Tell about your success without an advanced degree

[Anonymous]

Depends when you got it. I'm 40 (graduated college in 2000) with only a BA though it's Ivy. I feel like I have enough experience (nonprofit operations) that my background outweighs my lack of advanced degree. It wouldn't be worth it to get one at this point (though I've toyed with the idea of Exec MBA).

I have a number of successful friends also with BA only. One does insurance for high net worth individuals, one is in tech startup, one is in exec compensation.

People in media rarely have advanced degrees.

[Anonymous]

If you define things by money, far-and-away the most successful people I know without advanced degrees are in finance. My cousin is early 30s and a partner in a hedge-fund with a state school degree (so no Ivy connection and no MBA). While I don't know exact figures, I do know he makes a ridiculous amount of money.

Next is sales in almost any field.

Then tech (can do better than sales, but less consistent). I know people who do quite well in tech with a HS degree and even a couple with GEDs. These guys are very smart, BTW, they just didn't get a lot of formal schooling.

Next is government contracting with a bachelors.

But this is all about money and not about other metrics of success. My kids' nanny is mid-20s, some community college, same FT job with consistent raises and bonuses for 4 years, an adoptive parent, and owns her own home. That's more successful than I was at her age on all fronts.

[Anonymous]

Another government contractor here. Graduated in 2007 from a Big South liberal arts school with an English degree. After taking my first contracting job for a whopping 40k in 2009, I'm now a little less than 10 years in making 150k + bonus. Site (clinet) based, no management responsibility. Due to the nature of the work, I don't work from home/on weekends/etc. Still have a ways to go before I top out on salary.

[Anonymous]

Late 90s liberal arts BA, not in top 50. 200k/year

[Anonymous]

I’m doing ok with just an English major BA from ok school. $150k. Graduated mid-2000s. I got highly specialized about 5 years ago which doubled my salary.

I could really use an MBA but I developed a school phobia a d dropped out. Now I have kids and don’t see how I can go back.

[Anonymous]

200k and no graduate degree. Graduate degrees are for losers unless you’re a lawyer or doctor.

[Anonymous]

DD Ivy English grad...26 years old. Makes over $150k.

[Anonymous]

By BIL has GED and is a director in a large international company. I'm not sure what he makes but it's well into the 6 figures. He taught himself computer programming but never really had the option of going to college--started a family right out of high school. He was working in the stockroom about 20 years ago, and they had some sort of computer crisis. He saved the day with his computer skills which led to discovery and a promotion. He continued getting promotions year after year due to his talents, skills, and management ability. He knows he has to stay with the same company or his lack of an advanced degree (or even an undergrad degree) would be a major obstacle.

[Anonymous]

DH works in sales and has a Bachelor's from a state school. He's always worked in sales. I work in a leadership role at a large nonprofit and also only have a Bachelor's. I got promoted over people with a PhD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:B.A. in English, no less, from a state school that would most likely be derided here. After working for other companies/ people, I started my own marketing/ communications/ public relations business about 15 years ago, in a niche area. Regularly pull in $300K per year. I could do more but prefer to take most of the summer off to be at the beach or traveling with my family.

You go fellow English major!

[Anonymous]

B.A. English, well-regarded regional liberal arts school. Late 90s $150k

[Anonymous]

I got a BA in 2008. Instead of going the masters route I got a post bac certificate in a specialized field for under 4K. I work in that field and make 100k and I have amazing benefits and job flexibility. I work in a lower cost of living area so my salary actually goes a long way. I am very thankful I didn’t get a masters and get stuck with hefty student loans.

[Anonymous]

Btw, anything from decades ago is irrelevant

[Anonymous]

OP, as a hiring manager, I make a big distinction between Masters/MBAs obtained from regular vs. for-profit institutions. The latter counts against an applicant and given the choice, I would prefer to hire someone with just a Bachelor's, because they had the good sense not to give their $$$ to a diploma mill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD Ivy English grad...26 years old. Makes over $150k.

What does she do? Management Consulting?