(ThyBlackMan.com) When you’re in high school, it gets pretty drummed into you that you need to go to college to get a good job. You need to go to college to have any kind of success in life, and you need to go to college to become employable. While some of those statements are true; college can help with employability and can widen your job prospects, it isn’t the be all and end all. Yes, some jobs do need specific qualifications like medicine or law. But there are many that don’t. So if you have dropped out of college, then all is not lost. There are many ways to become employable without a college degree.
Take Bill Gates, for example. He dropped out of college to pursue a 
career in software. You might say that he got lucky. But even with a bit of luck, hard work plays a big role in how successful you will be. So how can you become employable without a college degree? Here are a few suggestions for you.
Build Up a Portfolio of Work
Depending on what industry you want to go into, it is a good idea to start building up a portfolio of work, at least something to show to people in interviews that demonstrate your passion for the sector. If you’re into social media and marketing and want to get into that field, then how about starting a website with a blog to share your thoughts and discuss trends in the field? Compare that with a recent graduate where all they have is a degree, then it can really make you stand out in a way a resume never could.
Educate Yourself in Other Ways
There are many ways, more than just degrees, that will help you to become more employable. Could you do an online course to help with your photography or with your computer skills like the Training Connection courses? Could you go to a local community college to take evening classes in a specific field? There are more than one way to educate yourself and get some extra qualifications under your belt. If they are relevant, they could help you to progress.
Be Confident
Confidence in yourself and your abilities goes a long way. Many employers will get the same letters and resumes sent to them. So you need to be confident and do something to make yourself stand out. I’ve heard a story of a man wanting to work at FourSquare, so he started doing the role he was applying for, and lined up several advertisers for the site. You’ll bet that the CEO replied back to those emails! Do something different and be confident.
Create Your Own Job
If you’re stuck getting work with someone else, then why not start your own business? From a startup to a lifestyle business, there are many options if you’ve got the drive to make it a success. You never know, you could end up being the next Bill Gates; a dropout from college that has done good!
Good luck on your journey to building a life that you’ll love. It is an exciting, but daunting journey.
Staff Writer; Ronald Baker
