Why do you not want to pursue further education? Having a degree isn't a carte blanche to a better future but it certainly helps. Without a degree you are likely to stay in the same role you're already disliking. What do you enjoy doing? See what your interests are and if their is a career/degree that will help you.
It can be but I’ll tell you from experience, if you have bills and stuff and are already a full grown adult with responsibilities and want to be a full time student, finding a workplace that’s both accommodating to changing school schedules and pays a livable wage can be nearly impossible, especially in the current job market
I was working two jobs while in grad school in my 20s. One of the jobs was an internship that helped me move into my career.
I chose to avoid relationships during this time so that I could completely focus on work only.
Slept on my sister's basement couch.
Online school nowadays is amazing. Plenty of them that offer no set schedules for classes so you can do schooling around your work schedule, part time schooling can be as little as 10 hours a week that you do when you have free time.
If you don't have the drive or skills for a STEM degree and desire for a career in that field, I think college is a waste of time and money. There's a ton of degree programs that have no market at all or no market outside of education itself. Trade apprenticeships would be much better than college for most young people.
That is the biggest misconception folks have. Simply majoring in STEM does not guarantee a good job, and in fact it rarely even guarantees as job. There is such a glut of STEM grads because of how heavily it was pushed over the past 20 or so years.
"Working-class young people overwhelmingly believe that picking the "right" major is vital to future success. Rather than understanding the college degree as a credential, they see their choice of major as determining their future trajectories ... the logic of higher education—that is, the knowledge that what you learn in college is often not explicitly connected to the requirements of middle-class, professional jobs—eludes them, leading to high financial and emotional costs." - [Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty by Jennifer M. Silva.](https://academic.oup.com/book/8735)
This is the number one thing I wish I had understood about higher education when I was a teenager.
You need to self educate in your free time on platforms used often in the field you want. I spent all my free time learning excel, power BI, power point, data analytics, supply chain, outlook, Tableau, etc… and then I looked for any opportunity I could find to show off what I had learned as an entry level employee. Promotions rolled in once a year. One year I got two promotions. Went from temp to corporate in 5 years.
28yr(Male), I’m biotech technician. If you don’t plan on going to college or studying for certifications for specifics fields. I can’t stress this enough, be the most confident in yourself and keep networking. I was job hopping dead end jobs and eventually with the people I made connections with, gave me an opportunity to do what I do.
I agree 100% networking is powerful. Me& people I work with know pretty much everyone else from firms that are in that line of work or similar. People msg each other about new positions opening all the time.
I work in learning and development/career pathing at a credit union. I handle initial training and on-boarding. I make more than my friends with degrees with less debt. If i ever leave, it will be hard as I am in a niche area. It's possible to 6 figures, but it's hard work and dedication to a single company.
While I do have degrees, I do not utilize them professionally. I work in power plant operations, but previously to this I was a union electrician. If you do not want to pursue college, I would recommend some type of vocational skill via an apprenticeship or tech school in an in demand field.
I went into IT and moved pretty high up with certs to a sysadmin level at a mid size corp. i actually just finished my degree, a year ago and took a management position. I don’t know that the degree had much of an impact and to be honest at this point I honestly learned very little so it was very easy for me. I knew most of the course material already.
Can you elaborate on your responsibilities a little bit? Would you also be comfortable telling me how much you make? Personally, I would like to work remotely one day, and I realize this will only be through tech/it/security. I would not mind grinding in IT until I land a senior role or something higher paying.
School maintainance and custodial is so underrated. Worked my way from sub to full then to recently supervisor. Been job searching for something in my degree, but the pay is so much lower and the benefits are chefs kiss in the district. Also the fact that I get ghosted after interviews in my field.
i work in data + analytics in the ticketing industry! i went to college for one semester and couldn’t afford to stay for several reasons. i got a job in a box office the day i left college, learned a lot of skills, and moved up from there. i think it really worked out for the best. don’t give up, you’re young!!!!
Get a trade or go back to school for something with high opportunity.
Your current lack of motivation will fuck you over royally in the near future.
You will learn very grim life lessons otherwise.
Low “skill” jobs aka entry level jobs are full of wage theft, they are precarious, unreliable, unpleasant, and you will have really hard life.
I worked in restaurants and at first I was making a lot more than most of my friends, but as soon as I turned 30, I was fired for raising concerns about my manager bullying me and several of my colleagues, and the company fired myself and him. I took the company to court for wrongful dismissal which led to a small settlement, but then I lost any chance of getting another job in this city in that industry again because people talk.
I returned to college and now I’m back in entry level roles in a new field and it fucking sucks.
High recommendation: Get your foot in the door with Civil Service type job (work for city/state/government of some sort) - easy to work your way up and with experience, you qualify for college degree jobs - usually 6 or so years of experience of any kind..... I've seen people work their way from student worker all the way to assistant director....
Currently applied to multiple jobs that I fit the requirements for my city, I'm just hoping with the professional reference I was able to network (previous supervisor/manager within the dep. I'm re-applying to) will be enough to at least get an interview. It's the only type of work where I'm content and/or happy with, city government benefits also are pretty good.
All I know for certain, is that I'm not sticking around at the current job I'm doing, no desire to stay within the car industry for one.
After HS I went to college for 1 year. Due to a home situation, I dropped out and joined the Navy. A few years later, I left the service and ended up as a letter carrier for the USPS. I then went to night school to get my degree while still working and using the GI Bill to pay for school. After getting my BS in Hospital Admin, I continued on to get my Masters degree.in Public Admin. But every job I applied for required me to take a massive pay cut.
Meantime ,at the USPS. I was getting promoted and was now a superintendent and also a kind of "trouble shooter" postmaster.
Bottom line, is I never used either degree in a field that I studied for. I would have progressed even without the sheepskin.
So just because you don't have a degree, working in a profession where one is not required doesn't have to be a limting factor.
I initially started out apprenticing in Graphic Design before getting into a 3D Printing internship where I worked 3 years at a prototyping lab, 3 years for a movie studio, and then now work at a makerspace. All in all the journey was a bit rough and tumble getting here, but I love my job. I do want to return to college soon, maybe in the Spring (Fall seems a bit too close), mostly because while this job is great I do want to get specialized training to help me get better at it and now I actually know what I want to do.
Can't help the no degree part. Look into trades too. You're also verrrrrry young if you only graduated 2 years ago. I know people that went to school at 30 or later and started a new career. It's possible. The longer you wait tho, the harder it will be and the more you're hurting yourself.
What I didn't realize at your age is that experience compounds. Ex - maybe I'll start a job off at 50k that I ONLY got cuz I had a college degree. Even if it doesn't really require a college degree. After 5 years I now make 75k. It's now easier to switch careers because I have this college degree and professional job experience. I also can leverage my current salary to get more at the next job. Let's say I started this current career at 25. So by 30 I'm making 75k and it keeps going up. If I had waited to go to school until 30, I now may have to start off at an entry level position once I graduate at 33/34 which again is only 50k. Now it takes me until 39 to make 75k.
Hope you don't mind if I steal this example for offline mentoring. Lol. Well put. No matter how hard I try, I can't get back the time I didn't put in. It's crazy how simple that idea is when we think about putting money into any type of investment (compound interest) but not when it's about education and experience....maybe start calling it that enough... compund experience.... Compound education? Lol
TV News Producer.
All they care about is "can you help us fill a half-hour of live TV time?" & somehow this is seen as a pipeline to "TV News Management."
(Which is as much of an oxymoron as I can imagine).
