5 days ago
I'm a career expert – here's four jobs you can get WITHOUT a degree and make up to £200k
If you didn't get the grades you wanted or university isn't for you, this list has got you covered
CASH IN I'm a career expert – here's four jobs you can get WITHOUT a degree and make up to £200k
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A CAREERS expert has revealed the four jobs you can get without needing a degree - and you could cash in up to £200,000-a-year.
Sarah McParland, Group Managing Director at recruitment firm Lusona, has 28 years of experience in the industry and knows exactly what employers are looking for.
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Thousands of school pupils have just had their exam results... but a degree isn't everything
Credit: Getty
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Sarah McParland is a recruitment expert with 28 years of experience
The 53-year-old also worked with Young Enterprise Scotland for almost a decade, and spent hours giving talks to teens about their futures - from apprenticeship opportunities to further education.
But Sarah doesn't agree with the mounting pressure youngsters face to go to university.
She told the Scottish Sun: "Sometimes it's parental or societal pressure.
"The reality is that supply outstrips demand on a scary scale. It has been tracking this way for 20 years and getting more challenging.
"This is a basic economic dilemma. There is also a lack of understanding as to what employers really value.
"No amount of Degrees of any sort or Class can make up for key requirements. These are behavioural traits, work ethic, emotional intelligence, balanced pro-activity and crucially, resilience."
Tools to use to help you write your CV
HERE are some tools and apps that can help you put together your CV: Resume app: If you struggle formatting your CV, you can choose from 21 templates in the Resume app to help you. And once you've put it together, you can export it as a PDF directly to your email. Resume is free to download and use, but has additonal premimum options that you can pay for.
If you struggle formatting your CV, you can choose from 21 templates in the Resume app to help you. And once you've put it together, you can export it as a PDF directly to your email. Resume is free to download and use, but has additonal premimum options that you can pay for. Grammarly: It's important to get your spelling and grammar accurate, so run your CV through a tool such as Grammarly to check for any errors. It's free to download straight to your desktop.
It's important to get your spelling and grammar accurate, so run your CV through a tool such as Grammarly to check for any errors. It's free to download straight to your desktop. If you've got an exisiting LinkedIn account, takes the data and turns it into a timeline of your employment history and a breakdown of your skills. The free tool has six different themes so it's a good option to make your CV look visually appealing as well.
If you've got an exisiting LinkedIn account, takes the data and turns it into a timeline of your employment history and a breakdown of your skills. The free tool has six different themes so it's a good option to make your CV look visually appealing as well. VisualCV: As well as making your CV look eye catching, VisualCV also makes sure it can be read by electronic systems that some recruiters use to filter CVs. It's also free to sign up for.
She added: "There was a saying when I was younger about being 'capped and gowned' guarantees success. Nonsense. The only sure fire guarantee is debt."
And she's speaking from experience, after spending five years at university gaining her law degree then training as a chartered accountant for more than two years - only to ditch both for a career in recruitment.
Here, she reveals the top four jobs people can get bag without a degree that still guarantee a big pay cheque.
It proves it's not just university graduates who can earn a decent first salary - you can still make £22,000-£37,000 in entry level jobs, and quickly climb the ladder.
I make £15k a MONTH doing a job most think they're too good for, you don't need qualifications & I choose my hours
From apprenticeships to turning your hobby into a profitable career, there are plenty of accessible first jobs that pay well above the average beginner salary.
So if you don't think university is for you, you could save yourself time and money by heading into the jobs market sooner.
Tradesperson
"Construction, trades of any sort are stigmatised but this is a huge growth area", Sarah says.
"It's an embarrassment that we don't encourage our young people to acquire skills which are in huge demand - and will be for many years to come.
"Many of the wealthiest people in this country started out with a trade."
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Plumbers earn an average salary of £33,000
Credit: Getty
Generally, electricians and plumbers tend to earn more, with average salaries ranging from £29,000 to £33,000, according to a survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
However, self-employed tradespeople - from joiners to plasterers - can significantly increase their income, potentially reaching £50,000 or more per year.
Police Constable
If you are over 18, physically fit, have lived in the UK for at least three years and have a manual driving licence you could already have the skills needed to become a police officer.
Police Scotland say being a cop is less about formal qualifications and "all about the skills you already have".
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Becoming a police officer could be the right move
They say that those skills come from the jobs you do, the community you live in, your friends, family and the expectations and values that you set yourself.
And Sarah says the starting career of around £31,000 makes it a desirable career for young people entering the job market.
Recruitment
In Sarah's own company, with no experience or a degree, the lowest staring salary for a recruitment consultant is £22,000.
But she adds: "After three years - for the talented – – I have people earning over £90k after just three years."
For such a role, you will need to be comfortable talking to a range of people both on the phone and in person, work to targets and be able to make decisions about the suitability of candidates quickly and assertively.
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Working in recruitment could see you earn £90,000 after three years
And when it comes to applying online, remember that your application will be read by people who look at CVs every day.
So make sure it is accurate, legible and highlights your most relevant skills and experience.
Distribution/logistics
Sarah revealed there is "huge growth" in this sector, which covers everything from warehousing and transport to supply chain coordination and inventory management.
And there's plenty of entry-level jobs available - from forklift driver to warehouse operative.
A forklift driver can earn up to £15-per-hour, which could work out at £37,000-a-year after tax if you did, for example, 12-hour shifts from Monday to Friday.
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A forklift driver can earn up to £37,000 a year
This industry is also renowned for helping people climb the ladder quickly.
With just a few months of experience, you could move into roles like team leader or shift supervisor, an inventory manager or HGV driver.
Sarah said: "I know a chap - a client with no degree and barely any school qualifications – who was CEO aged 32 and earning £200k plus."
