Posts Tagged ‘College’
Careers Without A College Degree: Options to Consider
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Introduction
College degrees aren’t necessarily worth what they used to be. They cost more than they used to, but they’re no longer the golden ticket to a promising career, or even to a well-paying job — at least not for everyone. Many recent college graduates have a hard time finding work at all, and those who do find work often take jobs that don’t require a degree.
According to a May 2011 New York Times story, “only half of the jobs landed by … new graduates even require a college degree, reviving debates about whether higher education is ‘worth it’ after all.” Other troubling facts include:
- Median starting salary for college students graduating in 2009 and 2010 was $27,000, down from a pre-recession $30,000, a decline of 10 percent, even before taking inflation into account.
- Only 56% of the class of 2010 had held at least one job by one year after graduation, compared to 90% pre-recession.
Of course, a good deal of this is undoubtedly the impact of a very tough labor market for everyone these days. But it should provide food for thought to all potential college students, and reason to take a hard look at college versus careers without a college degree.
These challenges faced by today’s grads dont mean a college education won’t be useful to you, but should serve as a warning to be mindful of when and how it may be most useful and most likely to be worth the costs and debts you will incur.
Answer to “What’s Your Major” Question Affects Value of College Degree
According to the New York Times article, Labor Department data show that the major you choose in college plays a large part in your likelihood of finding a job that is applicable to your degree after graduation:
Young graduates who majored in education and teaching or engineering were most likely to find a job requiring a college degree, while area studies majors those who majored in Latin American studies, for example and humanities majors were least likely to do so. Among all recent education graduates, 71.1 percent were in jobs that required a college degree; of all area studies majors, the share was 44.7 percent.
The thing is, most grads still have student loans to pay off, and the interest is accruing. Before you plunge yourself deep into debt for a diploma that may not even put you in a position to pay it off, consider the possibility of postponing college; explore some careers without a college degree.
Here are some ideas for alternative options to consider.
Start Your Own Business to Have a Career Without a College Degree
It used to be that to start a business, you needed a lot of money. The Internet changed all that. Owning a business and guiding it to success still takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it can be done much more quickly, and for a lot less money if you start an Internet-based business. There are many options for starting an online business, and depending on your interests some options may be better than others.
- Freelance Writing: Writing content for Web site owners is an easy way to start a freelancing career, and if you have an interest and talent for writing you dont need a degree to start.
- Creating an Online Store: If youre an artist or make hand-made goods, foregoing an art program at college in order to start selling the items you create is a great way to build a network and hone your craft. In April of 2010, the number of items sold on Etsy climbed to 1.3 million.
- Affiliate Marketing: If you don’t have a craft like writing or making things you can sell online, but still have expertise in an area and can recommend products or services to the general public, you can be an affiliate marketer. Check out the book Traffic and Trust a highly recommended piece to learn about this avenue and how to get started. (By the way, this book is self-published by the author as an e-book, making it almost all profit!)
For the cost of a domain and hosting, you can have a business up and running in less than 24 hours. Whether it keeps going beyond that depends on the quality of your product, how you market it, and how much time and effort you put in, but that’s true of any project.
A Web site costs a lot less than a college education. So much less that if one idea doesn’t pan out, you can move on to the next at little cost. Plus, if you start to become successful you can then invest in a business degree to further your knowledge and practices, starting with classes that seem most well-suited to fill gaps you’ve discovered (for example, you may decide you need to learn some accounting and marketing).
Tips on How to Succeed When Starting a New Web-Based Business
- Network: Use social media and bloggers in your field to reach out and spread the word about your venture.
- Research: Do plenty of preliminary research on the field youre planning to enter. Know things like who your competition would be and what they are doing to promote their business.
- Determination: Since youll be your own boss, it will be easy to make your own schedule. Just make sure that you implement daily tasks to complete and include those things you may not want to do, but need to get done. Always stick to a schedule.
Foreign Language Fluency Increases Your Value For Careers Without a College Degree
Starting a business isn’t for everyone, and if it’s not for you, there’s nothing wrong with that. You can still find a good job without a college degree — one that doesn’t require using a spatula to flip anything. But the reality is that few companies are going to hire anyone, even to entry level positions, unless they can demonstrate their worth, and unless they bring a little something extra to the table. One way to do that is by learning a foreign language.
Foreign language skills are highly sought after by a lot of companies. A business can teach anyone their internal processes, but language skills take time to cultivate — time most companies just don’t have. Companies that have foreign offices need people who can communicate with those overseas employees, and who can read and write documentation in that language. Even local businesses can use people with language skills.
