Why Fashion Shouldn't Make You Suffer

I had this random thought recently, as there have been a good bit of discussions going on about how fashion can be oppressive in that it prohibits people from being able to perform an outdated, noninclusive image of "professionalism" or decency (this sentiment is captured well here).

I work in an environment where you dress for the day and everyone is able to express themselves as they like. Some dress up, some dress down, it all depends on how they're feeling and what they want to wear, versus the limited options in a formal, business professional environment. That isn't to say that this sort of attire has no place, but it as the baseline or assumed dress for most occasions feels ridiculous. We dress to the day so if the day calls for it, then we'll meet the expectations of what we need to wear.

I hate the idea of how many people out there get reprimanded, fired, or don't even get in the door because they don't have the appropriate attire. We should open ourselves up to allow people to dress and work however is most comfortable for them so they can perform to their full potential, whether that is in work or at school. And not dismiss people simply because of their outward appearances or assume anything about them. We've seen so many examples of schools sending (mostly young women) home because of "indecent" attire. This makes so many assumptions on behalf of the students, their peers, and it takes that student out of class for a foolish reason.

Fashion shouldn't make you suffer. Clothes shouldn't feel like they're weighing you down, make you feel uncomfortable, or don't feel like they express your true self. You shouldn't have to endure pain in heels in order to attend an event. You shouldn't have to invest a lot of money in clothes that are required only because of a shallow sense of "always doing it that way". Thankfully, it feels like we're making some progress here, where people can break free of gender binaries and go out into the world as their true selves. We still have a lot of work to do, but I see instances of this growth a lot, albeit in my small pockets of the world.

I hope you help support this movement in your communities. The world will be better off for it. And you might just make some unconventional connections.

Geeky Degrees That Will Let You Lavish in Luxury

If you’re in the midst of choosing your major in university, you might want to ask yourself one question. What will give me the best quality of life? Sure, you can choose a degree based on a passion, but a passion won’t always get you a career. For instance, you might decide to study philosophy. Now, this is still a prestigious degree to have under your belt. But try asking anyone what a philosophy degree is for and what careers it can be used in. No one will be able to tell you, except of course, for teaching philosophy. That narrows the playing field a little doesn’t it? This is why philosophy degrees are often paired with something else that are - dare we say it - more useful.

Still, there are plenty of nerdy, awesome degrees you can consider that will get you the lifestyle you want in a few years. Let’s look at some of the possibilities.

Have You Tried Turning It Off And ON?

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Information Technology, the degree that is essentially the nerd's handbook. Here you will learn various skills and knowledge that could earn you a fortune in the future including coding. If you don’t know what coding is, you might want to learn. Coding will allow you to create your own website, software and in general, develop programs or apps. So, once you know how to code you could create the next Candy Crush and let’s face it, that was essentially Tetris and a hole host of other column games combined into one. It wasn’t exactly a new idea which shows you just how easy it is to make millions.

Of course, there’s another reason why an IT degree could put you in such a great position for the future. With a degree in IT, you will be primed to provide support to the multitude of businesses that are going to need it in the future. Almost every business you can think of is in some way dependant on IT, so the demand is certainly there.

Mad Men

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Alternatively, you could think about entering into marketing. Is marketing nerdy? When you think about it, marketing is a lot like mind control, pushing the audience to believe what you want them to about a product or service. In fact, if you take a marketing course you will almost certainly learn a little something about subliminal messaging. If you know nothing about this, we suggest you go check out Fight Club. But just how much money could you make as a marketer? Well, with an AASCB accredited online MBA program in marketing, you could easily rake in a salary over 100K. Particularly, if you are picked up by one of the larger businesses on the market today.

Space - The Final Frontier

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Lastly, you might be disappointed with how little NASA has accomplished lately. Admittedly, most people are. We haven’t come very far since a man first walked on the moon. But that might be about to change, and weirdly, it’s thanks to Hollywood. Supposedly, after the success of the Martian, the US government were so enthralled by its popularity that they pushed more funding in the direction of NASA. Now, whether that’s true or still on the table with Trump in power is debatable, but it’s curious nevertheless.

