Not everyone makes it through the four years of college required to obtain the most basic business degree (Bachelor’s Degree). For whatever reason (financial, personal, health, etc.), many people have to drop out of college before they complete their studies.
That becomes a problem when you apply for corporate jobs, most of which require a degree of some sort. Most corporations won’t even look at an applicant who doesn’t have a degree, so how can you get a well-paid corporate job without going back to school? It’s not easy, but it is possible!
1. Know the requirements
Not ALL corporate jobs require a business degree. In fact, there are a surprising number of jobs that don’t require anything more than a high school education and a few certifications, such as:
- Real estate broker
- Network/IT Manager
- Online Advertising Manager
- Web Developer
- Paralegal Assistant
- Executive Assistant
These jobs can pay pretty well, even though you don’t have a degree.
However, there are some jobs that DEMAND a degree, and you won’t be able to get a job without a business degree. Know the requirements of each job, and avoid the ones that require a degree. Apply for the corporate jobs where a degree is beneficial, but not vital.
2. Use your network
In the corporate world, it’s very often not as much about what you know as WHO you know, particularly when it comes to the corporate jobs that don’t require specialized skills. There are always positions within a corporation where people skills are more vital than education or knowledge, and those are the positions you should go for. But in order to get those jobs, you need to know the right people.
Examine your network of friends, family, former schoolmates, co-workers, or others who are currently working in a corporation. Have them ask around to see if there are any jobs you would be suited for, and have them recommend you to the correct person. Networking is the key to getting that corporate job without a degree.
3. Take courses/classes
In order to get a good job, it’s smart to spend time studying. You should work toward your degree or at least some form of certification or license. This will prove that you have the necessary skills – or working toward them.
4. Offer value
If you want to increase your chances of getting a good corporate job but don’t have a degree, prove that you can offer some extra value to the corporation that none of the other candidates can. Perhaps your coding skills will allow you to work within the IT department as well as the web design team. Maybe you are good at interacting with difficult people, which makes you well-suited for more than just a secretarial position within the HR department.
The more value you provide the corporation, the more likely they will be to not only hire you, but keep you around and promote you as you demonstrate your usefulness.
The truth is that most corporate jobs will require a degree of some sort, but there are always a few jobs that don’t. Follow the tips above and you can land that sweet corporate gig!