What is a good high paying job that doesn't require degree specific qualifications?

[tom c]

I graduated from Devry University, Summa *** Laude, with a degree in Networking and Communications Management. After college, the high school I graduated from offered me a job where I am the department head of Technology and System Administrator. My problem is at the age of 25, I kind of hit the ceiling as far as advancement at my current job. I make about $65k a year but want more. I also am not sure that I want to remain in the computer industry and not sure where to concentrate on with my degree. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

I would go get some certs but like I said, I'm not even positive I want to stay in this field anymore. With a concentration in management that I have with my degree, I can do alot of things.

[cece1012003]

You and I both know that getting more certifications will help you get the money you deserve.

I think that if you get your CISSP, Net+, A+, Security+, MCP, and CCNA certifications you should be able to get more money for your proof of expertise. Think about it.

Charita

[Bobby C]

It's not really your age that is holding you back as much as it is your years of experience. At 23 I had 7 years of experience, 5 of it paid and was making about what you were, cost adjusted Right now, at 25, you have about 3-6 solid years of experience and are in the 5-10 years of experience bracket, dependent upon how you did college. ...and a department head (manager) at 25 is amazing!

You have a few options (I am assuming you are US-based):

1) Take a contract position and make some sacrifices. It is usually higher pay but you have a temporary position and the health insurance and benefits are not as great. If you can't contribute to a 401k put it in an IRA.

2) Work towards your PMI PMP if you have managed projects. Entry level for PMs in many large cities is about $70k.

3) Go to work for a vendor, such as Cisco or Microsoft or Red Hat depending upon what suits your fancy. Most of their starting pay is in the $80s for 5+ years of experience and a Degree (the Summa Cum(*can't believe they block that word when used with Summa before it) Laude will help some but not much) will mean a lot to them. If you are a recent grad they have programs for recent college grads. If not you are one of the million people trying to get into their doors. All three have consulting services and support branches. Both Cisco and MS market theirs very very well but RH could do better.
a) Consider hardware vendors and their service groups. Warning - they are not as strong as the software vendors. HP has a great services division and hasn't had a lot of layoffs in services. IBM Global Services has had some layoffs recently. Dell is in the middle of layoffs, including services, and they still farm out a lot of Dell Services work to third parties. They still have not mastered handling their bench and selling their services like their competitors have done.

4) Invent something big, the next FaceBook or Twitter. Even Ray Ozzie mentioned using Twitter to his Microsofties at TechReady according to Wired Magazine.

5) As the previous person noted - work towards certifications. With your degree the CCNA and CCNP are good tracks. With one test you can get an MCP or MCTS. With three you can get an MCSA. The CCNA is good for two years and the newer MCP and MCTS certs are good for 4-5. The A+ is good for a lifetime. There is also the Network+ and the Security+ from CompTIA and these should be cake for you.

6) Find a company that is willing to sponsor you for a clearance and move to the Washington, D.C. metro. Your first job may be in the 70s but after the clearance comes through you will have had a year with the company and will likely move into the 80s or higher.



I lack a degree but have a good income and a great job. It, however, has been a fight to get where I am at without a degree. In the next few years I will start that fight.



Another option for a high paying job - Aviation.
Air Traffic control might be something up your alley. The starting pay is pretty nice and the work is absolutely amazing. I am too old to go into ATC but would have enjoyed the opportunity.

It would not be high paying right now but would be 6 figures in about 10 years. Consider spending $40-$50k and flying for the airlines. You would start at around $18k and move up to $60k within 5 years. That's not really great when you are carrying $50k in aviation school debt. I really don't recommend it right now, but it is something to consider. I have known several established folks to make the jump.

Another option into the pilot's seat is the military (usually as an Army Officer). Another option into the pilot's seat is to go work for a manufacturer, such as Gulfstream or Bombardier. I have known a few of their sales and engineering folks who built flight hours in little planes on the field, got their commercial multi certificate and took the FlightSafety course and eventually moved into the Right seat.

[Ed Atun]

The US Bureau of the Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs have great jobs but you will probably have to relocate..