As for what you can study, a degree in physics or specializing in astrophysics will put you on the path to greatness here. Who knows, one day you could be in charge of the next rocket launch and earning a fortune. You’ll need to have an IQ that rivals Einstein though.

History is Human

As a history major in college, I've always had an affinity and appreciation for the story of our world. I often visit museums and monuments, taking moments to look into the context that lead us to now. Certainly nowadays this is a contentious issue in terms of who we decide to erect statues to and which ones we decide to take down.

While we create our collective memory of the past (meaning it is subject to our whims and limited by what we have left to examine), there is a universal thread that hit me recently; history is human.

We often exalt the figures of the past, making it hard to imagine and relate to them (especially since we don't have many realistic depictions of people until recently with the advent of video with color). But what is sobering to realize, is that these people we make monuments to and learn about in books, were just that, people. They were humans figuring out their way in the world as best they could, often making mistakes, and victims to their emotions. They made meaning as best they could with what they had, and did as well as they could muster with what they had. The impressive part is that they survived, thrived, expanded, and made it possible for us to be here in an amazing time to be alive (albeit at great cost and certainly we are in an imperfect world still). 

It makes me feel like we can give these historical figures a bit of a break. They did all they could to improve life in their time (and often succeeded), we need to continue the tradition and use the incredible tools at our disposal to expand the common good. To be clear, I don't mean this to say we should give people free passes for the awful things they did. We should not honor people who embodied any sort of hateful ideology. With that being said though, history has always been made by humans working hard and working together. And while we are the cause of many of our own problems, we are also the solution to those problems.

People will be learning about our time in the future. What do we want them to say?

Book Review: The Last Lecture

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted"

I recently just finished the book that follows up on the "last lecture" by fellow proud nerd, Randy Pausch, nearly a decade after his death (he passed in July 2008), and a decade to the day after the now famous lecture. I've been getting knee deep in death lately (which seems to be a trend, especially with some of my movie reviews). I've been watching The Leftovers, where coping with loss is a major theme. The Last Lecture is the dream scenario for many in that show, where someone knows the end is coming, and is more able to cope and prepare, and tell the people around him the impact they've had on him, as well as the future he hopes for.

The book expands on the speech, and reflects on it. I had always heard about this video, but never really delved into it. I sat down to watch it after I read the book and in preparation of this post. I'm glad I did. It's nice to look back long after he has passed to keep moving his message on. It's a simple, positive one that cuts through a lot of the cynicism and negativity around us. While I can certainly acknowledge his upbringing gave him a lot of benefits, simple advice sometimes helps to affirm what we all as humans should strive for.

I love the quote above, as it is something I'm currently grappling with and have had to come to terms with in the past. I look forward to the clarity of hindsight as I move forward (if only it was given to us in the moment).

As I said, I've been watching The Leftovers, which deals with loss, and I think we should all also be a lot more grateful for the time we have with those we care about, and we should tell them what they mean to us. I got married when it may have been sooner than some were expecting. But I was ready to marry my wife when I proposed, and I didn't want to wait any longer to be her husband.

I encourage you to give the video another viewing if you haven't seen it in a while. It's a simple, pure, and will help you to reflect on where you are, where you've been, and where you want to go. It will also help to honor a man who loved life, and lived it fully.

Geek Shows On the Horizon We Can't Wait to Binge

It’s a golden age for fans of TV shows, streaming, binge watching and geeky TV. Every other week a new show is announced that makes geeks and nerds feel like they are eight years old ago. So, let’s look at some of the incredibly new (and old) shows that are going to be available towards the end of this year and into 2018.

The Punisher

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Daredevil Season 2 might have been a mixed bag, and The Defenders didn’t quite live up to the hype. Combined with the the weird pacing of Luke Cage and the controversy surrounding Iron Fist, the Marvel Netflix shows have been on a slightly downward slope lately. However, we’re confident that in November that’s all about to change because we get the punished. Arguably, this character was the brightest part of Daredevil Season 2, and Jon Bernthal has brought the character to life in a new and exciting way. The full trailer is right here https://www.youtube.com/ and we’re eager to see what Marvel have in store for this dark and bloody character with what is hopefully a truly epic full season arc. Expect this one to drop around November.

