Education alternatives
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Recognize that trades may earn more than degrees in the first 10 years, but degree holders often surpass them in lifetime earnings.
Degree holders can work longer into old age.
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Use scholarships and grants to cut down on or eliminate college costs.
Scholarships and grants can pay for college education and bring people out of poverty.
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If you might apply for graduate programs later, keep a decent GPA now.
Past mistakes can lower your cumulative GPA and hold it down when applying to competitive programs.
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Reverse transfer credits to a community college to earn an Associate's degree, which locks in credits for future use.
Credits without a degree may stale out over time, whereas an AA degree ensures they apply even years later.
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Excel in college classes to keep options open for returning to school later.
GPA will matter then, and a poor GPA from neglecting classes might haunt you later.
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Seek low-traffic on-campus jobs, such as library desks or gallery guards, to earn money while having dedicated downtime for studying.
These roles often involve manning a desk with little foot traffic, allowing for significant study time.
- Many of these positions are work-study jobs eligible only to particular students.
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Get an entry-level job in your target industry while attending college to test your interest and ask about management programs.
This helps you decide if the field is right for you.
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Check the career pages of large companies with local offices instead of relying solely on general job boards.
You will find more job listings there than on sites like Monster.
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If you are destitute, obtain a degree in a simple field like management or business from a lesser-known institution to satisfy basic job screening requirements.
Most people do not care where the degree is from, and it will get you past the checkbox on screeners.
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Work in a trade first to get financial security before considering college later.
It pays better sooner and provides a skill set that allows for side cash jobs.
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Keep academic skills fresh during a gap year by reading regularly and keeping a journal to prevent writing atrophy.
Skills like math and writing can atrophy if not used.
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Do not assume that college graduates know more than workers with years of industry experience.
Interns who believe they know more than seasoned technicians often appear foolish.
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Choose a major that teaches transferable skills like decision analysis, even if it doesn't align perfectly with a specific job title.
It helped immensely in fields like law where a degree is required.
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Work part-time at campus-run food halls or convenience stores to access free or nearly expired food to stretch a tight budget.
Employees often receive free food, including items nearing expiration like donuts and prepared salads.
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Attend a local community college first to save money and complete general education courses before specializing, or to explore internships if unsure of your major.
It prevents wasting time and money compared to starting at a four-year university.
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After gaining experience in a trade, transition into supervisory, project management, or estimating roles rather than remaining in physical labor positions.
Those with 15+ years of experience typically do not perform physically demanding tasks like crawling in attics unless they choose to.
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Consider an associate degree to qualify for companies that require degrees and negotiate a higher salary.
Some companies care about the degree, allowing you to barter for better pay.
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Do not use GI Bill benefits if attending community college first; save them for bachelor and master degrees.
You can likely get other financial assistance to cover community college costs.
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Consider crane operator school as a career path; one person reported earning $100K annually while peers were in grad school and retiring comfortably in their early fifties.
- Based on one person's experience
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Understand that many office jobs require a bachelor's degree regardless of the major.
A degree signals completion of rigorous study, meeting deadlines under pressure, effective communication, teamwork, and content analysis.
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Pursue a CCNA certification as a foundation for careers in network architecture or cybersecurity.
It teaches network flow and management and is useful for troubleshooting technical issues.
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Look up professionals in your desired field on LinkedIn to observe their educational backgrounds and work history.
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View getting a degree primarily as a path to physically easier jobs rather than just higher income, as tradespeople often earn comparable amounts but suffer more physical wear and tear.
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Research every field within STEM to find an area of interest, as initial disinterest often changes with exposure.
Many people who were initially uninterested developed great projects once they tried specific fields.
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If you struggled with maturity in college initially, consider delaying further study until you are more mature.
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Avoid graduate school unless the university covers tuition through scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships.
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