Is it possible to maintain a good job in life without a college degree?

Question

I know that it is very hard out there getting a decent job let alone without a higher level of education. Im a college student and most of my jobs are part-time seasonal and temp because of my schedule I don't have open availabilty due to my classes. I noticed that some people would never work at places that I have like telemarketing, pizza shops, cleaning etc. But How am I suppose to be succesful in the job field with out a college degree. I think that i have to deal with these little odd jobs while I work my way to the top. yet these people have managed to make somewhat of a decent income without an education? What is your intake on this matter?

Answer 1

Most college students I know have part time jobs at places like you described. For me college comes first so I work at a low paying part time job instead of at a full time job. My job is related to my future profession and is good experience and will look nice on my resume and that's more important to me than making more money. My friends who have not gone to college make more money than me at the moment because they work full time, but they have very little job security.

Answer 2

It is possible but the likelihood is that you would never make what a someone with a college degree makes. Unfortunately I have seen many instances of mindless people that have degrees getting paid more than people that are much smarter without degrees. Often people get management jobs out of college and do nothing more than hand on work done by subordinates as their own. In the 40's and 50's you didn't need a degree and the country flourished on the backs of people with just plain street smarts. However, these days you could be the greatest acquisition there is but without a degree nobody will ever know. Finish college.

Answer 3

You CAN be successful without a college degree (look at Bill Gates). I have a few friends who are now programmers without one. (Making 90k a year) Another works for Yahoo as a sale marketer. However, they educated themselves and reaping the benefits. But don't think you should throw away the chance to go. They regret not going.

If you can, I would say stick to these small time jobs while going to college. College is a great experience and will only help you in the long run. and if you don't have the drive, know how, or intellect as my non-degree friends - good luck finding anything better than a pizza shop.

Answer 4

Plenty of jobs in the "trades" (plumbers, carpenters, etc.) offer good income without needing a college degree. And you can start your own business in almost any field regardless of education. Many people have enough knowledge to succeed even if they don't have a degree.

If you want to work for someone else in a career that will only hire people with college degrees, then there's no question you must have one. But that's not every job out there.

Answer 5

Of course it's possible. I have no college experience and I hold a very high prestigous position. I have worked extremely hard to get where I am today but all of that hard work has paid off. I'm not saying that you should drop out of school or anything. I wasn't made for school, I hated it, it bored me. I have worked numerous odd jobs in my late teens and when I was 18 I started off as a temp agent and got offered my first "real" job and have been in the industry since.

Answer 6

I have a degree in Secondary education with a minor in English (meaning I can be a high school English teacher) and my husband went to college for 4 years but never got a degree. We own a mortgage company and are very sucessful. So I would say yes, you can be sucessful without a college degree. Most of my friends have degrees, but are doing things other than what they went to schhol for. So find what you like - if it demands a degree then get it - if not - forget it! Good Luck!

Answer 7

Yes, I have had several good paying jobs and I am six credits short of an associates degree. If you are a hard worker and skilled, you should do fine. I know someone who makes about a six figure income and travels the country, and that person never went to college

Answer 8

I think a degree can make a difference in your life, as far as career goes. Although do not discount these jobs to quickly. You learn allot from these types of jobs, allot of the common sense that the top jobs world seems to have missed.

I have worked both sides of the coin...those people in the "little odd jobs" will make the money for your high paying job...be nice to them, and try a mile in their shoes.

The truest task of a leader, is to take their people where they have not been, so how can you lead them if you do not know where they have been.

Answer 9

Look at these part time jobs as great learning experiences. But ask yourself, do I want to do this for the rest of my life? A college degree opens doors to opportunities that just aren't available without it-and there are worlds of interesting things to do. Stay in college and finish it. You will never regret it.

Answer 10

I havent finnished my college degree, and im working a full time job that pays very well. While it does pay well, and I can live comfortably on it, I could be making more money if I just had a simple degree, which is why Im going back to finnish it. You could always go to school part time and work full time and take online classes (which it what Im going to do), if money is an issue.