Stranger Things Returns

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Just in time for Halloween, Stranger Things is returning. We’ve already had tantalizing teases with the boys in Ghostbusters costumes and posters resembling those of classic horror movies. We’ve got so many questions. Will eleven return? Almost definitely but how is a completely different question. According to https://netflixupdate.com/, season 2 has a one-year time jump, so we’ll certainly have a lot to catch up when we return to that eerie American town at the end of October.

Young Justice Season 3 (Finally!)

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Cartoon Network viewers were truly heartbroken when Young Justice was canceled because...not enough toys were sold. WB should have realized that the demographic for this show was significantly older than they expected with a loyal fanbase made up of a significant amount of students. But now it’s returning with the original voice cast, the original show runner and a story revolving around meta human trafficking. It doesn’t sound like the TV show is going to shy away from the deep, complex storylines that made it such a hit. But where is it going to be released and when? While it seemed likely that Young Justice would hit Netflix at some point, WB has opted instead to create their own streaming service. Along with all their existing and older shows this service will include one other, exciting piece of original content.

Titans!

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Or rather, Teen Titans, except they can’t call it that incase it’s confused with the humorous yet shallow Teen Titans Go. The cast has slowly been unveiled, and we know it’s releasing in 2018. That’s all the information we have on this show. We do know it’s a live action series. But we’re not even sure whether it’s a half hour dramedy or a full hour action adventure drama. It could even be linked to the DCEU, and it’s the mystery that perhaps makes this one so exciting. You read more about this on http://www.denofgeek.com/.

So which one of these shows will be distracting you from your work? Or, are you planning on binge watching all of them?

Being Sturdy With Your Study! Surviving Your Final Year

For any of us engaging in intense study it can be a very difficult period, whether we are just getting back to school or we are gearing up for our last year in college, the last year in school, or gearing up for the last year of an intense doctorate, it means that there's a lot of stress and anxiety. But it also means that you are quite probably struggling in a financial sense, so it's important for you to get ahead of the game by having a few preventative measures in place before embarking on your final year. Some may be simple but some you may not have thought of, so here we go here is the foolproof guide to surviving your final year.

Perfecting Your Study Space

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The fact of the matter is you are going to be intensely engaged in a lot of work throughout your final year so you need to make sure that your study space is not cluttered so you can remain focused and not distracted in any way, shape, or form. The importance of a study space that keeps you focused is not to be underestimated. The fact of the matter is that if you have a cluttered space for learning with piles of books and distractions, you will get overwhelmed by the mammoth tasks ahead. So it's better for you to compartmentalize your tasks and to focus on one task at a time, especially with the amount of information you have to take on board during your last year. You May have piles of books to get through, but this is all about keeping organized rather than getting overwhelmed by every pressing task. Barack Obama popularized the idea of removing decision fatigue, and this is something it's worth thinking about. So if you can remove clutter and distraction from your study space, this will help you to cut down on unnecessary thought patterns. The best way to do it is to have a corner of the room that is distraction free with just a desk and your study material.

Making The Most Of Your Downtime

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While you may be ensconced in your study space for the vast majority of your final year, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself. And if you, like so many other students, are lacking in money, then you need to make the most of your study space. So you could set up your study area to be a gaming area for your free time. It's also a great way for you to have some relaxing downtime while still making the most of your study area and lack of money. So you could invest in a decent gaming center at the start of your study, you while you still have the finances by getting a good quality desk, gaming speakers, as well as the best computer for your budget. It can be difficult to find any decent downtime during your intense final year but don't forget you need to find ways that will relax you and keep you focused, and for many people it may be gaming. But it's also important to not stay cooped up in your study space for the whole of your final year. Make sure you get out once in a while and socialize, because even though studying is the most vital ingredient to beating those final exams you still have to make some time for you. And you may be surprised that in doing so you will find yourself rejuvenated and approach your work with a clearer mind.

Studying is an intense period especially when you have a lot to do when you may think that you won't be able to come, but if you can balance downtime with the right study breaks, you will accomplish it with no problems!

The Future Of Media Consumption Isn't As Simple As You Might Think

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Remember the song “Video Killed The Radio Star”? That’s been a common theme for pretty much all of human evolution - though admittedly, not with actual video vs. radio. The base point is the same, however. Humans throughout the centuries have had innovations that have absolutely and totally replaced what came before them. Horse power was killed by tractors; mobile phones replaced landlines; and so on and so forth.

