A long time ago, only about seven percent of Americans attended college. Employers presumed these young people to be very intelligent and would often train them for free at the workplace. However, college admissions standards became lower, and more and more people began to obtain degrees. This, of course, has led to the student loan debt crisis, where many younger people are foregoing or delaying major life milestones in order to pay back their college debt.

If you want a career change or a higher-paying job, you may not need to get a degree. You may also only need a certificate or a community college degree. Here are fields beginning to boom that don't require a traditional four-year degree as we continue into March of 2020.

Automotive Technicians and Mechanics

America certainly has no shortage of cars on the road. Regardless of how the economy goes, people who live in car-dependent areas will always need mechanics. While it's true that AI can diagnose some car issues, many customers feel they're getting ripped off if a shop just uses a machine like this. That's why many car repair companies are shifting to a more personal style. However, a more personal style also requires more people!

To be in this field, you'll need to be ASE-accredited. This usually consists of a course that lasts a few months that contains some theory knowledge and practical application. This certification will qualify you to do virtually anything to diagnose and repair vehicle problems.

Registered Nurses

While not everyone is called to this difficult field, some may be surprised to learn that many states do not require nurses to obtain a bachelor's degree. In many cases, they can get a certificate at a local community college, then do a residency in a hospital or doctor's office. Nurses are vital because the supply of doctors is quite limited. While they can't do everything a doctor can, they can do all the preparatory work necessary so that doctors can simply talk to patients.

Nurses may become more specialized. For example, one desirable qualification is the "Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner" role. In most states, these nurses are allowed to prescribe medication. Some states even allow them to have their own practice, not under the supervision of a doctor. However, after some incidents regarding over-prescribing, states began cracking down on these specialists' ability to independently prescribe. Most now require them to practice under a doctor's supervision.

Security Guards

Both armed and unarmed security guards are in high demand. This is likely due to the recent economic upturn. In spite of Coronavirus fears, the retail industry seems to be doing quite well. Naturally, more businesses means that assets are spread out over more locations. Police cannot protect all of these assets, so security guards are necessary.

This occupation is a licensed one in some states, while other states simply allow anyone to practice as a security guard. For those who wish to be armed security guards, these positions usually pay more but are also more risky. While many states allow concealed and open carry of weapons with no permit, gun laws vary widely across the country. For example, while West Virginia allows open and concealed carry of any weapon by any adult without permit, its neighboring state, Maryland, requires a permit to do either of these; as a "shall-issue" state, these permits are rarely granted.

Construction Workers

As more housing continues to pop up around the country, the demand for construction workers has been steadily increasing. This usually involves a simple apprenticeship to get started. It's certainly a physically taxing job, but it also tends to pay very well. Many construction workers have the opportunity to be in a union that has unique benefits in addition to a higher than average salary.

This demand is likely to continue to skyrocket, since many authorities have acknowledged that there is a shortage in available, affordable housing units and are looking for solutions to this problem.

Which Job Is Right for Me?

Only you can decide which job is best for you. It's largely dependent on your skill-set. For example, if you're an empathetic person, you'd likely excel at being a nurse. If you've always loved building, becoming a construction worker could be your calling. However, you can't go wrong with any of these fields, as they've all seen significant upticks in open job listings.