Jobs for non college grad people?

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: DougK62
Like someone else said - plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc. can all bank huge bucks. My brother is getting a two-year "degree" from a technical school to do computer-aided drafting and he'll make some good money when he finishes it up.

I'd say stick with plumbing or electrician. You'll feel a lot better in your old age. Find an old fart to apprentice with, learn the trade, then after a few years you can go it on your own and charge all of us college guys $75/hour to fix our plumbing.

🙂 I'll be your first customer. $$

 

[IeraseU]

If you have a lot of charisma I recommend a job in sales. If you're artistic then you could try writting a novel or acting. If you have a good head for business you could find a way to start your own, you'll have to be creative about start-up costs. If you move to Vegas you can manage a good salary working in a casino at various different jobs because of tips.

If you don't have the motivation for any of the above, then just bite the bullet and go to university or a technical school and you should make a typical salary......although it's my sincere belief that working for someone else will never pay you nearly as much as you would make working on your own, however it (working for someone else) will give you(some) job security.

I would say the most important thing is to not give up and settle until you are making what you want finacially....this will be difficult because you will have a lot of nay-sayers trying to bring you down from your goals along the way, so find a way to keep positive. It doesnt matter how many times you suffer setbacks, you never fail until you stop trying and 'settle'. Good luck to you.

 

[JS80]

How about sticking to a career in the military? Seems like the most logical (*ahem* easiest) choice for the OP.

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: DougK62
Like someone else said - plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc. can all bank huge bucks. My brother is getting a two-year "degree" from a technical school to do computer-aided drafting and he'll make some good money when he finishes it up.

I'd say stick with plumbing or electrician. You'll feel a lot better in your old age. Find an old fart to apprentice with, learn the trade, then after a few years you can go it on your own and charge all of us college guys $75/hour to fix our plumbing.

🙂 I'll be your first customer. $$

Drafting isn't in the same league. Nobody needs a draft done NOW, and there's really no opportunity for self employment. My cousin has a 2 year degree in drafting and he can't find work anywhere, he went back to school for automotive mechanics. He wasn't willing to move very far, though, which may be the reason for his bad luck finding work.

Plumber, electrician, carpeter as was mentioned... all service jobs that require extensive training and knowledge, but that knowledge is available within a couple years or maybe even less if you're dedicated. Other than that anyone without a degree would be very hard pressed to make over $50,000 a year unless they're exceptionally talented in another area, or brilliant beisdes that (i.e. company start-up, etc.)

 

[remagavon]

Originally posted by: IeraseU
If you have a lot of charisma I recommend a job in sales. If you're artistic then you could try writting a novel or acting. If you have a good head for business you could find a way to start your own, you'll have to be creative about start-up costs. If you move to Vegas you can manage a good salary working in a casino at various different jobs because of tips.

If you don't have the motivation for any of the above, then just bite the bullet and go to university or a technical school and you should make a typical salary......although it's my sincere belief that working for someone else will never pay you nearly as much as you would make working on your own, however it (working for someone else) will give you(some) job security.

I would say the most important thing is to not give up and settle until you are making what you want finacially....this will be difficult because you will have a lot of nay-sayers trying to bring you down from your goals along the way, so find a way to keep positive. It doesnt matter how many times you suffer setbacks, you never fail until you stop trying and 'settle'. Good luck to you.

Good advice. I wouldn't bank on the writing idea though, a lot of good authors have an incredibly hard time getting published. It is possible though. 🙂

 

[imported_KuJaX]

Originally posted by: Kroze
to the a ss ho le, let me guess, you supported yourself with on your own getting your bachelor degree while paying $800 a month housing, utilities, food, car& i8nsurance, misc items, with no help from your parents whatsoever. just shut up and leave.

You my friend are an absolute fool. You obviously don't have the desire to be successful and thus you bring your stupid questions and attitude here?

Listen, College degree's now-days are like high school deploma's were a few years ago. If you don't have a degree, you are basically SOL in some sectors.

You say: "I don't have the time or money." The way I see it is "I don't have the desire or motivation". You can easily get some grants from the government, use some of your service reserve money that you can use toward college and then fund the rest through student loans. Student loans' interest rates are a lot better than you may think. Instead of purchasing that Camero or Thunderbird that you have already looked at, buy a reliable small car that you can pay with cash and then get a student loan for college.

