Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney - A Show About Ideas Creativity And Innovation

15 Innovation Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree

Dec 31, 2024

Discover how innovation careers are thriving without the need for a degree. This discussion highlights 15 high-paying jobs, revealing surprising salary ranges from $70k to $400k. Explore the personalities that excel in these roles and the power of failure as a stepping stone to success. Learn about alternative pathways into fields like Design Thinking and Digital Innovation, while understanding the skills that truly matter. It's all about leveraging creativity and experience to carve out a niche in the ever-evolving landscape of innovation.

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INSIGHT

Innovation Power Beyond Degrees

Innovation skills are more in demand than college degrees in today's economy.
Human creativity, not technology alone, drives competitive and future-proof organizations.

ADVICE

Apply Despite No Degree

Apply for innovation jobs based on your experience, not your degree.
Don't let lack of a degree stop you from pursuing innovation roles that interest you.

ADVICE

Build A Strong Portfolio

Build a strong project portfolio to showcase your innovation experience.
Use this portfolio as proof when applying for innovation roles without formal degrees.

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What if the biggest predictor of success in innovation wasn't what everyone thinks? Our research tracking 1,000+ innovation professionals revealed a shocking truth about who succeeds in this high-paying field – and it's not what you'd expect.

In this episode, we break down 15 innovation careers that are transforming industries, with salaries ranging from $70k to $400k+. But here's what makes this guide different: we're not just giving you job titles and salaries. We reveal the actual personalities that thrive in each role, alternative paths to break in without traditional credentials, and the unexpected traits that separate success from failure.

From Research & Development to Innovation Management, Product Development, Digital Innovation, and the startup ecosystem, we explore how these roles are shaping the future – and why companies are desperate to fill them.

Key takeaways:

Why failing at least 3 times makes you MORE likely to succeed in innovation
Alternative qualification paths for every role (no degree required)
The personality traits that matter more than technical skills
Real salary data based on current market conditions
Which roles are best suited for different working styles

Most importantly, you'll learn why your past “failures” might be the exact preparation you need for a successful innovation career. Whether you're a career changer, recent graduate, or experienced professional looking to pivot, this guide shows you the practical steps to break into the innovation economy.

Bonus: Members get access to our comprehensive career guide, including detailed personality profiles, qualification roadmaps, and monthly salary updates. Plus, connect with innovation professionals in our private community.

Download INNOVATION CAREER GUIDE

The download is for members of the Innovators Community. Become a member on at Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/philmckinney

To learn about the innovation jobs that don't require a college degree, listen to this week's show: 15 Innovation Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree.