This book is designed to show what type of alternative career education is available, where to get it, and how much is needed for the first job in a wide variety of careers. Part I tells about alternative education--how to evaluate it and how to pick the right career track. It describes the advantages and disadvantages of 11 basic sources of vocational education and provides a checklist for evaluating any vocational education or training program based on educational quality and educational results. Part II gives brief descriptions of hundreds of career and talent areas that do not require four-year college or university degrees for entry-level jobs and a clear track to success. Each career listing includes the education or training needed to get started, the pay range, and some companies and organizations that need those skills. If formal training is required, the listing includes the appropriate agencies to contact to make sure that the reader attends an accredited school or program for that occupation. Part III describes how to get started in the new career area, with some easy-to-use tips for applying for, and getting, one's first job: writing a good resume, completing a successful job application, and using the job interview to sell one's talents. Appendixes include the following: names and addresses of regional and national accrediting agencies and associations; a checklist of essential employability skills; median weekly pay in 600 different jobs; general index; and job index. (YLB)