make-it-big-without-a-degree_2 jobs schoolleavers Virgin Media
Money: £20-30k and higher, plus commission (source: Learndirect).
Involves: Marketing and selling property for clients. Negotiating between buyers and sellers, using local property-market knowledge to get the best price for the seller or client. Most deal mainly with residential sales.
Search for jobs as an estate agent.
Money: Established full-time photographers can earn up to £30,000 a year; freelance pay varies (source: Learndirect).
Involves: Choosing and preparing locations, setting up, composing shots, instructing assistants, processing and printing, as well as viewing and manipulating digital images with software. Most are self-employed, so must market and run a small business.
Search for jobs as a photographer.
Money: Up to £26,000 a year (source: Learndirect).
Involves: Installing, servicing and repairing hot and cold water supplies, heating systems, and sanitation and drainage networks in domestic, industrial and commercial premises.
Search for jobs as a plumber.
Money: Newly qualified in the NHS, between £19,200 and £24,800 a year.
Involves: Assessing, planning and implementing the care of patients. Observing and evaluating patients' progress, adapting care plans if necessary in consultation with doctors; counselling patients and relatives.
Search for jobs in nursing.
Beyond these professions, some major high street names are also keen to champion the cause of the non-graduate. Linda Graham, Graduate Programme Manager at Marks & Spencer, says: "We're just as focused on encouraging people who did not go to university to make their way into senior roles. Our careers framework ensures that people with the right qualities and skills can progress from customer assistant right through to store manager and beyond."
Whatever your chosen path, it's unarguable that having a degree still opens up many more doors - that's just the way it crumbles, cookie-wise. But, let's end on a positive note. What do multi-millionaires Richard Branson, Jamie Oliver, Alan Sugar and Arcadia Head Philip Green have in common? That's right, a degree from the University of Life.
Are you pushing your teenager down the wrong career path? There may be better options...