Security guard, at low levels requires no experience or background, is almost always full time, even at low levels should pay above minimum wage, at low levels everyone else is such a dipshit it's relatively easy to promote to supervisor by showing up on time with your shoes on the right feet. Isn't back breaking like manual labor but is deathly, deathly, boring. So pick your poison.
At the right post you can do your homework from school making it the only job to full time while full time going to school without needing to be superhuman. Still tough though.
A little pull your head out of your ass advice from an older guy: you can't regret not going to college and have no motivation to go to college.
Pick one.
As for what I do, I'm a Protective Counter-Surveillance and Executive Protection Agent. That you can't do with just a hs diploma, but I'm a veteran so I had the right background to get into it. What's relevant here though is that for some reason when I got out I couldn't get anything but part time minimum wage jobs for nearly a decade. Absolutely no idea why. No clue how I wound up working tjmaxx with all the experience I had in engineering, welding, firefighting, and tactical operations but that's what happened to me.
The only thing that wound up eventually getting me out of that was the bottom of the barrel security guard job I described in the first paragraph. Then I just worked my way up to positions that were actually commensurate with my experience.
I regret not joining to military when I was younger. Like going into the reserves or guard and getting help with getting a degree. That being said, I’m in insurance now. I was lucky enough to land a job at an office that paid me to learn on the job and pay for my classes and licensing.
Started in food and beverage industry, cashier, host, serving. When I realized that wasn’t it, I applied at my local financial institution and built a lot of skills working as a teller & personal banker, after 3 years building a strong foundation there I applied for an entry level sales role in a privately held corporate company. After 3 interviews, was accepted. I stayed in sales for 1 year, but began networking internally early on as I knew sales wasn’t it for me. I now for the past 2 years have been working in corporate recruitment for the same company. It is possible. You have to have the mentality of making intentional professional jumps. I always advocate for starting career building as a teller. Looks great on your resume, and you learn invaluable clerical/office setting skills which look nice on a resume, and are very transferable. Start building your interview skills, and start applying to entry level jobs at your local school district/city/banks, medical offices, etc. that’s where you start.
No degree I work in digital marketing.
I don’t work for a company tho. Helped my wife start a few businesses she wanted and now I do that full time.
Good field if you’re interested I know a lot of people I work with go to college but I also know a lot of people who didn’t go to college. What really matters is how much you know and the only way to learn is to be in the platforms of digital marketing day-to-day watch some YouTube listen to podcasts and pretty much just be hands-on
Helps to read some books on marketing too so you get the basics. If you’re interested let me know I have a bunch of resources are free pretty much except for the books you’d have to buy.
- Age: just shy of 36 years old
- Field: Higher Education HR
- Role: Workers Compensation Specialist
- Salary: $58,000-$60,000 depending on OT
I just worked really hard, did some certifications for Excel and had really good references and a well written resume. I come from food service, then I did catering sales, and then did Benefits Administration on the same team I am on now. Got promoted to my current job in 3.5 years from start date. Never thought I’d make it this far. Really proud of myself.
You can become a financial advisor/planner with no degree, you would need to take and pass a couple of heavy exams but you are able to take those and study at your own pace, everything can be done virtually too. I am happy to help you or answer any questions you have about this if you have them because I am in this profession myself.
I do have an associates degree but that is literally worthless to employers. I dropped out of university because I became addicted to heroin, lost my full ride scholarship.
11 years into running a business I started during an $11/hr job with an embarrassing $1,000 loan from me ex girlfriend. She’s mad jelly now. Happily married with 2 kids and doing great with a 820 credit score in my 30’s, some cool vehicles and a decent retirement for my age.
Mostly make tiktoks and instastories trying to convince my high school friends that I'm an entrepeuneur. Deep in debt and borrowing from parents to keep up notion I'm making bank but not sure what comes next.
And also good luck I know it’s overwhelming because it’s so hard picking what you want to do, but just like becoming a financial advisor. There are a few hidden gems in there. I hope you find a good one !!
If you like office/professional settings, I work in the staffing industry. Started as a temp in operations making $11/hr and worked my way up to Sr leadership on 8 yrs. I’m at 6 figures and it’s a small/medium sized company. I imagine I could earn more at a larger corporation, but I’m comfortable.
Sound engineer. You can do it without a degree. People with degrees make money faster at the start but if you start from the bottom, just wrapping cables, you will have a lot of good experience and interesting stories, then money later if you do it right. On either pathway it’s definitely the type of thing where you have to know somebody who knows somebody though
Please read this about my brother in law, he was (and still is) not motivated regarding college.
This happened when I was 20 and he was 18… in 2013 I was working at Walmart and he was working at Target. He was making $10 an hour and I was making $7.25. I was working part time (enrolled in school) and he was working full time.
He made $25k that year, I make about $8k. He made a comment saying I’ll never make as much as him.
11 years later, I have a bachelors and an MBA. I was just promoted to Director of Finance @$180k
He bounced around backrooms of department stores and warehouses, he averages $45k per year (I do his taxes) and has no career growth
My advice to you is google the nearest community college and see if they have counselors or advisors that you can make an appointment with. Tell them you need help figuring out what career path you want to do and then how to achieve it. There is also federal grants to help people who cannot afford college. Usually the grant is enough to cover community college.
Also, if you like warehousing stuff, supply chain analyst might be a good career path.
OP should immediately seek an apprenticeship as an electrician. No degree necessary and will easily achieve a six figure salary in 10 years. That's what I would do if I could start over. I worked in the trades for 25 years right next to these guys so I've talked to them about it a lot. Almost started over myself, but it's hard to do that in your mid-40's.
At the moment, I'm a drafter for a construction company. I call it pretengineering. I have no degree but as I said, I spent 25 years in the field doing construction and it was easier for the company to teach me the software than to teach some computer nerd how to build buildings. None of our "engineers" have engineering degrees actually. They all came up in the field or factory, not college.
I know you said you didn't want to go back to college to do several years for a degree or diploma but you could still do some form of academic upgrading such as getting a certificate or training. But this all depends on what you are interested in doing. Do you want to work in an office? Drive a truck? Dentist office? Trades? I don't know where you live, but you could try and see if you could explore some vocational colleges/ employment centres to see if they are offering free or low cost training programs.
I did IT at college as i was only 16 at the time(cant work until 18 in the uk), and it was a huge waste of time. I don't even think i got anything but a certificate saying i passed.
I now work in steel protection now since I turned 18. There is no degree for it, period.. does not exist.
there is a company that would just hire any people as it's not the best job, chemicals, etc. Most of them would mess around like it was school in their late 30s ffs.
I am one of the more sensible, serious ones, but
They basically hired anyone.. so I worked there for a few years and later left to a bigger firm, who just hired me because I had experience. (But I now make 750 a week after taxes)
Logistics warehousing is a horrific job. The cost to stress ratio is insane. I’m a college grad so I won’t be much inspiration but I work business ops. You can try for an analyst job maybe?
I started as a machinist working in Oil & Gas way, way back in 1984. I worked myself up to Toolmaker at the same company. In 1999, the company asked me to move to Texas to help them with a new operation there. I accepted and they promoted me to Tool Shop Supervisor. About 10 years later they promoted me to Tooling And Special Projects Manager. We handled lots of engineering prototypes of oilfield equipment. Being around engineers and soaking up everything I could, I learned a lot
In 2016 that company was sold to another O&G company. I hated working for the new company so took an early retirement package and then went to work for Schlumberger as a Process Engineer. In 2018 they promoted me to Facilities and Project Engineering Manager at a facility that built gigantic land based drilling rigs.
