5 Money Skills That Could Be More Valuable Than a College Degree
A college degree is valuable in several fields and can open many doors, but it isn’t the only path to a higher income. Some of today’s most valuable money skills can help you qualify for good-paying jobs, earn certifications or help you start a business or side hustle.
“I think all such skills have one thing in common when we compare them to college degrees: They should have a short and visible path to making someone willing to pay,” explained Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, founder and managing director of JobLeads. “And ideally, they should support the ‘main’ skill that you monetize.”
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Below you’ll find five money skills that could be more valuable than a college degree in today’s job market, according to career experts.
1. Sales and Relationship Building
Sales and relationship building are must-have skills if you plan to start your own business.
“Good sales is about understanding what matters to someone else and helping them determine whether you can genuinely help,” Golda Inquito, founder and CEO at The Talent Treehouse, wrote in an email.
Inquito explained that this could be best suited for those who enjoy building relationships and are motivated by clear goals.
“I’ve seen people with no college degree build six-figure careers simply because they know how to build relationships and solve problems,” Dave Blanchard, founder and managing partner at Crafted Recruiting, added.
2. Project Management
Dr. Kelly Heuer, career expert and vice president of learning at the Project Management Institute (PMI), said that project management scores high when it comes to skills that outperform a traditional college degree.
Project management is the ability to take something complex and break it into smaller steps while managing people and resources involved to get it across the finish line. This happens all while dealing with time, budget and priority constraints.
“That's a skill that transfers across almost any industry, and it's something a degree doesn't necessarily teach,” Heuer explained.
3. AI Integration Skills
According to Joel Ramirez, career coach at Level Up Career Coaching and former corporate recruiter at J.P. Morgan Chase, AI has made expertise more accessible to everyone. He believes professionals who can integrate AI into their work will have a significant advantage over a college graduate lacking in that skill.
“I believe one of the most valuable roles will be those able to integrate AI into antiquated workflows,” he explained. “Those native in promoting, coding and building with LLMs will have a massive advantage over those that do not.”
4. Skilled Trades
Learning a skilled trade is generally considered safe from AI, as they often require physical work and on-site problem-solving. Sam Caucci, CEO and founder of 1Huddle, said skilled trades is at the top of his list.
According to Caucci, electricians and HVAC techs can certify in six months to two years and start near $50,000.
“Every client I work with struggles to find experienced electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, machinists and welders,” Blanchard added. “These are careers that pay extremely well, often without the burden of student loan debt.”
5. Invention and Product Development
Brian Fried, founder of the National Inventor Club, holds 15 issued patents, has licensed and manufactured his own products through major retailers and QVC, and has spent 20 years teaching people how to turn their ideas into income.
“Invention itself belongs at the top of your list of skills that can outperform a college degree today,” Fried explained. “I have watched thousands of people inside my community start with zero technical background and build a side income stream from a single product idea, and many of them turned that side hustle into their full-time work.”
Invention and product development suit people who notice everyday problems and enjoy finding solutions, Fried added, “whether that is a parent solving a household annoyance or a tradesperson improving a tool they use daily.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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