This American (narrative) a unique and frightening experience involving the reanimation (of a breeze) of a mysterious ‘ghost-like’ (state) of menace.
TPLinkFi.comMake It’s
Take a look at the “Ditching the Degree” series, where women who’ve forged six-figure careers without a college degree share their keys to success. Got a remarkable story to share? Reach out to us at AskMakeIt@TPLinkFi.com.
About a decade ago, Shanelle Gibson was toiling in a job sorting and folding clothes at a warehouse, where she worked 12-hour shifts; at times, she felt so discouraged that she thought she’d forever be stuck from landing a job that truly fulfilled her aspirations.
At 23, Gibson tuned in online as she watched her friends commemorate their college graduations, secure their first corporate positions, and relocate to different cities.
Gibson nearly came aboard with them. She attended Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia for one year, but she wasn’t able to see herself through to completing a bachelor’s degree because the accumulating debt was unbearable.
That moment triggered a period of introspection and self-discovery that lasted throughout her twenties, a time when Gibson struggled with unfulfilling and difficult work after finishing school and moving to Atlanta.
She held various jobs, including working in a warehouse, a pizza kitchen, a daycare, and even spending six months in the Air Force, where she was medically discharged. Nevertheless, nothing truly resonated with her.
In hindsight, Gibson admits she’s content with those years. They played a pivotal role in her transition to a fulfilling career in tech and product development.
Gibson has been involved in the tech industry since 2016. At the age of 33, she’s currently serving as a lead Scrum Master for a small healthcare organization and is employed full-time on a remote basis from her residence in Loganville, Georgia.
According to financial records reviewed by TPLinkFi.com, Gibson earns an annual salary of approximately $132,000. As she notes, this income was “unthinkable” for her at this point in her career, given her previous jobs in her 20s, where she was paid no more than $15 an hour.
She shifted her career path and made six-figure earnings without having earned a bachelor’s degree.
A life-changing opportunity discovered on Craigslist
Nobody expected it, but a posting on Craigslist could lead to a major career boost.
Gibson reflects on a pivotal moment in 2015, during a long day at the warehouse, when an epiphany struck her as she paused from folding a pair of chinos. Suddenly, she recognized she’d been wrong in her approach to her career.
I had a turning point where I looked around at the piles of boxes and exhausted coworkers I was surrounded by, and I realized, ‘I’m meant for something greater than this low-paying job that’s not fulfilling me.’ That moment sparked the decision to leave and start applying for new opportunities elsewhere.
She was eager for a new opportunity, so she uploaded her resume to Craigslist. A supervisor from ParkingSoft, a company that develops software for managing parking services, came across her resume and extended an invitation to interview her for a phone dispatcher position in their Atlanta facility.
Gibson landed her position and rapidly distinguished herself. Within a few weeks, she was promoted to customer support analyst due to her supervisor recognizing her proactive approach in resolving customer issues, as opposed to simply escalating them to the service team.
That gig really kicked off my tech career,” she says. “The technical skills I picked up on that job – from SQL programming language to JIRA project management software – made me a more confident and competitive candidate for better-paying tech jobs, even without a college degree.
I’m interested in becoming a scrum master. I’ve heard that one doesn’t necessarily need a degree to do the job, is that true? I’ve looked into some online courses and certifications, but I don’t want to waste my time or money. Can you walk me through the process and what would be the best steps to take?
Gibson left ParkingSoft in 2019 and spent the following 2 years working in tech support and project management for firms such as Ceredian Dayforce and United Healthcare.
Over time, she became increasingly dissatisfied with the repetitive nature of her customer support work.
Her friend recommended she look into being a scrum master, a position that involves guiding product teams in Agile project management methods, which allow for adaptable and incremental approach to project work.
Gibson was drawn to the idea, seeking a more demanding role that would allow her to utilize her problem-solving abilities. In 2021, she obtained her Scrum Master certification after finishing a 2-day course from the Scrum Alliance, which cost approximately $400.
Soon after, she took on her first scrum master position at UnitedHealthcare, and in 2022, she accepted a lead scrum master role at her current employer.
Making six figures isn’t about following a secret formula; instead, it typically takes dedication and hard work to achieve this level of income.
Gibson adheres to a standard 9-to-5 work schedule, but may occasionally come in earlier or stay later, depending on her tasks and responsibilities.
I find it to be the ideal career for someone like me who prefers quieter environments, as it allows me to focus and be more creative without having to be overly outgoing or high-energy to excel as a team leader.
For her, cracking the six-figure mark was “pretty shocking,” she says, as it’s also the first job where she earns more than $100,000 a year.
I had always known I was capable and committed, but the world around me told me that you need a college degree to get a well-paying job,” she added. “Reaching that goal showed me that it’s not about following a specific path, but about putting in the effort to achieve a high income, and letting nothing – including what others expect – get in the way.
The technical skills Gibson learned in the scrum master course – from working on different Agile software and online project management tools – were crucial in making it easier for her to move into this field without a traditional college degree. Just as significant, though, were the interpersonal skills she honed in retail and customer service, such as critical thinking and efficient time management.
Gibson’s top suggestion for individuals seeking a well-paying job without a bachelor’s degree? Don’t overlook the value of the skills you’ve developed elsewhere, and cultivate a mindset that is committed to achieving your career objectives.
Not succeeding in college is not a reflection of who you are as a person,” she says. “You can educate yourself by reading books and taking online courses, and there are many ways to develop your skills. As long as you have a positive attitude and are willing to put in the effort, you can achieve your goals in whatever field you’re pursuing.