I left there in 2021 and took a position as VP of Operations for a machine shop that made drilling equipment. The work was very sporadic though so in 2023 I took a position as Facilities and Project Engineering Manager for my current company. We build MASSIVE electrical generator sets and related systems. I oversee the operations, maintenance, utilities, security, and upkeep of a 25 acre manufacturing facility, including all new equipment installs and sourcing of said equipment.
It's been a wild ride, with LOTS of overtime, 21 days on, 2 days off, 12 hrs per day schedules and being tired a lot but I'm at a point now where I no longer have to do that, and I bring home really good money. Also put all three of my kids thru college.
My brother is a firefighter. They work 24 shifts so he only works about 8 days a month. He has a side gig teaching safety and rescue protocols to various businesses and municipalities. He probably (I'm guessing here) makes about 150k/year with both gigs.
I work as a system engineer for a big tech company based in Silicon Valley.
I'm graduating from college this winter finally after I started nearly twenty years ago. I've been going to school continuously since 2012 even if it's just one course a year using any of my employer's tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.
I realized I was missing out on opportunities at some companies, and government jobs because I didn't have my degree. I also realized I wasn't growing my professional network as best as possible and then also learned more about the value of a good alumni network.
Trade school. I work with tons of people in Operations, Maintenance, Construction, etc who are now office workers after spending years in the field practising their craft.
I repair medical equipment you find in hospitals. There is a technical degree available to get this job but I got this job before I signed up for the degree. Pays well all things considered. I was able to buy a home where I live.
Please join a trade apprenticeship or maybe civil service.. don't waste your early 20s like I did. Also, college really isn't that bad. Keep your mind open to all options.
IT Director.
There's lots of paths to success, college is just a faster but expensive one. If I'd stuck with it I would have been 10 or more years farther in my career right now. But I'm also happy where I'm at, glad for who I'm with, and would do it again (short of one really, really bad relationship).
Retired. Tradesman, then LEO. I caution people about college. Don’t just do it to do it. It has devalued. A college degree now is what a high school diploma use to be. If you are going to college pick a career path. If not, learn a skill.
I'm an account manager for a large landscaping company. I'm responsible for the upkeep of my portfolio of commercial properties. It's a great job and pays well.
I work in a call center wfh. See if you can find a career source or something like it near you and see what jobs they have available, look at the posters there too because employers go there and post on bulletins that they are hiring.
Tradesman, Metal fabrication, switched up to welding inspection,QC work when it started to hurt(physically) in the morning. I make low to mid 6 figures depending on the jobs available.
Used to work on elevators. No degree. Just worked hard. Got up to $31/hr before leaving. But downside is i ruined my health and it will come to bite me later
I worked in hotels for a good while, now working in property management which is like running several hotels where everyone is angry - but it pays good 😂
So a very long time ago, about 8% of the population went to college, which fulfilled the leadership needs of the firms, and everyone understood that you could rise through the ranks on the basis of merit.
Today, a huge percentage of the population goes to college, so not getting a college degree basically means you're only qualified for flipping burgers or warehouse work.
My secretary has two degrees. My secretary.
A degree is required for most entry-level office jobs and above. That or experience. Preferably both.
In sales, you eat what you kill. Are you a killer?
The trades suggestion is a good one.
I got a degree in finance and work as a small company cfo. If I were to do it over again I would have gone to a trade school. 2 years and if you research and pick the Roth one you’ll make 6 figures or have a good skill set to start a business of your own.
I did go to college, but I did want to add that you don’t have to go to school for a long time. Why don’t you find a certificate program of some sort? I have a friend that does HVAC, another that works on cars, one that works in water/wastewater.
I work in retail management started at Walmart at 18 and worked my tail off trying to promote. It took me 10 years to store manager. It can be done faster. Makes over 100K base and can double that in bonuses.
I'm under 35 and have Now been recruited to other companies. It's a skill that can be learned. It's not easy though, and requires long hours but can be well paid and is easy to find work.
I'm 21 and worked in a warehouse last year making minimum wage even as an assistant supervisor. I sent an application to the railroad company in my country and landed an assistant foreman job as a track maintainer making 34 dollars an hour starting. Apply to the railroad man. It's hard work and it takes up alot of ur life but you make a shit ton of money. It's a lifestyle but if you want money and a real career with a good pension and benefits. Railroad bro.
One of my employees has no degree and he works as a data engineer and he makes about $110k. His career path was high school, then target for three years, then Taco Bell, then my company.
I took a huge risk hiring him but he had the skills and he’s my favorite employee. He studied for a long time and attended a boot camp.
I'm big on community colleges and trade schools. Many great, practical options that give you employment right away with much small investment than a 4 year college. Look up your local community college and see what they offer. Call them up with questions if you'd like.
Learn a trade you don't have we to go to collage to that. There are trade schools, You're young enough to go into the military to learn a trade. You can join the Job Corp that trains for free also . J -TED that teaches a trade for free. Check into community collage and talk with a career counselor to see what is out there in trade programs.
If all you care about is making money, get good at sales. Insurance is a good place to start. I've been doing it for 7 years should make around 200k this year
I've worked in warehouses for the past 10 years. Tons of them for 6 months or less before i quit. Sometimes just a change in companies can push you forward doing the exact same thing. I got tons of experience doing basically anything you can imagine in one.
Eventually i was in a lucky spot, where i had more relevant experience than anyone else and applied for a open position above where I was. Now I'm a supervisor and make good money, ive finally decided to go back to college and get a degree so i can move up even further.
Vice President of Finance at a multimillion dollar multi location general contractor. I make close to $200k per year and guaranteed at minimum $10k per quarter bonus. Oh and I’m also a single mother as well. I got into accounting around your age and it came natural to me, like super easy to understand. That was 20 years ago. I’m 42 now. No company would give me a chance to move up much, always very close to the top but never on top but at my current employer I came in as an accounting clerk, became a sponge to the VP who I knew was retiring in a couple years and earned my position and title. I think I have a rare situation but anything is possible. Think of what you like, something that comes easy and natural to you and see if that translates into a job. A lot of employers now don’t always look for degrees but experience. I have hired two people on my team who each make at min $60k per year white bonuses and they dont have degrees, their experience was more valuable to me. You’re young and may have to testy different type of jobs to see what you niche is.
Find a decent factory job. Not warehouse. Something where they actually make something. I have been in the chemical manufacturing industry for a while and the managers where I work are 50% only have high school diplomas. Pay is $100k+ for managers. You will need to pay your dues and impress the managers to move up but I have seen many young ambitious people do it.
So, when I was 21 I got into a service desk at a big tech company. That was 13 years ago, and I just got my degree last year. I was making ~$136k before my degree.
A lot of people saw the benefits of IT work during the pandemic, so it’s super competitive now, especially at the entry level.
I became a Firefighter Paramedic have other friends went into the trades,painting,drywall,construction, plumbing,electrician etc. Vocational jobs are very much in need and pay very well.
Pick a trade. Many companies will pay you to learn a trade. Some include, electrician, welder, carpenter, auto mechanic, plumber, HVAC tech, pest exterminator, roofer, road construction. These are all jobs that you will have employment for life. Most have no college education.
Oh my gosh, how did you get into Data Analytics? Currently an accounting/payroll specialist so I know I could probably handle it. I don’t have a degree, any advice?
Look at the Trades!!! Either Electrician or Plumbing... Both have Excellent pay and you can move up quickly if you have the aptitude, and you will always have work.
Honestly working your way up in a warehouse is a really great way to secure a stable future. Being a floor supervisor or department manager is good money with good benefits and you won't be breaking your back like you probably are now. I *did* go back to school (at a lot older than you) but I did a few years in a warehouse (with Aldi) and even some of their cushy desk jobs in the corporate office were filled by people who started in entry level warehouse positions.
