September 8, 2023 English / Job Seeker Guide / Job Seekers 10 High-Income Careers That Don’t Need a Degree Posted by Anisa Aznan We’ve always been told that getting high-income careers requires a four-year degree. But many people can’t do this because they don’t have enough money or because of other problems in their lives. Even if you don’t have a degree, you can still have a stable job and make a lot of money, even six-figure salaries, without one. Hard skills become obsolete every 18 months, whereas results are driven by agility, testing, and empathy. The skills you need to adapt to a constantly shifting world cannot be learned in a classroom. It’s important to remember, though, that for many of the jobs listed below, you can skip the long years of getting a degree and instead study to get licenses and certifications related to the job. It would be best to have a high school education to be considered for these jobs. According to Forbes, these are the 10 high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree: 1. Entrepreneur The most obvious choice might be to start your own business. This takes a lot of planning, determination, knowledge, and tenacity. Still, with the proper dedication and business tools, it is possible to make a high income, even with a small amount of start-up capital. ALSO READ: Hard Skills: How to Include Them on Your Resume 2. Life Coach In general, anyone can become a coach, and there are no rules about how much money they can make. This makes it a good choice for people who want to change careers but don’t want to return to school to get a full degree. You can also get recognized coaching certifications online. These certifications will help you stand out in the market. 3. Real Estate Agent In Malaysia, the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agents, and Property Managers (BOVAEA) will give you a license to become a real estate agent. Before getting the license, you must finish the training and pass a qualifying exam. Some other ways to get your foot in the door are to have realistic goals, build a strong network, and choose your area (commercial, luxury homes, etc.). 4. Sales Director It is possible to become a Sales Director even if you don’t have a business degree like an MBA. However, having a business degree like an MBA will give you more opportunities and benefits. You can start as a sales assistant, move up to account manager or executive, and then work up to management and director level as you gain more experience and meet record sales goals. 5. Commercial Pilot Unlike airline pilots, commercial pilots don’t need a degree to do their jobs as long as they get the right licenses and certifications. You will need a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) that allows you to fly as a Pilot-In-Command (PIC) of a single-crew aircraft or co-pilot of a multi-crew aircraft of a Malaysian-registered aircraft for the aircraft types as endorsed in the license – for the purpose of commercial air transport. 6. Supply Chain Manager Logistics or supply chain managers have never been in higher demand. As the supply chain business grows, you have a lot of opportunities to move up in your career. You could start as a supply chain administrator and work up to management while taking professional development classes. 7. Software Developer Software developer has a lot of ways to make money, and employers are offering competitive salaries to get people to fill in-demand jobs as technology keeps improving. It wouldn’t hurt to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Still, you can also get a well-paid job in software development by going to boot camps, learning in-demand programming languages, getting certifications every year, and staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and changes while building a portfolio of personal projects. Technology changes quickly, so it is important to keep up with it. 8. Project/Program Manager Project management is a flexible and rewarding field that spans many industries and sectors. Because it is hands-on, it gives great exposure to many different parts of a business, which is a great foundation for moving into roles like project director, portfolio manager, or operations director. 9. Police Officer Depending on where you live, you may need more than a high school education to join the police force. However, in Malaysia, you only need a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) because you will get specialized training at a police college or through an apprenticeship. Also, it’s important to know that policing is more than just the officers who patrol the streets and public areas. You can work your way up and explore other job paths, such as senior police officer, detective/investigator, police chief, or lieutenant. 10. Executive Assistant An executive assistant helps the top people in a company with their daily tasks. They help them organize their mail, meetings, travel, and other plans, and they are the main point of contact for stakeholders. For this, you need to be very good at organizing, clear business communication, and using Microsoft Office. To get into this job, you could start at the bottom as an office manager, personal assistant, or other administrative worker and work your way up. Along the way, you could get certificates to improve your business, project management, and communication skills and apply for executive assistant jobs. Even if you don’t have a degree, you can make a lot more money by constantly learning new skills, getting raises, being smart about your career moves, and even getting help from a career coach. The only question left is whether or not you’re ready to put in work. Now go out there and show them what you got! Find your dream job on Jobstore.com, download our free mobile app today. Anisa is a writer who focuses on career and lifestyle topics in an effort to motivate both job searchers and employers towards greater fulfillment in their professional lives. Reach me at anisa@jobstore.com.