Getting a Great Job Without a Degree Education

Over the past few decades, there’s been a real push to get people into university. Not only has this led to a massive growth in the university sector, but it’s also led to a common misconception that you need a degree to be successful. And that’s just not true.

Because while a degree is a great thing to have, it’s not a requirement for a good job.

And it shouldn’t be. Not everyone is suited to going to university. Some people prefer to learn practically — on the job. Other people just want to start their working life earlier, wanting their financial independence sooner rather than later. Some people just find themselves in careers that don’t need a degree.

Where to start

If you find yourself in the job market without a degree, it can feel that you’re shut out of the highest earning jobs — especially with many jobs being advertised as open to graduates only. However, for every job that requires a degree, there are just as many opportunities that don’t need a degree or any kind of higher education at all. For example, there are no degree requirements to become Firefighters, Police Constables, or Managers.

But in order to find these opportunities, it’s important to understand that you’ll probably have to do further training in order to gain the knowledge you’ll need.

Gaining Knowledge

If you didn’t like school, the realization that you’ll have to go back to the classroom can feel harsh. However, it’s important to understand that professional training is very different to an academic education. Professional training is usually done on the job, and it’s unlikely you’ll have to sit any kind of academic exam.

NVQ

For example, you may find yourself undertaking an NVQ as part of your existing work. You’ll learn new skills on the job, whilst being paid. There may be a small classroom component to it, but this would be the exception rather than the rule.

Apprenticeships

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to join the job market straight away, you could undertake an apprenticeship. It used to be that apprenticeships were just for young people. However, in the past couple of years, legislation has opened apprenticeships up to everyone — even people who have degrees.

Apprenticeships can be purely practical, where the training is done entirely on the job, or they can include a small classroom element. Regardless of whether your apprenticeship has a classroom element to it or not, they are a good way of learning marketable skills while also earning money.

Apprenticeships are the ideal choice if you’re looking to enter the STEM industry. The IT industry, in particular, is known for hiring candidates through apprenticeships, and it’s certainly possible to obtain roles such as Database manager and Computer Programmer through an apprenticeship.

BTEC

Alternatively, you might find yourself wishing to undertake an BTEC course at a local college.

In terms of structure, BTEC courses are probably the closest to the traditional school experience. Like school, most of your time will be spent in a classroom setting — you’ll have coursework, exams, as well as normal lessons. However, there will still be an emphasis on practical skills, such as IT proficiency, and you will find yourself having a completely relationship with your tutors than you did at school.

BTECs are a good idea if you feel like you may want to continue studying. BTECs are one of the few professional education options available which can be called true degree equivalents.

Using Your Experience

Sometimes, though, learning isn’t enough. For some roles, it’s more important you can demonstrate the ability to do the job than it is to hold a particular degree. This is particularly true in the Marketing and Media industries – where many people are self-taught.

In order to get a job in these industries, you might teach yourself the necessary skills, use those skills to create experience, and then use that experience to leverage a job for yourself. For example, if you’d like to join the television industry, a good way of starting is by filming your own projects and then putting them online.

Contact us today!

There’s nothing stopping you from getting a great job with or without a degree. All you need is knowledge, the dedication and patience needed to gain that knowledge, and an idea of what kind of job you want.

But if you have any questions about navigating the job market, please contact us today.