If you live in an area with a high Hispanic population, learning to speak Spanish could make you stand out. Being able to talk to and help Spanish-speaking customers can give you an advantage over other job-seekers, including for careers without a college degree, especially since its projected that by the year 2050 the United States will be the largest Spanish-speaking country.
The good part is, you dont need to take language classes or go to college to learn. There are many tools to help you reach fluency:
- Audio-based Programs on CD: These programs are focused on perfecting your conversational abilities and pronunciation. Audio-based programs like the Pimsleur method are ideal to learn Spanish because they focus on speaking ability.
- Online Grammar Exercises: Since audio-based programs will help you with your fluency, supplementing them with grammar exercises will round out your knowledge of the language and help you with writing.
- Podcasts: On iTunes, change your location to a Spanish-speaking country (the menus and navigation will still stay in English). By doing this you can find podcasts in Spanish that are created by native speakers and use these as listening exercises.
Educate Yourself
Whether it’s that you couldn’t afford college, or you just didn’t want to spend the money, universities aren’t the only places offering education. Community colleges offer a lot of useful degrees and diplomas, and so do technical colleges and vocational schools. Rather than spending four years and many thousands of dollars on a degree you won’t really need or be able to use, look for alternative ways to educate yourself.
Below are some professions with high growth and good pay that do not require a Bachelors degree:
- Paralegal: A two-year degree is needed from a community college, and the job has an average pay of $46,120 per year.
- Electrical Technicians: A two-year degree from a technical school or community college is generally required. The average pay is around $53,240 per year, but varies depending on the industry.
- Police/Detective: A degree is not always required, although some departments require some coursework and a physical examination. The average pay for a police officer varies depending on which department youre in and what role you take.
- Medical Assistant: Two-year degree needed. Average pay is $28,300 per year. Employment for this profession is expected to grow by 35% within the next five years.
Aside from other institutions that offer courses in classroom settings, if you’re diligent and really have a desire to learn, there is little you can’t find on the Internet, or at the local library. Read. Research. Learn on your own about the things that interest you, and that will help you pursue the career you want. A degree can look nice on a resume, but a smart hiring manager will see a lot of value in someone who took the time and had the tenacity to educate themselves and can demonstrate knowledge in their chosen field.
Don’t let the expense or the bleak economy outlook stop you from pursuing your dream. You may have to adjust how you get there, but it can be an even more fulfilling journey. Careers without a college degree or without a four-year degree are definitely worth considering.
Somerset Community College Lineman Training Program
Got Power? Most people dont realize how their electric service is provided or who is responsible to keep it on. Lineman Tech Center will prepare you to be one of the elite, last American Cowboys. If you have been searching for a challenge, honor and a rewarding career, consider line work. Line work will give you the freedom to work outdoors; it will guarantee a physical and mental reward and is one of the highest paying trades that exist. Current demand for line workers is at an all time high, there is no better time than now. Training at the Lineman Tech Center will prepare apprentice-level students for employment in the electrical industry. We accomplish this by using training methods that have proven to be effective in preparing individuals to be highly qualified and successful employees. Training includes: Safety Rules and Regulations CDL Pole climbing Pole top Rescue and Bucket Rescue CPR, First Aid, Basic Rescuer System Protection and Operation Personal Protection Equipment WARNING: The career of LINEMAN is restricted, its not for the weak minded or the faint of heart, working conditions include rain, cold, hot, dark, high wind and all combinations and extremes of these. Normal work hours apply only when all the lights are on; if someone is out of service your work day is not over. Work stations are at an elevated level, if you like staying on the ground floor this career is not for you. High voltage is most always present yet invisible, and fear is always a factor …
Key Ways for Students to Jumpstart Their Careers While Still in College
photo credit: zoovroo via flickr
Simply getting a college degree will definitely play an important role in landing a job or advancing a career, but these days it often won’t to be enough. There are specific steps every student should take while in school, so that they are properly positioned for post-graduation career opportunities.
Some of the key things to consider as ways to jumpstart your career while still in school include:
Setting Your Own Personal Learning Agenda
While in college your goal should be to focus on personal and professional growth, not just grades. You need to take control of your learning path and make sure that as you work your way through your degree courses, youre focusing as much on what will happen after you graduate as you are on acing your assignments. In addition to classroom work, consider such things as:
- Getting to know staff in career services before your senior year.
- Carefully choosing internships and volunteer opportunities.
- Participating in extracurricular activities that help develop leadership and other “soft skills.”
