How to build a successful career without a college degree

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

We are confident that it is impossible to achieve something worthwhile in life without a higher education diploma. And this confidence is understandable: when choosing between two candidates with the same experience, the employer is likely to give preference to the one with a higher education. However, there are many examples proving that people who have not devoted 5 years of their lives to lectures and seminars can become successful. Let's figure out what exactly helps them in moving up the career ladder.

When we were in school, our parents kept repeating: “Study hard so you can go to college and then find a good job. If you are careless about your studies, you will go to the janitors after school. " We were sure that without a higher education diploma we would not be able to achieve absolutely anything, as if it were a pass to the big world, the absence of which would put an end to our entire career. However, having grown up and having received one, or even two or three diplomas, we saw that this "crust" is not always a guarantee of success. Moreover, some of their peers, who once chose secondary special, now live happily ever after and do not complain about the hard lot of janitors, cleaners and pizza hawkers, which their teachers told them. On the contrary, they occupy higher positions, travel abroad more often and manage to save up for their own housing many times faster.

As adults and having received one, or even two or three diplomas, we saw that this "crust" is not always a guarantee of success.

Of course, to believe that people who do not have a higher education are a priori more successful is at least wrong. Employers really give preference to those who can boast of a diploma from any university, but everyone else should not give up on themselves: they have every chance of achieving career heights.

So, what to do if there is no higher education, but you want to become successful?

Determine the field of activity

If you want to devote yourself to medicine and achieve heights in this field, then, of course, you cannot do without a medical education. Naturally, it would never occur to anyone that one can become a doctor of the highest category by completing only the courses of paramedics. But in addition to this profession, there are others that require a university diploma. For example, banks, as a rule, make high demands on candidates, as they expect deep theoretical knowledge and practical skills from their future employees. The same can be said about work in the field of marketing, the development of new technologies, about the vacancies of top managers and university professors. However, there is a job for which the presence of a "crust" is not essential. For example, an experienced talented designer who presented an impressive portfolio to recruiters will be taken away with their hands and even forget to ask about the notorious higher education. The same, by the way, applies to sales managers, office managers, customer service specialists, realtors and secretaries-assistants: in some cases, the employer will even dare to hire a candidate with no experience, and you will have an excellent chance to grow into career plan, starting from scratch.

Don't be afraid to send your resume

Often employers choose candidates who are ready to work and know what it is.

Of course, if you see an advertisement for a vacancy, which by its name suggests the presence of higher education (for example, "the head of a regional division of a large company"), then it may be worth looking for something else. However, if the requirements for a candidate indicate that a university diploma is required, but you feel the strength to prove to a potential employer that higher education in this case is not a panacea for all ills, which cannot be said about work experience, then feel free to send a resume to recruiters. Often, employers choose candidates who are ready to work and know what it is, and not those who have spent the last few years at their desks at the university and still have no idea about the real work.

Replenish knowledge baggage

If it is impossible to come to your chosen profession just like that, from the bay-flounder and it requires at least some knowledge, then do not miss the opportunity to get this knowledge. Let's say you sleep and see yourself as a stylist-image maker - go to the appropriate courses, and in a few months you will be able to proudly show a document confirming the seriousness of your intentions to become a high-class professional in your field. This applies to many areas and specialties: in fact, more than half of them require only basic knowledge, enthusiasm and a sincere desire to develop.

Believe in yourself

Do not focus on possible failures, rather direct all your energies to the steps that need to be taken in order for events to develop successfully.

If for some reason you did not succeed in getting a higher education or now you want to quit your usual place of work and go to a completely different field, but you are afraid, because apart from desire you have neither experience nor a diploma, do not rush to despair and think that dreams of a successful career can be given up. There is a good phrase: "The road arises under the steps of the one walking." As long as you are in one place, new horizons do not open up for you, but you just have to get ready for the journey, as opportunities, one after another, will not keep you waiting. Let's say you dream of starting your own business, but you fear that financial illiteracy will play a cruel joke on you and you will burn out in a month. Don't program yourself to fail in advance. Do not focus on possible failures, rather focus all your efforts on the steps that need to be taken for events to develop successfully: consult with knowledgeable people, study the relevant laws, take care of the initial capital, find an office space, etc. The main thing is to go forward. and believe in yourself.