Hi, do you have feelings of anxiety about your future because of societal perceptions of what a college degree is and isn’t? I used to feel the same way. But let me tell you something – things have changed significantly.
There is more social currency with skills today than with a degree. You don’t need to waste your time and money for three years investing in a college degree to build a good career. There are people who have never gone to college or even dropped out, and done great things afterwards.
This article aims to point out how you can start learning marketable skills without spending money, in the comfort of your home, and start earning sooner than you think. This is not hypothetical – I have witnessed this work for many people around me and tried a couple of these strategies myself.
Why Skills Matter More Than Degrees Today
Let’s face it college costs a lot of money. Every year they increase the exam and course fees and by the time students have finished with fees, they still do not have a proper job. Companies today, want people who can actually do things , not just get certificates. They want someone who can design a websites, create social media campaigns, write engaging content, or analyze data.
You know the good thing? You can learn all of these skills online and mostly for free. You just need a smartphone, computer, and internet connection. And you can learn as much or as a little as you want as you can learn at your own pace at times that suit you after school, on weekends, or even during holidays.
Digital Marketing The Skill Every Business Needs
Consider this for a moment When is the last time you encountered a business that did not have some form of social media? In this day and age it is a must for every shop, restaurant or service provider to be on Instagram, Facebook or Google. The problem is that most business owners do not know how to utilize these tools and how to tie them into a strategy That is where you come in.
Learning Digital Marketing:
You can get started pretty easy because there are a ton of free resources available to you. For instance, Google Digital Garage provides a whole course on digital marketing for free. You can find thousands of tutorials on YouTube just by searching digital marketing for beginners. I started with watching the video and then practicing what I learned.
How to Make Money:
You can start with local businesses. Look for a cafe, clothing shop, or tuition center that is conveniently located. Go in and offer to manage their social media for one month. You can post pictures of their products, write descriptions, and respond to privileged customers’ comments.
For this service, you can charge between ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per month to get started. Once you start doing this, you will get better at it and you can start charging more money. I know someone who started with one client and now has five businesses that he manages and he is currently making more than ₹20,000 every month.
Graphic Design Create Visuals That People Love
Take a look around you in everything you see there is design. Restaurant menus to wedding invitations from post on social media to product packaging good design is everywhere. If you have an eye for visual appeal you could pursue a path in graphic design.
Learning Graphic Design:
You do not need to spend a lot on software. You can begin by using Canva its free and simple to learn. There are many YouTube videos showing you how to use Canva step by step. I practiced on Canva every day for two weeks before I took my first paid project.
How to Make Money:
Initially create sample designs. You can make a logo for a fictitious company or design a poster for a imaginary event. Then share those newly designed samples to a potential client. You can find design jobs in Facebook profession design groups and by creating a profile on Fiverr. Start your fees off low for example, maybe ₹500 for a logo once you gain favourable reviews you will be able to raise your price. I first designed posters for my college festival, as it helped me build my portfolio.
Content Writing Earn Money Through Words
Do you enjoy writing? Or are you simply a good explainer? If so, content writing might be for you. There are a lot of businesses looking for people who can write product descriptions, blogs, social media captions, and web content.
Learning Content Writing:
The best way to learn is to read and practice. Read blogs that are interesting to you and take note of how they are structured. Then start writing. You can always write on Quora or set up a free blog on Medium. I started by writing answers on Quora every day for three months before I landed my first writing gig.
How to Make Money:
Set up your profile on freelance platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. Initially, you should look for small writing jobs. There are many businesses that need someone to write 500-word articles about their products or services. You could charge 300-1,000 rupees for an article when you are starting out. Once you prove yourself and get better, you could charge more. I know a student that writes three articles a week, and makes 12,000 rupees a month and goes to college.
How to Balance Learning with Studies
I know what you’re thinking, I already have school work. How am I going to find the time for this? The answer is time management . You are not going to use hours every day, even an hour a day, or 45-60 minutes a day of focused learning time can add up over the long run.
Maybe you’ll wake up one hour early, or you can find time after school, before dinner. Weekends will also work as good time for practicing these skills. The important aspect is consistency. Learning a little bit on a regular basis is always better than learning for many hours every once in a while.
My Journey From Learning to Earning
I would like to share my own case study because I was once in your exact same shoes. I also come from a middle-class family and was worried about college costs, Last year I decided to learn digital marketing so I set aside one hour each day to watch YouTube tutorials and take notes.
After two months I approached a local bakery, I showed them their competitor’s social media and I explained how I could help them get more customers. They agreed to let me try for one month I made simple posts of their beautiful cakes and their artisan breads, That month they received 20% more customers from Instagram They were happy and agreed to pay me ₹3,000 per month.
Now I have three clients and make ₹9,000 per month while I am still in school This money helps pay for my school expenses and save for my future education Most importantly, it has helped me to realize that I can create opportunities for myself.
Your First Steps Start Today
I know starting something new can feel scary You might think What if I’m not good enough? or What if I fail Everyone feels this way when starting, The truth is you will make mistakes I made many But each mistake taught me something valuable.
Here’s what you can do today
- Pick one skill that interests you the most
- Search for beginner tutorials on YouTube
- Spend 30 minutes watching and taking notes
- Try to practice what you learned
Final Thoughts You Can Do This
Not having a college degree does not have to prevent you from being successful. Many of the most successful people in technology, business, and creative professions do not have college degrees What they do have is valuable skills and a desire to continue learning.
You have access to more information than any generation before you right inside your phone or computer. Take advantage of that. Begin with learning today, continue to practice regularly, and do not be afraid to offer your services for those who will accept it.
Your future does not depend on a degree, it will depend on your skills, your attitude and your willingness to take the first step. I believe you can do incredible things. Now it is your turn to believe in yourself and get started!
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