Using Your Course Assignments for Additional Purposes
Keep an eye out for assignments that have career-development and networking potential. Whenever possible, use your assignments to connect with potential employers, clients, and/or colleagues.
Generally, people are amazingly accessible to and supportive of students doing research for a class assignment. Do a dynamite job on an assignment and then send a copy of it to the person you worked with, thereby dazzling them with your smarts and initiative and building a professional relationship in the process.
Creating Your Own Learning Assignments
As you study your way through your degrees core courses, youll be expected to master a substantial amount of knowledge in your degree field. However, youll also want to build some key professional and/or business skills during this time. This could occur in or out of the classroom.
So, think about how you can improve yourself — through classes or otherwise — in critical areas such as:
- Writing
- Public speaking
- Leadership
- Time management
- Money management and basic financial concepts
Exploring The Many Different Ways Your Degree Skills Can Be Used
Many people take their careers in directions quite different from what you, as a college student, might expect of someone with your major. Learn about these sometimes unexpected career paths:
- Pepper guest speakers with questions about their careers.
- Conduct as many informational interviews as you can.
- Join LinkedIn special-interest groups and consider joining professional associations.
This is a guest post from Bryant & Stratton College Online, which will host a free webinar on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, from noon to 1 p.m. EST to discuss these tips and several others that will help students jumpstart their careers while still in college. To register visit https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/719530984.
The “Jumpstart your Career” webinar is the first in a three-part series. A “Build Your Professional Brand” webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24 from 2 to 3 p.m. EDT and a “How to Build a Resilient Career” webinar is set for Thursday, September 16 from noon to 1 p.m. EDT.
Job Seeking Tips for College Graduates
Reconsider Location and Size of Target Employers
While job prospects are more hopeful than last year, 2010 graduates wont have it easy, and students on the hunt really need to keep two things in mind: location and size.
Be Open to Relocation
According to Betsy Richards, Director, Personal Brand Strategy at Kaplan University, recent grads need to be open to relocation.
“If Texas has a six percent increase in jobs, then get out your cowboy boots and head south! This market is too difficult to sit back and wait for your dream job. New grads need to make big moves in order to start their careers and lives post college.”
Richards suggest that students check the career outlook information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website for job growth by industry and positions.
Grads can also find similar trend information on SimplyHired.com and follow-up with CareerBuilder or Monster to research jobs in cities and states where the most relevant job growth is occurring.
Think Small
Recent grads should really look hard at small companies and organizations. The private sector is leading a gradual jobs recovery, and small-business hiring has increased.
“Just because you havent heard of a particular company, doesnt mean it wont provide you a valuable first step that leads to a successful career,” says Richards.
Richards offers 2010 graduates these additional tips for getting ahead in the job search
Leave no stone unturned.
While its painful to admit, the perfect job will likely not fall into your lap immediately. For many, it will be several months of pounding the pavement.
Dont rely solely on your schools career center. While theyll provide tremendous support, go to both big and small job boards as well as niche sites. Follow professional organizations and career help Web sites via Twitter.
Youll be surprised at what youll learn and the helpful people youll come in contact with.
Never discount the value of the smallest networking connection.
Your hairdresser or old football coach could wind up being the one who helps you land your next job. Youll really want to network consistently and reach out to the biggest possible audience.
Find jobs that need to be filled, and fill them.
Even if a job is not exactly what you had in mind, youll broaden your skill set. Most importantly, youll join the professional world, which will bring you one step closer to finding career satisfaction.
Think broadly, but honestly, about your skills.
Perhaps your artistic talent could help local small businesses with their advertising. Maybe your online savvy could be used in the marketing department of a small company.
You want to think creatively, but realistically, about what makes you desirable as a job candidate and where you might fit.
Consider job openings that fit your skills but may not require your exact major or resemble the career you pictured for yourself.
Strong communications skills may prepare you for customer service positions, and your budgeting or attentiveness to detail could qualify you to be a compliance officer or research analyst.
Experience with cash transactions could qualify you for retail management, and your skills with non-profit organizations might make you an excellent executive administrator.
Gain experience in your desired field.
Consider an internship, part-time, or even volunteer work in your field. Youll gain insight and contacts, but most importantly, youll get your foot in the door.
Tips for Entry Level Jobs & College Grads
Today’s post covers a variety of topics to help you in your job search.
Before getting started, though, a word of hope. We know you keep hearing about all the jobs lost and the high unemployment rate. What you don’t hear about is that businesses of all kinds are still hiring.
Even in the slowest of times, some are growing, while others need to replace employees lost for a host of reasons, including discharge, resignation, retirement, promotion, and even death. When you hear there are six employees for every position? Tell yourself one-in-six aren’t bad odds.
