7 Ways to Grow Your Career Without a Degree (After Getting Hired)

1. Keep Learning Through Online Education

Just because you’ve landed the job doesn’t mean learning should stop. In fact, continual learning is one of the best ways to grow your career—especially without a degree. 

Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare let you upskill on your own time, often for little or no cost. 

By staying current with new tools, trends, and best practices in your field, you make yourself more valuable to your employer and better positioned for promotions or new opportunities.

2. Ask for Feedback Regularly

Actively seeking feedback shows maturity, humility, and a desire to improve—all qualities that leaders look for. Ask your manager, team members, or clients what you’re doing well and what you could do better. 

Regular feedback helps you spot blind spots early, improve your performance, and build stronger relationships with coworkers. 

Over time, it also demonstrates that you’re serious about professional growth, not just checking boxes.

3. Set Career Goals Every 6 Months

Setting short-term, actionable career goals every six months helps you stay focused and intentional about your growth. 

Whether it’s learning a new software, leading a project, or improving a soft skill, having clear goals keeps you moving forward. 

These check-ins also give you a chance to reflect on progress, identify new challenges, and pivot if needed. 

Goal setting is especially important when you don’t have a degree to rely on—it shows you’re proactive and committed to self-driven advancement.

4. Join Industry Communities or Slack Groups

Becoming active in online communities, professional forums, or Slack groups related to your industry can accelerate your growth. 

These spaces offer insights, networking opportunities, job leads, and access to professionals who’ve been where you are. Engaging in these groups helps you stay updated on industry trends and allows you to learn from others’ experiences. 

Plus, networking this way often leads to opportunities that never show up on job boards.

5. Find a Mentor or Career Coach

Having a mentor or coach can fast-track your career by providing guidance, perspective, and accountability. A mentor can help you navigate workplace dynamics, set strategic goals, and avoid common mistakes. 

You don’t need to formalize the relationship right away—sometimes it starts with a few casual conversations. 

Whether it's someone in your company, industry, or an external coach, the right person can help you grow faster than you would on your own.

6. Build a Personal Brand

A strong personal brand makes you visible and memorable in your industry. Share what you’re learning, projects you’ve completed, or thoughts on industry trends via LinkedIn, a personal blog, or even TikTok. 

Over time, this positions you as someone who’s active, knowledgeable, and passionate about your field. When promotions or freelance opportunities come up, you’ll already be top-of-mind—not just internally, but across your professional network.

7. Consider Freelancing or Side Hustles

Freelancing or starting a side hustle is a great way to build skills, expand your network, and diversify your income—all while gaining real-world experience that can later lead to full-time roles or promotions. 

Whether it's freelance writing, web design, consulting, or creating digital products, side projects allow you to explore your interests, test new ideas, and build a reputation beyond your day job. 

It’s a flexible, low-risk way to accelerate your growth without waiting on a degree.