While there are many benefits to earning a degree, not all jobs require that you have gone to college. There are several high-paying careers that offer entry-level opportunities to people without college degrees. Here are four of the best fields to consider when you're looking to earn a solid salary even if you do not have a college degree.

Ultrasound Technician

Surprisingly, there are a variety of jobs in the healthcare field that do not require a degree. While most need some type of training or certification to perform, you don't need a college degree to get started. One of the most high-paying job titles is ultrasound technician. Diagnostic medical sonographers earn an average salary of about $70,000 annually. This field also boasts an abundance of opportunity for upward mobility within the field.

Truck Driver

Being a truck driver is a fantastic way to see the country while being paid to do so. Many truck driving jobs will require you to have a CDL, which does require certification. A career in truck driving also offers a flexible schedule, which is ideal for when you have other obligations. You can choose the routes that you want to take based on your availability. There is currently a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S., providing job seekers with plenty of opportunity.

Pharmacy Technician

As the primary assistant to a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician has a variety of responsibilities, including dispensing medications and stocking the shelves. This quickly growing career field pays an average annual salary of about $35,000. Pharmacy technicians can choose to learn on the job or earn certification through a vocational school. This job offers positions in pharmacies, hospitals, and the private sector.

Computer Support Specialist
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In today's increasingly wired world, the demand for computer support specialists is high. This industry encompasses titles such as tech support specialist, help desk technician, IT specialist, and IT consultant. This career pays a median salary of about $50,000 annually. Good candidates for this job include people who enjoy communicating with other people and do not mind spending most of the day on the phone helping to troubleshoot computer issues.

There are myriad career options that do not require you to have a college degree. With the right research and commitment to gaining the skills that you need, you can be well on your way to a high-paying job in a variety of fields.

Read this other article for some more great career ideas!

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When the common cold hits, sharing is not caring

(BPT) - Being considerate of others when you’re sick is one of the first steps to good sick etiquette.

For example, you may think you’re going to score points for showing up at work despite feeling under the weather. However, if you were to run this by an etiquette expert like Diane Gottsman, she would probably tell you the reverse is true.

“A recent survey found that half of Americans feel anxious about getting sick when others cough around them,” Gottsman says. “So when you cough, your co-workers are likely going to be thinking of themselves and may not sympathize with you.”

That’s why Gottsman says the best thing you can do is steer clear of the office. If working remotely isn’t an option, it is best to take a sick day.

“When you’re sick, it’s so important to take precautions to keep your germs from infecting others, which should always include staying home from work or other activities until symptoms have subsided,” says Gottsman. “I understand that sometimes life seems too busy to get sick or a workplace may not offer enough paid time off. So staying home and putting work on the back burner until you’re well is not an option for everyone. Still, productivity will decline when you are sick and you may prolong your illness by overexerting yourself."

With that, Gottsman says the name of the game is keeping those germs to yourself. Don’t be afraid to be demonstrative about that so you send a clear signal that you care and you don’t want to infect anyone — it will put your friends and colleagues at ease. Here are Gottsman’s sick etiquette tips:

Telecommute: If it is physically possible for you to complete a day’s work at home, that is probably the second most ideal solution to taking a sick day. If that’s not a typical arrangement at your place of employment, though, frame it as being beneficial to your boss and your fellow employees. For example: “I understand we have this important deadline coming up, which is why I would prefer not to spread this bug to others. What if I worked on the project from my home office today instead of coming in? If you sent me the call-in information, I could still join the conference call later. Of course, if you need anything at all, I’m just a phone call or email away.”

Touch no one: If a friend moves in for a hug or a handshake, kindly warn them that you are recovering from a cold and would prefer to “play it safe” before extending your hand or leaning in for a hug.

Keep a sickness arsenal: Keep your desk well stocked to help you treat your symptoms and keep common areas germ-free. For your kit, consider items like tissues, disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer, as well as relief for sick symptoms, like pain relievers and a cough syrup like Robitussin.

Avoid shared surfaces: Cold viruses can survive several hours on surfaces, transferring easily to your colleagues. Germs can be hard to contain and avoid, but you can do your part by wiping down shared areas like a table or chair with a disinfecting wipe when you are finished using them.

Cover your mouth wisely: Coughs and sneezes give germs and viruses a nice little vehicle to get around and infect others nearby. When you must cough or sneeze, use a tissue or cough into your arm or elbow — never your hand, because the hands help spread the germs around. When using a tissue, promptly dispose of it and sanitize your hands.

Minimize coughing: When people hear someone cough in a crowded space, 26 percent feel annoyed, and 46 percent feel anxious about getting sick themselves, according to a recent online survey conducted by the Harris Poll. Keeping the medicine cabinet stocked with a powerful cough reliever is one effective way to suppress your cough. One product Gottsman recommends is Robitussin 12 Hour Cough Relief, because the long-lasting formula gets you through the whole work day by providing soothing relief from the hacking coughing. (You'll also be much quieter, which is a bonus.)

It’s not always possible or practical to stay home for several days when you come down with a cold, but practicing good sick etiquette can help keep viruses from spreading to those around you.