"Do u know anyone who doesn't have a degree but has a good salary? "
Bill Gates?
Mark Zuckerberg?
The richest person I personally know barely made it through high school. He was at the bottom of his class. The richest person I knew in the past dropped out of school in the 8th grade. He was a multi-millionaire by 19.
The mantra that you need a college degree to make something of yourself is a lie. It's a great way for some people, but it's not needed. If there is something you want to do, and you need a degree for it, then you have to get a degree. But that's because you want to do it, not because it's needed to be financially successful.
When you look at salary comparisons between people with degrees vs no degree, it's another lie. It's called lying with statistics. That's because you are comparing apples to oranges. Just for example, if someone is super lazy, they likely will not do the work it takes to get a degree. But they are also likely not to do much in the work world either. If they aren't successful, it's because they are lazy, not because they don't have a degree.
You have to apply yourself to get a degree. You also have to apply yourself if you don't get a degree. There are many traits that help people be successful. Most of the same traits are needed whether you get a degree or not. If all you do is work at McD's and never make any attempt to move up or find something better, of course you won't be successful. That has nothing to do with a degree, and everything to do with the person.
Don't get me wrong. Degrees are a good route to take IF you get the right degree. But it's far from being the only route.
Either way, just don't be complacent. You gotta put in some effort and ALWAYS keep your eyes open for opportunities. You can get by passing up opportunities sometimes, just don't make a habit of it.
You absolutely do NOT need to have a degree to earn a good salary. You DO need to provide excellent bottom line value to the company in order to have a good salary, though,
Expect to have to work hard, start at the bottom doing the most crappy jobs for the most crappy pay in order to gain experience. If you think you can come into a field with no experience and not work hard and start from the bottom, you will be very disappointed.
Having said that, you also need to research what different jobs pay. Don't focus on the top pay, because you probably won't get that. Instead, focus on the AVERAGE pay for that job.
Sales is a good example of a job with potentially high pay, that doesn't require a degree. But that doesn't mean it doesn't require knowledge or education.
If you are selling fashion, you need to know everything about fashion, including lots of insider knowledge, which means you spend lots of unpaid personal time networking with other people in the industry. Same thing if you want to sell jewelry, or perfume. If you want to sell cars or houses, you need to learn a ton about them, or you will likely grow hungry.
The other thing about sales jobs is that jobs with low pay potential are easy to get, and have high turnover. Jobs with high pay potential are hard to get and have low turnover.
You are going to have to figure out what kind of job it is *relatively* easy for you to work long, difficult hours doing, and which jobs are torture even at high pay, and then make the best choice for you.
Work is called "work" for a reason - it's often difficult, disappointing, frustrating, political, and exhausting. Often things are - or at least seem, unfair. But that's what work is. Almost no one has an easy job unless they are wealthy enough to never need one in the first place. It's not like it's depicted in the movies or TV.
Example
I do not have a degree and make more money than my friends who have degrees and spent years studying. When I got into this career I knew the money was good I just didn't know it could get even better than what I expected. I did lots of research applied for different companies, relocated to a different country in pursue of a better opportunity and been in the same company for ten years now, in those ten years I managed to grow professionally and upgraded my position in the company every couple of years.
Growing up I knew people didn't have much hope in me and thought I was going to end up as a single mom with a low paying job. I'm 35 years old, my bank account is loaded and I've been to 69 countries up until this day, I don't own anything to anyone. Although your teenage years shape you tit is certainly not a prediction of how your future is going to be.
I was a terrible student but always had a drive and always knew I was meant for greater things and I know my young self would be really proud of who I became. While I believe that every job is teachable given the opportunity I also suggest young generations to invest in their studies and learn something they truly like and enjoy. Always do your own research and always thrive to learn something knew.
It’s hard getting decent salary with a degree. If you’re not a Dr or engineer… it’s hard and you usually have to get a certificate or go back to school…
So there’s no real guarantee… but either way you just have to work hard.
you’re better off doing what you love with little pay or learn how to profit off what you’re good at.
