Even though more people pursue college degrees today, we cannot deny the fact that college is expensive. Many more people choose not to pursue degrees because they hardly have enough resources to do so. Even though it is said that education is the key to success, this does not mean that you cannot be successful without a college degree. Many entrepreneurs stopped studying at the high school level, and today they own empires.
So how do you succeed without a college degree? Well, there are so many skills you can monetize, as long as you sharpen them.
This article is not meant to encourage you to drop out of college. If you’re already in school, work hard, and graduate with good grades. Remember to take your college assignments seriously because they contribute to your overall grade.
Success is attainable for anyone willing to work for it. Whether you have a college degree or not, you are in charge of how your future turns out.
Consider getting a mentor who is already successful in the field you want to venture into. Surrounding yourself with successful makes you believe in yourself more.
Here are ten ways to be successful without a college degree.
1. Tap into your Entrepreneurial Spirit
Everyone is an entrepreneur at heart. All it takes is for you to discover that part of yourself. Now that you don’t have a college degree, you don’t have the option of venturing into a professional career.
Tap into your entrepreneurial spirit and find a business you can run. Remember not to start a business just because it sounds like a good idea. You have to figure out the viability of that business before you roll it out.
2. Sharpen your Skills
The key to surviving with or without a college degree is finding skills you can monetize. In today’s digitalized world, you can pretty much monetize any skill.
You need to sharpen all your skills so that you have something to sell. Venture into the service business and strive to be the best service provider.
3. Take Advantage of your Talents
Aside from the skills you’ve acquired throughout your life, you also have talents you were born with. Some people suppress their talents and claim they do not have one. Everyone has a talent, and if you dig deep enough, you’ll find it.
Can you sing? Or maybe dance? If you’re a natural, this is a minefield for you. All you need to do is walk through the right doors and shake the right hands. In no time, you’ll be making money doing something you’re naturally good at.
4. Discover your Passions
The difference between a skill and a passion is that when you’re doing something you’re passionate about, you enjoy it. When people talk about not working a day in their lives, they’re referring to individuals who turned their passions into lifelong careers. You, too, can do it even if you don’t have a college degree. Discover the things you are passionate about and figure out how to make money from them.
5. Venture into Professional Sports
This is another viable option for anyone without a college degree. Sports teams will always need new players because people get old and they get to an age where they cannot play anymore. It is okay to begin with, a smaller, unrecognized team and grow to a point where you’re valuable enough to join a major national or international team.
There are so many sports you can venture into aside from football. Considered swimming? Or maybe tennis. Playing for a major team pays well, and you’ll get the opportunity to travel the world.
6. Get into a Career that Doesn’t Need Degrees
There are quite a number of careers that do not require you to have a college degree. Since you don’t have one, you should research about these careers and find yourself a permanent spot. The key to making it in these sectors is proving that you are invaluable. Show your employers that you are a valuable asset to them, and they cannot afford to replace you.
7. Learn how to Sell and Negotiate
You can go a long way without a degree if you can sell products to people. You need to teach yourself negotiation skills as well. If you’re an expert, you can make it as a sale-person in any store. Companies in the commercial world are always looking for people who have impressive selling and negotiation skills.
8. Expand your Network
Since you do not have papers to show in an interview, the only thing you can depend on is your network. You need to expand it so that viable job opportunities do not pass you by. Connect with people from different states and even out of the country to increase your chances of finding a long-term job.
9. Read
The fact that you’re not in college does not mean that you should never touch a book in your life. The more knowledgeable you are, the more valuable employers will find you. Reading makes you a valuable asset that companies would dare not replace.
10. Find a Mentor
Lastly, you need to find a mentor. It could be an educated person or someone who didn’t get a college degree just like you. People with life experience will teach you life lessons you won’t find in books.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is quite possible to survive without a college degree. You need to be proactive and take every opportunity that comes your way. However, it is never to late to go back to college and get that degree.