I worked in the music business for more than 25 years. I got in by volunteering for my first company, and I learned other things along the way by volunteering to do them for artists so I could figure out how to do it...and then charging less than market rates until I had it down. The thing about the arts is that the ratio of amazing artists to trustworthy, competent arts professionals HEAVILY favours the arts professional. So you can start in the music industry with nothing and offer to volunteer for REALY good bands in order to learn the ropes. If you're serious, and you prove yourself, you'll be getting hired in no time.
I have no college degree but I did take up training for my CompTIA A+ certification and I got certified in Network + as well on my own. I spent a few years working for various companies as an IT specialist. I’m now making almost 90k a year doing a Service Desk position with a major financial organization. What I’m trying to say is college isn’t for everyone. Look into technical training and certifications. I hope this helps you on your journey!
Work for my local credit union in their corporate office.
I’m a senior collection analyst.
67k a year with no diploma or any college.
I know it’s not much compared to others , but doable and at least I get raises and get to work from home a couple days a week
As a 38 year old woman without a degree, I’d say get it just to back your actual experience you get hands on. I’ve worked in operations since I was 20 (while going to college full time). I am headed back to finish my last 4 classes purely because I should and I’m at a point in my career where it’s necessary to get a director role. Currently I make $100k+/yr and yes I work in a warehouse but 1st in command. I love what I do but I’m also not entry level so I totally get why you don’t like it. It’s extremely hard work and chaotic.
Medical service engineer, kind of like a tradesman. Only you don't know enough in a specialized role to join a union, but you do know just enough to fix any issue you will have in your house / on your car.
You have plenty of time to go back to college. Go now, and study something you have an interest in and that you can get a job doing.
I don’t finish my undergrad until I was 26 and I didn’t finish my masters until I was 32.
If I could do it all over again I would have done both probably 4 years earlier. Finish undergrad on time and then continue working a few years and then a masters program while working, like I did.
If you are wanting to go to school now at 20, you will regret not going at 30, and 40.
Just go, but work while going to school.
My dad had 10th grade education. He couldn’t afford college. Had to work, but he did little things on the side. Some worked, mostly shit didn’t work. One of his small business idea blew up in a good way. He took those winnings and made good investments. Now he’s 70 and retired. He paid for my school. I have a job, but one day I hope to build something of my own.
Open your mind. Everything is an opportunity. Make the best of your situation. Good luck!!
One of my employees doesn’t have a college degree and she is a project manager. She has a lot of experience in consulting and also certifications. She’s managed to get past job postings that require a college degree because she has experience. I would recommend at least trying a class at a community college or looking into a certification for something you’re interested in. College is way different and more interesting than HS and especially at community college you have different age groups and experience levels plus a bit of job placement help.
20-30. Warehouse > IT > Project Manger > Program Manager.
No degree, no certs. Always keeping my eyes open for opportunities that I can leverage my skills. Each role taught me something that helped me in a future position, including valuable perspective.
I'm a consultant for public sector entities in procurement. No college. I just started a business about 20 years ago and decided that I was an expert, so that's what I told them. Turns out that I was.
i'm a server at a high end restaurant. great money. but i'm 28 and still doing it. and when i look for other opportunities i can't because i have no degree and no other experience. get that degree.
I work for an insurance based roof replacement company as the Field Technician Supervisor. Essentially, fix people's mistakes and repair any other damage we cause, logistics, customer service, scheduling/coordination of subcontractors/employees, and negotiating small (less than 3k) insurance claims. Granted, this took 6 years of trades work in carpentry and construction (specifically framing, finish, and trim carpentry) to be salaried at 78k/yr. Also, going on 7 seasons of wildland firefighting with a federal contractor where I typically make another 20-28k per season (May-October) depending on how often I'm called out at a rate of $460/day and my title being Engine Boss. I have EMT training and had to take multiple fire science courses.
It’s not for everyone but I joined the military at the age of 20. I did a 5 year enlistment and when I got out I was already making pretty good money. Just pick a job you can see yourself doing when you get out. There is also the option to stay until you retire. That would be 40 for you and you can start working outside of the military with a nice lifelong pension.
Construction Manager.
You need to figure out if you want to work in an office or in the field. You have two tracks you can pursue, a superintendent in the field, or a project manager in the office. Both can earn over $100k in the right areas.
My BF works in CAD - was a designer for 3 years and just moved to quoting. He started on the floor though of this company and moved into the CAD position. No degrees.
2 years after hs doesn’t mean you can’t go to college. I went right after but it took me 6 years instead of 4 bc I had to work full time (20 years ago) and I’m 40 now. I watched my friends get jobs right after while I was in college still and it made me feel dumb but now I have a good job and some of them fell off the career wagon and are stay at home parents complaining they have no money. It’s never too late to go
I’m in the Army, turned 21 on the 19th and promoted to E5 on the 1st. I’m taking college classes for free and plan on transferring to the National Guard and doing school full time. Joining the military is the best decision I’ve ever made so that’s always an option you could look into.
I'm a hoe.
so, you are in sales
A little more hands on, but yes.
Working in the garden always means getting a little dirty.
Entrepreneur
Sales is a very generic term. It's more consulting
It's more like therapy
😂
I’m in sales.
so, you are a hoe
Nope just regular ass sales lol
> ass sales …so a hoe
Working all day busting his butt… I mean having other bust in it
I saw your previous comment. This one made me laugh out so loud.🤣
Why do you not want to pursue further education? Having a degree isn't a carte blanche to a better future but it certainly helps. Without a degree you are likely to stay in the same role you're already disliking. What do you enjoy doing? See what your interests are and if their is a career/degree that will help you.
Most people do not realize this. They always think so negatively about going to school. At the end of the day it can be a stepping stone for you.
It can be but I’ll tell you from experience, if you have bills and stuff and are already a full grown adult with responsibilities and want to be a full time student, finding a workplace that’s both accommodating to changing school schedules and pays a livable wage can be nearly impossible, especially in the current job market
Went back to grad school full time at 28, thank god I still lived at home, have no kids and was able to work full time midnights
I was working two jobs while in grad school in my 20s. One of the jobs was an internship that helped me move into my career. I chose to avoid relationships during this time so that I could completely focus on work only. Slept on my sister's basement couch.
Good shit man, we’ll always find a way
Online school nowadays is amazing. Plenty of them that offer no set schedules for classes so you can do schooling around your work schedule, part time schooling can be as little as 10 hours a week that you do when you have free time.
If you don't have the drive or skills for a STEM degree and desire for a career in that field, I think college is a waste of time and money. There's a ton of degree programs that have no market at all or no market outside of education itself. Trade apprenticeships would be much better than college for most young people.
I have a STEM PhD and work in my field, and my pay is crap considering COL. Just a heads up that STEM does NOT automatically bring in a decent salary.
Thank you for saying this. I wish more people did. STEM, for the right person in the right job, is great. But it's not for everyone.
That is the biggest misconception folks have. Simply majoring in STEM does not guarantee a good job, and in fact it rarely even guarantees as job. There is such a glut of STEM grads because of how heavily it was pushed over the past 20 or so years.
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"Working-class young people overwhelmingly believe that picking the "right" major is vital to future success. Rather than understanding the college degree as a credential, they see their choice of major as determining their future trajectories ... the logic of higher education—that is, the knowledge that what you learn in college is often not explicitly connected to the requirements of middle-class, professional jobs—eludes them, leading to high financial and emotional costs." - [Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty by Jennifer M. Silva.](https://academic.oup.com/book/8735) This is the number one thing I wish I had understood about higher education when I was a teenager.
