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Can you find a good job without actually going to college?
College seems like a big waste of time and I'm someone who doesn't really like school.
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5 answers
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James’s Answer
The answer is yes. Some jobs will require a college degree, but many do not. There are plenty of successful people who have made it work without one. I was hired at the corporate headquarters of a major company when I was 18, without a degree. I didn't even have a single college credit. They wanted to hire me in order to diversify their team. Some companies also want someone who has experience. They don't care about a degree. It never hurts to just apply. Just try and get yourself in the room. If you can get an interview, you can sell yourself.
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Briana’s Answer
Hi, Marvin.
Of course you can find a job without attending college. However, it really depends on what job you can see yourself doing in the future. Many jobs that didn't used to ask for a college degree oftentimes require at least a Bachelors degree (4 year college) nowadays. Many professions, though, ask for an associates degree (2 year college), certification (specialized training), or apprenticeship (shadowing a professional), or trade school. Other jobs are available that allow you to be self-trained or to be trained after being hired. It all depends what your preferred career path is.
Create a list of jobs you find appealing
Research what education and/or training they require
Determine which route best fits your timeline and budget
Of course you can find a job without attending college. However, it really depends on what job you can see yourself doing in the future. Many jobs that didn't used to ask for a college degree oftentimes require at least a Bachelors degree (4 year college) nowadays. Many professions, though, ask for an associates degree (2 year college), certification (specialized training), or apprenticeship (shadowing a professional), or trade school. Other jobs are available that allow you to be self-trained or to be trained after being hired. It all depends what your preferred career path is.
Briana recommends the following next steps:
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Kathryn’s Answer
The simple answer is yes - you can find a job without going to college. The real question is, what's the difference? Junior and/or College, both are options to continue to learn a specific trade. Say you wanted to build rockets for NASA , then yes - you would need a heavy dose of math and science. But if that much school is not appealing to you, and you are a tech type person, you might want to apply for a sales position at one of your favorite stores. Sometimes companies offer on-the-job training, opportunities for college, or a growth path to manager on up. But at the end of the day - it all depends on you. My suggestion would be to make a list of five things you enjoy doing, then look for those types of jobs in your area. Contact those companies, let them know your interest and see if they have any entry level opportunities for you.
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Joseph’s Answer
Marvin,
This is a great question. Only you really have the answer to this question though as the answer for everyone is different. Having said that, there are multiple ways to move forward from high school graduation. There is the military, which will teach you skills and techniques they feel you'd be great at moving forward in life, some are harder to apply to life outside the military than others. Another option is advancing within jobs you may have been doing in your spare time while going to high school, do you work now? If yes, see what opportunities they have for you to move into and express your desire to avoid college and move forward via experience rather than school. Hospitality and retail are often popular routes for this kind of career advancement. There are options for getting an advanced education without a full college commitment as well. You can look at certifications, you can get those in as little as 8 weeks up to a full blown 2 year certificate which is equivalent time wise to having an associate degree in college. Whatever you choose, school is always there to fall back on if you change your mind later down the road. You may even find yourself in a position where your employer wants you to get a college degree for something specific and they will possibly pay for it. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best and it will be the right decision for you at the time.
This is a great question. Only you really have the answer to this question though as the answer for everyone is different. Having said that, there are multiple ways to move forward from high school graduation. There is the military, which will teach you skills and techniques they feel you'd be great at moving forward in life, some are harder to apply to life outside the military than others. Another option is advancing within jobs you may have been doing in your spare time while going to high school, do you work now? If yes, see what opportunities they have for you to move into and express your desire to avoid college and move forward via experience rather than school. Hospitality and retail are often popular routes for this kind of career advancement. There are options for getting an advanced education without a full college commitment as well. You can look at certifications, you can get those in as little as 8 weeks up to a full blown 2 year certificate which is equivalent time wise to having an associate degree in college. Whatever you choose, school is always there to fall back on if you change your mind later down the road. You may even find yourself in a position where your employer wants you to get a college degree for something specific and they will possibly pay for it. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best and it will be the right decision for you at the time.
Updated
Roberto’s Answer
The short answers is YES. You can find a good job without a college degree.
Now, there are several reasons for not liking school which would also keep someone from keeping a great (or even just good) job.
In order to find and keep a good or great job, by being great at it, one always needs:
1- A desire to learn,
2- The discipline to persist and practice,
3- The humility to accept one's ignorance and
4- The respect for figures of authority.
College is just one great way of receiving training and schooling, but not the only one by any means. However, in order to become great at something, one always needs to be willing to be "schooled" even though in the purest form of a master/apprentice relationship. What is more: One needs to be willing to constantly learn new things, just to stay current, on any line of business.
My recommendation to you is to think about what you do not like from college or "school" in general, whether it is the books, the general instruction, the structure or just certain subjects. Then think about the kind of job you would like to have, be it a trade or a business and be sure it doesn't have the things you don't like. What you wont find though, is a good job, or business that does not require a lot, a lot, a whole lot of effort and the need for constant learning. If you are good with learning and putting in all the effort required, college is definitely not a "must have" but it would certainly help.
Good Luck !!!
Now, there are several reasons for not liking school which would also keep someone from keeping a great (or even just good) job.
In order to find and keep a good or great job, by being great at it, one always needs:
1- A desire to learn,
2- The discipline to persist and practice,
3- The humility to accept one's ignorance and
4- The respect for figures of authority.
College is just one great way of receiving training and schooling, but not the only one by any means. However, in order to become great at something, one always needs to be willing to be "schooled" even though in the purest form of a master/apprentice relationship. What is more: One needs to be willing to constantly learn new things, just to stay current, on any line of business.
My recommendation to you is to think about what you do not like from college or "school" in general, whether it is the books, the general instruction, the structure or just certain subjects. Then think about the kind of job you would like to have, be it a trade or a business and be sure it doesn't have the things you don't like. What you wont find though, is a good job, or business that does not require a lot, a lot, a whole lot of effort and the need for constant learning. If you are good with learning and putting in all the effort required, college is definitely not a "must have" but it would certainly help.
Good Luck !!!