Many people are forced to go college following the trend in their family. Their parents went to college so they must attend college too. The society also praises you for your enrollment in college. College is the safest bet on your future. But to be successful in life, a graduation degree is not a necessity. College isn’t for everyone. What to do if college isn’t for you? Most people sacrifice their passion and forcefully join a job to overcome their financial needs and support their families. There are plenty of legitimate career alternatives available that do not require a degree. You may still succeed in life without a degree. Yes, you read that right.
College Alternatives: What to Do Instead of College
Start Your Own Business
To start a new business, you don’t need a graduation degree. With entrepreneurship zeal and enthusiasm, you may start your own business in the field of your interest. The fact that most successful entrepreneurs are not graduates. You don’t need to learn lessons for business. Neither, you need big investment for your business. Failures are the best lessons learned while doing business. You can start with a small business with less manpower. You can also start an online business where you need a computer and an internet connection. You can take online business training from business consultants. For business, you need to solve barriers with logical thinking skills and strengthen your network. A perfect business plan is required to conquer the battle. Most businessmen don’t become successful at the very first attempt. They fail and try to bounce back, solving those hindrances coming in their way. Some famous worldwide names of such entrepreneurs are:
Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft Corporation Steve Jobs, CEO & co-founder of Apple Inc Walt Disney, Founder of Walt Disney Company Michael Dell, Founder & CEO of Dell Technologies Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook Matt Mullenweg, Founder of WordPress Charles Culpeper, Founder & CEO of Coca Cola Evan Williams, Co-founder of Twitter Henry Ford, Founder of the Ford Motor Company
And the list of such successful entrepreneurs is in large numbers who did not have a college degree. Pros:
Starting your own business needs no 9 am to 5 pm work. You are the boss of your own company. You work for yourself, not for others. You are the master of your destiny. Have a sense of pride in building an empire. You don’t suffer from budget constraints like employed people.
Cons:
You put yourself in extensive financial risk. You may even need business loans facing stress to repay on time. With more stress comes the health issues. You need to surpass the hurdles with your thinking ability with the time commitment. The pressure of business growth is on your shoulders.
Become A Content Creator
You don’t need any graduation degree to become a content creator. If you have some sort of talent, then try to showcase your talent to the audience. Ironically, college grads and professors even watch for such content on the internet. You may entertain the audience of all age groups. The work of content creators is to create unique content to engage the audience. You must be sure in what field to work in content creation. As a content creator, you may start writing blogs, start your own YouTube channel, start podcasts, webinars, write e-books, infographics, and many more. If you are interested in writing and have good writing skills, you may start your blog. If you like to be in front of the camera, then start your video blogs known as vlogs by unique content engaging the targeted audience. Likewise, if you love talking to the people, you may start your podcast. Contents may include traveling, food, lifestyle, cooking, adventure, influencer, and many more to mention. You must create new and unique content that attracts most of the people. Try to present your ideas uniquely. The more the audience gets engaged with you, the more the income coming your way. By doing this work, you will develop skills like personality development, time-management, logical thinking, good communication. Pros:
You are the boss. Flexible work hours. Endless scope in the future. Contents are never-ending in the entire world. Retire whenever you want.
Cons:
Earning a stable income would take a long time. It takes time to gain loyalty. Awareness of advanced technologies. Risk of losing the audience with poor content.
Enroll in An Online Course With the internet booming in the world, you may take online education, which is economical. It saves time. You can learn anything you want to learn over the internet. Online classes are almost free or cost a little as much as a cake. Harvard’s edX program provides you with a list of courses you can study online and that too for free. You don’t need to attend college for four years. You can study online while sitting back at home at your leisure. You get all knowledge in the desired field and develop skills for career enhancements. You can attend classes while residing at any place. You can develop skills at a faster pace within a short duration of time. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. You can save other expenses like travel costs, accommodation fees, and high fees charged by colleges for on-campus study. Online classes are in demand across the world for its quality education free of cost or very fewer fees in some courses. You can choose any course of your choice without going to college. Your earning might differ from that of full-time college student’s earning. Pros:
Flexible study timing. The course fee is free or costs much less. Develop time management skills. Get connected to people across the world.
Cons:
No college environment. You need to do self-study. Employers prefer full-time college students over online students.
Start A Job
Yes, you can start doing a job right after completing high school. There are various jobs available for high school grads. You can choose any field which suits your interests. You may gain knowledge and experience at an early age. It would benefit you in future employment. There are many occupations that you can start:
Computer coder Physical trainer Loan agent Massage therapist Commercial pilot Casino manager Web designer Insurance sales Criminal detective Optician Power plant operator Medical representatives Farmer
Pros:
You will gain practical knowledge and technical skills. You will get an opportunity to re-invent yourself. You will achieve financial freedom.
