How to Get a Good Job Without a Degree

For years, the best way to get a good-paying job was to get a degree from a four-year college. The problem, however, is that four year of college costs a great deal in terms of both time and money, and it may not be suited for people with practical minds. Besides, a college degree in crowded major that is in little demand like — sociology or anthropology — doesn’t serve the purpose.

The bias towards four year college education has created a labor market paradox: A big surplus of job seekers with university degrees, and a big shortage of job seekers with practical skills…like computer support specialists, electrical technicians, respiratory therapists, and so on.

Job type	Number of Jobs	Median Annual Salary
Computer support specialists	607,100	$46,260
Electrical Technicians	151,000	$56,040
Respiratory therapists	112,700	$54,280
Telecommunications installers	194,000	$54,710
Food Science Technicians	21,300	$32,760
HVAC installers	267,800	$42,530
Industrial engineers technicians	62,500	$48,210

Source: Occupational Outlook (2010), Harvard Business Review (2010)

What does it take to be qualified for these types of jobs?

Practical training, which can be acquired in three ways, according to Harvard Business Review (Who Can Fix The  Middle Skills Gap?):

First, by an apprenticeship, or attending other union-employer supported programs like the Energy Workforce Development Program, formed by a consortium of electric utility companies and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Completing such programs enhances lifetime employment income by $250,000, according to the above quoted article.

Second, by attending a sector-based regional initiative funded by National Network of Sector Partners (NNSP) like the Bay Area Work Funding Collaborative, and the Skillworks, which provide training for local jobs in high demand.

Third, by getting an associate’s degree from a two-year community college, which teaches practical skills. Such a degree can increase earnings by 13 percent for men and 39 percent for women.

The bottom line: Attending a four-year college may be the ticket to getting a good job, but it isn’t the only one.  A certificate from an apprenticeship or a local business-community partnership, and an associate’s degree from a community college can be a better alternative, especially for people with practical minds; and they may be paid for by prospective employers and the government .

Also read:

3 College Majors That Will Earn You $100K
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