Okay, okay, I know you are going to be stupid and say "it simply doesn't work with my situation," so here is some other advice. You can either use your brain or your body in life. You can go to a technical school and get some certifications and training in specific industries like the plumbing, carpenter, electrician, etc. They generally make fairly good money, although you wouldn't catch me dead doing their job (manual labor). You can find some niche's and hone some of your skills to them to generate revenue for yourself; although I have to assume that this route doesn't work for you because you simply don't have time or money or even enough desire to go to school.

For your ignorant comment about having mommy and daddy fund their kids throughout their entire life (college, grad school, etc without working a day in their life)... well, tuff luck. Yes, some people do have advantages over other people (such as yourself) but that is NO EXCUSE to not try to do something about it.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Kroze
i dont' know what world you're in, but all of my friends who's currently graduating a 4 year & going to grad school...never work a day in their life b/c their parent is paying 4 their schooling, and they're just doing parttime jobs so they can have weekend/beer money.

I had a car payment, no scholarships, apartment and I supported myself throughout college. Wanna know how? LOANS. If you make no money then you get subsidized loans from the government. I didnt have to pay for ANYTHING until I got out of college. And there was no interest accuring while I was in school.

Money is not an issue for anyone who wants to go.

If you don't want to go to a 4 year school then that is cool but don't use money as an excuse.

BTW, I come from a single parent household where until recently my mom's income was 20K a year. She had no money to help support me.

 

[IeraseU]

Originally posted by: KuJaX

Originally posted by: Kroze
to the a ss ho le, let me guess, you supported yourself with on your own getting your bachelor degree while paying $800 a month housing, utilities, food, car& i8nsurance, misc items, with no help from your parents whatsoever. just shut up and leave.

You my friend are an absolute fool. You obviously don't have the desire to be successful and thus you bring your stupid questions and attitude here?

Listen, College degree's now-days are like high school deploma's were a few years ago. If you don't have a degree, you are basically SOL in some sectors.

You say: "I don't have the time or money." The way I see it is "I don't have the desire or motivation". You can easily get some grants from the government, use some of your service reserve money that you can use toward college and then fund the rest through student loans. Student loans' interest rates are a lot better than you may think. Instead of purchasing that Camero or Thunderbird that you have already looked at, buy a reliable small car that you can pay with cash and then get a student loan for college.

Okay, okay, I know you are going to be stupid and say "it simply doesn't work with my situation," so here is some other advice. You can either use your brain or your body in life. You can go to a technical school and get some certifications and training in specific industries like the plumbing, carpenter, electrician, etc. They generally make fairly good money, although you wouldn't catch me dead doing their job (manual labor). You can find some niche's and hone some of your skills to them to generate revenue for yourself; although I have to assume that this route doesn't work for you because you simply don't have time or money or even enough desire to go to school.

For your ignorant comment about having mommy and daddy fund their kids throughout their entire life (college, grad school, etc without working a day in their life)... well, tuff luck. Yes, some people do have advantages over other people (such as yourself) but that is NO EXCUSE to not try to do something about it.

I must say, your post has a really negative and almost poisonous undertone to it. I also disagree with a lot of the things you mention, such as without a certain degree then you are somehow unable to work in a job in which you use your brain rather then body, as in physical labor. I'm sure you must realize that not having a college or even highschool, or even kidergarden 'degree' does not preclude anyone from using thier brain in life....unless that is, I'm missing some magical property which is contained within a 'degree' without which the brain is disabled in some way.

That being said, there is one point you made which I have to agree with, concerning motivation. This is the most important thing in life, the thing one needs the most of in order to (imo) achieve success. Motivation is worth more then any other trait, even to some degree intelligence......because without the motivation to make use of it, intelligence in itself sits idle without accomplishing much of anything. That is why often in school(to use an example) 'the smartest person' often does not get the best grades.......what very often happens is he takes his own natural advantage of being intelligent for granted, and thus others much less naturally astute or bright or gifted will overcome this disadvantage by working harder and studying more and showing more motivation. As Einstein once said (and I quote): "Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration". A motivated person will over a period of time overcome any disadvatanges he may have simply because of the fact that he does not give up and eventually he will achieve what he sets out to do. Thusly (imo) motivation to succeed is the single most important ingredient in a person.

