For so many of us, there’s this silent pressure to follow one path to success: get a degree, land a job, and climb the corporate ladder. It’s been the norm for so long that choosing a different path can feel unsettling, or even wrong. But what if your calling doesn’t require a diploma? What if your future starts with building a career without a degree?
In this blog post, we’re unpacking lessons from Adrian Waldron, a 23-year-old entrepreneur who has built a thriving career without a college degree. If you’ve ever believed that a degree is the only path to success, his journey might just change your perspective.
Is College the Only Way to Succeed?
Not at all! While certain professions like medicine or engineering require formal education, more and more industries are proving that success often comes from skill, character, and initiative – not just your diploma. And note that there are a lot of successful people who didn’t have a degree and still made it to the top.
Take it from Adrian. At just 23, he’s the CEO of cancerdoctor.com, an online platform helping cancer patients access integrative care and connect with doctors worldwide.
He didn’t follow the traditional college path to get there. His journey began at 16, flipping ribs at a local BBQ joint, then selling home theater systems at Best Buy. Step by step, he worked his way up until he was entrusted with leadership at a startup. Along the way, Adrian got married, became a father of two, and learned a powerful truth: faith, hard work, and a teachable spirit can open doors a degree never could.
As Adrian put it, “Given enough time, hard work will always beat raw talent or even a college degree.”
Now, the real question is not “should I go to college?” but “Where is God calling me right now?”
If you fully submit to God’s will and obey Him, He can lead you to places you never imagined, whether that’s in a classroom, a business, or a mission field. Success isn’t defined by a degree or a job title; it’s defined by walking faithfully in the path God has set for you.
And if you feel called to pursue success outside the college path, here are some practical lessons from Adrian’s journey to help you get started:
3 Steps to Build Your Career without a College Degree
1. Obsess over learning
Adrian credits his success to a relentless commitment to learn. When he worked at Best Buy, he didn’t just sell TVs, he studied home theater systems until he could build dream setups for costumers. And when he joined a startup, he didn’t know how to lead, but he listened, learned, and grew into the role.
The lesson here is if God puts you in a place, you have to steward it well (even if you don’t know anything about it from the start). Read books, watch tutorials, take free or low-cost online courses, and find mentors who are a few steps ahead of you and willing to teach you.
2. Leverage your community
Adrian’s big break didn’t come from sending out 100 resumes. It came from asking for help at his local church. Someone connected him to a business owner who offered him a job, and eventually trusted him to lead.
Start with the networks you already have:
- Your church
- Community groups
- Friends and family
Be honest about what you’re looking for and the skills you want to build. You never know who might open a door for you.
3. Work like you’re called, because YOU ARE!
Adrian’s mindset wasn’t “I’ll just take any job.”
His mindset was: “God has called me here, and I am going to work with excellence.”
That perspective changes everything! Even if it means showing up early and staying late when needed, treating “small” tasks with the same care as “big” ones, and asking, “How can I make my boss’s life easier?”
As Proverbs 22:29 reminds us, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”
Your diligence today plants seeds for tomorrow’s opportunities.
Final Tips
Whether you’re 18 or 48, your career isn’t defined by a piece of paper. It’s defined by your faithfulness to God’s call. Adrian put it perfectly:
“Obsess over going and doing the work that God has called you to do. You don’t have more time than what God has given you. The time to start is now!”
So take that first step. Build your skills. Serve with excellence. Lean into your community. And above all, stay faithful in the small things, because when you do, God will entrust you with greater things.
I hope this encourages you! If you need more help discerning your calling, feel free to book a free strategy call with us here.
