How To Work in the Government Without a Degree

Are Government Jobs Difficult To Get?

Some jobs in government can be difficult to get, especially federal jobs. There are a few reasons for this; they often have good benefits, which leads to many applicants, and the application process can also be long, with several steps, including background checks.

It's easier to get a job if you have government work experience. Starting in an entry-level position and working your way up can help.

Steps To Getting a Government Job Without a Degree

While a bachelor's degree, or even an associate degree, can make it much easier to land a government job, there are a few steps you can take if you can take to get a job without a degree. Note that typically, for jobs that do not list a college degree in their educational requirements, a high school diploma or GED is the minimum required for eligibility.

1. Explore Government Job Categories

As there are a variety of government agencies, there are also tons of categories of government jobs. Often, these categories offer room for growth, so you can start in an entry-level role and work your way up to a high-paying government job after a few years of experience.

Administrative Support

Administrative support is a broad category that encompasses a range of roles. Administrative support usually refers to those who do administrative tasks, like data entry, those who work in customer support positions, and those who assist higher-level government employees.

Some common administrative support jobs include:

• customer service representative
• data entry clerk
• driver's license clerk
• human resources assistant
• library assistant
• office administrator

Transportation

Transportation is another industry that includes a range of career types. The government is responsible for maintaining roadways, but often also runs public transportation, meaning there are all kinds of government jobs in transportation. These include:

• bus driver
• highway maintenance worker
• snowplow operator
• transportation materials technician

Public Safety

Most people think of law enforcement when they think of public safety, but there are more opportunities in public safety than that. For example, you can find job opportunities like:

• commercial vehicle inspector
• corrections officer
• driver and dealer examiner
• security officer

Many law enforcement jobs, like police officers, do not require a college degree but require a training program to be completed.

2. Gain Relevant Experience

Once you know the civil service job you want to pursue, you'll need to gain relevant work experience if you don't have a college degree. One of the best ways to do this is to look at current job postings for the jobs you want and see what kind of experience they're looking for.

Look for entry-level jobs related to the field you want to pursue. If public-sector jobs aren't available, look for private-sector careers to help you gain experience.

Apply for an Internship

Internships are a great way to start gaining experience. Many government agencies offer internships that can lead to full-time government jobs.

3. Pursue Certifications

If you don't have a college education, earning a professional certification can help you get hired by local, state, and federal agencies.

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

The Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) credential is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It's a great certification for those who want to work in administrative roles. To obtain this certification, you'll need to pass an exam. You do not need a college degree to sit for the CAP exam, but you will need at least four years or 7,072 hours of relevant work experience. The IAAP offers study materials to help you prepare for the exam.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification is offered through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Like the CAP certification, you must take an exam to pass. If you don't have a bachelor's degree, you must have at least four years of experience in a professional-level HR position. You can prepare for the exam using study materials offered by the HRCI.

4. Build a Strong Resume

A strong resume can be your biggest asset when you don't have a college degree. You can develop a strong resume through years of related work experience. Your resume should outline your work history and responsibilities with each job. It can often help to tailor your resume to each job you apply for to showcase your strongest skills related to that job.

Government Jobs for Non-Degree Holders

A multitude of government jobs are available for non-degree holders. We've listed a few of these jobs below.

Administrative Assistant

As we mentioned above, administrative assistant is often a broad field. As a job title, it usually refers to someone who handles administrative tasks in an office setting. As an administrative assistant, your job may include things such as:

• data entry
• answering phones
• scheduling appointments

However, these job duties can vary depending on the department.

Social Services Assistant

Social services assistants work for social services agencies within the government. They help clients navigate the social services systems and receive needed assistance. Depending on their department and specific role, their job duties may include:

• analyzing client needs
• helping clients apply to programs
• coordinating services for clients

Correctional Officer

Correctional officers work in penal facilities, like jails and prisons. They maintain order within these facilities and monitor inmates. A college degree is not required to be a correctional officer, but many facilities have a training program you'll need to complete. You'll also likely be on a probationary period, shadowing experienced correctional officers, for a few months following your training program.