When Netflix burst onto the scene, we all had an inkling that change was upon us. Over time - as more and more TV channels have launched their own dedicated service - there has been a narrative emerging. “Media consumption in the future,” a thousand op-ed pieces have opined, “is going to be strictly based on choice. You only pay for what you use. This is the end of bundled packages for good.”

Is this really the case, though?

A Good Idea… Maybe

On the surface, the idea that we are set to only consume the media we actually want seems like a bit of a no-brainer. We’ve all found ourselves paying for a TV package that includes channels we’d only go to if we happened on them by accident. The idea that we can just pick and choose what we want seems to be a gamechanger. Streaming has killed the cable star.

It’s easy to see why we’ve all become so enamored of streaming packages that we pick and choose; or even just buying individual episodes of TV shows on iTunes and Google Play. It gives us the feeling we’re getting our money’s worth rather than being ‘forced’ to pay for services we don’t want or need.

However, there are signs that the “all streaming is amazing and is going to kill cable” thought bubble is beginning to be in danger of bursting.

The Disney Launch

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Disney recently announced that they will be launching their own dedicated streaming service. This will, naturally, involve them pulling all of their content from existing platforms - so no more nostalgia-fuelled evenings watching the classics of your childhood on Netflix.

The backlash was swift. Disney are the latest in a long line of companies who have chosen to go their own way with streaming, rather than contributing to a larger online library of multiple creators. At the opposite end of the spectrum, for example, WWE broke with major cable companies and launched its own network - much to the chagrin of users. Disney is now experiencing the same backlash.

The reason is simple: the numbers are beginning to add up. If you want HBO Go, Netflix, the new Disney, and a few others, you could quickly find yourself paying $70 per month. If streaming really is the be-all and end-all, then why does it suddenly start to be more expensive than a basic cable package? The whole concept was meant to save us money.

What’s Actually Happened

The way that the media has divided into small sections that you specifically subscribe to has not increased choice. What it’s actually brought forth is something far more damaging: restriction.

Take the most watched shows of 2017 so far. If you want to see them all, it would cost a small fortune in subscription costs to see them. The cost is simply untenable. This is especially true when you consider the early adopters of streaming; students and those in college, who don’t have the kind of permanence that is required for a standard cable subscription. Given that students are widely known for being short on cash, expecting them to able to find huge amounts of money to subscribe to everything just isn’t going to work.

On the surface, all those $7.99/month offers look like a great deal. That is, right up until the moment that you realize the latest must-see TV show isn’t in your subscription. All of a sudden, you’ve not got more choice; you’re more restricted. Sure, you can watch something that you do have access to, but TV consumption is a pastime that many of us like to share with others. If you’re not watching Game Of Thrones when it’s being broadcast, then you’re cutting yourself out of a huge amount of social interaction.

So what happens at that point? When watchers - students, families, and anyone else - are tapped out for cash and can’t afford to subscribe to yet another service? They torrent it. This is inadvisable; torrenting has become so oft-referenced it’s sometimes tough to remember that it’s actually illegal. Nevertheless, there is a saturation point where media viewers are out of money but still want to see a show. So that’s the option they choose.

When you examine the extreme number of streaming services that have emerged, then you can see the consequences of all this “choice”. What started out as a good idea that genuinely did increase choice has turned dark, morphing into a situation where suddenly a cable service looks like a good idea after all.

The Other Problem

Yes, there’s more than the above issue facing the future of how we consume media. The second problem is not about the media itself, but about how we access it.

To use any streaming service, you’re going to need an internet connection. That’s a given; and it’s also not something that many of us see as a problem. However, huge swathes of the US struggle for decent broadband speeds. While the speeds are gradually improving, for some people, streaming services just aren’t an option.

For those of us who do have decent broadband connections - well, we’ve got nothing to worry about, right?

Maybe not.

The issue is net neutrality. A lot has been said about net neutrality over the past few years, including a notable segment by comedian John Oliver. Even with that said, net neutrality is not a widely understood term outside of those of us with a geeky side to our personality. In fact, even among geeks, it’s still not that well understood.

