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bettybcafe
Big brother in the making
Member since 7/07 8611 total posts
Name:
M
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A great job without a college degree?
Is it possible? How many of you either 1-went to school but for one reason or another didnt land a job in the field but has a great job still or 2-Just never went to college but still has a great job? Im just curious. My story is kind of complicated but just wondering because it appears my college degree is looking pretty useless right now.
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Posted 10/21/10 8:18 PM  |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
I've had two careers without a college degree. Paramedic and I.T. Manager. I didn't choose them because they're easier to get into without a degree, but I've found that real-world knowledge is highly valued in I.T. especially.
I did go for certification courses for both, so there was still schooling involved but nothing like a 2 or 4 year investment. Then I got the jobs and worked my way up over the years.
I've been working for 22 years and just once was I held back by my lack of degree. And that was only because the certification course for the specific job was faster if you had a degree already.
When you're confident, work your butt off, and know what you're doing, it can open doors. Good luck with your search. 
Message edited 10/21/2010 8:45:56 PM.
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| Posted 10/21/10 8:37 PM |
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
Posted by greenfreak
When you're confident, work your butt off, and know what you're doing, it can open doors. Good luck with your search.
I have a BA and totally agree with the above statement.. you don't need a degree to have a great job. I've seen VPs and CEOs without a degree and it was their worth ethic/persistence that got them where they are.
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| Posted 10/21/10 8:47 PM |
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bettybcafe
Big brother in the making
Member since 7/07 8611 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
Thank you ladies
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| Posted 10/21/10 8:57 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
I do have a college degree, a BA in journalism. And I did work for a newspaper for 4 years. And it sukked! The hours sukked and the pay sukked even worse. I wound up starting to work with my mom. She taught dance my whole life and was looking to retire. I now run my won dance school. I work 15 hours a week, 9 months out of the year. And I make more then double what I made at the newspaper.
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| Posted 10/21/10 10:30 PM |
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drpepper318
MIR MIR MIR!
Member since 6/07 8274 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
It depends what you want to do...... but not all careers require a degree... there are many skills that are needed by society that people pay big money for.... that don't require college. I think a lot of people don't even use their college degree.
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| Posted 10/21/10 10:37 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
My husband tried college for a semester and it wasn't for him, so he dropped out. He is now a graphic designer and makes more than I do....and I have my Masters!
He's incredibly talented and has a great work ethic...sometimes that's all it takes!
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| Posted 10/21/10 10:41 PM |
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MikesBride
LIF Adult
Member since 12/09 1245 total posts
Name:
Ilana
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
DH has only a HS Diploma...he has gotten many certifications in IT and has a Secret Govt Clearance (and is being evaluated for a Top Secret).
He will always make more $ than me and I will have my Masters soon...he likes to tease me about it 
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| Posted 10/21/10 11:20 PM |
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
DH dropped out of college, and has his own construction company.
I tend to only see the negatives though, such as our currently going long months without his getting paid because all the $$$$ has to go to the business/his guys.............
Or him feeling like this is all he can do since he feels too old to go back to college............
Or if he has to get a "real job" only finding something minimum wage at Home Depot or the equivalent when he has so much more knowledge/talent for that.......
When the $$$$$ is there, it's worth it for him though.........but these days that really seems few and far between.
I know I sound really negative but given our personal experience I feel it's good to have a degree to fall back on these days especially.
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| Posted 10/22/10 5:26 AM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
I work in a position in the dental field that does not require a degree. I have a professional license through the state that is only granted after a certification course and a national board.
I also own a consulting firm, I teach dentists how to have better chairside manners and run their business to be more profitable.
Its funny in a way that they have years of expensive formal education, but they pay ME a high price to teach them LOL
My DH does not have a college degree, but he has always been a business owner.
Message edited 10/22/2010 8:44:49 AM.
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| Posted 10/22/10 7:13 AM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
Posted by Palebride
My husband tried college for a semester and it wasn't for him, so he dropped out. He is now a graphic designer and makes more than I do....and I have my Masters!
He's incredibly talented and has a great work ethic...sometimes that's all it takes!
My DH is also in technology, he's a programmer. With a 4 year Journalism degree from Boston University that he doesn't "use". 
He fell into programming by chance, at a job he had about 10 years ago. Each job he got gave him more and more experience and education in his field. He constantly teaches himself new technology and has never had formal education in technology, but he's excellent at it. Now he's got the job he wanted when he first started.
What are you good at? I think that's important to consider, not just what you like to do. It started my mind down a path and once I realized the destination, I had the information I needed to make a plan and get there. It all started because I knew I was organized, enjoyed helping people, and using a computer.
The woman I'm named after decided at age 50 that she wanted to be a lawyer. And she did it. She used that to not only work but to help people less fortunate for many years. I always think about that when I start getting hung up on age or other challenges with careers.
