Many of us with professional ambitions thought that our career trajectory would look something like this: you go to college, study something you’re interested in, graduate with a good GPA, and get a job using that degree. Even if you weren’t doing exactly what you studied in school, working adjacent to your chosen industry would seem like enough, and you could pay the bills and keep getting promoted.
The job market may look a little (or a lot) different in the 2020s, and the cost of higher education has proven to be a significant burden and stressor for many graduates. That alone has shifted young professionals’ thinking about going to college in the first place. The Pew Research Center found that only 22 percent of American adults believe college is worth it even if you have to take out student loans; 29 percent say the cost isn’t worth it.
But do degrees still matter when looking for a job?
Human resources expert Erica Anderson Rooney, who is a C-level executive, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host, says, “In today’s world, degrees are becoming more and more obsolete. How many people do you know that are using their actual degree in their line of work?”
This could be good news for people without a formal degree. She advises this audience to “focus on your skills, your experiences, and your real-life results rather than a piece of paper.” She says to highlight any relevant practical skills related to the job at hand, like technical skills, certifications, or hands-on experience.
She says, “To be honest, this is no different than someone with a degree. When I am hiring for any position, I just want to know ‘Can the person do the job?’ Bonus points for your passion, your commitment, and your ability to connect across different groups and departments.”
However, she does recognize that having a degree could help you get your first job faster. “It shows you have resilience, it shows you can stick something through to the completion, and some basic skills (depending on your degree.). However, the longer you are in a professional career, the less important this becomes.”
10 high-income skills you can acquire without a degree
For professionals without a degree, it’s valuable to know exactly what skills to focus on to get high-paying jobs and scale up the ladder in your chosen career. Here is your guide to 10 high-income skills you can build without a degree:
1. Communication and collaboration
Communication skills are, hands down, one of the most important skill sets in most careers. According to recent LinkedIn research, communication is the number-one in-demand skill for 2024, and 90 percent of global executives agree that soft skills like communication are only becoming more important in the job market.
When communication is strong, collaboration happens more easily and effectively—and Rooney points out that collaboration skills are something job seekers should dial in on to be competitive contenders.
2. Digital marketing
Rooney says digital marketing skills are hot right now, especially related to search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM). As more companies confront digital transformation and improve their online presence, these jobs continue to grow.
Research from Robert Half found that in the first six months of 2024, 80,000 new marketing and creative jobs were added, and roles like marketing coordinator, marketing manager, and marketing director saw significant growth. Marketing coordinators start at an average of nearly $60,000 per year, with directors making over six figures. Focusing on digital marketing can thus lead to higher-paying roles in today’s climate.
3. Analytical thinking
The most recent Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum looked at which skills were considered “core” skills by today’s organizations. Topping the list was, by far, analytical skills.
Analytical thinking is so critical because it allows people to solve problems effectively, make decisions, conduct research, and be good communicators. These skills are especially required for job seekers who want to eventually call the shots and be business leaders.
Read more: The 6 Thought Process Types & How to Use Them
4. AI
If you haven’t heard how big AI is right now, you’re probably living under a rock. Most of the time, you don’t need any type of degree to research AI tools, understand the ethics and risks behind them, and work with them to improve efficiencies for a business.
There are many types of jobs out there that require AI skills—some today even fully focused on managing AI tools for a business. You’ll need skills like programming, data management, and understanding machine learning frameworks. But they’re worth exploring; the median salary for an AI engineer is well over six figures.
5. Data analytics
Today’s businesses increasingly rely on data. And more and more data is being collected, filtered through, stored, and shared than ever before in history. This is why data analysis skills are tied for the most-needed skill set by companies in 2024, according to findings in the State of the Workforce Skills Gap Report from Springboard.
The data science field pays well, too. Data scientists earn $114,327 on average, with data analysts making base salaries of nearly $80,000 on average. The great thing about this industry is that you don’t need a traditional degree and can pursue many different data analysis certifications and short-term programs online—some are even free or low-cost. For example, you can earn a Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate for free from Coursera.
6. Project management
The other most-needed skill, tied with data analysis, in the State of the Workforce Skills Gap Report is project management. Project management roles look differently based on industry and company, but they generally involve overseeing specific initiatives, planning and coordinating, and assessing budgets and roles.
Project managers can start out at around $50,000 and work up to $125,000 over time, and degrees aren’t always required. Some professionals pursue a project management professional (PMP) certificate. But what’s most important in project management are organization, communication, time management, critical thinking, and flexibility.
7. Emotional intelligence
Another soft skill that matters at work is emotional intelligence. One study of managers found that 57 percent say emotional intelligence is a skill highest performers exhibit, and 75 percent say they use emotional intelligence when making decisions about promotions and salary increases.
Leaders must have high emotional intelligence to make complex business decisions, handle problems effectively, establish positive company culture, and manage other people. So, this skill should top the list when looking for higher-paying positions.
8. Creative thinking
Second on the list of core skills in the same World Economic Forum study mentioned above is creative thinking. Creativity is key in business situations where hard decisions must be made or big changes occur. Outside-the-box thinking is what leads organizations to make big impacts in their communities.
This kind of thinking also helps employees and leaders identify new opportunities and brainstorm game-changing ideas. It helps them relate to other people and understand interpersonal relationships with nuance. Building this skill is key to landing a high-paying job in most industries.
9. Sales
Sales jobs can be very high paying, especially if you’re effective, with opportunities to earn commission. Many skills that make a good salesperson can’t be taught with a degree program, as Rooney points out:
“Sales is another great skill to shine that cannot be taught with a degree. Yes, they can ‘teach’ you skills, but it takes a special person to be a killer salesperson, and these people are highly sought after. A good salesperson drives revenue, which drives business success.”
Salespeople are valuable assets to companies. While certain degrees like business or marketing can be valuable to salespeople, it’s a flexible line of work that focuses more on the actual persuasion and communication skills someone has.
10. Resilience
A lot has changed in the last few years in pretty much any industry. More people work remotely than ever before, and the traditional idea of a workplace has shifted.
What this has taught many businesses and leaders is that they must be resilient. This means the ability to face change, cope with challenges, and learn from setbacks. Resilience is about being adaptable and keeping a level head under pressure.
This skill is extremely valuable to grow in any type of career to become a manager or leader. That’s why number three on the World Economic Forum study’s core skills list is resilience, flexibility, and agility.
Read more: Adaptability: Your Most Essential Workplace Skill
