4 Ways to Advance your Career Without a Degree

Now please don’t take this post the wrong way. In no way am I supporting not getting your degree. I believe that education is a very important tool in life and our careers…but let’s face it, it takes some of us a little longer than others. Sometimes life pushes us in directions that’s the complete opposite than school and sometimes this slight detour can discourage us in ways that throws our whole life off track. My goal today is to show everyone who might have dropped out, taken time off, or are in-between degrees that the lack of some type of certification should not stop you from advancing your knowledge, career, or your goals. Here are 4 great ways to advance your career without a degree.

Continue your studies outside the classroom

One misconception about education is that you can only get knowledge in the classroom. This way of thinking is so wrong. If you are not in school you can still educate yourself. Let’s take my craft for example. Being out of school was one of my biggest challenges as a writer. I noticed that in school the numerous essays and writing assignments kept me on my toes. Class kept my creative juices flowing. Even the environment on campus kept me with different scenarios to write about.

My first year out of school was rough and filled with very little writing. One day I had a conversation with my grandmother that changed my whole entire outlook on where I was taking my career and life. She said “God gives us all gifts and if you don’t exercise those gifts God will take them away”. That same day I set down to write and I had the worst case of writers block ever. In my mind that was God slowly taking away my gift to write because I had no longer exercised that talent. For some of you that may be far-fetched, but sometimes a little faith or a little fear is all we need to tighten up. So it began. I started giving myself writing challenges. I would google random topics and write about them. I began to read more, expanding my vocabulary and introducing myself to new writing styles. Sometimes we have to not only be our biggest critic but also our own instructor.

Don’t be too good to work for free

Although we may feel that we are awesome at our craft or even feel we are better than someone who has a degree, we have to be realist. Our route to the top is a little bit different and our advantage is not being afraid to get our hands dirty. You may have to take a few jobs at little or no cost. You cannot look at these opportunities as fails or waste of time. This is called sacrifice. You are taking a few kicks and punches that will eventually prepare you for the big fight.

Take the time to build your resume with “equivalent experience”. This basically means “No I haven’t finished school yet, but trust… I know what I’m doing.” Listen there are people out there that prefer experience over the classroom. So those long days with no pay that you hated so much, just might be the reason you have an up on the guy with the degree. You can volunteer with an organization that specializes in your craft, build your own brand, or even just do odd jobs with the company you want to be down with until you get your shot. Trust me it’s better than sitting at home waiting.

Find a Mentor

Finding someone in the same craft with the same interest that know what they are doing is critical for exceeding in your career. Having a mentor gives you such a great advantage at understanding the real, unfiltered, life of your career path. Mentors answer nontraditional questions and even gives you an advantage with facing challenges head on. Now granted, finding a mentor is not always easy. Focus groups, volunteer work, and even social networking is some of the easiest ways to find the perfect mentor for you. Remember your mentor usually has experience. Find someone who you are not afraid to listen to and that you trust. Mentors come in handy on those discouraging nights where you are close to giving up. Find someone who will be there for you and believes in you.

Organize your Goals

When you are not in the classroom it is very easy to get off track. Stay organized with your plans and how you want to execute them. Give yourself deadlines for task and stick to them. You have to have discipline and take your own demands as serious as you would a teacher or advisor. Invest in notebooks, binders, folders, self-help books, and books that educate you on your studies and your field. Outside of staying organized I tried to surround myself with as much items to give me the proper environment to grow and learn. I bought a desk (Very cheap from Ikea) and a white board. These items gave me an area to work that actually made me feel outside of the house. These simple changes and additions to my home pushed me in the right direction to complete my goals, until i was able to return to school.

-Lynzee Mychael