While a 4-year degree is essential for many career paths, sometimes people need or want career opportunities that don’t require those credentials. They might have gotten laid off, couldn’t finish their degree, or simply want to do something that will earn them a good wage without the investment college requires. There are plenty of ways to make a living doing something you love or simply that makes you good money. Here are some of the best career opportunities for those who can’t or don’t want to get a 4-year degree.
Hair Stylist
Those high-end stylists that work magic on celebrities are making good money. For some, just a haircut alone can make them upwards of $300 each. While most stylists won’t make quite that much, with just a year of schooling, they can start out making $20+ per hour or more including tips. Stylists are hair artists who help people look and feel their best. Some stylists work in salons and rent space, or they branch out and start their own businesses.
Makeup Artist
While it’s important to get training on health protocols around makeup, most makeup artists are self-taught or they take just a few classes to improve their techniques. Makeup artists can be found on sets of movies and television shows, they can use their skills for weddings, and they can help average people learn to use their makeup. Makeup artists are usually self-employed. They may experience high seasons and low seasons, so while the annual income for a makeup artist is very good, they might have dry seasons where they aren’t getting any business.
HVAC Professional
Most ladies might not consider this option, but most HVAC technicians make in the high 5-figures to low 6-figures annually. Their unique expertise helps them keep heating and cooling systems working optimally. If you like to work with your hands and want to make good money installing ac units, consider getting training as an HVAC professional. They can fix any Los Angeles, Austin, Houston, Miami, or Cedar Park residential AC unit and even home heating systems.
Digital Marketing Professional
You see those ads on social media all the time. They are targeted to reach your needs and seem to pop up at just the right moment. With the help of a digital marketing professional, businesses create effective ads every day. You might think they all have extensive education through 4-year degrees and beyond. While this might be true for some, it’s not necessary to get started in the business.
Digital marketing is all about results. If you can prove that you get results, you can get clients. Businesses are also willing to hire digital marketing people who don’t have degrees as long as they can prove their expertise.
Real Estate
Want to sell homes? The good news is that you can easily take a real estate course, take a test, and get started within a few months. While it takes time to build up a clientele base, with the right team around you, you can easily help people buy and sell their homes. Becoming a real estate agent takes commitment but can be a lucrative career if you don’t want to get a 4-year degree.
Plumber
Like HVAC professionals, plumbers are essential, but often overlooked as a valid career path. Some plumbing apprenticeships last only a year and can qualify people to take certification tests. As a licensed plumber, you can work on construction projects, repair residential plumbing, install sprinkler systems, and more. Because of their necessity and a shortage of good plumbers, they often charge premium rates for their work, and can make in the high 5-figures and up.
Virtual AssistantVirtual assistants help business owners with any number of tasks. While some operate more as virtual administrative assistants, others use their writing, graphic design, or web development skills to help businesses thrive. They also leverage their social media skills, marketing expertise, and more. In some ways this is a catch-all job title. But many make mid 5-figures or more working part-time from home. Being a VA is more about proving your ability to do the job rather than showing your education. They must have the confidence to put themselves out there and prove their talent and expertise. A
