We are made to believe that only those people have chances of attaining success whom excel in their studies, get accepted by prestigious colleges and graduate with first class degrees.
We are never taught that the scholars, scientists, inventors and philosophers whose complex theories and arguments are drilled in our heads from even before we decide on our likes and dislikes were actually the exact people who never trusted what they were being taught and dared to question the norms of the society.
How many of us have heard from our science teachers that Albert Einstein whose theory of relativity is the mantra for every primary school kid was actually a failure and ran away from school? How many business school lecturers proudly give examples of Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates who dropped out of college and yet made it to the list of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs?
Amidst the rat race, what people fail to realize is that a college degree only makes you eligible for a job interview but once you are in the field and on your feet, what gets you moving is your commitment and hard work. There are several who despite being Ivy League graduates, get panicked when it comes to operating simple office equipments like a fax machine. We learn as we go.
So if you have the in born talents and acquired certain skills with time, are passionate about your work and accepting of new ideas then no one can bar you from excelling in your career.
Here is a list of 10 professions in Pakistan which don’t require a college degree.
1) Web Developer:
A web developer is a programmer who specializes in, or is specifically engaged in, the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser. Web developers can find employments in large corporations government and privately owned, small and medium sized companies, or alone as freelancers. Some web developers work for one organization as a permanent full-time employee, while others may work as independent consultants, or as contractors for an employment agency.
There are no formal educational or license requirements to become a web developer. However, many colleges and trade schools offer coursework in web development. There are also many tutorials and articles, which teach web development, freely available on the web. Even though there are no formal educational requirements, dealing with web developing projects requires web developers to have advanced knowledge/skills in:
- HTML/XHTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Server/Client side architecture
- Programming/Coding/Scripting in one of the many server-side frameworks (at least one of: Perl, Python, Ruby, PHP, Go, CFML – ColdFusion, Java, ASP, .NET, .NET MVC)
- Ability to utilize a database
Notable Example: David Karp, founder of Tumblr
2) Graphic Designer:
Graphic designers use various methods to create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. They may use a combination of typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to produce a final result. Common uses of graphic design include identity (logos and branding), publications (magazines, newspapers and books), print advertisements, posters, billboards, website graphics and elements, signs and product packaging.
There are certain skills you need besides have aesthetic sense if you want to pursue your career as graphic designer.
- Visual arts and design and an understanding of graphic elements
- Typography
- Page Layout
- Printmaking
Numerous online tutorials now teach freely how one can master the software needed to produce a masterpiece digitally. So don’t hesitate to explore the world of art online.
3) Fashion Designer:
Fashion is not associated with femininity. In fact, the world’s most renowned fashion designers are male. Fashion design is the art of the application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. It is influenced by cultural and social latitudes, and has varied over time and place. Couturiers work in a number of ways in designing clothing and accessories such as bracelets and necklace, because of the time required to bring a garment into the market, must at times anticipate changing consumer tastes.
Clothes designed must be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. And for that a fashion designer mustn’t only be aware of the market trends, but should also have an idea of the global consumer patterns, what materials and colours to work with and most importantly how to draw, cut, stitch and stylize your creation.
Notable example: Coco Chanel
4) Actor:
Is a person portraying a character in a dramatic or comic production; he or she performs in film, television, theatre, or radio. To be an actor, one must do away with his/her shyness for it requires you express openly. You must be able to deliver your dialogues with brilliance, tone your speech and maintain your body language.
Although there are several learning institutes which train actors in theatrics, Broadway and film and television, a vast majority of our stars are accidental actors or actresses who are school or college dropouts.
Notable examples: Jim Carey, Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks
5) Real Estate Broker:
A real estate broker or real estate agent is a person who acts as an intermediary between sellers and buyers of real estate/real property and attempts to find sellers who wish to sell and buyers who wish to buy. All one needs for this job is good observation, communication skills, persuasiveness and an understanding of the real estate market trends. You must be able to anticipate the consumer trends in the next ten years from the current economic scenarios. Although in US and Britain one must have license to be a real estate agent, in Pakistan, all one needs is proper contacts and well informed mind to excel in this field.
