Why You Don’t Need to Go to College to Have a Successful Career

For decades, the traditional wisdom has been to get good grades in high school so you can get into a good college and earn a degree that will land you a good job. In recent years, that advice has been increasingly challenged. More and more people are discovering that you don’t need to go to college to have a successful career.

Real Skills Are Learned on the Job

While there are plenty of jobs that require the skills you learn while earning a college degree, there are plenty that have less of a direct tie to them. In many instances, a lot of the skills you’ll need to succeed in a career are learned on the job. That can happen in the form of training or ongoing education, or just lessons you learn as you get out and do the actual work. You’ll find that plenty of employers are willing to hire someone with less experience or education if they are willing to learn.Develop a teachable mindset to take advantage of those opportunities.

There Are Plenty of Alternatives

A college education is not the only educational option that can lead to a successful career. Trade schools provide opportunities for those interested to learn valuable skills and trades that can be put to use as an employee for a business, at least at the beginning. Given time, training, and experience, tradesmen can become their bosses, even starting their businesses. Real estate is another popular option and one that also requires education and licensing. To get a real estate license, you need to follow your state’s requirements. If you move, make sure you check the requirements in your new state before you start practicing.

The Value of Life Experience

It’s hard to overestimate the value of the practical experience you can gain throughout your life. With the right mindset, you can learnsoft skills that are invaluable in the workplace. You become more aware of the real-world applications of solutions to problems. The things you’ve learned throughout your life can make you a valuable asset to a company. You just have to figure out how to sell them in a way that shows that.

As it turns out, it is possible to have a successful career without going to college. Keep in mind that in many cases a lot of the skills you’ll need to succeed are ones you’ll learn on the job. There are multiple alternatives to a college education that can lead to a successful career. Don’t underestimate the value of life experience either. A successful career can be yours, with or without a college education.

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