The Case for College Alternatives

Reasons you don't need a college degree and jobs available without one.

This is a chapter preview. To read the full chapter, click here. 

TL;DR

1. Blue-collar jobs involve physical labor, do not generally require a college degree, and can be a high-paying, fulfilling career path
2. New-collar jobs focus on demonstrable skills as the basis to employ professionals for roles that historically required a college degree 
3. Apprenticeships and trade school are affordable paths to gain skills for higher-paying jobs 

Benefits

Although college graduates generally earn more than those who pursue other methods of advancing their career, many jobs that don’t require a college degree can still provide a higher income than those that do. More importantly, these careers may be more personally fulfilling than jobs that require a college degree.

For example, blue-collar jobs involve manual labor and are often earned with a high school diploma and on-the-job training instead of a college degree. Unlike white-collar jobs, which typically pay workers an annual salary for information-based work, blue-collar jobs typically pay hourly wages for individual projects. On average, pay for white-collar jobs is higher than for blue-collar jobs, but of course, there are exceptions. A skilled blue-collar worker can earn more than a white-collar employee should the market deem their talent, experience, or trade more valuable. 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YEE YEE APPAREL (@yeeyeeapparel)

Can’t do this behind a desk

To learn more about the career requirements and average pay for typical blue-collar jobs, refer to the table below:

*The projected percent change in employment from 2021 to 2031. You can find additional jobs can be found on the BLS website.

In addition to compensation, consider the qualitative benefits when evaluating blue-collar work. For example, blue-collar work requires exercise on the job, and being physically active at work may be more appealing than working behind a desk.

Additionally, blue-collar jobs typically have a clear divide between work and personal life, as work done at a job site can’t be taken home. While employers may request employees to work overtime, these sacrifices are generally voluntary and well-compensated.

Lastly, many blue-collar workers find tremendous personal satisfaction in knowing they've earned their livelihoods through tangible skills and hard work. Working with your hands and seeing the output can be a fulfilling, rewarding experience. 

What it looks like to love your job

New-collar jobs

White-collar employers are increasingly turning to blue-collar tactics, such as third-party certifications and on-the-job training, to attract talent for corporate positions. These “new collar” jobs blur the lines of access to industries that historically required a college degree. New-collar jobs are most common in high-growth sectors where worker demand exceeds supply. 

For example, software engineering is a career that traditionally requires a computer science degree as a prerequisite for entry. Today, however, employers are willing to hire individuals who learn to code through other means. Software engineering boot camps like Fullstack Academy provide certifications recognized by the most prominent technology companies. These certifications still require significant time and money but can be a cheaper, more practical path to a high-paying career than a college degree. Employers in these industries may focus more on your ability to demonstrate the skills necessary for the job than how you learned them.  

Additional examples of new collar jobs and the traditional educational and training requirements to earn them are listed below.

Apprenticeships