Put simply, net neutrality guarantees that everything on the internet is accessed at the same speed. Do away with net neutrality - as the current USA administration very much seems to want to - and companies can pick and choose what speeds you get. That’s bad enough in and of itself, but also opens up a more worrying door. There is a real chance that without the net neutrality protections, you could be charged additional fees to pay for faster access to certain sites and streaming services.

Let’s be clear, if this happens, it will change the way we use the internet forever. For streaming services - who, unlike cable, are solely reliant on the internet to bring their programming to their uses - the idea of a loss of net neutrality should be very worrying indeed. Furthermore, for you the consumer, it will again bring forth the question of far more restriction. There is a real chance that you could find yourself having to pay to access the subscription service itself, and then having to pay again just so you can access them at speeds that seem reasonable.

There is a fightback against the repeal of net neutrality. If this is an issue that particularly interests you, then it might be worth reading more into this.

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So What Does The Future Hold For Consumers?

It may have seemed, once upon a time, that there was going to be nothing but good things to come from the subscription model. As times have progressed, however, it’s beginning to look a little more flimsy.

As a consumer, the best thing you can do is keep your options open and see what develops. It’s also important to keep an eye on how much you’re actually spending on different streaming services. It’s far too easy to sign up for those low sounding amounts and commit yourself to a service that you then only use sporadically.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that if you’re tempted to only buy an individual service for a single show, it might not be the best deal. You might be better off with a cable package, or buying the episodes individually. It doesn’t feel like it’s quite as good a deal, but in reality, it will work out as a lot less expensive. At least with these techniques, you avoid entirely forgetting about the subscription and paying for something you never end up using beyond the initial show you wanted to watch.

Of course, no one truly knows how the future of streaming is going to develop. There’s every chance that we’re going to find ourselves contemplating an entirely new development over the next few years, one that we can only imagine at this point in time. There’s always something new waiting to come along, so if you’re an early adopter of new tech, then you’re in luck. It might be that subscription is the way to go, or we go back to the old methods - but at least you can be sure you’ve got all the information you need to make the best decision for you.

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Going Back To School: What You Need To Know

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Sometimes in life, you can find that what you originally planned for yourself may not work out. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, because things change, people change, paths change. And sometimes, you just can’t stay on the path that you’ve found yourself on. When this happens, you may be looking for a career change. When you’re not happy in the job that you’re doing, speaking up and taking action is a brave step to make - especially if it can make you happy. And to do this, you may want to think about going back to school.

Know What You Want

When you’re first considering going back to school, you need to be able to know exactly what you want. Why do you want to go back to school? It’s important that you’re not making this decision because you don’t know what else to do. Going back to school can be hard work and expensive, so it has to be something that you really want, and that you know what you’re getting yourself into.

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Do Your Research

When you have your heart set on going back to school, and you know that your mind is in the right place, you should aim to get a bit of research in. Because what you want out of a school may be different to what you were looking for when you were a teen. Whether you’ve already got your undergrad degree or not, what you need from a school and a course should be your first priority, especially if it is to break into a new career.

Have A Career Choice In Mind

It may also be helpful if you’re able to have a desired career choice or a few options in mind when you’re looking at courses or starting to apply. Whether you want to go to law school or get your bachelor’s, by having a career choice in mind, you’ll know what classes you need to take and what you need to focus on in order to get to the career you want. When you’re looking to go into something different, you should always have this in mind.

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Know The Prospects

At the same time, you should also be strongly aware of what prospects are available to you by taking a specific course. When you’re looking at doing online MBA programs with AACSB accreditation or head to med school, you need to know what you will get out of the course and what it will do for your career. Of course, some courses have clear outcomes, but some are more general, so you will want to ensure you can get the career you want with the courses you’re taking.

Decide On Interest Or Skill

Finally, you may also want to make your final decision based on your interests or skills. There are many factors that go into choosing your degree, but you should aim to make your ultimate choice based on what you’re good at or passionate about. Because you need to be able to commit to the course, and if you’re uninterested or ill-equipped that may prove impossible.