 

[tRaptor]

Originally posted by: pontifex
also, it seemslike most technical schools are a waste of time and money from my experience.

QFT

 

[imported_KuJaX]

Originally posted by: IeraseU

Originally posted by: KuJaX

Originally posted by: Kroze
to the a ss ho le, let me guess, you supported yourself with on your own getting your bachelor degree while paying $800 a month housing, utilities, food, car& i8nsurance, misc items, with no help from your parents whatsoever. just shut up and leave.

You my friend are an absolute fool. You obviously don't have the desire to be successful and thus you bring your stupid questions and attitude here?

Listen, College degree's now-days are like high school deploma's were a few years ago. If you don't have a degree, you are basically SOL in some sectors.

You say: "I don't have the time or money." The way I see it is "I don't have the desire or motivation". You can easily get some grants from the government, use some of your service reserve money that you can use toward college and then fund the rest through student loans. Student loans' interest rates are a lot better than you may think. Instead of purchasing that Camero or Thunderbird that you have already looked at, buy a reliable small car that you can pay with cash and then get a student loan for college.

Okay, okay, I know you are going to be stupid and say "it simply doesn't work with my situation," so here is some other advice. You can either use your brain or your body in life. You can go to a technical school and get some certifications and training in specific industries like the plumbing, carpenter, electrician, etc. They generally make fairly good money, although you wouldn't catch me dead doing their job (manual labor). You can find some niche's and hone some of your skills to them to generate revenue for yourself; although I have to assume that this route doesn't work for you because you simply don't have time or money or even enough desire to go to school.

For your ignorant comment about having mommy and daddy fund their kids throughout their entire life (college, grad school, etc without working a day in their life)... well, tuff luck. Yes, some people do have advantages over other people (such as yourself) but that is NO EXCUSE to not try to do something about it.

I must say, your post has a really negative and almost poisonous undertone to it. I also disagree with a lot of the things you mention, such as without a certain degree then you are somehow unable to work in a job in which you use your brain rather then body, as in physical labor. I'm sure you must realize that not having a college or even highschool, or even kidergarden 'degree' does not preclude anyone from using thier brain in life....unless that is, I'm missing some magical property which is contained within a 'degree' without which the brain is disabled in some way.

That being said, there is one point you made which I have to agree with, concerning motivation. This is the most important thing in life, the thing one needs the most of in order to (imo) achieve success. Motivation is worth more then any other trait, even to some degree intelligence......because without the motivation to make use of it, intelligence in itself sits idle without accomplishing much of anything. That is why often in school(to use an example) 'the smartest person' often does not get the best grades.......what very often happens is he takes his own natural advantage of being intelligent for granted, and thus others much less naturally astute or bright or gifted will overcome this disadvantage by working harder and studying more and showing more motivation. As Einstein once said (and I quote): "Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration". A motivated person will over a period of time overcome any disadvatanges he may have simply because of the fact that he does not give up and eventually he will achieve what he sets out to do. Thusly (imo) motivation to succeed is the single most important ingredient in a person.

You are right, my post did have a negative undertone to it. 🙂 I just said that without a degree, it would be extremely tuff, nearly impossible, to get into some sectors. Thus the reason why i bolded "some sectors" because sure, if you are smart enough and show enough motivation, you can get in anywhere, but some sectors, such as investment banking, unless you have really proven yourself, you don't have a shot.

Yes, the OP could use his brain, but I believe from his posts and actions, that is one thing that he doesn't do.


I totally agree with you concerning motivation. It is the number one key factor in being successful IMHO. I know of very bright people that haven't got anywhere in life, simply because they think they are God's gift to the planet. I've also seen some extremely successful people that aren't the sharpest tool in the shed. The difference was their motivation, one would keep going and working hard even when he didn't have to, and the other simply wouldn't even start. Motivation it key.

 

[timswim78]

Sales, sales, sales. I know several people that work in sales. None of them has a college degree, and they all made at least $85k last year.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Originally posted by: Kroze
I don't have the time or money to go to college. If i were to go to a technical school, what do you guys recommend? what field of work have a decent pay & always need people so that when i graduate, i'll have a job line up?


i don't have the time or money to go to a 4 year or grad school. i gotta work to live & pay bills as i'm not priviledge enough to have parents to pay for everything. i just turned 23 and spent most of my time i nthe marine/iraq.