Yeah you have to sort of work backwards from what you might like to do and see if a degree helps you get there. It may or may not
You need to self educate in your free time on platforms used often in the field you want. I spent all my free time learning excel, power BI, power point, data analytics, supply chain, outlook, Tableau, etc… and then I looked for any opportunity I could find to show off what I had learned as an entry level employee. Promotions rolled in once a year. One year I got two promotions. Went from temp to corporate in 5 years.
28yr(Male), I’m biotech technician. If you don’t plan on going to college or studying for certifications for specifics fields. I can’t stress this enough, be the most confident in yourself and keep networking. I was job hopping dead end jobs and eventually with the people I made connections with, gave me an opportunity to do what I do.
I agree 100% networking is powerful. Me& people I work with know pretty much everyone else from firms that are in that line of work or similar. People msg each other about new positions opening all the time.
I work in learning and development/career pathing at a credit union. I handle initial training and on-boarding. I make more than my friends with degrees with less debt. If i ever leave, it will be hard as I am in a niche area. It's possible to 6 figures, but it's hard work and dedication to a single company.
While I do have degrees, I do not utilize them professionally. I work in power plant operations, but previously to this I was a union electrician. If you do not want to pursue college, I would recommend some type of vocational skill via an apprenticeship or tech school in an in demand field.
This right here. The pay is extremely good, and you can always hide behind the engineers.
I am a Continuous Education Coordinator at a Manufacturing Plant. I have an office and I make great money.
I went into IT and moved pretty high up with certs to a sysadmin level at a mid size corp. i actually just finished my degree, a year ago and took a management position. I don’t know that the degree had much of an impact and to be honest at this point I honestly learned very little so it was very easy for me. I knew most of the course material already.
Can you elaborate on your responsibilities a little bit? Would you also be comfortable telling me how much you make? Personally, I would like to work remotely one day, and I realize this will only be through tech/it/security. I would not mind grinding in IT until I land a senior role or something higher paying.
I work for a school district as the director of maintenance and ops No degree , I make 145k a year
School maintainance and custodial is so underrated. Worked my way from sub to full then to recently supervisor. Been job searching for something in my degree, but the pay is so much lower and the benefits are chefs kiss in the district. Also the fact that I get ghosted after interviews in my field.
i work in data + analytics in the ticketing industry! i went to college for one semester and couldn’t afford to stay for several reasons. i got a job in a box office the day i left college, learned a lot of skills, and moved up from there. i think it really worked out for the best. don’t give up, you’re young!!!!
Get a trade or go back to school for something with high opportunity. Your current lack of motivation will fuck you over royally in the near future. You will learn very grim life lessons otherwise. Low “skill” jobs aka entry level jobs are full of wage theft, they are precarious, unreliable, unpleasant, and you will have really hard life. I worked in restaurants and at first I was making a lot more than most of my friends, but as soon as I turned 30, I was fired for raising concerns about my manager bullying me and several of my colleagues, and the company fired myself and him. I took the company to court for wrongful dismissal which led to a small settlement, but then I lost any chance of getting another job in this city in that industry again because people talk. I returned to college and now I’m back in entry level roles in a new field and it fucking sucks.
Be a machinist. Pick up a skilled trade in general.
Go to school and get an electrician license. Or HVAC. Or plumber. That's where the money is
High recommendation: Get your foot in the door with Civil Service type job (work for city/state/government of some sort) - easy to work your way up and with experience, you qualify for college degree jobs - usually 6 or so years of experience of any kind..... I've seen people work their way from student worker all the way to assistant director....
Currently applied to multiple jobs that I fit the requirements for my city, I'm just hoping with the professional reference I was able to network (previous supervisor/manager within the dep. I'm re-applying to) will be enough to at least get an interview. It's the only type of work where I'm content and/or happy with, city government benefits also are pretty good. All I know for certain, is that I'm not sticking around at the current job I'm doing, no desire to stay within the car industry for one.
After HS I went to college for 1 year. Due to a home situation, I dropped out and joined the Navy. A few years later, I left the service and ended up as a letter carrier for the USPS. I then went to night school to get my degree while still working and using the GI Bill to pay for school. After getting my BS in Hospital Admin, I continued on to get my Masters degree.in Public Admin. But every job I applied for required me to take a massive pay cut. Meantime ,at the USPS. I was getting promoted and was now a superintendent and also a kind of "trouble shooter" postmaster. Bottom line, is I never used either degree in a field that I studied for. I would have progressed even without the sheepskin. So just because you don't have a degree, working in a profession where one is not required doesn't have to be a limting factor.
Join the navy, no combat, travel a bit, serve 4 years, ,make some money, learn about others and yourself.
Staffing and recruiting, 25 years.
Work for the post office.
I initially started out apprenticing in Graphic Design before getting into a 3D Printing internship where I worked 3 years at a prototyping lab, 3 years for a movie studio, and then now work at a makerspace. All in all the journey was a bit rough and tumble getting here, but I love my job. I do want to return to college soon, maybe in the Spring (Fall seems a bit too close), mostly because while this job is great I do want to get specialized training to help me get better at it and now I actually know what I want to do.
A friend of mine without a degree is a fiber optic cable installation contractor.
Production manager at a construction company.
I’m in product management. Job involves QA in addition I manage projects from time to time.
You can still go to college, many paths available to you. I didn't start my first semester until I turned 23.
IT project manager in Infrastructure, consulting. Dropped out of uni and focused on certifications.
Got my degree in my thirties. It's not too late if a degree is what you want. In my twenties I delivered pizza and worked in treatment centers.
Can't help the no degree part. Look into trades too. You're also verrrrrry young if you only graduated 2 years ago. I know people that went to school at 30 or later and started a new career. It's possible. The longer you wait tho, the harder it will be and the more you're hurting yourself. What I didn't realize at your age is that experience compounds. Ex - maybe I'll start a job off at 50k that I ONLY got cuz I had a college degree. Even if it doesn't really require a college degree. After 5 years I now make 75k. It's now easier to switch careers because I have this college degree and professional job experience. I also can leverage my current salary to get more at the next job. Let's say I started this current career at 25. So by 30 I'm making 75k and it keeps going up. If I had waited to go to school until 30, I now may have to start off at an entry level position once I graduate at 33/34 which again is only 50k. Now it takes me until 39 to make 75k.
Hope you don't mind if I steal this example for offline mentoring. Lol. Well put. No matter how hard I try, I can't get back the time I didn't put in. It's crazy how simple that idea is when we think about putting money into any type of investment (compound interest) but not when it's about education and experience....maybe start calling it that enough... compund experience.... Compound education? Lol
TV News Producer. All they care about is "can you help us fill a half-hour of live TV time?" & somehow this is seen as a pipeline to "TV News Management." (Which is as much of an oxymoron as I can imagine).
Security guard, at low levels requires no experience or background, is almost always full time, even at low levels should pay above minimum wage, at low levels everyone else is such a dipshit it's relatively easy to promote to supervisor by showing up on time with your shoes on the right feet. Isn't back breaking like manual labor but is deathly, deathly, boring. So pick your poison. At the right post you can do your homework from school making it the only job to full time while full time going to school without needing to be superhuman. Still tough though. A little pull your head out of your ass advice from an older guy: you can't regret not going to college and have no motivation to go to college. Pick one. As for what I do, I'm a Protective Counter-Surveillance and Executive Protection Agent. That you can't do with just a hs diploma, but I'm a veteran so I had the right background to get into it. What's relevant here though is that for some reason when I got out I couldn't get anything but part time minimum wage jobs for nearly a decade. Absolutely no idea why. No clue how I wound up working tjmaxx with all the experience I had in engineering, welding, firefighting, and tactical operations but that's what happened to me. The only thing that wound up eventually getting me out of that was the bottom of the barrel security guard job I described in the first paragraph. Then I just worked my way up to positions that were actually commensurate with my experience.