College Rejection: You Need These Inspiring Alternatives

For many young people, getting a higher education at college or university is the first and most common-sense choice. However, life doesn’t always go to plan and there may be things that get in the way of you achieving your goals. For example, illness could get in the way of you finishing your exams or you may be rejected by your desired colleges. It can seem like your world is falling apart and you may not be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But, not being able to get a degree right now doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Take a look at these alternatives for some inspiration on what to do next.

Start a Business

Did you know that 14% of the current American workforce is self-employed and operate a business entirely on their own? Working for yourself has never been more possible than it is now. In fact, thanks to the wonders of the internet, it doesn’t cost much to set up a business either. There’s now far more advantage in operating an ecommerce store than there is a bricks and mortar store, not to mention all the costs you’ll avoid. If you think you need a degree to manage a business well and make a good earning, think again. Names like Richard Branson, Walt Disney and Bill Gates come to mind, none of which had a degree. Sometimes, all it takes is a good idea, passion and some perseverance.

Community College

There seems to be some kind of snobbery when it comes to the thought of community college, but there shouldn’t be. Learning is learning, no matter where you are or how you do it. You may not be able to gain the type of degree you were hoping for at community college, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be of use. In fact, there are many benefits to going straight from high school to community college. The first is that it doesn’t cost anywhere near as much as a degree does, so it’s more affordable for families on a low income. The second is that it makes the transition into a degree much more bearable. You’ll learn what it takes to study intensely at a gradual pace, rather than being thrown right in the deep end. See what’s on offer and you could come away with everything you need to start a career where you can climb the ladder. You may even find that you beat your fellow students, who have a degree, to the same spot.

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Trade Work

If all you want is a career that will remain secure for the foreseeable future, going into a trade is an ideal choice. Trades like, building, plumbing or electrics will always be of value to people. When you’ve developed the skills you need and have the certifications to prove it, you have two choices. You can either work for a trades company or startup your own business. Because you’ll have skills that are in high demand, you’ll have a certain amount of flexibility. You can often do your vocational training at a technical school. The courses are full-time and affordable and once you’re finished you’re likely to be making the same kind of salary as someone with a degree, if not more. One of the other benefits is that you’re almost guaranteed a job as soon as you finish your studies, unlike graduates who are just leaving college. It often takes a graduate up to year to find a suitable job because there are so many people applying for the same roles.

Follow Your Passion

Do you enjoy painting? Why not try and sell some of your work? Following a passion doesn’t just have to be a hobby. These days, there are many people interested in bespoke work because everyone wants to be unique. It’s much easier now to turn a passion into a salary. Whether you enjoy writing, creating music or sports, there will be a way to make money from it too. However, establishing a career out of your passion can take time and money. So, it’s often a choice of which do you want the most – a degree or a career you’re passionate about. Studying a degree will mean that your passions may have to take a side line and you’ll probably leave college with a significant amount of debt.

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Gap Year

Just because you didn’t get into college this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t try again next year. In the meantime, you could use the time you have to travel the world and gain some more insight about life and yourself. This is an option many students are voluntarily taking. One, because it’s a break from studying, and two, because travelling has a way of maturing you that college just can’t offer. Being out in the world, on your own, will teach you things you can’t learn in a classroom. You’ll have the advantage of gaining some real life skills, which employers value highly. It will teach you to manage your finances well, be accepting of other ways of living and different cultures and you may change your mind entirely about what you want for the future. It’s likely that you’ll have to work while you’re travelling to ensure you have the money to live properly. Having those jobs on your resume, as well as an eventual degree, could put you ahead of the competition.

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Volunteer Work

Volunteering can be rewarding for many reasons. Perhaps you’ve lived with dogs your whole life and would like to volunteer at a dog rescue or you have a passion for working with children and would like to volunteer at a children’s charity. Although you may not be paid for your time, it doesn’t mean volunteer work isn’t worth doing. In fact, it can often open many doors. If you’re passionate about what you’re doing and enjoy giving back, it may be noticed. It’s not impossible to climb up the ladder and get offered a paid position. Even if it doesn’t amount to anything, volunteer work looks great on a resume. It shows you’re willing to work, even when you’re getting very little for it. Volunteering is also a great way to build character, and it teaches you to think positively about life.

