College is expensive. This is leading some students to look for alternative paths to their desired careers. However, there are some career choices that require a degree and there’s no other way around it. It’s important to know about these careers if one of them just happens to be your dream job.
Some professions require advanced degrees, which means you not only have to get a bachelor’s degree but likely a graduate degree as well, if not a PhD. Other fields require a degree to qualify to test for a license to practice. In these situations, you have no choice, college is a definite stop on your professional path.
Awareness of these requirements will help you make informed decisions about your studies, ensuring that you invest your time and resources into something you truly want to do. This knowledge also helps you explore alternative routes if the educational requirements are not aligned with your finances.
1. Medical Doctor
Becoming a medical doctor is a long process, and it all starts with getting the right education. Here’s how it works:
- Bachelor's Degree: First, you'll need to get a Bachelor's Degree. During this time, you will take important pre-medical courses that prepare you for medical studies.
- Medical School: Next, you’ll attend medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). This involves learning about medical science and practicing your skills.
- Residency Program: After medical school, you enter a residency program where you get specialized training in the medical field you want to work in. Experienced doctors supervise you during this time.
- Licensing Exams: To become a licensed doctor, you must pass exams like the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX). These tests check if you have the knowledge and skills to practice medicine safely.
We want doctors to be have an education because:
- Medical Care is Complicated: Doctors need a degree because they must understand complex biological systems and diseases.
- Experience is Necessary: They also need to develop hands-on skills for patient care.
- Legal Requirements: Laws ensure that doctors have the proper education and training, which helps maintain high-quality healthcare and keeps patients safe.
2. Lawyer
Lawyers follow a clear path that requires getting the right education to have the skills and knowledge needed for the job. Here’s what you need to do:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Prospective lawyers need a Bachelor’s Degree. You can major in anything, but many future lawyers choose pre-law, political science, or similar fields because they help build analytical and communication skills.
- Law School: After getting your undergraduate degree, you must go to law school to get a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Law school usually takes three years. During this time, you’ll study different areas of law like constitutional law, contracts, and torts while learning how to analyze and research legal issues.
- Bar Examination: Once you graduate from law school, you need to pass the state bar exam. This test checks if you know the state law and can apply legal principles correctly.
Lawyers need a college degree to ensure:
- Proper Interpretation of the Law: Lawyers need a degree because the legal system is complicated. They must understand detailed laws and legal precedents, which requires a solid education.
- Preparation to Defend Clients: Law school also helps develop critical thinking and argumentation skills essential for good legal work.
You will need legal accreditation to practice law in a courtroom. This ensures that all lawyers have the necessary training to represent clients competently and uphold the justice system. This process protects both clients and the legal profession, showing how important formal legal education is.
3. Teacher
Pursuing a career in teaching is both rewarding and challenging, with a path that requires getting the right education. Here’s how it works:
- Bachelor's Degree: To be a teacher you need to get a Bachelor's Degree, either in Education or in a specific subject you want to teach. This degree gives you the knowledge and skills needed to engage students in learning.
- Teacher Preparation Program: After your Bachelor's Degree, you must complete a Teacher Preparation Program. This includes studying educational theory and learning how to teach. A big part of this program is student teaching, where you get to practice teaching in real classrooms under the guidance of experienced teachers.
- State Teaching License: Once you've completed your education and preparation program, you'll need to get a state-specific teaching license. This usually involves passing exams that test your knowledge of teaching and your ability to use teaching strategies effectively in the classroom.
Teachers need a degree for several reasons:
- Educational Theory and Pedagogy: These form the base of good teaching practices, helping teachers design lessons for different learning styles.
- Classroom Management Skills: These are developed through formal training, allowing teachers to create a positive learning environment.
- Certification Standards: These ensure that all teachers have met the qualifications needed to provide quality education. This process helps protect the learning experience for students and maintains the professional reputation of teachers.
A degree in teaching is vital because it prepares educators to plan effective lessons, manage classrooms well, and meet certification standards to provide high-quality education.
4. Scientist (Research)
Considering a career as a research scientist involves a longer educational path, due to the need for advanced degrees. Here's how it works:
- Bachelor's Degree: Before your advanced degree you need a Bachelor's Degree in a scientific field like biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science. This education gives you essential knowledge in key scientific principles and prepares you for more specialized studies.
- Graduate Degree: After your Bachelor's Degree, most aspiring research scientists get a graduate degree, either a Master's or a PhD. These advanced degrees help you become an expert in a specific area and include training in research methods, data analysis, and scientific writing. A PhD involves a lot of independent research and ends with a dissertation that adds new knowledge to the field.
Why is a degree so important in research science:
- Advanced Knowledge: It equips you with deep knowledge in specific areas, helping you tackle complex scientific questions.
- Research Skills: It teaches you research methodologies and ethical considerations, which are crucial for conducting proper scientific studies.
- Publication Process: Knowing how to publish and review research is key to sharing findings with the scientific community, ensuring your work is credible and impactful.
This educational path is essential for becoming a competent research scientist and contributing to the advancement of knowledge in various scientific disciplines.
5. Pharmacist
Pursuing a career as a pharmacist will set you on an educational path that involves years of schooling. Here’s what you need to know:
- Bachelor's Degree: Pharmacists start by earning a bachelor's degree, usually focusing on pre-pharmacy courses like chemistry, biology, and math. These subjects prepare you for the study of pharmaceuticals and patient care.
- Pharmacy School: After completing your bachelor's degree, you must go to pharmacy school and enroll in a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program. This program includes both classroom learning and hands-on training through clinical rotations. You’ll study pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences to understand medications and their effects on patients.
- Licensing Exams: After graduating, you need to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and possibly other state-specific exams. These tests ensure you have the knowledge and skills to practice safely.
Why pharmacists need a degree:
- Understanding Medications: Pharmacists must know how medications work, their interactions, and side effects. This requires formal education.
- Patient Care: As healthcare providers, pharmacists need training in managing and counseling patients.
- Regulatory Standards: Following rules for dispensing drugs is crucial for patient safety and public health.
This structured educational path helps pharmacists provide high-quality care and ensure the safe use of medications.
6. Engineer (Professional)
A very popular career choice in recent years is engineer. Becoming an engineer is a big commitment that requires a definite educational path. Here’s how it works:
- Bachelor’s Degree: You start by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering field like civil, mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering. This education gives you the technical knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to handle real-world engineering challenges.
- Professional Licensure: After getting your degree, many engineers go for licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). First, you take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. After gaining some work experience, you take the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. This process ensures that engineers meet high professional standards and are committed to doing their job competently and ethically.
Why is a degree essential for engineers:
- Technical Expertise: A degree gives you the deep technical knowledge needed to understand complex systems and create effective solutions.
- Public Safety: Engineers must follow safety and ethical standards to protect people and communities.
- Industry Recognition: Having a degree and licensure boosts your credibility, making it easier to earn trust and respect from peers, employers, and clients.
These steps helps engineers develop the skills they need to succeed and maintain the high standards of the engineering profession.
Choosing a career is a big decision, and understanding the educational and licensing requirements is important. Many careers, like medicine or engineering, require degrees because they involve specialized knowledge, technical skills, public safety responsibilities, and professional standards.
Knowing these requirements helps you make an informed decision, prepare properly, and increase your chances of success. It sets you up for long-term growth and ensures you're fully qualified for your chosen field. Before committing to any career, ensure you understand all the necessary steps to prepare effectively and succeed in your journey.