Cons:
You will stay behind your friends as they commence further education after completing high school. Limited opportunities.
Join An Internship
If you are looking for options other than college, then join an internship. Many companies are offering internships without a pre-requisite for a graduation degree. You can just prove your talent and get started with the internship. Your experiences will lead to a path of a successful career. Internships are offered in various fields. You may end up selecting your area of interest and gather knowledge working there. Internships are a great source of learning without attending college. Internship after graduation is very common, but every student does not choose an internship after high school. You may prefer doing internships in various fields before entering college. Doing internships before college increases your chances of getting admission to college. Highly beneficial for students to gain experience and do better in their graduation. You become more intellectual compared to your peers. You have plenty of years ahead of you, so why not do internships that may suit you. Peter Theil, a billionaire, gives fellowships of $100,000 to 20 adults who want to do new things by not going to college. Pros:
It gives you job experience. You get valuable experiences in your choice of field. Showcase your skills. Higher chances of employment as the word ‘internship’ is more appealing to an employer.
Cons:
A familiar truth that the interns are treated as an assistant. You might be bullied and harassed by other employees. Maybe low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
Leverage A Gap Year
After passing high school, many students want a year off before continuing further studies. Students may choose to do internships or travel abroad or volunteer in a gap year. Every high school student undergoes tremendous pressure to secure good grades. Some of them don’t want to join college immediately after passing high school. Not sure about what to do in life or select which stream of education, gap year increases their thinking ability. They get to know what they want to do in the future. Take a gap year and consider all the facts and fictions and choose a suitable option for your career, which interests you. Pros:
It is once in a lifetime experience in discovering yourself. With productive works in a gap year, your CV might be appealing to the employer. Students with a gap year secure more GPA compared to their peers.
Cons:
You could waste valuable time. You could suffer from academic momentum as your other friend may be one year ahead of you.
Attend A Community College
Not willing to spend four years in college? You can join community college to gain an associate’s degree in two years. Courses at community college cost less. So, you can save money without levying debts on the family. You may soon start a job and help in the financial requirements of your family. They are offered with flexible class timings with less workload. Students have a choice to transfer their credits from community college to a four-year college and continue their education in a four-year college if they wish to do so. Students with poor grades in their high school can attend community college and improve their GPA to get admission to a four-year college. After gaining an associate’s degree, you may start working as:
Police officer Nurse Aerospace engineer Therapist Paralegal Air traffic controller Other jobs that require an associate’s degree
Pros:
Shorter duration course. Earning an associate’s degree from a traditional college is cost-effective. Early employment. Demand is increasing for associate’s degree holders by the employers.
Cons:
Less involvement from the students. Limited course options. Less practical knowledge. You will miss the college experience.
Attend A Trade School
Not interested in going to a college for four years course, trade school is another available option. Trade schools are commonly called as technical or vocational schools. It takes two years or less to complete a course from a trade school. Trade schools offer training in various fields. You may learn carpentry, painting, welding, construction work, auto mechanics, landscaping, masonry, and many more. You may start your career in the desired field right after completing your course. It is cost-effective as it takes less time to train you in the desired field. The strength of a class is less in size. It gives you flexibility in training and better communication between you and teachers. There is a high demand for such trainees. They are skilled in a particular field, which attracts employers to select them for particular tasks. You can join a trade school at any time you prefer. They have the easiest admission process with merely some requirements. Graduation college increases your knowledge and other personality developments, which are lacking in trade schools. On average, graduates from trade school earn $42,000, which is just $6,000 less as compared to college graduates. Pros:
Low cost and less time. Flexible timing for classes.
Cons:
Limited job opportunities. You will gain limited knowledge. Less competitive edge among students.
Become A Realtor
To become a realtor or real estate agent, you don’t need a graduation degree. The real estate sector is booming at high speed. So, the need for real estate agents is demanding. It is quite a popular option among other college alternatives. You don’t need to attend lectures in college to help people buy and sell their properties. You need to be aware of the laws of buying and selling properties of your area. Real estate agents are just mediators between a buyer and a seller of the property. You just need good communication skills to close the deal at the best price. In satisfaction ranking, the real estate agents stand in the 39th position. In the United States, real estate agents need to acquire a brokerage license to work in this sector. You need to spend around a thousand dollars to become a licensed real estate agent. You need to have strong time-management skills. You are dependent on clients. You may need to arrange meetings when they have their free time. It may be unusual weekends, evening times, or during their lunchtime at office hours. Your income potential is directly proportional to your hard work and commitments. Pros:
You are free to choose which property to deal with. You feel responsible for your genuine advice to the clients, gaining their appreciation and loyalty. You may grow your network beyond limits. Real estate agents get acknowledged with due respect at social events.
