April 12, 2018

Do You Really Need A College Degree To Get A Job?

What do Steve Jobs, Coco Chanel, Rachael Ray, Richard Branson, Michael Dell, Ansel Adams, Dave Thomas, Henry Ford, Rush Limbaugh, Russell Simmons, Steve Madden, and Walt Disney have in common? None of these uber successful people had a college degree. These people and countless others have been successful in life because they pursued the things they are passionate about – and they did it without a college degree.

Group of students celebrating college graduation

People from all walks of life wonder if they need a college degree to get a job? The answer is that it totally depends on what you want to do with your life. As with anything in life, there are both pros and cons of going to college. It’s your responsibility to determine what type of job you want to have and then determine if you need to go to college to achieve your dreams.

How to Get the Job You Want – Without a College Education

A college education is expensive. Yet many people go to school, accumulate student loans, and then go into a field where they don’t end up using the degree that they earned. Others earn a degree and are unable to land a job in their field of choice. Both of these situations are not uncommon for college graduates. This is why many people wonder if they really need a college degree to get a job?

Regardless of what you want to do, a college degree will always look good on your resume. A degree can definitely give you the edge in the job search and that can make a difference in whether you get the job or not. But often times certifications, experience, apprenticeships, personality, and large network of professional connections can be worth more than a degree.

The determining factor is deciding what career path you are going to pursue. If you want to become a lawyer, scientist, or doctor you absolutely must have a college degree (or higher). On the other hand if you choose to become a mountain guide, firefighter, electrician, or entrepreneur a college degree might not be as useful. In many jobs, once you get your foot in the door, it’s easier to climb the ladder based on your skills and personality than what’s on your resume.

35 High Paying Jobs That Do Not Require A Degree

Every situation is different, but no matter what you do, never stop learning. The more you know, the more successful you can ultimately become. It’s up to you to find your passion and learn the things that you need to know. Whether that’s in a college classroom, via a book you bought from the bookstore, during a certification course, or by staying up-to-date online is up to you. As long as you are on top of your game you can compete in today’s job market.

So back to the original question: Do you need a college degree to get a job? It completely depends on what you want to do.

Learn about other successful people who never earned a college degree on EliteDaily.com.

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