Alternatives to College: Why Skip College?
Not everyone goes to college. Not everyone needs to go to college. But what are the alternatives to college? Will my child be able to support themselves without a college degree?
The answer is a resounding “yes”! Read Mel and her son’s story about why he skipped out on the opportunity costs of college and chose an alternative education, training, and career.
This post will give you so many great “other” choices for career choices without college. Here’s the thing too though, no one ever said that college couldn’t come later or a little bit at a time while working at one of the careers below. Mel’s son did get his associate’s degree as he figured out what to do next in our post: 7 Important Opportunity Costs of College.
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90+ Alternatives to College:
Many of the highest demand jobs do NOT require a college degree. Some require an associate’s degree, certification, on-the-job training or a combination of these things. My research showed these jobs as both recession-proof and in high demand as of 2024. Do a search on some of the careers listed below to find out more info. You might be surprised by the income opportunities that these jobs provide!
**One of our favorite resources for legal forms for 18 year olds is Mama Bear Legal Forms. There are so many reasons why we love Mama Bear Legal Forms for college students and others, but the main takeaway is that MBLF has got great products to help us as parents once our kids reach the age of 18, and legally, everything changes in regards to our rights as parents.
Alternatives to College: Careers in Health Care
Health care workers of all types will be in greater demand as the population ages.
#1: Home Health Aid
#2: Phlebotomist
#3: Medical Equipment Technician
#4: Medical Transcriptionist
#5: Medical Assistant
#6: Medical Biller
#7: Dental Assistant
#8: Sonographer
#9: Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant
#10: Paramedic
#11: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
#12: Pharmacy Technician
#13: Respiratory Therapist
#14: MRI Technician
See Finding a Medical Job Without a College Degree and Pharmacy Technician Certification for more information on the jobs above.
Alternatives to College: Careers in Manufacturing
U.S. manufacturing is facing a shortage of 2 million workers which began in 2020 in areas ranging from engineering to production workers. Most millennials rank this at the bottom of anything they want to do, but electricians and machinists both made the top 10 on The Conference Board’s labor shortages index back in 2016, and these jobs still need to be filled.
#15: Field Worker
#16: Computer-Aided Design Technician
#17: Machinist
#18: Mechanical Technician
#19: Nondestructive Testing Tech
#20: Electrical Technician
#21: CNC Programmer
#22: Instrumentation Technician
#23: Industrial Designer
#24: Land Surveyor
#25: Piping Designer
#26: Electrical Designer
#27: Network Engineer
#28: Network Engineer
#29: Software Engineer
For more information on manufacturing jobs that do not require a college degree: 16 manufacturing jobs that don’t require a college degree.
Alternatives to College: Legal Careers
#30: Title Examiner
#31: Paralegal
#32: Legal Secretary
#33: Process Server
#34: Court Reporter
For more information about some of the legal careers that do not require a college degree: Legal Careers without a Law Degree and How to Become a Court Reporter.