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| Posted 10/22/10 7:29 AM |
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Ian&EmmesMommy23
My family is complete!
Member since 11/08 12970 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
great thread! my DH dropped out of college 15 years ago and i've been trying to get him to go back. but he just doesnt seem "college material". right now he's in a job, but i'd like to see him in a career. but all careers i see need degrees.
Message edited 10/22/2010 8:32:13 AM.
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| Posted 10/22/10 8:31 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
No degree here although a ton of credits in various subjects.
I make more than many people my age who have advanced degrees.
I do work my butt off but I'm respected, I don't hate my job and I don't feel dread going to work everyday.
I have opportunities for more here without a degree and I'm pursuing them.
My boss has an extremely senior role here and she has a bachelors. Many think she has a masters because of her depth of knowledge..she's just silly smart and experienced. Her degree is not even in anything close to her job..
I really think education is important..but I don't think you "need" it to land a good job and be fulfilled.
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| Posted 10/22/10 8:39 AM |
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Ian&EmmesMommy23
My family is complete!
Member since 11/08 12970 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
Posted by Blu-ize
No degree here although a ton of credits in various subjects.
I make more than many people my age who have advanced degrees.
I do work my butt off but I'm respected, I don't hate my job and I don't feel dread going to work everyday.
I have opportunities for more here without a degree and I'm pursuing them.
My boss has an extremely senior role here and she has a bachelors. Many think she has a masters because of her depth of knowledge..she's just silly smart and experienced. Her degree is not even in anything close to her job..
I really think education is important..but I don't think you "need" it to land a good job and be fulfilled.
what field are you in?
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| Posted 10/22/10 8:50 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
DH has a blue collar job and doesn't have a degree. I'm pretty sure 99% of the people he works with don't have degrees either.
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| Posted 10/22/10 8:53 AM |
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MrsBurtch525
Year for change!
Member since 1/09 6017 total posts
Name:
Taryn
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
I became a dental assistant with no degree and then after a fe years i went and got certified but i was making good money and started from scratch. I loved it until i got pregnant and became a stay at home mom. I can't wait to go back.
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| Posted 10/22/10 9:33 AM |
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RocPin
Life's Beachy <3
Member since 2/08 6765 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
No degree. I have a great job with a Government contractor. I will say that more of my co-workers do have degrees. I just came in with a lot of experience.
DH does not have a degree either. He works for the same company. He does have military experience and top secret clearances.
The president of my company does not have a degree but I will add that he is a dying breed.
I do plan to finish school soon especially since my company will pay for it.
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| Posted 10/22/10 9:44 AM |
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annoyedTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 3272 total posts
Name:
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
Really depends on what you want to do and where you want to work.
Where I am we won't even consider someone if they don't have a BA and a lot of us now have MBA degrees.
I have a friend in the same industry who works for a firm that is less strict and another friend who knows they not only require a degree but are pretty particular about the ranking of the school one graduated from.
I only have two friends without degrees and I know both feel they have limited opportunities because of this.
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| Posted 10/22/10 9:48 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
my husband does not have a degree, is in sales and makes significantly more than I do with an advanced degree..
he works his tail off and was in the right place at the right time i suppose..
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| Posted 10/22/10 9:50 AM |
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missfabulous
#mommyneedswine
Member since 6/09 10031 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
DH only has a H.S diploma and has a great job with great benefits- he works for NYC Sanitation.
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| Posted 10/22/10 10:00 AM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
Posted by QTDimps23
Posted by Blu-ize
No degree here although a ton of credits in various subjects.
I make more than many people my age who have advanced degrees.
I do work my butt off but I'm respected, I don't hate my job and I don't feel dread going to work everyday.
I have opportunities for more here without a degree and I'm pursuing them.
My boss has an extremely senior role here and she has a bachelors. Many think she has a masters because of her depth of knowledge..she's just silly smart and experienced. Her degree is not even in anything close to her job..
I really think education is important..but I don't think you "need" it to land a good job and be fulfilled.
what field are you in?
Financial, technology. I'm administrative.
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| Posted 10/22/10 10:07 AM |
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NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
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Re: A great job without a college degree?
I have a BFA in studio art (sculpture concentration) which is not the most marketable degree
I started working for an engineering company as a temp secretary when I was in college and always offered to help when things were busy. I would ask them to show me how to plot drawings and make minor CAD revisions so I could help out. I also saw that they were subbing out visual simulation work (which at the time was primarily photoshop work) so I told my boss I could do the same for less.
He hired me back after I graduated and over time I ended up starting a graphics department (which included 3D modeling/rendering) and becoming the CAD Manager. I left when my DS was born and have since started a visual simulation business out of the house.
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| Posted 10/22/10 10:27 AM |
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