Apprenticeship

Becoming an apprentice is like killing two birds with one stone. Firstly, you’ll be gaining qualifications and experience on the job, which is often more valuable than learning something in theory. Secondly, you’ll get paid for your work. It may not be much, but at least you’ll be earning something while you’re studying. Take a look at what’s on offer, like nursing vacancies. It also means you won’t have to pay to gain your qualifications. It’s the best way to become skilled at what you do because you don’t have the option of making mistakes. The only downside to an apprenticeship is that they’re becoming so popular, you often have to compete with large numbers if you want a spot.

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The Armed Forces

Many parents try to steer their teens away from joining the armed forces because they’re scared of the potential dangers. That’s understandable, but for many people, the armed forces is an ideal choice. Perhaps you enjoy fitness, have good coordination and quick reaction times. Maybe you thrive under pressure and believe you could serve your country well. If you’re willing to accept the fact that the job is dangerous and you may lose friends during your time serving, the army could offer you more than a job. It often becomes a second home too.

Whatever you decide, know that you have plenty of options.

Degrees: Top Careers That Need One & Top Careers That Don't!

Degrees are often a hot topic of discussion among anyone talking about careers. There’s always a debate as to whether or not they’re actually worthwhile. People voice their opinions from either side of the debate, and it just goes on and on.

We’re not here to enter this debate again. If you know this blog then you know we believe that higher education is very valuable. The skills you learn and the things you go through during a degree can help you in all walks of life. Having said that, there’s no denying that you can get into a lot of careers without needing a degree.

This is what we’re going to focus on today; careers you don’t need a degree for, and careers you do need one for. By looking at both sides, it should hopefully show you the different types of career you can pursue if you choose to get a degree or not.

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Top Careers That Require A Degree

In this section we’ll look at some of the top careers that require a degree to get into them:

Public Affairs Careers

The public affairs career sector is very vast, and there are plenty of jobs available. The most common of which is probably a social worker. To pursue this career, you’ll need either a DSW or MSW degree. The benefits of earning a MSW degree over a DSW is that you get better qualifications and are eligible for higher jobs. It’s also worth noting that this is just one degree that leads to a career in public affairs. There are plenty of others you can pursue to get different jobs in this sector. Degrees are required as these jobs are very important. They often involve working with the public and dealing with high-pressure situations. As such, it’s vital you learn how to deal with the public and gain knowledge of various regulations and laws to do with public affairs, etc. This is where the degree comes in handy as it teaches you this information.

Healthcare Careers

There are few careers that rely on degrees as much as healthcare ones. When you’re working with people and looking after their health, you need to understand what you’re doing. The only way you can get a healthcare career is if you study for one. With a degree in medicine, you will learn all about the human body and understand how to diagnose problems and treat patients. This sets you up for a healthcare career as a doctor. There are loads of other degrees too such as dentistry, physiotherapy, and so on. The bottom line is, qualifications are required when you deal with human health.

Engineering Careers

Engineering jobs have always been in demand as they’re very well paid. But, you have to work hard to earn your wage. To even get a foothold in this career you need to study an engineering degree. They can be long and arduous, but they’re absolutely essential. This is because engineering is a very important job where mistakes can’t be made. If you engineer a building or bridge incorrectly, it can have devastating consequences. So, you need a degree to learn how to hone your craft and develop your engineering skills to the highest standard possible.

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Top Careers That Don’t Require A Degree

Now, we can look at some careers that don’t require a degree yet still pay well and offer good future prospects:

Web Design Careers

A career in web design can be very fruitful in this day and age. Companies will pay top dollar to get the best designers to work on their websites and other projects. You don’t need a degree for this career as it’s based purely on talent and experience.

Personal Trainer Careers

Personal trainers work with clients to help them reach fitness goals. You don’t need to spend three years on a degree course to pursue this career. Instead, you can get simple qualifications by taking a few short courses. This is a job that pays well, and you can be self-employed too.

Plumbing Careers

As a plumber, you will carry out all manner of work on people’s properties. It’s a career that will always be guaranteed to work as people always have plumbing problems. Not to mention it pays incredibly well too, and you can go solo or be part of a larger company. No degrees are required here whatsoever.

There is a difference between jobs that require degrees and those that don’t. In general, you don’t need a degree when your career is based on a specific skill that anyone can learn and develop. Always check if your chosen career requires a degree or not before you commit to higher education.