Q. Making it in So. Cal. without a degree? Possible? (Los Angeles: apartments, homes)

[Ocuri]

Hey all,

I'm a young guy, 22 years old from Canada. California has been interesting me for a long time now and I plan on visiting soon.

I've been attending a respected university in Canada and have studied in the fields of accounting and general social sciences (sociology, public administration) but I have not completed my degree (studied for 4 years). On the professional side, i've dont some entry level work in finance as well as entry level (program officer) work.. both for departments in the government of canada as a student....

Basically, i'm wondering if I could make it in Southern California, (L.A and all of the surroundings). Are employers (corporations) willing to hire young people like me without a university degree or is the degree a MUST? I know my work experience is above average for someone my age...

Then, with the type of job entry level salaries I would likely have to relegate to, would I be able to survive?

Also, a wide variety of work fields interests me... from business adm. to something relating to social sciences...

Thanks for the input!

[Ocuri]

I'm going to go ahead and bump this, give it another shot...

Interpret what I said as you will... any input is appreciated.

[Ultrarunner]

The only really financially successful people I've run into without degrees own their own business of some kind.

I know an Asian fellow that come here 20 years ago with nothing and now owns several restaurants and a high end tile contractor from the Czech Republic that is booked 6 months in advance... both have no formal education.

I would say if you have a really marketable skill or the entrepreneur spirit... you will do well... for the rest of us a degree is our foot in the door...

[Hungry For Cheese]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

The only really financially successful people I've run into without degrees own their own business of some kind.

I know an Asian fellow that come here 20 years ago with nothing and now owns several restaurants and a high end tile contractor from the Czech Republic that is booked 6 months in advance... both have no formal education.

I would say if you have a really marketable skill or the entrepreneur spirit... you will do well... for the rest of us a degree is our foot in the door...

Definetly agree. Also success is defined by what you think it is. Im 24 and went back recently to get my AA and then BA in Business. I dont want to work for a business all my life, but I know from getting my first office job last fall that a degree gets you into a higher payscale. Im talking $10-$14 to $18-40+....obviously.
If you got what it takes to turn nothing into something without an education you can make it. Im just trying to get a degree so I can double my pay and save the extra income, hopefully be in Texas by then and invest in apartments or homes. Just something to get me where I want to be with a positive cash flow of at least $5k/mo so I can retire by no older than 45-50 and be a millionaire.

At the same time, my dad is a licensed contractor who pulled 6 figures in 06 and is always working and demanded from high clients likeRicki Lake, Courtney Cox/David A., Creator of Harry Potter...etc. If you can be a laborer and work your butt off, you can make a nice living, but its hard work, as is anything I guess. Buts its manual labor. Id rather use my brain to get outta that and invest.

[PureHapa]

As a small business owner who hires once or twice a year, it's a job-seeker's market here currently. Lots of jobs, not enough candidates. I can tell by the number of responses I get from any one ad. Currently I get very few good responses to ads I've placed in the past that garnered 5 times the response.

If you are clean-cut, speak well, have good references and are legally able to work here, you'll find a job. If you then stay at that job for at least 2 years, you can move up to a better job with ease. Just don't burn bridges or job hop.

[Winston Smith]

Employers will use your lack of a degree against you in salary negotiations. You can sometimes offset this by focusing on your professional accomplishments and a "what I can do for you" approach. In any case, you can certainly make it without a degree.

For public administration, you might find some opportunities with city or county governments. The smaller the city or county, the harder it is to get in. Los Angeles city and county are big. Try there first.

I would agree with others here about self-employment. If you're good at something and can put up with a little rejection while promoting your services in finding your clients, southern California offers many opportunities. If you're open to people, do good work and charge competitively, word-of-mouth may eventually do most of your advertising.

[mhoang]

A degree is not a must. Although some larger companies will have set criteria such as a Bachelor degree for certain positions, usually if you have enough years of work experience in a field, you can convince employers to hire you based on your knowledge.