[ad_1]
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the traditional path of earning a four-year college degree before entering a well-paying career is no longer the only route to success. A growing number of industries are embracing “new-collar jobs”—positions that require specific skills but not necessarily a university diploma. These roles offer attractive salaries, job stability, and opportunities for advancement, making them especially appealing to career changers, high school graduates, and lifelong learners.
What are new-collar jobs ?
New-collar jobs are skilled positions that typically require education and training beyond high school, but not necessarily a bachelor’s degree. Instead of traditional academic credentials, employers prioritize practical skills, certifications, and hands-on experience. These roles often exist in tech-driven or rapidly changing industries where adaptability, problem-solving, and specific technical expertise are valued over formal education.The term was popularised by IBM CEO Ginni Rometty in the mid-2010s to describe a new category of jobs emerging in fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing. Since then, the concept has expanded across sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and green energy.
Who is eligible for new-collar jobs?
The good news is: almost anyone. Eligibility largely depends on skills, mindset, and willingness to learn rather than academic background. New-collar roles are accessible to:
- High school graduates seeking career paths without a degree.
- Career switchers from traditional industries.
- Workers displaced by automation or layoffs.
- Veterans or individuals returning to the workforce.
- Learners who complete bootcamps, certificate programs, or apprenticeships.
Soft skills—like communication, teamwork, adaptability—and a readiness to upskill are often just as important as technical know-how.Here are six such new-collar jobs anyone can take up.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts protect systems from data breaches, malware, and cyberattacks. With threats rising worldwide, demand is growing fast. Many professionals enter the field with certifications like CompTIA Security+ or after completing IT bootcamps. Salaries typically range from $95,000 to $120,000 depending on experience and specialisation.
Cloud Support Specialist
These professionals help organisations manage cloud infrastructure using platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. Cloud support specialists often start with entry-level certifications such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. This role can earn between $85,000 and $110,000 per year and serves as a stepping stone to more advanced cloud engineering positions.
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI designers are responsible for creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces for websites, apps, and other digital products. While formal education in design helps, many break into the field through UX bootcamps and strong portfolios. Annual salaries range from $80,000 to $110,000, particularly in tech-forward industries and startups.
Data Analyst
Data analysts help organisations make informed decisions by interpreting data and identifying trends. While a degree in statistics or economics can be helpful, many analysts today come from nontraditional backgrounds and complete short courses in tools like SQL, Python, or Tableau. Entry-level analysts can expect salaries ranging from $75,000 to $100,000 annually.
Medical Coding Specialist
Medical coding specialists play a vital role in the healthcare ecosystem, ensuring accurate records for insurance and billing purposes. Most employers require a certification such as the CPC (Certified Professional Coder). After training, coders generally earn between $55,000 and $75,000 per year.
Industrial Automation Technician
In high-tech manufacturing environments, industrial automation technicians install, maintain, and troubleshoot robotics and automated machinery. Many enter the field through associate degrees or certifications in mechatronics or industrial systems. These technicians can earn between $70,000 and $95,000, depending on industry and location.New-collar jobs represent a significant shift in how we think about career success. As employers continue to prioritize real-world skills and experience over formal degrees, opportunities are opening up for individuals across a wide range of backgrounds. Whether you’re just starting out, considering a career change, or looking to reskill in a growing industry, new-collar roles provide a flexible, affordable, and future-proof path to success.
