Are you wondering about any high-paying career you can explore and skills you can learn without needing a university degree? I studied petroleum engineering at the university but never earned an income directly with my university degree. Instead, I make a living from self-developed skills, some of which I’ll share in this article.
Academic qualification or lack of it should not be an excuse to be unproductive. There are numerous opportunities out there waiting for people with the right skills to grab them.
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In this article, I’ll share with you ten high-paying careers you don’t need a university degree to start. If you have the interest and resolve to develop any or a combination of the needed skills, you can make a fortune from these careers.
But you must know that there are no guarantees. So you have to put in the effort and keep learning.
While you are here, consider subscribing to After School Africa Youtube channel to continue exploring opportunities and seeing videos like this one below:
Table of Contents
Watch now: The 10 Best Careers in Video Games Industry
1. Writing Career
If you can communicate through writing, you can build a career and business. Communication, whether written or spoken, is one essential skill you should have. You can start a blog, get a writing job, and offer freelance writing services without presenting a university degree. If you continue developing your writing skill, you will continue to earn more. Most people won’t make a fortune immediately, but it’s certainly possible to get paid well for writing.
Also read Is School a Scam? 10 Reasons Why You Think School is a Scam Vs Why it isn’t
2. Video Editing and Production
There are millions of videos on YouTube. You don’t need a university degree to create these videos. You need to learn how to use available software applications. Additionally, you can build a high-paying career or even a successful business with video production skills.
3. Photography and graphic design
Another high-paying career you can explore is photography and graphics design. I had to put photography and graphic design into one category because they go hand in hand. Like video production and editing, photographers and graphic designers are always needed. Some time ago, a Nigerian photographer, Kasope posted his alluring photos of Mercedes Benz on Twitter. The automaker was impressed with his work and accepted to offer him a job upon request.
With Instagram and other social media platforms, people and organizations want to promote their brands with stunning images. There will always be the need for graphic designers. And depending on your skill level and positioning, you can earn substantially while at it.
4. Voice Artist
If you have a good voice, you can build a career from it. There is a continuous need for voice-over artists from radio presenting, jingles, video animation, and narration. Even if you have an accent, there is a market for voice artists with an accent. You don’t need a university degree to build a career or business in this niche. But you will do better if you continue developing your skill.
5. Software Programmer
This is another high-paying career option you can explore if you’re a tech enthusiast. Again, you don’t need a university degree to build a career as a software programmer. The world is increasingly drifting towards technology-driven economies. And software programmers are in ever-increasing need. There are lots of accessible and affordable online materials to help you learn different programming languages. You can make a fortune as a software programmer with passion, determination, and an understanding of where the industry is headed.
6. Web and Mobile App Developer
Web developers are programmers focused on web-based technologies while mobile app developers build mobile applications. You don’t need a university degree to start a web or mobile developer career. Being a web or mobile app developer in these times is also a high-paying career. What you need is practical knowledge and learning while doing. If you get good at what you do, you can either work for a company or start your own tech business.
7. Digital Marketing
With the numerous marketing tools and online courses available, you can start your digital marketing career without a university degree. You don’t have to know everything about digital marketing. It’s impossible to know everything about digital marketing because it keeps evolving by the season. Companies now allocate a significant part of their marketing budget to digital channels; from social media and display advertising to video marketing. If you can demonstrate skill and knowledge in this space, you can start a rewarding career as a digital marketer.
8. Start a Small Business/Entrepreneur
In most countries, anyone with an idea can start a business. The exciting thing is that you can start and build a business with any of the skills and careers mentioned in this video. You don’t need an MBA or any other university degree to start. With the idea, the desire, and the persistence to make it work, everything you need will follow. You don’t even need the core skills to start the business. Jack Ma founded one of the most successful tech companies today, Alibaba. But he claims that all he understands about technology is sending and receiving emails. You can start and grow a business if you are good at identifying and leveraging available skills and talents in the marketplace.
9. Start an AgriBusiness
Agriculture has gone far beyond the images of poor and overworked farmers with crude tools on rural farms. Agriculture is big business and doubles as a high-paying career today. It’s not just the food industry that depends on agribusiness. The manufacturing, processing, Pharmaceutical, and several other industries depend on agriculture for a wide range of raw materials. You don’t need a university degree to start an agribusiness. You only need the requisite training to start on a small scale.
10. Become a Professional Driver
In my many rides with Uber drivers, more than 80% of them confirm earning a lot more than from their previous job. You only need driving skills, a driver’s license, and a car to start. How much you make will depend on the demand and the time you commit to the job.
Finally, many high-paying careers that are profitable do not require a four-year or five-year university degree. The examples listed here are just a few alternative careers to consider. How much you’ll earn will depend on your experience, training, and physical location. But with persistence, you can earn an above-average income.
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