Do You Need a Degree?

Do you need a college degree to do what you want?

If you are going to practice medicine or law, do medical research, design bridges, or some other type of specialized, professional work, then, yes, you do need a degree and more than likely you will need an advanced degree.

But, for just about everything else, the world is changing.

I have swung back and forth between the argument for and against the need for a college degree.

Personally, I never finished my bachelor’s degree, but longed to have a PhD.

Make sense?

Well, it depends on how you look at it.

I love to learn. I love to research. I love to read, write and share what I know. All traits of a life long student and teacher.

These ‘loves’ have led me on a life long search for knowledge, but unfortunately it has failed to produce a bachelor’s degree, let alone a PhD.

Why?

Because, I love to learn, I love to research, I love to read, write and share what I know.

It’s a catch 22.

I love to learn so much and I changed my major so many times, and I took so many classes I thought were interesting that I failed to complete any single advanced degree program.

A few of my majors: Civil Engineering, Nutrition/Dietetics, Environmental Science, Geography, Sociology, Biology/Nutrition, Behavioral Science, and a few more I don’t remember.

I took classes just because they sounded interesting. Some of the more memorable ones (because of what I learned and the passion the professor had for his/her subject)- Applied Calculus, Statistics, Energy & Society, Poverty & Welfare, and Advance Composition-Writing an UnderGrad Thesis.

I have had two, very successful careers without a bachelors degree- one in the nutrition field (I did earn a two-year degree and passed a national registration exam) and one in Logistics/Transportation/Distribution.

Now, I am embarking on a third-as a writer and a teacher and a few more things I am still trying to label and define.

I am an ‘expert’ in a variety of areas, areas I have focused on and spent years studying and areas/topics I have a passion for.

I may still go back to school to pursue an advanced degree, but the thing is I don’t have to have a degree to do what I want – to work for myself, to teach, to help people, to write, and to make a difference.

See where is this leading me?

You don’t need a degree either.

More proof…

A Fast Company magazine recent article, “How Web-Savvy Edupunks Are Transforming American Higher Education” discussed the emerging Edupunk, or DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to learning.

When universities like MIT offer “the full syllabi, lecture notes, class exercises, tests, and some video and audio for every course MIT offers, from physics to art history” online for free – that changes the world.

Will everyone take advantage of it?

No.

But, for those that do, watch out. They are independent, curious, self-disciplined and eager to learn. They will be the ones who launch new products and services, start new businesses and lead change in our economy and our world.

I am excitedly watching a young man I know explore this new world. He is bright and inquisitive. He has downloaded several courses onto is iPhone and studies in between working a full-time job, raising two small children, learning computer animation, building a music career and supporting his wife in her goals and dreams. It will be interesting to see where this all leads as everything he is doing and learning starts to come together.

So what has this all got to do with you?

I am trying to prove to you that you do not need an ‘official degree’ in all cases to do what you want.

You can take classes, read, attend workshops and seminars and study anything you want. You can even attend lectures by top university professors at One Day University.

You can learn what you need and learn what you want in non-traditional ways and do what you want – all without having to earn a degree.

And, some things, you don’t even need to learn anything more (unless you want to). You may already possess all the skill and knowledge you need to get started today.

During a recent conversation with a friend we were talking about her passion for cooking and her need for some extra money. I suggested she teach a cooking class. She said “I would need a degree to do that.”

“To teach cooking? No, you don’t.” I responded. “You may need some health department approvals or inspections, but, honey, you don’t need a degree. You aren’t teaching at a culinary institute, you’re teaching people like me and all I care about is if you can teach me to cook like you.”

Regardless of whether you are changing careers, moving back into the workforce after raising your children or starting your own business, more than likely you have the skills, knowledge and passion to do what you want-without a degree.

The question is, what do you want?

Once you know that, the resources are out there for you to learn what you need and to start doing what you love today, with or without a degree.

(This article was originally published in The Dreaming Cafe newsletter, Issue No. 33 Sunday, August 30, 2009. If you enjoyed this article you can subscribe HERE)