[ad_2]
Source link
About the author
5 motivational quotes for Engineering aspirants
[ad_1] Engineering represents one of humanity's most transformative disciplines, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical innovation. For students embarking upon engineering careers, the journey can appear unnerving, filled with challenging mathematics, rigorous problem-solving, and seemingly insurmountable technical challenges. Through the folds of time and engineering marvels, legendary figures have shared profound insights that illuminate the true spirit of engineering and inspire the next generation of innovators.These 5 carefully selected quotes from renowned scientists, inventors, and engineers offer guidance, motivation, and perspective for aspiring engineers navigating their educational and professional journeys.1. Albert Einstein: The creator's mindset"Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been."Albert Einstein's observation captures the fundamental distinction between scientific inquiry and engineering practice. Whilst scientists seek to understand the natural world's existing phenomena, engineers harness this knowledge to forge entirely new solutions. […]
What AI can’t replace: Building 8 human skills that will still matter a decade later
[ad_1] As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and redefine job roles, there is growing concern among students and early-career professionals about their place in the workforce of the future. With generative AI writing code, drafting reports, analyzing data, and even performing creative tasks, it is easy to question what skills will remain uniquely human—and therefore, professionally valuable. Yet, despite its speed and scale, AI remains limited in fundamental ways. It lacks empathy, ethics, cultural context, and the nuanced reasoning that underpins human judgment. The future of work will not be a contest between humans and machines, but a reorientation of roles—where technology handles the repetitive and the mechanical, and humans focus on the complex, interpersonal, and moral dimensions of work.The following eight skills are expected to retain their relevance well into the next decade. For students and professionals alike, […]
18 universities back Harvard as Trump’s funding freeze hits student research
[ad_1] In an extraordinary show of academic solidarity, 18 leading universities — including five Ivy League schools and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — have announced plans to back Harvard University in its legal battle against the Trump administration’s freeze on nearly $3 billion in federal research funding.The coordinated move marks a rare intervention by peer institutions in a politically charged standoff, reflecting deep concerns within the academic community about the future of research funding and institutional autonomy in the United States.National stakes in a campus fightThe Trump administration's decision to cut billions in research grants to Harvard has triggered alarm bells across academia. Although the action was initially targeted at a single university, institutions nationwide are warning that the implications stretch far beyond Cambridge.The 18 universities — many of them major recipients of federal research grants themselves — have […]
CCMT round 1 seat allotment 2025 released for MTech, MPlan, MArch admissions: Check direct link here
[ad_1] The Centralized Counselling for M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan. Admissions (CCMT) 2025 Round 1 seat allotment result has been announced on June 9 at the official website – ccmt.admissions.nic.in. Candidates who participated in the counselling process based on their GATE scores can now check their allotment status by logging in with their credentials. CCMT is a common platform for admission into postgraduate programs offered by NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded institutes across India. The seat allotment process is based on GATE scores, preferences submitted by candidates, and seat availability. Shortlisted candidates must complete fee payment, upload required documents, and indicate their willingness (freeze, float, or slide) by the specified deadline. Failure to complete these steps may lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.How to check CCMT round 1 seat allotment?Candidates who participated in CCMT counselling round 1 can check the seat allotment […]
Harvard scrambles to safeguard International students amid Trump-era visa crackdown
[ad_1] हार्वर्ड यूनिवर्सिटी (harvard.edu) Harvard University is actively engaging with prominent domestic and international institutions, such as the University of Chicago and the London Business School, to find alternative arrangements for its international students who may soon face legal barriers to remaining in the United States, according to media reports. This urgent initiative arises amid intensifying visa restrictions linked to the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. With nearly 27% of its student body coming from abroad, Harvard is racing against time to establish contingency plans to protect its global community and ensure continuity in their education.Facing mounting visa restrictions and administrative blocks, the Ivy League institution is racing against time to create a safety net for its global student population, which makes up approximately 27% of its enrolled body, according to media reports.Trump’s policy crackdown sparks alarmThe recent wave of […]
Work-life balance and big salary: How today’s job seekers are prioritising both
[ad_1] As the dynamics of the modern workplace continue to evolve, Indian professionals are rewriting the rules of what they expect from a job. Gone are the days when hefty paychecks alone could seal the deal. Today’s workforce is making it clear: a healthy work-life balance is just as important as a fat salary.According to the Upskilling Trends Report 2025–26 by Great Learning, a striking 82% of professionals in India now prioritise work-life balance alongside financial compensation. This shift in mindset reflects broader changes in professional aspirations, wellbeing standards, and how individuals envision long-term career satisfaction.Beyond the paycheck: The pursuit of balanceThe report shows that 51% of professionals are actively seeking new job opportunities, while another 31% are passively exploring better roles. Interestingly, those aged 45–60 are less inclined to make a switch, with only 39% actively job hunting. But […]
