How to Start a Career In IT Without a Degree It’s Actually Possible

How to Start a Career In IT Without a Degree It’s Actually Possible

Meta description: Looking to break into the IT industry without going to college or university? Here’s a roadmap for starting your IT career without a degree.

Somewhere, a hiring manager is going through resumes for a new position. They find someone who really stands out to them. The only problem is, this candidate doesn’t have a college degree. But the hiring manager doesn’t care because this candidate has skills, experience and the right qualifications for the job.

Doesn’t sound too hard, does it?

Truthfully, IT is now one of the industries where you can get a job without a degree because it has become much more skills-based than it used to be.

Why IT is Different

The truth is, some of the world’s largest companies have moved away from getting a four-year degree as a way of assessing job candidates in favor of their skills. Another thing that makes IT different is the fact that there are entry-level positions that don’t require a degree at all, like help desk support jobs. IT is now one of the easiest industries to get a job in without a college degree.

Doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, but it does mean there are clear entry points for people who want to make this their career.

Starting Out

Now, IT as a whole is a pretty broad area. Trying to learn everything at once isn’t sustainable, so just pick one thing you would like to specialize in. Some of the most common IT specializations are:

IT/Help Desk Support: Fixing technical issues for other people

Cybersecurity: Protecting networks and computer systems from threats

Cloud: Supporting cloud infrastructure, storage, and computing

Web Development: Making websites and web applications

Networking: The backbone of computer systems communication

If you’re trying to get a well-rounded start, IT support could be the best place to start, as it usually requires the least amount of prior knowledge.

Getting Certified

The next step is to get certified. These are your degree equivalent in the IT world. Certifications show your potential employers you have the skills required for the job. There are many different types of certifications, but the most commonly accepted ones for beginner are:

CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+

Cloud Certifications (AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud, depending on what you’re going for)

Google Career Certificates (particularly good for people without degrees, covering IT and cybersecurity)

They are much cheaper than paying for a four-year degree and can be obtained much quicker.

Getting the Experience

Having the certifications shows that you have the theoretical knowledge, but you need to prove that you have the practical skills too. There are a few ways to do that:

Build your own network or set up a lab and tinker around with it

Volunteer your services to smaller companies or organizations

Open-source projects, if you’re more into development

Freelancing, if you’re looking to make a buck while doing it

Document what you’ve done and write down what, why, and how you’ve done it

Building a Portfolio

You’ll need a portfolio to show off your skills. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it should represent your achievements well. You can put links to your projects, documentation of your achievements or simply a detailed resume that shows your experience and certifications. If you want to make it extra impressive, go into detail about why you did what you did, not just what you did.

Finding Connections

Many people get jobs in the IT industry because of the connections they made along the way, not because of the applications they sent. So it’s a good idea to connect with people who are already in the industry and tell them about yourself. Join local clubs or online forums about your specialization and network with people there. Ask them about how they got into the industry because many people are actually very happy to help you get started. Informational interviews are a great way to do that.

Finding a Job

Many entry-level jobs are given to people without degrees because they don’t require anything more than basic computer skills. Some positions to look for are:

Help desk support, which doesn’t require anything more than basic IT skills

Junior-level positions at companies that have dropped the degree requirement

Government and military jobs, as they sometimes offer alternative pathways for people without degrees

Apprenticeships and bootcamps, which sometimes have direct hiring programs with employers

Don’t limit yourself to jobs that specifically say they require a degree. Many employers list that as a preferred requirement rather than a must-have, and you should always apply if your qualifications match the job description.

Expectations

It’s going to take time and effort. You most likely will not be able to learn everything you need for the job in one weekend. It takes months of consistent practice to be able to get a job in the IT industry without a degree. Your first job probably won’t pay much, but it should give you enough experience to get a better-paying job when you get your second certification. You’re also going to get rejected several times. This is completely normal for everyone in this industry, whether they have a degree or not. You should never give up and keep learning and improving.

Continuous improvement is a necessity for everyone in the IT industry, since technology is constantly changing and there is always something new to learn.

Common Pitfalls

Learning everything at once, instead of going deeper into one specialization

Getting certifications but not showing off the practical experience

Underplaying your achievements and experience, when it is actually a valuable advantage

Giving up after the first few rejections

The Bottom Line

There are other ways to get a job in the IT industry besides going to college, but it requires you to be consistent in your learning and improve your skills constantly. If you’re determined to get a job in the IT industry without a degree, there are a lot of people who have already done it and are succeeding now. The certifications you get, the experience you gain, and the connections you make all play a huge role in finding a good entry-level position. Now it’s your turn – if you’re starting out, or already have started your journey towards a career in technology, what was the most valuable resource or advice that helped you get where you are? Let everyone know in the comments below!