Some people are surprised to learn Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard at age 20. How could the founder of Microsoft--the behemoth computer technology corporation--and the third richest person on earth who retired from his post last month accomplish so much without a college degree?

Many lesser known people have achieved career success without high school diplomas, let alone college degrees. Others graduated, but never applied their degrees to careers they now excel in. But let's be clear. I am 100% in favor of high school graduation. And higher education can be just the ticket to get where you want. But it doesn't mean you are inadequate or can't succeed without a degree.

I consistently hear from people who worry they can't compete because they lack a degree or haven't "officially" studied an area they want to pursue. But unless you're required to have certification in a particular profession, you can still make your mark. Take a lesson from Bill Gates and others on what is essential.

Out of dozens who have written me about their self-made careers there are two consistent themes.

First, they undertook disciplined self study and diligently practiced to master the basics.

When Gates was young he was learning BASIC and other computer languages from a manual and apparently reading military strategy and business magazines that led to (or supported) his vision of "conquering the world."

Freelance writer Jen Miller read "anything I could get my hands on to learn what I should be doing"--essays, non-fiction books and anthologies. Although she's never taken a journalism class, today she writes for The New York Times and other magazines.

Minnesotan Susan Stoen helps companies design visual presentations. When she worked for an airline she says, "I took on any project that would allow me to develop my design skills, 'borrowed' software from our IT department that I would install on my home computer and in the evening do the tutorials. I read anything to understand the science behind how people learn and understand information visually." She took several design classes to become "a PowerPoint nerd."

Trained psychologist turned copywriter Roy Furr puts in several hours a week reading and listening to marketing information on his mp3 player while weeding, dusting and visiting the restroom.

A second theme among self-made professionals is that they seek out opportunities to apply what fascinates them. Gates was intrigued with solving problems and puzzles and converted input, devised ways to communicate by code and created graphs related to data.

Corey Ehmke of Oak Park, Illinois began programming computers at age seven and built his first Web site in the early 90s. Dropping out of college at 17 because "I was really not emotionally ready," he worked in Web development while always "exploring new technologies and pursuing side projects." Although he says he's "had trouble getting past HR screenings with a lack of a degree, once I am in place...I've always excelled..." Most recently he co-founded a Web development business which is being acquired by Mir Internet Marketing.

Since she was 13 Kristin Arnett wanted to be a makeup artist and after learning the cosmetics industry, doing research for a company's skin care line, volunteering her talents to models and getting a degree, she divides her time between Milan, Italy and Portland Oregon doing makeup in the fashion and commercial industry.

Dianne Davis, a meeting and event planner in Oklahoma, summed it up: "I am not proud that I don't have a degree but I am proud of how far I have been able to get without one."

© 2008 by Andrea Kay