11 Careers Which Don’t Require a University Degree

With more
people choosing to go to University than ever before, the number of graduate scheme
applications has increased, reducing the probability of success for each
individual. With this in mind, not having a degree can sometimes feel like a
deal-breaker when applying for work, however this is far from the truth. There
are a variety of professions that you can enter without a degree and degree
attainment on its own no longer guarantees success.

 

The average
salary in the UK is £27,000. We have collated a list of jobs that you
don’t need a degree to do, and that pay more than the national average. No
matter why you choose not to go to university, the fact is that it isn’t the
right choice for everyone. So, we have featured below a few jobs for you to
consider which may help you on your way to achieving career success without
higher education.

 

Recruitment Consultant

 

With more
and more jobs appearing on the market every day, it’s important that there are
individuals who have the ability to organise and interpret these positions to
people who would best suit them. It is estimated that the recruitment industry
is worth £30 billion, and this is only likely to increase.

 

Sales
skills are a must for this role, along with a good attitude when dealing with
customers. You may be required to work with a whole range of roles, from
sourcing educational professionals from overseas to finding tradespeople for a certain project. If you have extensive knowledge about a
specific career niche then you may be able to specialise in that area of
recruitment. £38,000 is what you can expect to start with, with commission
usually on top of that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Air Traffic Controller

 

You don’t
need a degree to be an Air Traffic Controller, however you will need other
training. National Air Traffic Services provide courses, and you can expect
up to five months of training, plus up to four years of on the job training,
before you are fully qualified. An understanding of maths, in addition to good
reflexes, are essential qualities to have in this role. This is a job that is vital
to keeping our transport networks running smoothly, and the importance of the
job is reflected in the average salary, which can start from around £80,000.

 

Digital Marketing

 

The
internet age has brought with it an abundance of jobs, including Search Engine Optimisation role and Pay Per Click work. You could also work in the field of email
marketing, which targets people based on their preferences, in an attempt to
encourage them to purchase from specific stores, or visit those websites.
Experience for this field is crucial to progress up the ladder, but you can
expect to earn more than £30,000 if you have the sharp and agile mind required
for this role.

 

Beautician

 

If you
think that you can’t earn money from your hobby and passion for make-up, then
think again. Careers in the beauty industry are becoming more prevalent than
ever, and the availability of stronger advertising via a variety of social
media channels has helped to propel this. By building up a portfolio and
undergoing relevant training either at a college or on the job at your local
salon, you can use your drive and love of beauty to create a career that you
will excel in. You could earn more than £30,000 by opening your own salon, or setting
up a freelance business.

 

Fashion Designer

 

The world
of fashion is one where experience is definitely worth
more than any qualifications, as your abilities can be seen in the work that
you produce. Take the time to hone your talents and produce samples. It’s also
a good idea to try and work alongside industry professionals if you get the
chance, as this will help you to learn about the market. It may take a while to
find your break in the industry, but earning potential is huge if you manage to
do this.

Police Officer

 

Being a Police Officer means that you will be one of the most valued
and respected people in your local community, and with the role comes a huge
responsibility to help people and keep the peace. If you enjoy listening to
people, and are good at judging situations and acting upon instinct quickly and
calmly, then a career in the police force might be perfect for you. Working up
the ranks could allow you to earn more than £41,000.

 

 

Fire Fighter

 

Every local
community has a fire fighting service. The team have many key roles in
addition to their life-saving responsibility that they are most renowned for.
Firefighters also work with the community to teach them about fire prevention,
which is an incredibly valuable role. You should be fit for this role, and have
the ability to take control of a team when needed. Staying calm in critical and
dangerous situations is essential. You could earn anything between £28,000 and
£55,000 depending on how far up the ladder you manage to climb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journalist

In a world
of non-stop media, there are more opportunities for journalists than ever before – not only in newspapers but
also on the television and radio. You will need an NCTJ approved qualification,
but if you have good reporting skills, along with a key knowledge of the area
you’d like to write about, then you’re already half way there. Add to that a
drive to succeed, a proactive nature and a hunger for a story and you may well
be on your way to becoming a top journalist – who can expect to earn at least
£38,000.

 

 

Public Relations

 

Working in
the industry of Public Relations demands that you use your
initiative and authority to find opportunities which will aid your campaigns
and benefit your clients. Being a team player is a must, as is the knowledge of
the various methods to leverage your projects so that they gain success. The
salary that you can expect will depend on your ability, skills and experience
but you may be able to find roles that will pay more than £100,000 for your
efforts.

 

Hairdresser

 

Hairdressers
are often sought after, because their skills are always needed and they attain the
ability to make others look and feel good. There is an opportunity to develop
skills in the industry to make you an even more desirable candidate. A senior
stylist could earn more than £30,000, and if you choose to open your own salon or find work in the media industry, such as on
TV and film sets, your earning potential is higher. You may need to build up
your earnings slowly, but the potential is definitely there – and there is no
degree needed.

Computer Software Engineer & IT
developer

 

A modern
workplace revolves around technology, making the IT department and support one
of the most important departments in keeping a company ticking over. Whilst
there is going to be stiff competition for a place in an IT role without a
degree, the positions for someone that can prove their salt as a computer whizz
are in high demand.

 

Online
courses or specific IT courses can be the first port of call for
qualifications, or simply building a portfolio of personal projects will be
enough to wow your potential employer. Once you’ve an interview arranged, use
your portfolio and personality to show that you’re the right fit for the
company. Also prepare to be tasked on your technical skills in
the interview,
practical knowledge as well as creative thinking is key in IT. Computer
Software Engineers can earn a handsome sum upwards of £50,000 as a salary in
top management positions.

 

Can’t make your mind up?

 

If you’re
still not sure about the career that you would like to pursue, then don’t worry.
There is something to suit everybody, even if you may not have found it in the
list above. Instead, consider the following tips, which will help you in your
search:

 

- What are
you interested in? What skills do you have? No matter what hobbies you enjoy,
you will always be developing skills that can be transferred into the
workplace, and you should never overlook these.

- When you
have identified your key skills, research, and see the kinds of jobs that
people with your skills are able to do. Also see how much you might be able to
earn, and the training that you would need to undertake to actually get the
job.

-  Remember that no matter which path you go
down, it’s never too late to change your mind and take an entirely different
path. No decision is final, and it may take time to finally find the job that
is perfect for you as an individual.

 

To get a
basic idea of what’s available for people with your interests and skills, a careers test could be a good option.

 

To start
your research, the National Careers Service is a great website to use. Here,
you can get CV and interview advice, and look at lots of different career
profiles.