I came to this country from Vietnam in 1988. I knew no more than "thank you" and "where's the bathroom?" in English. Yet, I still managed to master the language and graduate from a university with a degree in Electrical Engineering. I also grew up in the ghetto that is known as East Oakland. I am from a single-parent family with 4 other siblings and we managed to do fine.

I'm sick of people complaining when they were born in this country with every opportunity to make something of themselves. When they quit due to difficulty or lack of will-power, they put the blame from not having grown up in a priviledged environment.

Give me a break!

 

[Proprioceptive]

Originally posted by: Kroze
to the a ss ho le, let me guess, you supported yourself with on your own getting your bachelor degree while paying $800 a month housing, utilities, food, car& i8nsurance, misc items, with no help from your parents whatsoever. just shut up and leave.

Alright, dumbass. If you really cared about what you're going to do with your life, do what I did. DROP the car, get a damn bike and RIDE it to classes. APPLY for federal loans... and don't even try to tell me you can't get them. They're PLENTIFUL. Work a part-time job... hell, I worked full time. You say you were in the military... didn't they teach you discipline? I hate whiners and losers like you. You make all kinds of stupid excuses. My parents kicked me out when I was 17 over religious differences, and I've supported myself ever since. I'm doing just fine. I'm in debt, but I've got an awesome job to get me OUT of debt. Grow some balls and do what is actually important.

Oh, and so you know... My place was 5 miles from campus. It's called exercise... you didn't do that in the military?

 

[IeraseU]

Originally posted by: Proprioceptive

Originally posted by: Kroze
to the a ss ho le, let me guess, you supported yourself with on your own getting your bachelor degree while paying $800 a month housing, utilities, food, car& i8nsurance, misc items, with no help from your parents whatsoever. just shut up and leave.

Alright, dumbass. If you really cared about what you're going to do with your life, do what I did. DROP the car, get a damn bike and RIDE it to classes. APPLY for federal loans... and don't even try to tell me you can't get them. They're PLENTIFUL. Work a part-time job... hell, I worked full time. You say you were in the military... didn't they teach you discipline? I hate whiners and losers like you. You make all kinds of stupid excuses. My parents kicked me out when I was 17 over religious differences, and I've supported myself ever since. I'm doing just fine. I'm in debt, but I've got an awesome job to get me OUT of debt. Grow some balls and do what is actually important.

Oh, and so you know... My place was 5 miles from campus. It's called exercise... you didn't do that in the military?

I don't think this type of response is appropriate. Whatever semblence of a message you may be trying to convey is lost because of the brash and rude overall manner in which this post was written. If truly your goal was/is to motivate or give advice to the original poster, then may I offer the suggestion that you try to do so in a much more positive and constructive manner.

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: Kroze
i dont' know what world you're in, but all of my friends who's currently graduating a 4 year & going to grad school...never work a day in their life b/c their parent is paying 4 their schooling, and they're just doing parttime jobs so they can have weekend/beer money.

Oh boo hoo... seriously, man.

So you had it slightly bad. Did you have to worry about your next meal growing up, or if you were going to find a nice place to sleep? Plenty of people have had it worse than you, and have risen above it, without all of the excuses.

So, if you do go to college and get FAFSA, you will have to give up your current lifestyle? So what? I gave up a hellofalot in college to pay my bills. I almost never went out with friends to eat or hang out because $10 was just too much money to go spending frivolously. At least for the first couple of years. I went 3 weeks just eating hot dogs and tortillas because I ran out of cash for food. I eneded up throwing up everytime I smelt hot dogs for a year after that. Give me a break.

Now, that I have a good job from going to school and working hard, and giving up a few things for a few years, I have a better life than I would have had otherwise. I can go out with friends, and still have money for the aforementioned beer. Don't get yourself all in a tiffy just because people are saying it like it is. If you don't want to go to college, then don't. Just go to techinical school, but don't make excuses saying you can't do it because that belittles the effort that people who had to work there way through college.

right on man. it sounds to me like the guy just would keep having his beer over going to college.

lame.

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: IeraseU

Originally posted by: Proprioceptive

Originally posted by: Kroze
to the a ss ho le, let me guess, you supported yourself with on your own getting your bachelor degree while paying $800 a month housing, utilities, food, car& i8nsurance, misc items, with no help from your parents whatsoever. just shut up and leave.

