While most people assume that you need a college degree in order to earn a high-paying job, this is not always the case. If you want to be considered among the rags to riches stories, you can achieve this without even earning a college degree if you know where to look. Here are five of the best career paths to consider if you want to earn a solid salary but you do not have a college education.
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Medical Sonographer
If you want to work in the medical field but do not have a college degree, you still have hope. A diagnostic medical sonographer produces ultrasound images for a variety of purposes. Also known as an ultrasound technician, this person may work in a hospital, a medical center, or a laboratory.
As with most jobs in the medical field, the number of positions grows every year. Most technicians can complete the certification program in a year or two, making it a quick way to find a job in the medical field that comes with a nice salary and benefits package. There are even some medical practices that will fund you to take these courses, and you can also find quick and easy certification programs for different medical tech positions online.
Salesperson
While some types of sales positions require a college degree, there are a number of jobs in this field that only require a winning personality and a strong motivation to succeed. For example, although a pharmaceutical rep requires a more formal education, a car salesperson can break into the field with no college degree.
The best thing about a career in sales is that it is what you make of it. The sky is the limit if you are diligent about going hard after your sales goals each month. The most important skills are to have a friendly attitude and the ability to follow through with all of your sales initiatives without becoming discouraged.
Make sure that when you are looking for sales jobs, that you find a company that offers great commissions on sales. This will ensure that you get paid fairly and get bonuses depending on your own success as a salesperson. If you can crack the sales position and hit commission, you can walk away with serious money. Also, be sure that the product or service you are selling is something you can learn all about easily and speak on as a professional.
The confidence you will get once you learn all there is about your product will help you close sales more easily. Don’t be afraid to ask successful sales reps how they manage their work and what tips they have for closing, this can be very helpful if you’ve never sold a thing in your life.
Digital Marketer
In today’s connected world, it is easier than ever to craft your trade as a digital marketer without earning a degree. There is no doubt that there is an abundance of potential with this career path given that nearly every business has moved part of its marketing to the online space.
In addition to the general field of digital marketing, there are also a variety of specialty fields that you can pursue. Some of the most common pathways include social media marketing, advertising, and content marketing. This is also a good career choice if you want to work as a freelancer not committed to one particular company.
If you do commit to one company, don’t be afraid to pitch new ideas about digital marketing as you think of them. For example, if the company you are working for hasn’t started using certain social media platforms, but you think it could be beneficial for them to reach a new audience, don’t be afraid to pitch a campaign.
Digital marketing positions are great for creatives who are tech and social media savvy and stay in touch with trends. The more you bring to these projects, the better you will stand in this field.
Real Estate
The real estate sector can be extremely lucrative, even for those without a formal education beyond high school. Many successful real estate agents have a high school degree followed up with a real estate license.
Similar to salespeople, real estate agents generally receive a commission on the deals that they close. If you are successful in your efforts, you can make a significant amount of money. In order to succeed in this industry, you will need to be good at networking. You also need to be abundantly familiar with the area that you service. You can choose to work independently or you can attach yourself to a firm, depending on your work style and how much control you want over your earnings.
Skilled Trade Jobs
There is no shortage of skilled trade jobs available to people who want to make a living in a specialized field without having to earn a degree. Some of the most commonly pursued skilled trade jobs are in the field of plumbing, electrical services, or construction.
While you may need to go to a trade school, the time and money investment for this certification is far less than a traditional college degree. The longer that you stay in your trade of choice, the more experienced that you will become. This will naturally raise your commanding rate, opening up more opportunities for management positions.
As a bonus, there is tremendous job security if you specialize in a skilled trade job, and some skilled jobs like specific mechanics can offer you the opportunity to travel often for work as skilled workers are needed in different places.
This can be a great option for young people who want to see the world and make money at the same time! These five job opportunities are the tip of the iceberg when you are looking for a career path that does not require a college degree.
Having a plan to achieve your career goals will help you to stay on track and ensure that you command top dollar for your skills. Don’t let your education stop you from reaching high paying jobs, there are always options for those who are willing to work hard and specialize.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.