Is it possible to have a career without a degree?

Hi there!

While it's certainly possible to have a career in film/theater/media without a college degree, it's extremely difficult. In a world where there's tons of competition for each job, degrees are a way to filter out potential candidates. Unless you are a well-know, famous and/or highly experienced media professional, chances are you won't find employment without at least a bachelor's degree.

I would strongly encourage anyone seeking a career in media (and just about any other field nowadays, really), to go to college and get a degree. Most companies won't even consider someone without a college degree unless they are famous or have strong connections. So stay in college; it goes by very quick!

It is possible, especially if you start as an entry level employee at a large company and work your way up. You can start in sales and then move to a role in sales operations, sales coaching, business development, or marketing. Once you are hired in as an entry level employee, you can often continue your education through training classes provided by the company.

it is a 110% possible ! you know what Michael Dell, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg have in common ? they've all dropped out of college !
As a marketing major, and since that's a field in which you're interested, I can tell you that it depends more on networking and having specific skills than earning a marketing degree.

But I think it'll be better if you check this forum "https://www.reddit.com/r/marketing/comments/2hdu0x/is_it_possible_to_break_into_marketing_without_a/" here, you will find people who were in the same position as you, and I'm pretty sure their advice is more valuable.

One can make a career even without a degree.
When it comes to the facts and figures, however, an advanced degree really does pay off even though grads will carry some debt into a new career. In the long run, it is much better going ahead and pursuing the degree, no matter how hard it may be because that’s what everyone will be looking for. You will get to a certain point where you just can’t go any further without it.

Courtney, yes it is possible to have a career without a degree. However, given that you're interested in media/marketing/public relations, most companies will be looking to hire someone with at least a Bachelor's Degree in fields such as Communication, Business, or Human Resources. Some lucky few are able to have a career without a degree if they're able to get their foot in the door through entry-level experience. However, employers will not allow you to advance further than entry-level pay unless you obtain a Bachelor's or even a Master's degree.

Some companies will take on interns who have not yet gotten their college degree, or even their high school diploma yet. And, often, companies will hire those who have interned with them in the past, if they've demonstrated their competence and chemistry with the company.