Absolutely, many people achieve financial success without a traditional degree. I've seen individuals leverage skills in fields like technology, trades, entrepreneurship, and sales. They focus on self-learning, certifications, or vocational training to build expertise and credibility. Networking and real-world experience further enhance their career paths. If you're interested, identify industries that value skills over degrees and continuously learn and adapt.
Opinion
34Opinion
You can’t have it and have job security. You need education, training, knowledge, skills and experience to create a foundation for financial success. Without them, everyone is expendable.
Let’s imagine for a moment you get a good job where they are willing to teach you everything you need to know to become an asset. As soon as you think you are more valuable than their compensation package suggests, you can be replaced by another person who is merely willing to learn what you learned, but for less money. The same money you accepted to learn. Because you didn’t get licensed or certified, you’re still an entry level hire. You have to start all over at the next company. This will always happen because somewhere within every company that can afford to pay “decent salary”, there are bean counters who you don’t know and they don’t know you. On paper, your experience has no value. You are expendable. They can replace you at your earned position with someone who has documented education and training, plus experience. Or they can replace you with someone who has the same or less experience and is willing to accept less money.
Go to college, or go to a trade skool or apprenticeship program. Join the military and let them train you. The days of “working your way up” from nothing to CEO are behind us. Counting on that kind of luck is no different than praying for a winning lottery ticket. It’s hope as a tactic. The sooner you realize that you will never get more out of a career than you put into it, the better. Anyone who suggests otherwise is trying to sell you something or otherwise profit off of your desperation.
Here in the US, a lot of men do very well in the trades if they have ambition and brains and the will to succeed. Masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC guys, roofers, auto mechanics, etc. all have the opportunity to learn skills and then if they want, start their own business. Hire a few other guys. Start bidding work for the network they've developed. And managing workers rather than busting their ass doing the work. It doesn't take a huge business to provide a good income.
If a woman isn't into physical labor, just pick a field and work your way up into a management position. Take on responsibility by raising your hand and asking for it. use that to learn the business from the bottom up. In all honesty, a degree matters less than experience as time goes by.
Focus on your people skills at least as much as your technical knowledge. Universities do a miserable job of building those skills. And a lot of people are weak at it. So build a strength where others are weak.
Confront change head on rather than resisting it. Be on board with it. It will be constant throughout your career and life.
That is how you differentiate yourself without formal education.
Through a lucky connection.
I became good friends with a guy at a warehouse job. His mom was well off and lived down the street from a VP of an auto insurance company.
The company was starting a trainee program for motor vehicle damage field adjusters/appraisers.
My friend's mom got us both interviews. This was in 1980 when I was 26.
At that point, I had some community college but only a high school diploma.
I didn't know anything about the business or auto body repairs. But they hired me, had me settle total loss claims for 9 months, then sent me to an auto body class in Irving, TX for 3 weeks.
After that, I had to work at certain auto body shops for a while, writing estimates by appointment on drivable cars for customers that the insurance company sent over.
Eventually, I got out into the field.
The salary was excellent and the benefits were fantastic.
I stayed with the company for 30 years and retired with a pension and a lot of money in a 401(k).
I think insurance companies these days require a BA.
Something you could do is go to trade school to learn plumbing or to be an electrician.
Also, people who can operate machinery like dozers and back hoes can earn a lot of money. I now live in a rural area and there are a lot of successful, self-employed people who do excavating and that kind of thing.
Lots of people do that but they reach it after years of experiences and moving between jobs
You're gonna start at a low salary first
Sales might be a good start since you can get extra money beside your salary depending on your sales
Good luck 👍🏻
I do not have a degree , neither does my boss will all except one of my colleagues , Frends and family working at a senior level the same.
The single commonality for us all is work ethic , believing that you achieve anything you put your mind to.
My only advice , if you can , pick from one of your passions and make that a career. Self fulfillment is more valuable than money
I know quite a few people who have good jobs that pay well and did not go to college. However they work hard and are good at sales and customer service. Without those two things, someone without a useful college degree will probably never amount to anything.
It's certainly possible, yes, but it probably won't be quick.