Related
5 motivational quotes for Engineering aspirants
[ad_1] Engineering represents one of humanity's most transformative disciplines, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical innovation. For students embarking upon engineering careers, the journey can appear unnerving, filled with challenging mathematics, rigorous problem-solving, and seemingly insurmountable technical challenges. Through the folds of time and engineering marvels, legendary figures have shared profound insights that illuminate the true spirit of engineering and inspire the next generation of innovators.These 5 carefully selected quotes from renowned scientists, inventors, and engineers offer guidance, motivation, and perspective for aspiring engineers navigating their educational and professional journeys.1. Albert Einstein: The creator's mindset"Scientists investigate that which already is; engineers create that which has never been."Albert Einstein's observation captures the fundamental distinction between scientific inquiry and engineering practice. Whilst scientists seek to understand the natural world's existing phenomena, engineers harness this knowledge to forge entirely new solutions. […]
What AI can’t replace: Building 8 human skills that will still matter a decade later
[ad_1] As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and redefine job roles, there is growing concern among students and early-career professionals about their place in the workforce of the future. With generative AI writing code, drafting reports, analyzing data, and even performing creative tasks, it is easy to question what skills will remain uniquely human—and therefore, professionally valuable. Yet, despite its speed and scale, AI remains limited in fundamental ways. It lacks empathy, ethics, cultural context, and the nuanced reasoning that underpins human judgment. The future of work will not be a contest between humans and machines, but a reorientation of roles—where technology handles the repetitive and the mechanical, and humans focus on the complex, interpersonal, and moral dimensions of work.The following eight skills are expected to retain their relevance well into the next decade. For students and professionals alike, […]
18 universities back Harvard as Trump’s funding freeze hits student research
[ad_1] In an extraordinary show of academic solidarity, 18 leading universities — including five Ivy League schools and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — have announced plans to back Harvard University in its legal battle against the Trump administration’s freeze on nearly $3 billion in federal research funding.The coordinated move marks a rare intervention by peer institutions in a politically charged standoff, reflecting deep concerns within the academic community about the future of research funding and institutional autonomy in the United States.National stakes in a campus fightThe Trump administration's decision to cut billions in research grants to Harvard has triggered alarm bells across academia. Although the action was initially targeted at a single university, institutions nationwide are warning that the implications stretch far beyond Cambridge.The 18 universities — many of them major recipients of federal research grants themselves — have […]
CCMT round 1 seat allotment 2025 released for MTech, MPlan, MArch admissions: Check direct link here
[ad_1] The Centralized Counselling for M.Tech./M.Arch./M.Plan. Admissions (CCMT) 2025 Round 1 seat allotment result has been announced on June 9 at the official website – ccmt.admissions.nic.in. Candidates who participated in the counselling process based on their GATE scores can now check their allotment status by logging in with their credentials. CCMT is a common platform for admission into postgraduate programs offered by NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded institutes across India. The seat allotment process is based on GATE scores, preferences submitted by candidates, and seat availability. Shortlisted candidates must complete fee payment, upload required documents, and indicate their willingness (freeze, float, or slide) by the specified deadline. Failure to complete these steps may lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.How to check CCMT round 1 seat allotment?Candidates who participated in CCMT counselling round 1 can check the seat allotment […]
Harvard scrambles to safeguard International students amid Trump-era visa crackdown
[ad_1] हार्वर्ड यूनिवर्सिटी (harvard.edu) Harvard University is actively engaging with prominent domestic and international institutions, such as the University of Chicago and the London Business School, to find alternative arrangements for its international students who may soon face legal barriers to remaining in the United States, according to media reports. This urgent initiative arises amid intensifying visa restrictions linked to the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. With nearly 27% of its student body coming from abroad, Harvard is racing against time to establish contingency plans to protect its global community and ensure continuity in their education.Facing mounting visa restrictions and administrative blocks, the Ivy League institution is racing against time to create a safety net for its global student population, which makes up approximately 27% of its enrolled body, according to media reports.Trump’s policy crackdown sparks alarmThe recent wave of […]
Work-life balance and big salary: How today’s job seekers are prioritising both
[ad_1] As the dynamics of the modern workplace continue to evolve, Indian professionals are rewriting the rules of what they expect from a job. Gone are the days when hefty paychecks alone could seal the deal. Today’s workforce is making it clear: a healthy work-life balance is just as important as a fat salary.According to the Upskilling Trends Report 2025–26 by Great Learning, a striking 82% of professionals in India now prioritise work-life balance alongside financial compensation. This shift in mindset reflects broader changes in professional aspirations, wellbeing standards, and how individuals envision long-term career satisfaction.Beyond the paycheck: The pursuit of balanceThe report shows that 51% of professionals are actively seeking new job opportunities, while another 31% are passively exploring better roles. Interestingly, those aged 45–60 are less inclined to make a switch, with only 39% actively job hunting. But […]
Be the first to leave a comment