Alternatives to a 4 Year Education in the New Economy (2010)

With so many university graduates and ex-graduates- Registered Nurse
finding themselves either jobless and /or starting to- Computer Support Specialist
default on massive college loans, it is time to rethink- Executive or Administrative Assistant
the value of a traditional university education in lieu of a- Dental Hygienist
more practical and economic approach.Top Ten Paying Jobs without a College Degree
A four year degree or higher no longer guarantees(recession proof**)
stability in the working world. While we have always
known that some career fields are more lucrative than1. Employment Recruitment Specialist**
others, it is a disturbing trend that MBA graduates from2. Financial Advisor**
Ivy League schools are no longer in demand and have3. Physical Therapist Assistant**
resorted to entering the realm of the menial worker4. Pharmacy Technician**
(waiter, waitress, etc.) in order to pay the bills (housing,5. Health Information Technician**
tuition loans) while continuing doggedly to search for6. Library Technician
the holy grail.7. Database Administrator**
They are tired of the nerve wracking instability of8. Flash Animator
losing one temporary job after another.9. Fashion Designer
Everybody realizes that the job market in 2010 isn't10. Food Service Manager
what it used to be. Unemployment is at record highs.According to the U.S. Department of Labor, by 2010,
Despite this, what many may not realize is thatalmost two-thirds of all projected job openings will
demographics and shifts in industry trends haverequire only on-the-job training.
forever altered the face of the landscape. And in theTips for those still in High School
new economy, be prepared for a further set of ruleA GED can benefit from summer jobs, seasonal
stretching.employment, and internships, which can lead to full-time
Competition will be fierce - Borrell Associatesemployment and a career in a number of fields.
estimates that there will be seven job seekers forApprenticeship programs in the trades and some
each one of the 2.9 million job openings projected fortechnologies are also available across the USA in
the U.S. in 2010.some cities - Check you local county employment
What's Gone - the following industries are being hitoffice listing or the local trade unions in order to gain
hardest in the Great Recession:this information in your locale.
- Mortgage LendingFor youth, some charter schools and magnet schools
- Real Estate Salesoffer a specialized program that awards graduating
- Retailstudents with both a High School Diploma and a
- LeisureVocational Certificate or even an Associate Degree.
- EntertainmentThese are significantly specific programs available in
Recession-Proof Jobs - these industries are still hiringonly a few cities.
and expected to add jobs in the immediate future:Tips for those Re-entering School (Continuing
Education)
1. Health Care* - Nurses, technicians, therapists, andConsider seriously the pros and cons of attending a
aides. Also medical product areas like medication andtrade school / vocational school / community college
equipment.as opposed to a 4 year degree.
2. Education - teachers- Less time
3. Government- Less expense
4. Finance- Accountants, internal auditors, financial- Direct route to employment
advisers- More money than a college graduate
5. Information Technology- Learn as you go
6. Green Industry - energy efficiency management,- Hands-on experience / Internship
recycling, new product R&D, entrepreneurs- Specialization
* top field- Certification
"The thing to keep in mind is that there are somethingTips for laid-off and retrenched workers
like 50 million jobs out there that don't require aHaving a concrete, marketable skill seems to be the
bachelor's degree and pay upwards of $40,000 akey to occupational success. If you have or can obtain
year," says Harlow Unger, author of "But What If Isome training in a specific area, and choose the right
Don't Want to Go to College? A Guide to Successoccupation, you can make more money than many
Through Alternative Education."degree holders.
Specific Recession-proof Jobs Available with a 2-yearConclusion
degreeConsidering the outlook for the economy, at this point
- Physical Therapist Assistantin time it makes more dollars and sense to go the less
- Electrical or Electronic Engineering Techniciantraditional, although highly practical skilled route.