How to get a job without a degree?

<div class="user-question">Hi Frich! I’m 20 years old and have decided not to go the traditional route with attending a university and getting a job because I’ve seen my older siblings struggle with finding jobs and now they’re struggling with huge student debts and are working jobs that wouldn’t have needed a degree anyways. But my question is - if I’m not going to university, what are other options for me to start a career?</div>

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First off - you’re not crazy for thinking this way. You’ve seen your siblings take the “safe” route, end up in debt, and work jobs that didn’t require the degree they just spent four years getting. You’re paying attention. That alone already puts you ahead of a lot of people who just walk the same path because that’s what’s expected.

But skipping university doesn’t mean skipping opportunities. It means you’re building your own map instead of following someone else’s. That can feel exciting, and also a little intimidating - because without the “college to career” template, you’re figuring it out on your own.

Here’s the good news: the world is a lot more open to non-traditional paths than it used to be. Degrees still matter for certain fields, but for many industries, what matters is skills, network, and proof you can deliver results. So let’s talk about how to build those things without the four-year detour and six-figure price tag.

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1️⃣ Start with skills that pay

Whether you go to college or not, the people who do well in the job market usually have one thing in common: a valuable skill set.

Think about where your interests intersect with market demand. A few high-value skill areas you can learn online or through short programs are:

• Tech: Software development, UX design, data analysis, cybersecurity
• Creative: Graphic design, video editing, copywriting, digital marketing
• Business: Sales, project management, product management, operations
• Hands-on trades: Electrician, plumbing, HVAC, welding, carpentry

You don’t need to decide your “forever” career now. You just need one skill set that someone will pay you to use. You can learn most of these through free or affordable online resources - YouTube, Skillshare, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, even TikTok tutorials if you filter for credible creators.

The important thing is that you learn, practice, and build a portfolio. Don’t just watch videos - make things, fix things, solve problems, and keep a record of what you’ve done. That portfolio becomes your “proof” when you don’t have a degree to wave around.

<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: Check out Google Career Certificates - they're low cost and recognized by most employers!</div>

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2️⃣ Get experience early (paid or not)

Experience compounds. The earlier you start, the faster you build momentum. This doesn’t mean you need to work for free forever - but it does mean you shouldn’t be above starting small if it gets you in the room. A few ways to get that early experience:

• Freelance: Offer services on Upwork, Fiverr, or directly to small businesses in your area
• Apprenticeships: Paid training in tech, trades, and even creative roles is more common than you think
• Internships: Yes, they’re often aimed at students, but some companies are open to non-students if you have the skills
• Project-based work: Volunteer to help a local nonprofit run a social media campaign, build a website, or set up their event

Remember: your early work is about reputation and track record. Those lead to better opportunities and higher pay.

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3️⃣ Build your network intentionally

Here’s the thing - most jobs, clients, and opportunities don’t come from cold applications. They come from people who already know you, or know someone who knows you.

If you’re skipping the “college network,” you’ll need to be intentional about building your own:

• Go to local meetups for your industry (Meetup, Eventbrite).
• Join online communities related to your skill (Discord groups, Reddit, LinkedIn).
  Reach out to people in roles you’re curious about and ask them how they got there. (Yes, people will actually respond if you’re respectful and specific.)
• Share your work publicly. Post your process and projects on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok. You never know who’s watching.

You don’t have to “network” in the awkward, business-card-shoving way. Just be curious about people, ask questions, and be the person who follows through.

<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: As soon as you start earning, join networks like SELECT - you’ll get access to events, perks, and connections that open doors faster.</div>

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4️⃣ Treat your life like a series of experiments

One of the biggest advantages you have right now? You can try things, fail, and pivot with almost no downside. You’re not tied to a specific career path, you don’t have kids or a mortgage (I’m guessing), and the cost of experimenting is relatively low.

So test things:

• Take a three-month contract doing social media for a local brand
• Do a short coding bootcamp and build a couple of projects
• Shadow a family friend who’s in real estate or runs their own business

After each “experiment,” ask yourself:

• Did I like the work?
• Was I good at it (or could I be with more practice)?
• Is there demand for this skill?
• Does it get me closer to the kind of life I want?

If the answer’s no, pivot. The point is to collect data on yourself so you’re not guessing about what might be a good fit.

<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: Even if you’re between projects, set Acorns to auto-invest a few dollars a week - you’ll build savings without thinking about it.</div>

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5️⃣ Understand money early

One reason people feel “stuck” later is because they never built the financial habits to give themselves options.

Even if you’re starting small:

• Learn how to budget and track your money
• Keep your expenses low while you build your skills
• Save at least a small emergency fund (yes, even if it’s $500 at first)
• Avoid bad debt (high-interest credit cards, unnecessary loans)

Money is freedom. The less you owe and the more you save, the more you can say yes to opportunities that might not pay huge right away but will level up your career later.

<div class="frich-tip">Frich tip: The moment you start building your emergency fund, make sure it's in a HYSA. Here are our favorite options.</div>

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6️⃣ Keep learning

Skipping college doesn’t mean skipping education. You just get to design your own curriculum - and the best people in any field are constant learners. That might look like:

• Reading industry blogs and books
• Taking short courses when you need a new skill
• Following thought leaders on LinkedIn or Twitter
• Listening to podcasts from people in your space

This is how you stay relevant, competitive, and interesting.

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Final thought: you’re not behind

The biggest trap you can fall into is thinking you’re “behind” just because your friends are in lecture halls and you’re not. Four years from now, some of them will be graduating with debt and no idea what they want to do. You could be four years into building your career, with money in the bank and a clear sense of what you’re good at.

The truth is - there’s no single “right” way to build a career anymore. There’s just the path that works for you, and the discipline to stick with it long enough to see results.

So start with skills. Stack experience. Build your network. Treat everything like an experiment. Manage your money. Keep learning.

Do that, and you won’t just have a career - you’ll have control over your life in a way a lot of people never get, degree or not.

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Found this valuable? Here are some more deep dives from the Frich team 🤝

✅ How to use ChatGPT to find your dream job?

✅ How do I ace my next job interview?

✅ How do I actually build wealth in my 20s?

Good luck!

Danielle