Alternatives to College: Criminal Justice and Public Service Careers
#35: Loss Prevention Specialist
#36: Police Dispatcher
#37: Firefighter
For more information on these careers: Do You Need College To Be a Firefighter? and Careers in Criminal Justice Without a Degree
Alternatives to College: Trades and Utility Careers
#38: Water Treatment Plant Operator
#39: Wind Turbine Technician
#40: Electrician
#41: Plumber
#42: Brick Mason
#43: Power System Dispatcher
#44: Energy Consultant
#45: Power Lineman (Read about Mel’s son’s lineman training and career)
#46: Sailor and Marine Oiler
#47: Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer
#48: Roofer
#49: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic
#50: Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer
#51: Welder
#52: Aircraft Mechanic
#53: Diesel Engine Specialist
#54: Automotive Technician and Repairer
#55: Millwright
#56: Crane or Tower Operator
#57: Construction and Building Inspector
#58: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Operator
#59: Air Traffic Controller
#60: Locksmith or Safe Repairs
#61: Tool and Die Maker
#62: Carpenter
Read more about Public Utility Careers: 14 of the Best Paying Jobs in Public Utilities
Alternatives to College: Careers in IT and Technology
#63: Computer Support Specialist
#64: Junior Data Analyst
#65: Help Desk Analysst
#66: Computer Programmer
#67: Web Developer
#68: IT Manager
#69: Cyber Security Specialist
#70: DevOps Engineer
#71: Software Architect
#72: Digital Marketer
#73: IT Business Analyst
#74: Aerospace Technician
#75: Software Applications Tester
#76: UX Designer
#77: Junior Python Developer
#78: Front End Developer
#79: JavaScript Developer
#80: Mobile Developer
#81: Graphic Designer
#82: Customer Experience Specialist
#83: Social Media Manager
For more information on Careers in IT without a college degree: Top 10 High-Paying IT Jobs You Can Get Without a Degree and 22 High Paying Tech Jobs without a College Degree
Alternatives to College: Restaurant Careers without a Degree
#84: Chef or Line Cook
Alternatives to College: Careers in Agriculture
#85: Agricultural equipment operators
#86: Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
#87: Animal breeders -this is what my son’s wife does! She got her certification at 15!
#88: Farm Hand, Livestock Handler, Ranch Hand, Rancher, Wrangler
#89: Agricultural Research Technician
#90: Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
#91: Field Manager, Field Supervisor
For more information on Careers in Agriculture without a college degree: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources occupation list
Alternatives to College: More Careers without a College Degree
#92: Photographer
#93: Massage Therapist
#94: Makeup Artist
#95: Real Estate Agent
#96: Retail Sales Associate
#97: Medical Equipment Sales Representative
#98: Insurance Agent
#99: Automobile Sales Associate
#100: Travel Agent
#101: Media Sales Agent
#102: Cosmetologist
Salespeople are in high demand. There is a great need for people who have a combination of social and cognitive skills AND who also have the ability to position a product or service in a way that makes customers want to buy it. Here are Sales jobs not requiring a degree.
For more information about many of the jobs mentioned above: 42 In-Demand High Paying Jobs without a College Degree
Alternatives to College: Get A CDL!
A great skill to have that is very marketable in many trades is having a CDL (commercial driving license). This website gives a lot of information, including what your state may require for licensing. Often, just having a CDL will give someone a leg up in the application process. And, being a truck driver is a great way to earn money on its own! The cute guy in the pic below is Mel’s son right after he got his CDL😊
Alternatives to College: How to Get Help with Career Planning without a College Degree
Are you wondering what your son or daughter should do? Are they struggling to make a choice? Are they unsure about the direction that they should go?
Start this conversation early! Have your middle schooler or high schooler take one of these future career quizzes. They really are helpful if your teen takes it seriously and thinks about their answers.
Alternatives to College: Some books to read
Best Careers in 2025 and Beyond -These are alternatives to college in skilled trades, military, sales and self employment
Better Than College -ways to build a successful life without a four-year degree
Rethinking College -perfect for those who are unsure of their next education or career steps.
Final thoughts about Alternatives to College
The decision of college or not is not a one and done. Start these conversations early -as in middle school or even younger as you see jobs in shows or out in real life. Visit different places of work on vacations or as a team on away games for “field trips”.
Listen to your kids’ questions and thoughts about different career choices. Have them talk with your friends who are in different careers about what they like and dislike about their jobs.
A great resource for beginning those conversations is Mel’s book: College Bound: The Ultimate List Of Conversations To Help Your Teen Through High School.
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**This is good for 18-24 year olds -even if they are not students!
Posts related to Alternatives to College
7 Important Opportunity Costs of College
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Top 8 Senior Year Expenses and How To Plan For Them
NPP Review of Mama Bear Legal Forms
Big List of Back to School Resources for Parents of Teens
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