Corporate Trainer with No Degree

I agree with Judy. When I started out, I was working at a large corporation and doing really well. I introduced new ways to raise the quality of e-learning and was recognized for it. But there was a clear glass ceiling—I couldn’t get past it without a degree. That was over 20 years ago, and it ultimately led me away from the corporate constraints and into the world of freelance work and consulting.

It took some time to build momentum, but you know what helped me the most? This community. I shared my ideas here, had a lot of fun doing it, and learned a ton along the way. I also became more recognizable within this space—which, as it turns out, is the largest community in the world for this kind of work.

At the time, I didn’t fully realize what was happening (this was well before we talked about personal brands and social media strategies), but that visibility created awareness. New clients started finding me—one of them was Harvard. Yes, me, without a degree. I was flown to Cambridge, attended lectures, and helped create e-learning for humanitarian disaster response. That work led to many other great projects over the years and continues to this very day.

Presence and reputation—especially when they clearly demonstrate your skills—can absolutely make up for missing credentials. Trust me.

Good luck on your next journey!