Cons:
You are dependent on the amount of sale. You may have to wait for months to get your cheque. Recession may be a nightmare for you. The deal needs to be closed to get your commission. You have to meet different types of people. Some may be annoying with rude behavior, but you have to bear with your patience to meet your goals.
Become A Volunteer
You need no graduation certificate to join any charity organization. You can start working with those organizations right after completing high school. Many people complete their graduation to become a social worker. That is unacceptable as they wasted their four years in college, while you may become a social worker before that. These experiences will help you in the entire work-life, having your character built. You will make new connections. You will learn new skills for a bright future. No one can forget Jesus and Mother Teressa. They never went to college. Their work for the people with a kind heart is known to the entire world. You may choose to volunteer for a year or more until you decide your path. Pros:
You will register personal growth with improved health. Excellent communication skills with leaning ability will help to prosper in the future.
Cons:
You may get emotionally attached while working with children or abandoned senior citizens. You may get deeply involved in any service and want other people to join, too, causing frustration.
Join the Military
A good option for people who want to opt for one of the alternatives to college. Military as various branches to choose from. These branches include Army, Air Force, and Navy. You will get a stable career for yourself. You will get valuable experience in a prestigious environment. Every branch of the military has an academy. In the United States, West Point is the academy for Army. Joining in any of them, you will get a stipend and a free room. After completing a minimum of five years of training, the average salary starts at an average of $50,000 per year. You get to serve the nation. You get other advantages when you retire after completing twenty years of service in the military. That means you can retire in the late 30s and enjoy the rest of your life without being financially worried. You get your travel expenses paid by the organization. You have to be disciplined and well organized to continue your service in any branch of the military. You will turn into a mature man with a high confidence level while leaving the boot camp after retirement. No college graduates can ever match your ethics and experiences. Pros:
Discipline in life. You will get free health care. It demands huge respect and a high state of honor in society and the nation. You will get lifelong friends with countless memories while serving your country. You can also avail discounts on groceries, movie tickets, and other leisure services.
Cons:
You get isolated from your families and friends while serving in the military. You are always in a sense of danger. You can sacrifice your life while being posted at war zones, a fact everyone is aware of.
Become An Artist
You should not consider going to a college if art is your passion. You can become an artist in many fields like dancing, music, videography, photography, acting, painting, and many more. If you follow your passion, you will be happy in life. You can earn money by following your passion with hard work and sincerity. You can showcase your creativity and talent in any field of art to become successful. You have to consider your work as a business but not a job as your earning depends on the clients you get associated with. You get to meet other artists and exchange valuable ideas. You are the boss. You are independent to create what you like. Work hard and believe in yourself to achieve success in your life. Pros:
You can turn your hobby into a source of earning. Gain the attention of people with your creativity. You can showcase your work in an art gallery. You may get an appreciation for great work. You can target people who have an interest in that particular field and gain popularity. You have flexible work hours.
Cons:
May have a fear of rejection with your work. You need a studio and art accessories which would be expensive.
Become A Coach
Becoming a coach of any sports does not require any qualification degree. If you are an expert in playing any sports like cricket, football, basketball, volleyball or baseball, then you may become a coach of the school sports team. If you are good at any sport, then consider that the only qualification to become a coach. Your coach may feel proud when their student becomes a coach with the skills taught by him. You may pass those knowledge and skills gained from your coach to the new generation. Pros:
You gain financial independence. Teach young students to excel in sports. You may get a chance to present your team at the national level.
Cons:
You may lack advanced training skills taught at sports academies. You may find difficulties in making young students learn techniques.
Write A Book
Stories are best explained by writing books. There are over billions of people who love reading books. You can write a book of any genre. Writing a book does not require any graduation degree. If you are passionate about expressing your stories with a pen, book writing is a preferred job for you. Your book may get published by famous publishers. You may acclaim recognition. You may be able to meet other storytellers, and book writers and exchange thought. Books are a never-ending article. Book readers are always in search of books with unique stories. Pros:
It costs nothing while writing a book. No retirement age. You may write till your 80s or even 90s. You may showcase your book at book fairs.
Cons:
Little knowledge of book writing techniques. Fear of rejection from publishers and readers.
Travel
Traveling also requires no graduation degree. You can choose to travel the world and experience some unimaginable experiences. Explore the world and meet new people, their thoughts, and religion. You get to taste various delicacies of the places you visit. Traveling is a dream for many people. You can refresh your mind after facing various life pressures. You may develop your personality by visiting places across the world. You will get to experience so many adventures while traveling. Pros:
Escape from daily life issues. Create new friends across the globe. Happiness would be your state of mind. You will gain spiritual knowledge. You get time to reinvent yourself for a better future.
Cons:
A costly affair as you have no source of income soon after passing high school. You may feel helpless sometimes. You may suffer from homesickness. Getting an addiction to traveling may be incurable.
