Many careers require a degree and tertiary training, examples being professions in medicine or engineering. However, many jobs do not have any requirements, in fact, companies may not even notice your lack of education, especially if you can demonstrate that you have had professional experience. If you know how to self-study and understand the needs of employers, you can increase your chances of being successful in life even without a college degree.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Deciding whether to Go to University
Step 1. Consider the obstacles
Before deciding whether to enroll in college or not, you should consider your reasons for doing so. If you look carefully at the reasons why you don't want to go to college, you will be able to make an informed decision and better plan your future. Review the three main reasons people generally decide not to opt for an academic education, so you understand what impact they will have on your choice:
- Financial limits. You don't have access to enough funds or loans to go to college. Before you come to the conclusion that it is impossible to finance your studies, find out about scholarships and other financial contributions.
- Academic requirements. Some faculties are limited and having a certain high school grade is often useful for accessing them. If you don't meet this criterion, you can still look for a faculty to enroll in despite your past academic performance.
- Lack of time. Maybe your schedule is so full of commitments that you are unable to attend courses. However, many universities cater to working students with online tuition, flexible deadlines, and other benefits.
Step 2. Try to understand the pros and cons
Each choice has advantages and disadvantages, without particular prevalence of one over the other. In most cases, they will vary based on your personal situation. Consider the impact going to college will have on your life.
- Advantage of enrolling at university: Prepared faculty can provide you with an excellent education.
- Advantage of enrolling at university: Having an advanced degree can be considered positive by employers.
- Advantage of not enrolling in university: you can save a lot of money.
- Advantage of not enrolling in university: you can still study self-taught and acquire skills that will come in handy on a professional level.
- Disadvantage of not enrolling in college: It can be difficult to prove your skills without a degree.
- Disadvantage of not enrolling in college: It can be difficult for them to prefer you to a graduate person.
- Disadvantage of enrolling at university: Without a scholarship, the fees can be high and you risk getting into debt.
- Disadvantage of enrolling in college: Having a degree is no guarantee of success.
Step 3. Commit to the full
Whatever choice you make, you need to approach it responsibly to be successful in life. Deciding not to go to college can be good for your specific case, but you still have to work hard to be well prepared, just like any other student would. If you have decided not to enroll, take this responsibility fully: start working in a strategic and well-planned way to meet your professional goals.
Method 2 of 4: Choose a Career and Set Your Goals
Step 1. Review your interests and preferences
When thinking about your professional future, consider your values and needs. Carefully evaluating your needs and desires from a business point of view can help you choose a path that suits your personality and skills.
- Writing down your wishes and needs can help you organize your thoughts and reflect clearly.
- Think about where you would like to work. For example, do you prefer an office, a restaurant or being outdoors?
- Ask yourself if you would prefer to work alone or in a group.
- Review your preferences regarding deadlines. Do you prefer a busy schedule or do you want more freedom?
- Try to consider professions that don't require college education. For example, plumbing and heating operators, subway trainers, power line repairers and installers, and ranchers do not need a degree.
Step 2. Take an aptitude test
It will help you evaluate your skills and abilities by giving you a score based on specific criteria. Knowing what you are good for can allow you to narrow down your alternatives and find a suitable career path.
- Many free aptitude tests are available online.
- Logic, numerical and verbal reasoning, spelling, mathematics and computer science will be some of the subjects tested.
Step 3. Try taking online job orientation tests
You can try many to better understand which careers would be right for you. Some of these tests are created and offered by specialized agencies, so they can help you get a good idea of the careers that are best for you. Try some of the following to find out more about your professional aptitudes:
- https://www.studenti.it/test/list/lavoro.
- https://www.jobtel.it/il-lavoro-che-fa-per-te/.
- https://www.arealme.com/career/it/.
- https://informagiovani.parma.it/scuole-superiori/strumenti-di-auto-oriento-i-test-di-autovalutation-di-interessi-e-competenze.
Step 4. Set goals
One of the benefits of enrolling in university is having a solid organization (schedules, programs and requirements) aimed at acquiring new knowledge and skills. Since in your case it may be necessary to learn self-taught, you must set specific goals aimed at your personal development and strive to achieve them. Discover and use the SMART method to get started.
- S - S. Specific: Goals should answer questions such as "How?", "What?" and why?".
- M - M.measurable: Goals should have quantifiable elements that you can use to track your progress.
- TO - TOUsable: Goals should be realistic and achievable, but still be challenging.
- R - R. Results: Goals should focus on results rather than individual actions to achieve them.
- T - T.empathize: the goals must be reached in a specific time frame, in this way you will feel under pressure and you will be incentivized to commit.
Method 3 of 4: Gaining Skills and Knowledge
Step 1. Try taking free online courses
If for one reason or another you are unable to attend college, you may still be able to take classes. Some universities offer free courses on the internet and even allow you to accumulate credits. There are also several open and free courses that do not require any registration. On the web you can search for some that are potentially relevant to your professional goals.
- https://www.uninettunouniversity.net/it/mooc.aspx.
- https://www.federica.unina.it/.
- https://iversity.org/ (in English).
- https://online-learning.harvard.edu/courses?cost (in English).
