can i get an 'ok' paycheck without going to college?

Question

i really love working with the public but i don't want to be a social worker or anything of that nature and i really don't want to go to college. is there any hope for me to still have a decent paycheck without going to college?

Answer 1

You could try going to a technical school and get a skill like beautician or dental assistant. Get a catalog online and see what is offered in your area and look for what fits your interests and skills. You could also look for a job in sales selling big ticket items like cars or major appliances. Those jobs offer on-the-job training.

Answer 2

You can BUT you have to be highly motivated. It's always been true that people who are very good at making contacts and connections have more opportunities than those who do not. Chances are that you'll need to work for yourself if you want to do well without a degree.

I will say that college is an enormous help, as it is required for many positions these days (kind of how high school was important for the last generation--however, you can't get a college equivalency degree like you can a GED). Often, however, not having one can reduce your earnings.

I have a college degree and am the type who prefers not to spin plates. I like to work for part of the day and then forget about it. If this is you, you'll find yourself struggling more than if you are interested in making what you do a greater part of your life than just what you do from 9 to 5.

Answer 3

I don't what about college you are avoiding. Going to college as much as anything shows employers that you can show up, complete assignments and follow through. It's also a tremendous social experience. And if you pay attention, you'll learn a thing or too along the way and might even enjoy it. By virtue of being a living human being, you must have some interest. Pursue it. Go do different colleges and take tours, read their catalogs to find out what programs they have, talk to people who have completed those programs. Learn everything you can about different jobs. Find out what credentials you'll need. Consider jobs you've never considered.

Or go to sea, be a sailor, see the world, and try again in two or three or four years. Try different sales jobs. Learn to fix photocopiers. But whatever you do, give it your all. You will do fine. And as you need skills take a course here and there.

And yes, college does matter. Credentials on paper often matter more than just being good at something. Just the way of our world.

Answer 4

Why would you NOT want to go to college? Life is full of struggles and ups and downs. Sometimes you have to do stuff you do not want to do in order to achieve the desired result. Not everything is a piece of cake. You have to go through serial of trials to make it. Now, why would you "hope" for a "decent" paycheck when you can "hope" for an "AMAZING" paycheck? With some effort and determination you can make more money. As you can tell, I am one of those people who believe college/university to be the silver bullet. Going to college will not only bring many benefits to you personally, professionally, financially but emotionally as well. Higher education has more ups then downs. You will defitinitely feel a VOID in your life as you age if you do not attend at least a decent college. You see going to college, ANY college, will give you experince with people and certain situations that you will not get with anything else. It will bring you a BIGGER paycheck. It will make you new friends. It will teach you a lesson in life. It will be an experience. It will give you a sense of confidence and a newer knowledge. Besides, with the knowledge you gain in college you will make BETTER decisions in every aspect of your life especially business. This will lead you to a better life among other thing. Why don't you just give it a try? Unless you want to take the easy route out and make money by being a people-person as a cashier in Walmart or a manager in McDonalds..

Don't take the easy way out, besides, it may be easy now but in the long run it is a lifetime of struggle.
Whereareas,you can go to college Struggle a little, give a little effort and SUCCEED.

My point is,Your GOAL should be a DECENT college not a DECENT paycheck.

Answer 5

You can make a decent wage without going to college, but there are alternatives.

If you don't want to go to a traditional 4-year university, look into going to a 2-year institution, or even just taking a 9 or 12 month business-type place.

I went to Indiana University for 2 years and I hated it, so I left and went to IvyTech for an associates degree and had a great experience. I'm making about $38,000/yr 6 months after I graduated as opposed to the $18,000 I was making before.

Answer 6

A recent study proved that the average starting wage earning difference between a college grad and a HS grad was over $20,000 per year.

I guess it depends upon what you consider an 'OK' paycheck. Personnaly, I think not going to college is setting yourself up for a dismil future of struggling. As the world advances there will be less pay for the uneducated and more for the educated.

Get an education!

Answer 7

I think so. At least here in the Northeast. Our Office Manager is making over $60,000 per year (and she just started working here in October) and she didn't go to college. My husband is a plant manager for Waste Management and he didn't go to college, as a matter of fact, he didn't graduate high school (but he did get his GED and joined the air force at 18). I never attended college but my youngest sister did and I make more than she does. It all depends...if I look in the help wanted ads where I live, some of the jobs that require college degrees pay less than what I'm making as a bookkeeper (no, I didn't go to school or take any classes for it - learned through work experience). I think it really depends on where you live. You can to monster.com and look up salaries for your particular area for different jobs. Check it out. Good luck!

Answer 8

sure there are ways. If you don't want to go to college there are trade schools, but there are other jobs, like teachers assistant that you could do and not have to go to college. I think that would be a good one becasue you would have every weekend and holiday off and you would be off in the summer and still get a check. But, you could always go to a community college for a year or two since you dan't want to go for a long time... but, goodluck. I hope you find something that you will enjoy and get a good pay check.

Answer 9

Of course! MANY people make a lot of money with no college degree. The chances of you making better money increase if you go to college but even that's not guaranteed.

Just do what you want. I'm assuming you live in a Capatilistic Country and those countries support individual entrepenuers. Go out and do it!

Best of Luck!

Answer 10

Depends upon what your standard of "decent" is. Will you have the opportunity to go on vacations, buy a house and enjoy all those other things that require money? Probably not. But even if you did have a degree and worked in the public sector, you wouldn't likely have that either... not unless you obtained a Masters and/or a PHD, in which case you would command a much higher salary, even in a non-profit.

My advice, figure out exactly what you want to do, talk to people who do that and find out what motivates them. I'm betting money is not a motivating factor for them. But it does seem to be for you.

Figure out what you really want to do, go to college, get your degree(s) and get a good job that will allow you to live comfortably.

Answer 11

Yes, you can but it will take a long time and you will have to work harder. I don't have a full college degree and make a good salary now but it took a long time of working menial jobs to get to this point. Unfortunately, many employers now won't even hire you if you don't have a college degree. You'll just have to work your way up the hard way. If you work for a good company now, stick with them.