and before you knew it...I was indispensable.

[sharktrager]

Add to that the fact that many sales jobs now require a degree. Now I'm not talking car salesman, but I work for a drug distributor and it's a requirement for sales here.

In many ways the degree shows more about the person's patience and tenacity than their ability. Many firms don't even ask your GPA after you've been out of college for a few years.

There is also an assumption among many that a degree is an indicator of intelligence. Anyone who'd been to a college kegger knows the error of this assumption.

The fact is that, in many fields, not having a degree will limit how far you can go. I have seen very strong employees reach a ceiling because they didn't have a degree, and no amount of experience compensates for that in the eyes of many, especially at large companies.

[meandog]

Non-college degree--Bill Gates; college degree--Bill Clinton
Non-college degree--H. Truman; college degree--H. Clinton
Non-college degree--Ted Williams; college degree--Ted Kennedy
Non-college degree--Jesse Ventura; college degree--Jesse Jackson
Non-college degree--Kathy (super model) Ireland; college degree--Patricia (bull dyke) Ireland
Non-college degree--Barbara Bush; college degree--Barbara Streisand...

You tell me whose smarter?

[mitchbert]

While I would not discourage anyone from getting a higher education outright, a few points to consider. Unless you are planning to study a field which will give you a specific skill (doctor, engineer, etc) a general university degree can be a very expensive luxury, and while it may pay off down the road there are few things more useless than a general arts degree, especially from a minor college.

See post number two above. The ability to speak confidently, especially in front of a group, is one of the most important skills you can develop. So is the ability to write clearly and correctly. These two skills are sorely lacking in the modern workplace and a degree will not guarantee you mastery of either. The poster's other point about becoming knowledgeable about a specific field is key as well. Many people make the "mistake" of jumping between industries, fields, etc. It can take a decade or more to really get on a solid career path and folks that hop from place to place often find themselves in their forties without having ever really moved above the basic eschelon in an organization.

Take stock of fields that interest you. You're probably going to be working a long time and believe me when I say if the company you work for deals in a product or service that turns your crank your work life will be far more pleasurable and ultimately more rewarding. I took the tack of picking a large company whose products I loved and hounding them until they gave me a job...any job. Once in the door and with some wins under my belt I was able to begin setting out on a career path that has led to a very high profile position with oodles of responsibility after just more than 10 years. It's challenging and on paper way over my head but I love it. And no, I don't have a degree. In fact, I was tossed out of university in second year because I found way to many distracting things to do that had nothing to do with going to class. Fortunately the discipline came along in its own time once I grew up.

Good luck and, most importantly, stay positive in your outlook and don't ever burn any bridges. You never know when you may want to cross them again.

[GailA]

Trade schools could be considered. BUT check them out real good before you jump on board one with the BBB and their accreditation.

[Kaisersrsic]

The only decision worse than not going to College is going to college if you are going to do poorly because you don't want to be there. Don't waste tuition dollars on college if you are not committed to studying and doing well. Think about making a plan to take a couple of years to serve your country or improve yourself in another way. Then, if you go to college you will be ready to benefit.

[SP67]

Another point... all the knowledge in the world that you can get from an education does not guarantee you'll be any wiser or have a greater capacity to know right from wrong.

[sharktrager]

The problem is that all of the non-degreed examples you listed have exceptional talents. A few truly lucked in to their position.

Success involves more than ability and intelligence. It involves connections, luck and the perception of others. Many people are not even considered for jobs because they don't have a degree.

It may not be right, but it's true.

[Redcloak]

That depends. What sorts of things do you like doing? Do you like working outdoors? Making things with your hands? A number of trades offer decent pay; not enough to move you into Brentwood, but enough for a comfortable living.

[Krafty123]

I am 19, and am starting college this fall... I am sure you could get a decent IT w/out a college degree; however a degree is an excellent safety-net. Be very careful with your decision.

[balrog666]

Your teachers are fools - I'll bet almost all of them have a degree in "Education" and yet most of them are complete idiots when it comes to teaching and wouldn't have the brains to do anything else in a non-union shop.

On the other hand, a degree in hard science is hard to come by without really learning to think and it does pay off your entire life (e.g., Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering).

You don't really need a degree to be a lawyer, doctor, dentist, pharmacist, etc. except that it helps you to get into the correct kind of trade school and they rarely accept people into their trade without their own blessed and certified credentials.

The real question is: What do you want to do for a living?
Then ask what, if any, degree is necessaary or useful for that kind of work. If you don't really know, ask.
Finally, if you really have no idea, join the military. Some people love it, some people hate it. You will see some of the world and it will give you 2-4 years of very valuable experience.

[Bravu]

That depends. What sorts of things do you like doing? Do you like working outdoors? Making things with your hands? A number of trades offer decent pay; not enough to move you into Brentwood, but enough for a comfortable living.

I like doing things that are challenging both mentally and physically. Competition brings out the best in me. I dont mind hard work but I tend to lose focus and get bored when tasks become redundant.

[AlaskaErik]

Are there any decent jobs or careers out there that do not require a college degree? My teachers have led me to believe you can't do much in life without one.

Your teachers are also a perfect example of doing nothing with a college degree!!!

[CapandBall]

My plumber make more money than most college grads I know. He seem to like his work too.

[Rustynailww]

HVAC.

[cpressroll]

You forgot to say that you will be forced to start your own business because almost noone will hire a non college person for a decent sales job these days.

[cpressroll]

You forgot to say that you will be forced to start your own business because almost noone will hire a non college person for a decent sales job these days.

[GingisK]

A motivated person can learn just as much through self-study as a student in college. Actually, there is no difference between the two since a college student succeeds by self-motivation from the same books. The difference is usually in the perception of those who would hire you, and here the tie will go to the college graduate.

College study adds a bit more to life than self-study. First, going to school can be rewarding in its own right; and, your employment network will be initially rooted in your friends from school. Second, the auxiliary topics that you must study in school tend to enrich you as a person, an employee, and a citizen. (For example, those dreaded English classes generally enhance your ability to communicate your ideas to your peers and managers.)

The memories you develop in life are just as important as the skills you develop for your employment. Never sacrifice the quality of your life just to “pay your bills”. Do strive to enjoy your vocation, but always be mindful that you must work to live, not live to work. The “meanest” Computer Science teacher who nurtured me in school encouraged me to develop hobbies and interests outside of Computer Science. He told me that my vocation would eventually turn into a “millstone”, and that broader-developed minds tend to do better at parties. He was right about that “millstone”, but I never will fit into the social scene. My hobbies are very important to me.