Step 2. Consider the courses organized by centers located in your city
They may allow you to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for your professional goals. Many offer certificates or other documents to show that you have received adequate preparation. With these classes, you can be more likely to get a job without having to enroll in college.
- Taking courses that offer certificates can be helpful when it comes time to apply for a job, as you can provide concrete proof of your preparation.
- You can take a look at the bulletin boards of libraries and other public places to find information on workshops and courses organized in your city.
- Some universities organize external courses that you can attend without having to enroll at the university.
- There are many centers that offer various types of courses organized by municipalities or regions.
Step 3. Consider apprenticeships or internships
It's a good way to gain knowledge and skills without having to go to college. These are usually hands-on experiences, so they train you specifically for the job you aspire to.
- Some internships are paid.
- Apprenticeships generally involve pay.
- Apprenticeships and internships can guarantee you direct employment.
- Many internships and apprenticeships are quite competitive.
- You can look for opportunities online, for example on https://www.sportellostage.it/ and on
Step 4. Learn about higher technical training
You could also enroll in a vocational school that allows you to acquire concrete and qualifying skills to carry out a job of a technical nature. Usually these institutes are less expensive than universities and the duration of the courses is shorter, generally equal to one or two years. If you have time or money limits, they can be a valid alternative, in fact they will still allow you to study and develop professional skills.
- Vocational schools are often much more affordable than universities.
- Many offer programs that last only one year.
- Technical schools offer courses to train professionals in high demand sectors, such as welding, plumbing, health, cooking and vehicle repair.
Step 5. You could also join the army
It can be a good alternative to acquire many concrete skills that will allow you to get closer and closer to your professional goals. If you opt for this route, you will be able to receive full training. Do some research to understand if it is a suitable path for the goals you have proposed.
- The military will offer you training for any position or role you choose.
- In addition to the Italian Army, you can also consider the other Armed Forces, such as the Navy, Air Force and Arma dei Carabinieri.
Step 6. Once hired, continue studying
There are many jobs available for those without a degree. Employers offering these jobs often want their employees to continue learning and growing professionally, providing funding and time to attend refresher courses. Taking advantage of these classes and workshops can be very helpful in continuing to train you while maintaining a safe workplace.
- Gaining new skills and information about your current job will make you better.
- If you have to leave your current job, keeping yourself updated will increase the chances of being hired elsewhere.
Method 4 of 4: Knowing Yourself to Sell
Step 1. Emphasize your experience
If you have to apply for a job and cannot meet the educational requirements, focus on your experiences. Companies may prefer a project-rich work curriculum to academic training alone. By proving that you are capable of carrying out the duties required by the job, you can increase the chances of being hired without a degree.
- A qualification is not always a guarantee of preparation for a job.
- Demonstrating your past experiences can allow you to be preferred to a candidate who has only studied theory and never applied it.
Step 2. Prove your skills
When you write your resume and go to an interview, you should show off your skills. To do this effectively, prepare and share a portfolio that contains samples of your best projects. Demonstrating the quality work you've done in the past can be more interesting than just a degree.
- Show only your personal works.
- Enter some information about the process you followed for these projects.
- Use the sample projects to demonstrate your skills in detail. For example, if you have published an article, you can take advantage of it to explain that you know how to use specific databases or particular technologies and that you have used these tools during the research and writing phase.
- Some skills are more difficult to demonstrate. For example, if you're applying for a job as a welder, you probably won't be able to include a live demonstration on your resume. Instead, you can create a portfolio with visual documentation (photos or videos) or a small sample of work that you can take with you.
Step 3. Try to have excellent references
Cultivating strong professional contacts can help you when applying for a position even if you don't have a degree. Talk to people who you believe can enthusiastically recommend you and ask if they are willing to give references. Having positive references can increase your chances of being hired, as the new business will have confirmation of your skills, knowledge, qualifications and work ethic.
- Indicate people you have worked with directly.
- Always make sure these people can speak highly of you.
- You can ask these people to focus on specific things, such as leadership skills or skills that you think may be relevant to the new employer.
Step 4. Consider freelance or entrepreneurial projects
Instead of looking for a job in a business or firm, you could offer your skills directly to clients. Working closely with clients as a freelancer or starting your own business can let your skills speak for themselves, without the need to prove them to an employer or agency.
- You need to know the basics of running a business. To work as a freelancer or to found a company, it is essential to know how to sell, communicate with customers, prepare invoices, manage work and pay taxes.
- It is essential to be able to organize time. You will be responsible for managing working hours and commitments.
- Calculate the value of your work. You need to carefully study consumer trends (for example, how much they are willing to pay) and what it takes to make your work worth your time.
- Some websites allow you to find freelance work. You can search for clients on Elance (https://www.elance.com/q/find-work).
- There are several examples of people who have been very successful on their own strength, without even a high school diploma. For example, Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin, left school at 16.
Advice
- When applying for a job, demonstrate your skills and experience.
- Take free courses online or in a city center.
- Commit to self-taught and personal improvement.
- Take advantage of all the training offers made available by your current employer.
- Set clear and precise goals regarding your professional development.