I'm one of those people that never went to college, and I'm currently making a little more than $200k/year, in a low cost of living area. It took me about 12 years at the same company to do that, though.
If you can find a job that will train you, and is willing to promote from within, then it can be done, but not every job will do so, and you have to put in the effort.
Well in my case I apprentices under a master electrician for 2 years, then worked 16 hours per day saving money for years till I started my own little electrician firm. Now my biggest threat to my lively hood is the government and all these leftists who insist my hard work means nothing and that I don't deserve the wealth I've manged to get for myself through effort and sacrifice.
i used to do that through manual labour. i was a welder/metal construction worker for a farm equipment manufacturer. i actually made slightly more money than i do now even though i did acquire a university degree and working with akademic qualification now. the difference being now i don't have to work rotating shifts including nights and weekends plus i only have a 4 day work week.
I did business training at night while working through the day. I have had high-paying jobs ever since.
My cousin, he owns a huge grocery store. And also my sister has wholesale store, they started the business from the zero.
One of the best ways is to find an apprenticeship. You might want to check out Apprenticeship. gov: Homepage
I have a degree and do okay.
I know some friends who dropped out of college…got their certifications, worked their way up and was making over $200k.
another posted all his skills online and people found him to do work.
Don't skip college. It can be fun, and without a degree, you will spend your life scratching and scraping for money, or picking a partner based on how much they make, or both. Do not do any of this to yourself.
Probably sales and marketing. Do a course or internship of some kind. Maybe call centre? Some kind assistant job, you know, office help.
if you're in the US, Join the military then when you get out its easier to get a gov job with just experience Or get a certificate in cyber security they make great money.
My mom knows a lady who dropped out of college and went to work cleaning offices and ended up the head of the cleaning company by the time she was thirty. But that’s really rare.
Community colleges provide certifications for many high paying careers. All done with no degrees.
Just say you went to a college that’s mid-tier in a degree that looks easily achievable and *boom* you’re an associate at Target. They won’t even call the college to check.
m I started my own business...
few years after working/learning someone else's business...
More important... begin investing as early as you can. Put money away in investments every month. Let compound interest start working for you.
plenty of people in the trades make good money. Also the kids of politicians can score a nice do nothing 6 figure job in the government.
I agree. Learning a trade is the lowest risk way to earn a good income without a college degree. You will likely get paid a pittance through an apprenticeship, but then generally earn a solid income rising to a good income with a few years of experience. There is no real way to get rich unless you start your own business down the track, but you should find yourself earning plenty to feel comfortable. Follow your dreams. Become a chef or something.
2I have two diplomas and I have no job because the work environment is bad and the salary is low.
I know of people with degrees that are still flipping burgers at McDonald's. It's just a piece of paper!
I know business people, to time turning a modest amount in a nice but and that into a boatload
No clue. I'm the opposite. I have a degree... and... well, I'm about to be made redundant, so that salary is going to drop to zero.
Saving, investing, and living below my means. Now I make more outside of my 9 to 5 than at my 9 to 5. I really only keep working for the benefits of subsidized Healthcare. But even that is getting to be not worth it anymore.
Decent is relative, but you're not going to get any living wage job w/out a degree unless you go into sales.
Yeah I know one CEO like that who owns his company.
People who work for a decent salary without a degree usually find that nice, high-paying job through favoritism.
What are u good at? Thats what u should use to make money
Work long and hard. I graduated 444th out of 500. I make 75k a year in finance and just interviewed for an 80k job. I'll probably get it.
I’m an aircraft mechanic and I didn’t even ever get a GED
its possible in theory, but u would have a road uphill. pls stay in school
what do you consider a good salary?
more than 20k
m Food cart/food truck, if you deliver quality.
Strippers make good money
Started my own business.
What's a decent salary? £50k?
Two masters degrees sure helped...
No decent salery even for degree holders.
Talent or skill
You have to be lucky I guess.
Skilled trades or working too much.
Be a YouTuber, trades,
I was good at my job
Sent out tons of CVs/Resumees
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