Let me ask you two questions: How many people in your circle will be paying off their college loan for a long period of time? How many people have degrees, but no clear career path or very limited options?
Nicole, my friend, recently graduated college with a nursing degree. Nicole is now a registered nurse (RN) at a prestigious hospital in the Bay Area and makes about 65k per year. It’s not bad for a 24-year-old who was the first member of her family to attend college. Well, she’s over $140,000 in debt. It will take her more than a decade to repay her loans, despite her great salary and no additional expenses (except for going out every other weekend). She’s a bit lucky. She’s not alone in recognizing that the skills she acquired in college are essential to society. Therefore, finding a job shouldn’t be a problem.
However, this is not true for everyone. Although it may seem difficult to accept, many (if not all) of the majors offered at college are either too weak or ineffective to allow students to be productive members of society and have a stable financial future. It may not have been obvious in high school or early college, but the main purpose of the educational system was to prepare you to get a job and start a promising career. It’s that simple.
We all know that this is not true. The majority of graduates don’t get off to a good start, they end up limping and in debt. This is often due to the educational system. The staggering amount of student debt in the United States has reached an all-time high of $1,393,425,553,714. It’s in the trillions! With a “T”. Although I’m not an expert on buying countries, I’m sure you could afford a couple of them with that amount.
Related: How to get 6 figure job offers at top tech companies in 2-4 years, even if you don’t have any experience.
My point is that my generation was completely screwed by this system. We are not to blame. We were young and ignorant and believed that the education system would adapt to the rapid pace and increase in technology and knowledge. It’s easy to see why this is almost impossible. There are better ways to get an education that will help you secure a financial future and a stable lifestyle.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the top five entry-level IT jobs that don’t require a college education:
IT Support SpecialistsThese specialists are responsible for all aspects of setup and installation, as they also troubleshoot software and technology. They are also responsible for maintaining, updating, maintaining, and servicing all hardware. These jobs require a high school diploma and technical experience. Some of these jobs may require associate-level certifications. According to PayScale, IT support specialists make an average of $45,126 and can earn salaries ranging between $30,104 and $65,129 per annum.
These technicians are the first to respond when there is a problem with a company’s computer systems. They restore computer working conditions for customers remotely or in person. Although some companies require a bachelor’s in order to fill this role, technical certifications as well as significant hands-on experience are sufficient. According to PayScale, desktop support technicians make an average salary of $44,383, with annual salaries ranging between $29,470 and $58,988.
Help Desk TechnicianThis is responsible for diagnosing technical problems for customers. Their job is to identify problems so that IT department personnel can respond. While some companies require a bachelor’s in order to fill this role, others only require a high-school diploma and a technical certificate. According to PayScale, help desk technicians make an average salary of $38,078, and can earn between $25,163 and $50,675 annually.
Computer TechnicianComputer technicians often have an extensive knowledge of IT. Computer technicians must be knowledgeable about how computers work in order to diagnose and fix hardware problems. Many of these people begin their careers with technical certifications. After gaining experience, they often specialize in areas such a desktop, network, server, and/or other technologies. According to PayScale, computer technicians make an average of $37.426, with salaries that range from $21,483 up to 52,996 annually.
Network Administrators are responsible for the day-today operation of a network. They are responsible for the organization and maintenance of a company’s computer networks. They are responsible for managing local area networks (LAN), large area networks (WAN), intranets and other communication systems. To be eligible for these jobs, one must have technical certifications and relevant experiences in a variety of networking technologies. Computer engineering and computer science degrees may be required for some jobs. However, these degrees are intended to provide specific foundational knowledge and practical experience. According to PayScale, Network Administrators make an average of $54,086, and their salaries range from $37 564 to $81,020 annually.
The Bottom Line
To get started in IT, many roles only require technical certifications. But I’m sure you don’t want to just start out. You want to improve your skills quickly and advance in the IT industry. Most certifications are based on paper exams. They are inefficient at qualifying people.