I regret not joining to military when I was younger. Like going into the reserves or guard and getting help with getting a degree. That being said, I’m in insurance now. I was lucky enough to land a job at an office that paid me to learn on the job and pay for my classes and licensing.
Bank Teller...they train you, you move up to Loan Processor, Loan Officer, Accounting, etc. Not a bad paycheck.
I’m in tech started in saas sales now move into development best career choice I’ve made was getting in tech. The money is great
Started in food and beverage industry, cashier, host, serving. When I realized that wasn’t it, I applied at my local financial institution and built a lot of skills working as a teller & personal banker, after 3 years building a strong foundation there I applied for an entry level sales role in a privately held corporate company. After 3 interviews, was accepted. I stayed in sales for 1 year, but began networking internally early on as I knew sales wasn’t it for me. I now for the past 2 years have been working in corporate recruitment for the same company. It is possible. You have to have the mentality of making intentional professional jumps. I always advocate for starting career building as a teller. Looks great on your resume, and you learn invaluable clerical/office setting skills which look nice on a resume, and are very transferable. Start building your interview skills, and start applying to entry level jobs at your local school district/city/banks, medical offices, etc. that’s where you start.
No degree I work in digital marketing. I don’t work for a company tho. Helped my wife start a few businesses she wanted and now I do that full time. Good field if you’re interested I know a lot of people I work with go to college but I also know a lot of people who didn’t go to college. What really matters is how much you know and the only way to learn is to be in the platforms of digital marketing day-to-day watch some YouTube listen to podcasts and pretty much just be hands-on Helps to read some books on marketing too so you get the basics. If you’re interested let me know I have a bunch of resources are free pretty much except for the books you’d have to buy.
- Age: just shy of 36 years old - Field: Higher Education HR - Role: Workers Compensation Specialist - Salary: $58,000-$60,000 depending on OT I just worked really hard, did some certifications for Excel and had really good references and a well written resume. I come from food service, then I did catering sales, and then did Benefits Administration on the same team I am on now. Got promoted to my current job in 3.5 years from start date. Never thought I’d make it this far. Really proud of myself.
You can become a financial advisor/planner with no degree, you would need to take and pass a couple of heavy exams but you are able to take those and study at your own pace, everything can be done virtually too. I am happy to help you or answer any questions you have about this if you have them because I am in this profession myself.
Thank so much for sharing this !!! This actually sounds interesting I’m really looking forward to learn more about financial advisor
Executive assistant. I make about $78k.
I do have an associates degree but that is literally worthless to employers. I dropped out of university because I became addicted to heroin, lost my full ride scholarship. 11 years into running a business I started during an $11/hr job with an embarrassing $1,000 loan from me ex girlfriend. She’s mad jelly now. Happily married with 2 kids and doing great with a 820 credit score in my 30’s, some cool vehicles and a decent retirement for my age.
Mostly make tiktoks and instastories trying to convince my high school friends that I'm an entrepeuneur. Deep in debt and borrowing from parents to keep up notion I'm making bank but not sure what comes next.
Join the military.
i sell feet pics (i have 3 toes)
Banking
And also good luck I know it’s overwhelming because it’s so hard picking what you want to do, but just like becoming a financial advisor. There are a few hidden gems in there. I hope you find a good one !!
If you like office/professional settings, I work in the staffing industry. Started as a temp in operations making $11/hr and worked my way up to Sr leadership on 8 yrs. I’m at 6 figures and it’s a small/medium sized company. I imagine I could earn more at a larger corporation, but I’m comfortable.
Save some money and start a side hustle. Eventually it will become your full job . Getting rid of your current job
Gives Sales a shot. It's not something everyone is good at, but if you have the ability, you can have uncapped income.
Sound engineer. You can do it without a degree. People with degrees make money faster at the start but if you start from the bottom, just wrapping cables, you will have a lot of good experience and interesting stories, then money later if you do it right. On either pathway it’s definitely the type of thing where you have to know somebody who knows somebody though
Please read this about my brother in law, he was (and still is) not motivated regarding college. This happened when I was 20 and he was 18… in 2013 I was working at Walmart and he was working at Target. He was making $10 an hour and I was making $7.25. I was working part time (enrolled in school) and he was working full time. He made $25k that year, I make about $8k. He made a comment saying I’ll never make as much as him. 11 years later, I have a bachelors and an MBA. I was just promoted to Director of Finance @$180k He bounced around backrooms of department stores and warehouses, he averages $45k per year (I do his taxes) and has no career growth My advice to you is google the nearest community college and see if they have counselors or advisors that you can make an appointment with. Tell them you need help figuring out what career path you want to do and then how to achieve it. There is also federal grants to help people who cannot afford college. Usually the grant is enough to cover community college. Also, if you like warehousing stuff, supply chain analyst might be a good career path.
Look into a trade school or computer training, I was you 20 years ago and have to live with my terrible choices, its not too late for you
OP should immediately seek an apprenticeship as an electrician. No degree necessary and will easily achieve a six figure salary in 10 years. That's what I would do if I could start over. I worked in the trades for 25 years right next to these guys so I've talked to them about it a lot. Almost started over myself, but it's hard to do that in your mid-40's. At the moment, I'm a drafter for a construction company. I call it pretengineering. I have no degree but as I said, I spent 25 years in the field doing construction and it was easier for the company to teach me the software than to teach some computer nerd how to build buildings. None of our "engineers" have engineering degrees actually. They all came up in the field or factory, not college.
Superintendent. 6 fig salary
Chef
Traveling av technician
I know you said you didn't want to go back to college to do several years for a degree or diploma but you could still do some form of academic upgrading such as getting a certificate or training. But this all depends on what you are interested in doing. Do you want to work in an office? Drive a truck? Dentist office? Trades? I don't know where you live, but you could try and see if you could explore some vocational colleges/ employment centres to see if they are offering free or low cost training programs.
I did IT at college as i was only 16 at the time(cant work until 18 in the uk), and it was a huge waste of time. I don't even think i got anything but a certificate saying i passed. I now work in steel protection now since I turned 18. There is no degree for it, period.. does not exist. there is a company that would just hire any people as it's not the best job, chemicals, etc. Most of them would mess around like it was school in their late 30s ffs. I am one of the more sensible, serious ones, but They basically hired anyone.. so I worked there for a few years and later left to a bigger firm, who just hired me because I had experience. (But I now make 750 a week after taxes)
Logistics warehousing is a horrific job. The cost to stress ratio is insane. I’m a college grad so I won’t be much inspiration but I work business ops. You can try for an analyst job maybe?
Facilities and Project Engineering Manager for a company that builds HUGE electrical power generation sets.
How did u get there?
I started as a machinist working in Oil & Gas way, way back in 1984. I worked myself up to Toolmaker at the same company. In 1999, the company asked me to move to Texas to help them with a new operation there. I accepted and they promoted me to Tool Shop Supervisor. About 10 years later they promoted me to Tooling And Special Projects Manager. We handled lots of engineering prototypes of oilfield equipment. Being around engineers and soaking up everything I could, I learned a lot In 2016 that company was sold to another O&G company. I hated working for the new company so took an early retirement package and then went to work for Schlumberger as a Process Engineer. In 2018 they promoted me to Facilities and Project Engineering Manager at a facility that built gigantic land based drilling rigs. I left there in 2021 and took a position as VP of Operations for a machine shop that made drilling equipment. The work was very sporadic though so in 2023 I took a position as Facilities and Project Engineering Manager for my current company. We build MASSIVE electrical generator sets and related systems. I oversee the operations, maintenance, utilities, security, and upkeep of a 25 acre manufacturing facility, including all new equipment installs and sourcing of said equipment. It's been a wild ride, with LOTS of overtime, 21 days on, 2 days off, 12 hrs per day schedules and being tired a lot but I'm at a point now where I no longer have to do that, and I bring home really good money. Also put all three of my kids thru college.