Alright, dumbass. If you really cared about what you're going to do with your life, do what I did. DROP the car, get a damn bike and RIDE it to classes. APPLY for federal loans... and don't even try to tell me you can't get them. They're PLENTIFUL. Work a part-time job... hell, I worked full time. You say you were in the military... didn't they teach you discipline? I hate whiners and losers like you. You make all kinds of stupid excuses. My parents kicked me out when I was 17 over religious differences, and I've supported myself ever since. I'm doing just fine. I'm in debt, but I've got an awesome job to get me OUT of debt. Grow some balls and do what is actually important.

Oh, and so you know... My place was 5 miles from campus. It's called exercise... you didn't do that in the military?

I don't think this type of response is appropriate. Whatever semblence of a message you may be trying to convey is lost because of the brash and rude overall manner in which this post was written. If truly your goal was/is to motivate or give advice to the original poster, then may I offer the suggestion that you try to do so in a much more positive and constructive manner.

actually, i got his message loud and clear.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Kroze
i dont' know what world you're in, but all of my friends who's currently graduating a 4 year & going to grad school...never work a day in their life b/c their parent is paying 4 their schooling, and they're just doing parttime jobs so they can have weekend/beer money.

Well your friends are lucky. But dont think that everyone w/ a college degree had their parents foot the bill. I can show you my student loan bills to prove to you that I will be paying for college for years to come.

If you dont want to go to college then say so. But if you wanted to you could make it work. We all make choices in our lives about what our priorities are. You could share an apartment with a few other people, take out loans, get a part time job and make it work. You CHOOSE not to.

 

[wetcat007]

Check out jobs that pay tuition reimbursment. Fulltime at bestbuy gets 3500/year tuition reimbursement, 5500/year if it's a business degree I believe. 11-15 bux an hour in geek squad in the mean time to pay for living, might be enough I don't know. It'd also be good work experience. Otherwise check other companies and what tuition reimbursement benefits they may offer.

If you goto a tech school make sure it's one that offers associates degrees. If you have no degree at all probabily not worth while going.

I'm currently going to a tech school for an associates degree. I plan to get a 4 year degree after I graduate, because I'll need it to get the kind of pay and jobs I would like in life. Now I'm just in the process of figuring out where to goto school when I'm done with my associates degree.

 

[Svnla]

OP, I went to college and got my BS and MBA on my own, no mom or dad money whatsoever. Not one penny. I am a first generation legal immigrant and I came here without any money, yes, not even one red US penny.

If you want it bad enough, you can get grants, workstudy, part time job, scholarship, etc, and put it together. Mind you, I won't say that you will able to afford Ivy schools <too expensive> but a state/local school is doable for sure. Unless you want to get out of college and have a student loan in 100s of thousands. That's how I did it.

You have to ask yourself what do you like/enjoy to do? Do what your love and good at and then money will follow.

Here are some of the high demand jobs <from US Dept of Labor>: nursing/health care aids, pharmarcist, heck anything health care related are hot right now, at least they are in this area. No chance of oursourcing to 3rd world countries and the US population is getting older so the demand will always there.

If you try to save some money, you can go to a community college and then transfer to a 4 year college, just make sure all your courses are fully transferable.

If you are into tradeschool, then check out electricians/plumbers/carpenters/construction managers/auto mechanics/hvac techs.

It may take you a little longer to finish your schooling than other kids that have parent money but it will worth your while. I will tell you upfront, it will be touch but you can do it if you want to.

I used to work full time at a Fortune 100 company from 8 to 5, drove to grad school for my MBA <I was one of the two youngest MBA students in our program>, studied and then went to library until it closed at midnight, went home and showered then ate something, slept a bit then back up at 7 a.m. and started it all over again. I drove past the bar/club and my co workers were there for a drink afterwork and I had to keep telling myself to push ahead. Guess what, several years later, those guys/gals are worrying about layoff/job cut back and I don't have that problem. I can go anywhere in the US and get a decent paying job due to my experience and degrees.

If I can do it, you can do it too if you put your mind into it. We all have to make choices that could affect the rest of our lives. That's part of growing up.

<<<----- strongly believe in continous education.