7 Industries That Don’t Require a University Degree

In contemporary times most industries have realised that innovation, skills, and determination are often more valuable assets than a traditional university degree. 

These industries which offer very good career prospects, give individuals the opportunity to learn as they work. Emphasizing skills over education, these industries offer substantial opportunities for individuals to thrive, regardless of whether they hold a formal degree.

In this article, we uncover seven industries that are challenging conventional norms and highlighting the importance of skill acquisition, adaptability, and a strong work ethic. Let’s get in.

Marketing & advertising

Marketing and advertising is an industry that does not require a university degree because it employs strategies and techniques to raise awareness for products or services. Individuals desiring to pursue a career in this industry must equip themselves with soft skills like strong communication ability, creative flair, attention to detail and a passion for learning.

You will also need to be conversant with data analysis skills, conversion rate optimisation,  email marketing and strong SEO knowledge. As much as you don’t need a degree for this industry, you need to continually develop yourself with skills that will fetch you the required income in the industry.

Writing

Almost everybody you meet on social media today has writing added to his or her bio. This is because every industry requires a writer. Writers can work for local newspapers, magazines, blogs, websites and any individual depending on their needs.

Writing does not necessarily require a university degree, but you need to have a good command of English, great communication and research skills, and understand basic search engine optimization (SEO) and WordPress.

Coding

A report by Future Processing, BLS, revealed that there are approximately 26.9 million software developers and coders in the world as of 2022. This is as the global software development size was predicted to expand at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2022 to 2030.

Coding does not require any university degree. You can become a coder by taking advantage of online resources, video tutorials, or by joining a coding course. While a degree in Computer Science may be helpful you do not need a technical background to code.

Engineering

This is another industry that does not necessarily need a university degree. To get started you can get a job as an engineering technician or technologist. This will help you gain the needed experience in the field. Once you have the skills, you can start your own business and pilot remarkable projects in the field that will give you an edge in the industry. 

As you progress, you may decide to take engineering courses that may grant you access to join some professional engineering bodies.

Tech startups

Airbnb’s owners did not have any coding experience but they developed an amazing application that tourists use to book vacation rentals. This shows that to own a tech startup, you do not require a university degree. 

You can get started by assembling the right team of developers that can transform your idea into a reality, create a business plan and get funding.

Real estate

The real estate industry includes a variety of businesses that do not require a degree. Some of them include real estate agents, mortgage brokers, property managers, developers, appraisers, etc. 

To get started, familiarise yourself with the property market and build profitable connections. Once you network properly, one commission from a major role can make you a millionaire.

Sales

Sales involve interacting with customers, preparing sales contracts and maintaining sales records. Anyone who knows how to communicate properly can do this without a university degree. 

Your ability to convince customers and generate income for your organisation will define how much you earn from sales. If you are outgoing and have a knack for closing deals, this is a good industry to jump into.