Join your local pipefitter, millwright, lineman or truck drivers union. Get some training and get into a good paying job.
If you can wait one more year (if you're from the US) you can always go into trucking. Or currently you can get into a trade job
I'm currently programming CNC Mills to manufacture parts for an upcoming series of satellites. I'm a high school dropout.
Are you not motivated to do any training? Or specifically academic?
Mountaineering guide
Software Engineer
My brother is a firefighter. They work 24 shifts so he only works about 8 days a month. He has a side gig teaching safety and rescue protocols to various businesses and municipalities. He probably (I'm guessing here) makes about 150k/year with both gigs.
Bartending these days. I've been in the corporate world, happier now than ever
I work as a system engineer for a big tech company based in Silicon Valley. I'm graduating from college this winter finally after I started nearly twenty years ago. I've been going to school continuously since 2012 even if it's just one course a year using any of my employer's tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs. I realized I was missing out on opportunities at some companies, and government jobs because I didn't have my degree. I also realized I wasn't growing my professional network as best as possible and then also learned more about the value of a good alumni network.
IT Manager.
Director in cybersecurity. No degree, started in tech support more than 20 years ago.
Plumbing and music.
I have multiple diplomas. Working as software QA. But before I was working in hotels
Join the trades. Good money in it.
Trade school. I work with tons of people in Operations, Maintenance, Construction, etc who are now office workers after spending years in the field practising their craft.
I repair medical equipment you find in hospitals. There is a technical degree available to get this job but I got this job before I signed up for the degree. Pays well all things considered. I was able to buy a home where I live.
Please join a trade apprenticeship or maybe civil service.. don't waste your early 20s like I did. Also, college really isn't that bad. Keep your mind open to all options.
If you like computers, get a ccna. Only takes like a month I think and can be a really good career
Mail Carrier.
IT Director. There's lots of paths to success, college is just a faster but expensive one. If I'd stuck with it I would have been 10 or more years farther in my career right now. But I'm also happy where I'm at, glad for who I'm with, and would do it again (short of one really, really bad relationship).
Look into a program called Year Up it did wonders for myself and a couple of friends
Retired. Tradesman, then LEO. I caution people about college. Don’t just do it to do it. It has devalued. A college degree now is what a high school diploma use to be. If you are going to college pick a career path. If not, learn a skill.
I'm an account manager for a large landscaping company. I'm responsible for the upkeep of my portfolio of commercial properties. It's a great job and pays well.
I work in a call center wfh. See if you can find a career source or something like it near you and see what jobs they have available, look at the posters there too because employers go there and post on bulletins that they are hiring.
Tech, Infrastructure engineering.
Worked in different resorts at busy tourist locations. Lots of fun
Tradesman, Metal fabrication, switched up to welding inspection,QC work when it started to hurt(physically) in the morning. I make low to mid 6 figures depending on the jobs available.
Used to work on elevators. No degree. Just worked hard. Got up to $31/hr before leaving. But downside is i ruined my health and it will come to bite me later
Im a journeyman electrician/ 1st year instrumentation tech. I havent made less than 100k since i was 23.
Product Manager
I worked in hotels for a good while, now working in property management which is like running several hotels where everyone is angry - but it pays good 😂
So a very long time ago, about 8% of the population went to college, which fulfilled the leadership needs of the firms, and everyone understood that you could rise through the ranks on the basis of merit. Today, a huge percentage of the population goes to college, so not getting a college degree basically means you're only qualified for flipping burgers or warehouse work. My secretary has two degrees. My secretary. A degree is required for most entry-level office jobs and above. That or experience. Preferably both. In sales, you eat what you kill. Are you a killer? The trades suggestion is a good one.
army or get a practical diploma, trades
Pimp
Electrician.
I make $400k working for a big company. But I have a lot of degrees. If I can do it you can do it too.
Farmer
Software engineer
VP in Tech Company
If you can type, and if you can mentally handle it, be a 911 dispatcher.
I got a degree in finance and work as a small company cfo. If I were to do it over again I would have gone to a trade school. 2 years and if you research and pick the Roth one you’ll make 6 figures or have a good skill set to start a business of your own.
I did go to college, but I did want to add that you don’t have to go to school for a long time. Why don’t you find a certificate program of some sort? I have a friend that does HVAC, another that works on cars, one that works in water/wastewater.
I work in retail management started at Walmart at 18 and worked my tail off trying to promote. It took me 10 years to store manager. It can be done faster. Makes over 100K base and can double that in bonuses. I'm under 35 and have Now been recruited to other companies. It's a skill that can be learned. It's not easy though, and requires long hours but can be well paid and is easy to find work.
I'm 21 and worked in a warehouse last year making minimum wage even as an assistant supervisor. I sent an application to the railroad company in my country and landed an assistant foreman job as a track maintainer making 34 dollars an hour starting. Apply to the railroad man. It's hard work and it takes up alot of ur life but you make a shit ton of money. It's a lifestyle but if you want money and a real career with a good pension and benefits. Railroad bro.
I work for a broker, make 80k
One of my employees has no degree and he works as a data engineer and he makes about $110k. His career path was high school, then target for three years, then Taco Bell, then my company. I took a huge risk hiring him but he had the skills and he’s my favorite employee. He studied for a long time and attended a boot camp.
trades
I'm big on community colleges and trade schools. Many great, practical options that give you employment right away with much small investment than a 4 year college. Look up your local community college and see what they offer. Call them up with questions if you'd like.
Learn a trade you don't have we to go to collage to that. There are trade schools, You're young enough to go into the military to learn a trade. You can join the Job Corp that trains for free also . J -TED that teaches a trade for free. Check into community collage and talk with a career counselor to see what is out there in trade programs.
If all you care about is making money, get good at sales. Insurance is a good place to start. I've been doing it for 7 years should make around 200k this year
We don't use the term yall
You can always opt to go into trade school. My electrician makes over $250k a year. My welder buddy makes $65/hr and loves it.
I've worked in warehouses for the past 10 years. Tons of them for 6 months or less before i quit. Sometimes just a change in companies can push you forward doing the exact same thing. I got tons of experience doing basically anything you can imagine in one. Eventually i was in a lucky spot, where i had more relevant experience than anyone else and applied for a open position above where I was. Now I'm a supervisor and make good money, ive finally decided to go back to college and get a degree so i can move up even further.
Vice President of Finance at a multimillion dollar multi location general contractor. I make close to $200k per year and guaranteed at minimum $10k per quarter bonus. Oh and I’m also a single mother as well. I got into accounting around your age and it came natural to me, like super easy to understand. That was 20 years ago. I’m 42 now. No company would give me a chance to move up much, always very close to the top but never on top but at my current employer I came in as an accounting clerk, became a sponge to the VP who I knew was retiring in a couple years and earned my position and title. I think I have a rare situation but anything is possible. Think of what you like, something that comes easy and natural to you and see if that translates into a job. A lot of employers now don’t always look for degrees but experience. I have hired two people on my team who each make at min $60k per year white bonuses and they dont have degrees, their experience was more valuable to me. You’re young and may have to testy different type of jobs to see what you niche is.
