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Start Here

If you are new to No New Degree, this page will help you get oriented.

You might be:

  • In your 20s, 30s, or 40s

  • Stuck in a job that drains you

  • Wanting better pay or more flexibility

  • Very clear on one thing: you do not want to go back for a four year degree

This site is here to help you find realistic paths into better work, without starting college all over again.

You do not need a perfect plan today.

You just need a calmer way to think about your options and a simple next step.

What No New Degree Is (In Plain English)

No New Degree is a place for people who want:

  • A better career

  • More control over their time

  • Realistic options that fit adult life

But who also say:

  • “I cannot just quit and go back to school.”

  • “I do not want more student debt.”

  • “I need something I can start on this year, not ‘someday.’”

This site does three things:

  1. Explains different career paths that do not require a new degree

  2. Shows you what training actually looks like in real life

  3. Helps you think clearly about tradeoffs: time, money, risk, and energy

It is not about magic shortcuts.

It is about smarter decisions and smaller steps that add up.

How to Use This Site

You do not need to read everything at once.

A simple way to use No New Degree:

  1. Understand your situation

    Read one big “overview” guide to see the big picture.

  2. Explore a few paths

    See which careers and training options feel realistic for you.

  3. Choose one direction to test

    Take a small step in that direction for 30–90 days.

  4. Then decide whether to commit more

    If it feels like a good fit, go deeper.

    If it does not, you try a different path with more clarity than before.

Step 1 – Read the Main Career Change Guide

Start with the big-picture guide:

How to Change Careers in Your 30s and 40s Without Going Back to School

This guide will help you:

  • Get clear on where you are right now

  • See what “no new degree” actually means (and what it does not)

  • Understand different directions you can go (tech, remote, trades, operations)

  • Build a rough 6–12 month plan instead of a vague dream

On this page, turn the title above into a link to your main guide.

Step 2 – Explore Remote-Friendly Options

If working from home or having more flexibility is a big goal for you, read:

10 Remote-Friendly Careers You Can Train For in Under 12 Months

This guide walks through roles like:

  • Customer support

  • Virtual assistant

  • Bookkeeping

  • Junior web development

  • Data analytics

  • UX design

  • Digital marketing

  • Online tutoring

You will see:

  • What each job looks like

  • What skills you need

  • How you can start training in under a year

On the page, turn that title into a link to your remote careers guide.

Step 3 – Compare Your Training Options

Once you have a rough idea of the kind of work you might want, the next question is:

“How should I actually learn this?”

To help with that, read:

Bootcamp vs Online Degree vs Self-Study: Which Makes Sense for You

This guide compares:

  • Intensive bootcamps

  • Online degree programs

  • Self-directed learning with online courses

You will see:

  • How they differ in time, cost, structure, and risk

  • Who each option tends to be best for

  • Why a “hybrid” path often makes the most sense (self-study first, then something more structured)

On the page, link that title to your comparison guide.

Step 4 – Pick One Direction to Test (Not Marry)

After you have read those guides, you do not need to have your forever career picked out.

Instead, ask yourself:

  • Which path feels most like a “maybe yes”?

  • Which path could I explore for the next 30–90 days without blowing up my life?

Then:

  • Choose one direction (for example, data, UX, tech support, bookkeeping, digital marketing, etc.)

  • Choose one small learning step:

    • One intro course

    • One beginner tutorial

    • One simple project to attempt

Your goal is not to be perfect.

Your goal is to move from stuck to exploring.

A Quick Note About Programs and Links

As you read guides on this site, you will see mentions of programs, courses, or bootcamps.

Some links on this site are affiliate links.

If you click them and later enroll in a program, this site may earn a commission.

It does not cost you extra.

The goal is always to:

  • Highlight non-degree paths that could realistically fit adult life

  • Avoid hype and “get rich fast” promises

  • Help you think clearly before you sign up for anything

You are always the one in control of your decisions.

Your Next Step From Here

To keep it simple, here is your next move:

  1. Read the main guide:

    How to Change Careers in Your 30s and 40s Without Going Back to School

  2. Then pick one of these based on your situation:

    10 Remote-Friendly Careers You Can Train For in Under 12 Months

    Bootcamp vs Online Degree vs Self-Study: Which Makes Sense for You

  3. Write down one small action you can take this week.

You do not need a new degree to change your work life.

You need a clear head, a realistic path, and a first step you can actually take.

That is what No New Degree is here to help you with.