Get a Great Career With No Degree Needed

Having a successful career doesn’t always mean you have to spend a fortune on education. If college is not an option for you, there are many career opportunities where no degree is necessary. There’s a common misconception that you have to go to college for at least four years, earning a degree to make a decent living, but this is simply not true. There are a lot of careers with no college necessary where you can still make enough money to provide for yourself. 

First Responder 

In simple terms, a first responder is someone trained to respond to emergencies such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. They’re usually the first at the scene of an emergency and are required to assist in whatever they were called out to do. 

Since first responders are different, the training and requirements will vary, but they all generally require a high school diploma, training program, and for you to obtain a certification and license. First responder continuing education makes sure you stay up-to-date with the latest technology and procedures. First responders have very rewarding careers because they’re constantly getting the opportunity to help others. 

Home Health Aide 

A home health aide is someone that comes to the homes of individuals, usually the elderly, to help them with basic needs. Not everyone wants to end up in a senior living facility when they age and become unable to fully take care of themselves. A home health aide is someone that allows these individuals the opportunity to stay in their homes as long as possible.

Home health aides help with normal duties such as grocery shopping, preparing and/or serving meals, light housekeeping, reminding to take medications, and monitoring the condition of the patient. You’ll also get the opportunity to offer companionship, which can be very rewarding and motivating. The requirements to become a home health aide will require based on where you live, but you usually just need a high school diploma and for you to pass a standardized test. 

Bartender

If you love socializing, meeting new people, and being where all the entertainment is, bartending may be a neat career path for you. Bartenders get tips, get to meet a variety of people every day, and can work flexible shifts. Bartenders also get the opportunity to earn tips on top of their hourly wage, giving you extra money to grow your savings account, pay off any debt, or travel to exciting new destinations. 

To become a bartender, you don’t need to go to college, but you do need to get a bartending license in most states. Some states do not require a license, but it can still help you have a better chance of getting hired. 

Insurance Claims Investigator

If you think some level of detective work sounds appealing, then becoming an Insurance Claims Investigator could be a fun career. These individuals get to investigate insurance claims that may be a bit suspicious to make sure they’re not a fraud. 

These investigators will gather information from law enforcement, the claimant, witnesses, and the insurance adjuster to make sure the claim is valid. These claims can range from auto, disability, homeowners, property, workers compensation, and employment. While you can go to college to develop skills that’ll help you with this career, there are professional certification classes you can attend to start on this career path.  

Dental Hygienist 

A dental hygienist is someone that cleans and removes plaque and tartar, accesses oral health, performs and develops X-rays, and educates patients on good oral health. They also often assist the dentist with various duties. To get started with this career, college isn’t necessary, but you do need to go to a dental school or take a CODA-accredited program. The requirements will vary in each state, so if you’re interested in this career path, you’ll want to look into this. 

Picking a career is a big deal, and is often a choice faced with a lot of uncertainty. You can spend thousands of dollars and so much time on education only to realize this may not have been your passion after all. Career options that don’t require college are a good choice for many, especially those who are not certain if this is how they want to spend the rest of their lives.