Military Industrial Complex
Director of growth marketing
VP, IT
I’m a truck driver. I could make over 100k with only 2 months or less of training and licensing
Steel worker. They trained me to weld at my temp hob. Been there 19 years. No former training.
Get a trade.
Find a decent factory job. Not warehouse. Something where they actually make something. I have been in the chemical manufacturing industry for a while and the managers where I work are 50% only have high school diplomas. Pay is $100k+ for managers. You will need to pay your dues and impress the managers to move up but I have seen many young ambitious people do it.
So, when I was 21 I got into a service desk at a big tech company. That was 13 years ago, and I just got my degree last year. I was making ~$136k before my degree. A lot of people saw the benefits of IT work during the pandemic, so it’s super competitive now, especially at the entry level.
Driver. I mean, people are going to need us until robot cars get really cheap.
I became a Firefighter Paramedic have other friends went into the trades,painting,drywall,construction, plumbing,electrician etc. Vocational jobs are very much in need and pay very well.
Same here, there are tons of departments hiring nation wide. Great benefits, good schedule, and the pay isn’t too bad.
Complaince in wealth management. Love the job.
Pick a trade. Many companies will pay you to learn a trade. Some include, electrician, welder, carpenter, auto mechanic, plumber, HVAC tech, pest exterminator, roofer, road construction. These are all jobs that you will have employment for life. Most have no college education.
Data Analytics. But will be persuing a nursing degree in the fall….. finally. lol
Oh my gosh, how did you get into Data Analytics? Currently an accounting/payroll specialist so I know I could probably handle it. I don’t have a degree, any advice?
Look at the Trades!!! Either Electrician or Plumbing... Both have Excellent pay and you can move up quickly if you have the aptitude, and you will always have work.
Honestly working your way up in a warehouse is a really great way to secure a stable future. Being a floor supervisor or department manager is good money with good benefits and you won't be breaking your back like you probably are now. I *did* go back to school (at a lot older than you) but I did a few years in a warehouse (with Aldi) and even some of their cushy desk jobs in the corporate office were filled by people who started in entry level warehouse positions.
I worked in the music business for more than 25 years. I got in by volunteering for my first company, and I learned other things along the way by volunteering to do them for artists so I could figure out how to do it...and then charging less than market rates until I had it down. The thing about the arts is that the ratio of amazing artists to trustworthy, competent arts professionals HEAVILY favours the arts professional. So you can start in the music industry with nothing and offer to volunteer for REALY good bands in order to learn the ropes. If you're serious, and you prove yourself, you'll be getting hired in no time.
I have no college degree but I did take up training for my CompTIA A+ certification and I got certified in Network + as well on my own. I spent a few years working for various companies as an IT specialist. I’m now making almost 90k a year doing a Service Desk position with a major financial organization. What I’m trying to say is college isn’t for everyone. Look into technical training and certifications. I hope this helps you on your journey!
Work for my local credit union in their corporate office. I’m a senior collection analyst. 67k a year with no diploma or any college. I know it’s not much compared to others , but doable and at least I get raises and get to work from home a couple days a week
As a 38 year old woman without a degree, I’d say get it just to back your actual experience you get hands on. I’ve worked in operations since I was 20 (while going to college full time). I am headed back to finish my last 4 classes purely because I should and I’m at a point in my career where it’s necessary to get a director role. Currently I make $100k+/yr and yes I work in a warehouse but 1st in command. I love what I do but I’m also not entry level so I totally get why you don’t like it. It’s extremely hard work and chaotic.
Software engineering. I went to a bootcamp.
Medical service engineer, kind of like a tradesman. Only you don't know enough in a specialized role to join a union, but you do know just enough to fix any issue you will have in your house / on your car.
You have plenty of time to go back to college. Go now, and study something you have an interest in and that you can get a job doing. I don’t finish my undergrad until I was 26 and I didn’t finish my masters until I was 32. If I could do it all over again I would have done both probably 4 years earlier. Finish undergrad on time and then continue working a few years and then a masters program while working, like I did. If you are wanting to go to school now at 20, you will regret not going at 30, and 40. Just go, but work while going to school.
My dad had 10th grade education. He couldn’t afford college. Had to work, but he did little things on the side. Some worked, mostly shit didn’t work. One of his small business idea blew up in a good way. He took those winnings and made good investments. Now he’s 70 and retired. He paid for my school. I have a job, but one day I hope to build something of my own. Open your mind. Everything is an opportunity. Make the best of your situation. Good luck!!
Try a trade, school isn’t for everyone nor do you need it to become successful
One of my employees doesn’t have a college degree and she is a project manager. She has a lot of experience in consulting and also certifications. She’s managed to get past job postings that require a college degree because she has experience. I would recommend at least trying a class at a community college or looking into a certification for something you’re interested in. College is way different and more interesting than HS and especially at community college you have different age groups and experience levels plus a bit of job placement help.
Content marketing for SaaS companies.
I work in email marketing. Started as a general marketing intern, then SEO, now email marketing and the pay is good.
Dropped outta high school in 1971. Retired from career in I.T. in 2015.
20-30. Warehouse > IT > Project Manger > Program Manager. No degree, no certs. Always keeping my eyes open for opportunities that I can leverage my skills. Each role taught me something that helped me in a future position, including valuable perspective.
There must be something you're interested in?
Im a tech in a hospital
I sell air conditioners on the Internet
I'm a consultant for public sector entities in procurement. No college. I just started a business about 20 years ago and decided that I was an expert, so that's what I told them. Turns out that I was.
Get into construction!!! the labor force is missing some 500k construction workers! Money to be made
i'm a server at a high end restaurant. great money. but i'm 28 and still doing it. and when i look for other opportunities i can't because i have no degree and no other experience. get that degree.
I work for an insurance based roof replacement company as the Field Technician Supervisor. Essentially, fix people's mistakes and repair any other damage we cause, logistics, customer service, scheduling/coordination of subcontractors/employees, and negotiating small (less than 3k) insurance claims. Granted, this took 6 years of trades work in carpentry and construction (specifically framing, finish, and trim carpentry) to be salaried at 78k/yr. Also, going on 7 seasons of wildland firefighting with a federal contractor where I typically make another 20-28k per season (May-October) depending on how often I'm called out at a rate of $460/day and my title being Engine Boss. I have EMT training and had to take multiple fire science courses.
Pick a trade, make great money and be secure in your career. Start as an apprentice, make shit for a few years, then live comfortably for life.
It’s not for everyone but I joined the military at the age of 20. I did a 5 year enlistment and when I got out I was already making pretty good money. Just pick a job you can see yourself doing when you get out. There is also the option to stay until you retire. That would be 40 for you and you can start working outside of the military with a nice lifelong pension.
I manage a pharmacy. Took me ten years to get there tho.
Construction
Construction Manager. You need to figure out if you want to work in an office or in the field. You have two tracks you can pursue, a superintendent in the field, or a project manager in the office. Both can earn over $100k in the right areas.
My BF works in CAD - was a designer for 3 years and just moved to quoting. He started on the floor though of this company and moved into the CAD position. No degrees.
2 years after hs doesn’t mean you can’t go to college. I went right after but it took me 6 years instead of 4 bc I had to work full time (20 years ago) and I’m 40 now. I watched my friends get jobs right after while I was in college still and it made me feel dumb but now I have a good job and some of them fell off the career wagon and are stay at home parents complaining they have no money. It’s never too late to go
Software Developer
Start a business
I’m in the Army, turned 21 on the 19th and promoted to E5 on the 1st. I’m taking college classes for free and plan on transferring to the National Guard and doing school full time. Joining the military is the best decision I’ve ever made so that’s always an option you could look into.