Academic inflation is everywhere; your next door neighbor has a Bachelor of Science in Business and your aunt is going back to school. The availability of jobs that don’t require college degrees is deflating to the point that articles on no-degree jobs are listing occupations that actually require an Associate’s Degree or vocational training. It’s possible to avoid the 4-year degree in today’s world, but success is hardly a common option when no higher education is involved.
Take, for instance, the professional diver. While a certified diver may not require a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology, there are diving schools that focus strictly on diving occupations. These schools are considered post high school or college level. The $60k dental hygienist does not simply step into the shoes of his job and perform; he must attend a dental hygienist training program to acquire the certification necessary from the job, provided by a college or university.