6) Writer:
It is true that some people are born writers but you can expect to make it big without polishing your writing skills. To be a great writer one must first decipher and develop a writing style. Whether you are a creative or academic writer, you are expected to be familiar with jargons. Most writers start by scribbling down their personal experiences and with time, learn to appreciate the art of storytelling. You don’t necessarily need a degree in literature to understand literary works because world’s bestselling authors started young with their own unique style of narratives.
To evaluate yourself, you can start by working on short stories. After all Edgar Allen Poe was a remarkable short stories writer. Make sure that you find a neutral audience to read your work and take their criticism constructively. Try to work around your flaws. To establish yourself, you can promote your work on blogs, social networking websites and magazines.
Notable examples: Harper Lee, Mark Twain and Charles Dickens
7) Reporter:
It typically takes two to four years to learn the basic skills to become a reporter. Distance learning and online training courses are also available for both methods. After additional on-the-job training and experience, many reporters then move on to real-time reporting. In order to be a successful reporter, what is most required of you is a pleasing personality and enough confidence to be able to face the public and keep talking. This requires you to be mindful of your sense of dressing, choice of words (they should preferably be eloquent) and your body language whilst you communicate.
Required skills of a court reporter are excellent command of the language being spoken, attention to detail, and the ability to focus for long periods at a time.
For example a court reporter or court stenographer also called steno type operator, shorthand reporter or law reporter is a person whose occupation is to transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form, using shorthand, machine shorthand or voice writing equipment to produce official transcripts of court hearings and official proceedings.
8) Media Equipment Manager:
Is a person who is trained to look after and arrange the equipments used on a set or recording studio. These equipments include lights, cameras, microphones, cables etc. As their manager, you are expected to know their functions, operation and repairing methods.
9) Construction Manager:
Construction managers are hired to lead and oversee a variety of building projects from start to finish. The jobs can range from a small remodeling or renovation job to the construction of a large commercial structure, such as a school or hospital. About two-thirds of American construction managers are self-employed, and are hired by clients because they have appropriate work experience.
They have to set schedules, keep an eye on finances, make sure everybody is where they’re supposed to be every day (and doing what they’re supposed to be doing) and ensure there are no safety hazards around.
There are several specific tasks that construction managers perform:
- Project management planning:This initial stage involves laying out a plan for the entire project, including the various jobs that need to be done, the materials required and a timeline.
- Cost management: Construction managers must constantly keep tabs on costs, making adjustments if unexpected issues or complications arise.
- Quality management:Projects often involve numerous contractors and subcontractors; construction managers must make sure they’re all doing a good job and not cutting corners.
- Contract administration:Lengthy contracts with the client are part of all construction projects, and it’s the construction manager’s job to ensure all of the contract provisions are being met and all parties are satisfied.
- Safety management: Construction sites are filled with potential safety hazards that construction managers must be aware of and guard against.
Above all, construction managers have to keep everyone in the loop during the entire project, from clients and architects to contractors and subcontractors, and quickly attend to any problems that arise.
10) Businessman:
Don’t be shocked. It is true. Forbes magazine is filled with biographies of entrepreneurs who are college dropouts and literally started with nothing. To set up a business you don’t need a college degree or large capital. All you need as an idea. An idea that can be sold and be trusted to make a difference. As a businessman, you must think big, be willing to take risks, be convincing and most importantly, you must be ambitious.
Business requires time and planning. So if you are a good planner and can foresee the challenges, device ways to overcome them and have the strength to get back on your feet after being crushed, then your success is guaranteed.
Notable example: Mark Zuckerberg the founder of Facebook.
So how many of you are now thinking “No use getting this college education…I am getting out into the real world”?
