How can someone survive without a college degree these days?

Question

I've been jumping around from major to major, college to college, and cant find anything thats satisfies me.
I've been in school for nearly 3 years now, and I'm taking a break this next semester.

The problem is, I hate school and really dont want to go back. But I'm no fool. I know people need a full degree to get even the simplest jobs these days.

I need some form of assurance that people without a college degree can make something of themselves. That they can be successful and/or financially comfortable without a degree.

What can people do nowadays, in order to survive, as someone who did not complete college? What direction could they go in? What fields could/should they pursue? What can people do for themselves to be successful without going to school?

I just want some perspective here.

Answer 1

Baloney... you do not need a college degree. Michael Dell of Dell Computers never graduated from college, and there are thousands of CEO's just like him. I say pursue your dreams and your interests.
By the way, I have a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree... I just realize that college is not for everyone. Some of the smartest and wealthiest people I know never graduated from college. Here's my best advice for you: Read "The Millionaire Next Door" and learn how just normal folks achieved their dreams. Here's a clue: Think entrepreneur and passion.

Answer 2

You could become an entrepeneur. You can start your own business. You can also win the lottery. Problem is, the golden age of "doing what you love" is fast flying out the window. The power broker 80's and the corporate screwing of America has seen to that.
If you are looking for stability, try the medical field- nurses and home nursing care will be BIG in the next 10 years with baby boomers getting older. Also anything in technology is great.
Don't have a degree? You can try getting an assembly job somewhere.

Answer 3

Hard work: A person can go to college which basically gives you a public license to advance whether you are worthy to or not. Without college you must work to gain experience and knowledge but, this must be combined with wisdom. Wisdom is available for all who want it. Wisdom is not taught in public school so much. Like it or not nuggets of wisdom can be found in God's word. After Wisdom, experience and knowledge one can learn discretion, morals and firmly grasp the ethics needed to succeed. You may be money poor at times but you will always have a purpose and a network of people to seek advice. Using all these tools while perservering you will be almost garranteed to be successful. College often leaves out the most important teaching that one needs for success. Sometimes I laugh when a doctor or a lawyers pay me, asking my advice on issues. Knowledge of basic business practices are important and the knowledge of local laws.
To be successfull you need to set goals. right down steps to possible ways to achieve your goals. If your not sure what you like to do then just try something. If that's not it try something else. Volunteering can give you free experience. You need to be bold and fearless at times. Tell yourself you will succeed and stick to your goals. Weave your goals into enjoying life. Don't be afraid to adjust your goals to accomodate something more important. You will find what works and you might get rich though with riches come a whole other set of problems. Enjoying life and the fruit of your labor will bring you the most joy. I chose not to join the military. There are pros and cons for the military. I chose not to go into student loan debt. Never regreted it.

Answer 4

Simple really .I make legally over 1million a year. It is called go to work at anything first to survive. Then look for service related jobs you can do. A few examples are .
1. house cleaning my daughter started her own company in Poteet Texas moved to San Antonio and now has 43 people working for her
2. The elderly need folks to shop for them
3.day care elderly or youth it pays very well
4. in southern states lawn care in 1976 my wife and I did this until 1981 we averaged 7000 per month at $40 per yard that is only 175 yards per month approx 40 per week. or a little over 6 per day leaving Sunday off for Worship
5.With the profits from the lawn business I bought a irrigation service company which is what I do today.
Note: folks today earn so much money they want time for themselves and are very willing to pay for menial domestic help that they feel they are to good to do or do not have the time to do. You being a wise person need to take advantage of the situation and if you try very hard you will earn 10 time more than most all collage degree jobs you could ever receive.
If you are in Texas or want to come here E me look me up I will be happy to prove all of this to you.

Answer 5

Very few people who don't have degrees make a lot of money. I didn't do well in H.S. and when I went to college, I made up in my mind that I want to be somebody in this world and I want to be able to afford the finer things life. So I managed to do quite well. I learned a lot about my self being on my own-in another state and matured a great deal. I think if people do not go to college they should look for a job in which you can move up...like owning a business. I think that many people are good at many things naturally and have good sense on what kind of business is needed. I work part time making EXTRA money from a lady who owns her own babysitting agency. She seems to be doing well.

Answer 6

Yes, it's possible to survive without a college degree. But you won't be able to make nearly as much money as a college graduate. Nowadays, you need to either attend college or go to some technical/practical arts school and study if you want to be really successful.

I know I wouldn't want to give up college after already spending three years though. I would advise you to suck it up and go back to your school to finish up your degree. If you don't like studying that much, you might consider going to school part time and working part time. It will take you longer to get your degree, but it may be worth it.

Also, you might cut down on the time you would have to spend in college through CLEP, if your school would accept it. There are some schools like Thomas Edison (that's in NJ, and it has on-line classes that you can take in any state). These would let you transfer all of your credits and CLEP scores, if you wanted to get out of college fast (although I'm nost sure how many hours of classes you would have to take at the university). I'm not sure how quickly you can graduate, but it's worth looking into schools like Thomas Edison.

Answer 7

82

Answer 8

Air traffic controllers do not require college degrees, but watch out for the high stress levels.

Answer 9

1

Answer 10

It is TOUGH without a degree, and it's tough to be right out of college.

Go into the customer service area. They usually will train you, and the experience is always valuable.