Get a STEM Job With Less Than a 4-Year Degree

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Get a STEM Job With Less Than a 4-Year Degree

By Christopher Harper and T. Alan Lacey on July 28, 2016

With rising cost of a 4-year degree, more people are asking: is a bachelor’s degree really worth it? The short answer is yes. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that most high-paying jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree for entry.

But there is a growing recognition that what workers really need are the right skills and credentials to fill specific jobs. To that end, more employers are creating apprenticeship programs to train employees on the job, and more workers are turning to community colleges for certificate programs or associate degrees required for certain in-demand fields.

So what are these jobs?

A number of them are in growing STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and math. We’ve identified a number of STEM jobs that need less than a bachelor’s degree to get started, and also pay close to or above the median for all occupations in May 2015: $36,200.



Two different ways to look at which STEM jobs have brightest future over the next decade are to ask what jobs are growing the fastest (above) and will have the most openings (below). These numbers are projections calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics every few years. In both charts, we’ve included median pay as of May 2015.

Jobs that fall into both categories are web developers; computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists; civil engineering technicians; and environmental science and protection technicians, including health.

[TexasProgresive]

1. I made my living with skills learned in Air Force Tech school

and the experience gained in maintaining and repair of avionics equipment. I studied engineering but I preferred the hands on work of being a technician. Also I worked side by side with engineers and I figured out that I did not have the personality of an engineer. I could understand them and non engineers as well so I was an interface between them and the world.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. On apprenticeships and community colleges in the electrical and telecommunications fields:

Let's not be too hasty....

Google IBEW community colleges to see about the IBEW/NECA NJATC apprenticeship programs at community colleges.

I said a few months back that I thought utility line worker* was a good career choice:

"... skip college and learn a trade like plumbing that probably won't be shipped overseas."

The problem is that anyone can do that. You can go to the library and check out a book on how to do your own plumbing. The barriers to entry barely register a pulse.

My vote is to become an electric utility line worker. This is definitely not a do-it-yourself maintenance procedure. You train and train and train to move up in the ranks. Safety is taken extremely seriously. The barriers to entry are high, and the pay reflects this.

Occupational Outlook Handbook: Line Installers and Repairers

Working conditions can be rough - you go out when no one else does. Who, though, is not happy to see that you are there?

The BLS published their outlook on that career in the Fall 2013 issue of the Occupational and Outlook Quarterly:

Powering the nation: Smart grid careers

Please scroll down to page 5 of that article, or page 30 of that issue of the OOQ.

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations: Employment/Median Annual Wage

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay: 16,520/$69,120
Electrical power-line in{s}tallers and repairers: 57,540/$65,690
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers: 130/$70,370

* "line worker" is the OSHA term for what the BLS calls a "line installer."

ETA, Wednesday, July 27:

Hat tip, the July 31, 2014, DOL Newsletter

Toledo Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)

The Toledo Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) is committed to not only providing an educated, well-trained workforce through a cooperative labor-management education program, but also to helping workers develop the complex skills, knowledge and abilities needed to retain highly paid, prestigious jobs in the electrical construction industry. The Toledo Electrical JATC pledges to educate workers through diversified on-the-job training supervised by qualified journeypersons and related technical classroom instruction.

In apprenticeship you literally EARN WHILE YOU LEARN. As you advance through your training, you receive predetermined pay increases. As you develop more complex job skills and improve your knowledge, you are rewarded for your hard work. You also LEARN BY DOING. Your on-the-job training is supervised by a qualified journey-level craftsman.

The Toledo Electrical JATC is a bonafide, registered apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

Following, are the recommended steps (although not required) in the process of completing the apprenticeship of your choice:

Residential Apprenticeship Program - Students spend four (4) years in this particular program, learning to install power, communication, and security systems according to local codes and standards. Upon completion, they become Residential Wiremen and are invited to apply to the Inside/Commercial Electrical Wiring Apprenticeship Program.

Inside/Commercial Electrical Wiring Apprenticeship Five Year Program - Inside electrical construction work involves lay out, assembly, installation, and connection of all electrical apparatus, equipment, fixtures, and wiring used in electrical systems. During this five-year program students attend related trade classes and receive credit from Northwest State Community College . Apprentices complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with signatory electrical contractors and, upon completion, receive a journeyman certificate.

Voice-Data-Video (telecommunications) Apprenticeship Program - This three-year apprenticeship program focuses on the telecommunications and data transmission fields and includes trade-related classes for students working toward the Journeyman Installer Technician career path. Apprentices complete 4,500 hours of on-the-job training with signatory electrical contractors and, upon completion, receive a journeyman certificate.

Each of the above apprenticeship programs provide a clear-cut path for career development and occupational training, limited only by one's interest and aptitude. Quality training programs such as these provide workers with the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to maintain performance superiority leading to a high standard of living.

The recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices shall be without discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or age. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30, and the equal employment opportunity regulations of the state of Ohio.

PHONE: [phone] ~ FAX: [phone]

[TBA]

2. I am a Software Developer

with no degree. Completely self-taught. Been doing it since the late 90's and I now work for a multi-national company.

I have had many colleagues who have degrees in unrelated fields (Psychology, Economics).

[Gidney N Cloyd]

3. We've been telling young people to expect multiple "careers" in life and to be constantly acquiring

...and updating their skill sets. Meanwhile colleges (like the one I work at) are defining 'student success' almost exclusively in terms of degree completion. Welcome to higher ed. Make yourself comfortable because you're not going anywhere.

Those are two realities that are going to need some reconciliation and I think it's going to be our idea of a 'degree' that's going to need changing.

[Warpy]

4. Depends on what you want to do

My ex was self taught and since he was brilliant, it was a breeze. He had no trouble finding jobs. Some of his co irkers had 2 year computer science degrees. Some had majored in basket weaving and picked it up like he did. A few had 4 year degrees. They all did the same work.

However, if your aim is to move into management at some point, you'll need that 4 year degree. If following your bliss means doing the job, you don't need it.