Awkward Interview Question: “So, What Have You Been Doing Since You Graduated?”
You’re at yet another interview. It’s early October. Summer is but a fond memory (and school an even fonder and more distant one). You’ve gone through the usual questions without any problems and think you have a pretty good chance at landing this job.
And then the trouble starts:
“I see you graduated in May, what have you been doing with yourself?”
“What have I been doing?” you think. “I’ve been looking for job,” you say.
“Looking for a job since May? Don’t you think you could have been putting your time to use?” the interviewer asks.
You think, “What are my options, what should I have been doing with my time besides looking for a job all the time?”
The Volunteering Option Can End Up Helping Your Job Search
The interviewer continues to dig it in: “Have you thought about volunteering?”
“Volunteering? Doesn’t seem to be much of a career in that,” you say defensively.
Wrong answer!
After months have passed, many potential employers are going to wonder what you’ve been doing in your spare time since you graduated from school last May. “Looking for a job” sounds like a logical answer, but you know what? It’s not going to fly five months after you graduated.
Volunteering allows you to gain some valuable experience, while giving back to the community. But it also tells potential employers that you are ambitious and not just sitting on your hands. Yes, you should still be looking for a job almost every waking hour, but you also need to get yourself out there. After all, who knows whom you will meet?
Volunteering for College Grads
Here’s where you can find some great information on volunteer opportunities to make productive use of your unemployed time:
- Volunteer work for college grads benefits from Serve America Act — A short article from National Student News Service about some of the benefits (some of them financial) of volunteering. Take a look. (Pssst — Serve America is not 100% unpaid volunteering: an education award of around $5,000 given to those who complete their service can be used to pay off student loans, or be put towards further degrees).
- Volunteering Up Among College Grads — Another short article, this one from Jobmonkey.com, supports the premise that volunteering is becoming more popular for college grads. Also take a look at Jobmonkey’s Volunteering Abroad link.
- VolunteerMatch — This site provides resources for finding volunteer jobs. The center top of the page has the main search engine where you can search by location and keywords. At the top of the site are a few tabs for aearch, volunteers, non-profits, and more.
Career Fairs
The old standby of career fairs may not be your best bet in these times of high unemployment, but are always worth considering. Here’s some helpful information for making the best use of them:
- The Ten Keys to Success at Job and Career Fairs - This article, by QuintCareers.com, provides excellent advice on preparing for career fairs. It will help both college students preparing for college career fairs, as well as experienced hires preparing for professional career fairs.
- CareerFairs.com - This site allows job seekers, universities, and employers to coordinate the job fair process, and makes it more efficient for all, via a searchable database. You can search for upcoming job fairs and employers can pre-screen students.
- Mosaic Career Fairs - The website for this series of career fairs, organized by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), says the purpose is “to connect talented minority students with leading advertising/marketing and communications companies that are seeking to hire entry-level candidates.” The site provides the dates of upcoming fairs as well as registration forms. There is also a link to the AAF Job Bank. This is but one example of many specifically targeted career fairs.
- Job Fair Directory & Employment Resources This directory, provided by www.carouselexpo.com, allows you to search for job fairs by State. Click a State, and scroll down to see when there will be a career fair near you.
Job Search Sites
If I had a nickle for every job search site or job board . . . So hard to choose, but here are a few less well know ones to consider:
- CampusCareerCenter.com - “Jobs, Guidance, Networking . . . Options” is the tag line for this site. It leads with whos hiring, with several employers listed on the main page. There are a wealth of resource links on the first page as well, on topics including internships, cover letters, preparing for your interview, and more. There are also tools and resources down the left-hand side of the page, including research companies and job search. Click the “Post Resume” tab at the top to register, post your resume, and get started. Looks like you must register to use the job search.
- CollegeJobBoard.com — The main page of this site lists featured employers, with job categories on the right hand side of the page. There are related article links as well as a resource center (which is a little light on content). The job seeker home link is restricted to registered users only.
- Center for Career Opportunities - This is a Purdue University site and is designed to provide additional sources of information and job leads. The right-hand side of the page lists a number of databases to help in your job search. This is primarily a list of resources, so you will need to explore from here for it to help in your search.
- Groovejob.com - This is a pretty neat site. It focuses on teen, student, and summer jobs. The site lists featured employers in the main section of the screen. There are a number of resources as well - on resumes, career assessment, interview tips, student resources, and more. Most of the jobs appear to be part time, but I did not register on the site to see the full functionality.
Good luck in your search.
Article by CareerAlley, courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.