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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
  
Location: Texas | So I'm just looking at my options here.. Who has a full time job they like that didn't require a college degree?
It seems like every job I look at, even things that seem so easy and come with a pretty low pay still say "bachelor degree preferred"... I know preferred doesn't mean required, but I know there has to be some options for those who choose not to go to college. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | I have one, although I don't think I needed it to get one. It doesn't hurt to have though.... |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
 
| Unfortunately the economy still hasnt recovered enough for their to be quality jobs without a degree these days. I know people with Masters degrees working front counter at Feed stores. |
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 Popped
Posts: 20421
Location: LuluLand~along I64 Indiana | what kind of skills do you have? What kind of job would you like? |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | I work for a horse trailer manufacturer. I am a dealer rep and cater to a handful of dealers across the country. I draw up trailers and do the pricing for them to give to customers. I really enjoy what I do because I'm able to be in the industry and it's fun to draw up some of these horse trailers |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | I feel like you can only get manufacturing type jobs without a degree. There are a lot that say that experience can replace the degree, but today's generation isn't going to be able to get the experience without the degree. Heck I feel like I can't get it with one. As much as I hated college, I'm glad I got the degree and yes the pay is low. Instead of fast food minimum wage getting raised the need to raise the pay for entry level graduates. I highly suggest looking at job boards and seeking which industries have the most postings and go into that field. Medical/health, marketing, sales & accounting seem to be the most popular around here. Anyway you look at it the job market sucks right now.
Not the answer to your question, but just something to think about. |
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| Look into a vocational trade type job - electrician, welding, HVAC, plumbing - those people have schooling and skills - that do not require a college degree. Many of them are train as you go. You start out as an apprentice so you will get the crap work for a while but you work your way up. Sheet metal workers apprentice and go to school for almost 5 years before they can become a journeyman. And the wages are really good. I will say though those jobs are typically for men which means you are going to have to prove yourself in a "man's world." Meaning you need to be able to do the work and carry heavy loads when the job warrants. I have a friend who is a journeyman electrician and she loves it. Good luck! |
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | TheDutchMan01 - 2015-11-12 12:22 PM I feel like you can only get manufacturing type jobs without a degree. There are a lot that say that experience can replace the degree, but today's generation isn't going to be able to get the experience without the degree. Heck I feel like I can't get it with one. As much as I hated college, I'm glad I got the degree and yes the pay is low. Instead of fast food minimum wage getting raised the need to raise the pay for entry level graduates. I highly suggest looking at job boards and seeking which industries have the most postings and go into that field. Medical/health, marketing, sales & accounting seem to be the most popular around here. Anyway you look at it the job market sucks right now. Not the answer to your question, but just something to think about.
Thank you.. This is very helpful. I am currently in my second year of college, but it's making me miserable.. I keep trying to pin point what exactly it is that I dislike so much, but I can't. I have a job in sales at a jewelry store and I love working. So I've been trying to see what exactly my options would be if I stopped school, but that plan isn't looking too bright for me lol
Even working at a higher level jewelry store requires a degree..  |
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | mail carrier, fed ex, ups |
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 Underestimated Underdog
Posts: 3971
Location: Minnesota | I'm an auditor and field relief manager for UHaul. I did not need a degree, I worked hard and moved up throughout the company. The company is great but I'm actually demoting myself as I've gone back to school to become an EMT.
I'd say find something you love to do and do that. Whether you have a job with your college degree or you stop and find something else, do what you love. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
| FLITASTIC - 2015-11-12 12:04 PM
Unfortunately the economy still hasnt recovered enough for their to be quality jobs without a degree these days. I know people with Masters degrees working front counter at Feed stores.
That has little to do with the state of the economy and more to do with how screwed up the education is in this country.
When it became a "right" to go to college, and money was made easily available even to folks with no means or intentions of paying it back we had an environment that was artificially created in education.
Hence the advent of "for profit" universities. THe money was there, someone was going to take it.
Today we live in a world that an undergrad degree is the new High School diploma.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| outrundaizy - 2015-11-12 12:30 PM
TheDutchMan01 - 2015-11-12 12:22 PM I feel like you can only get manufacturing type jobs without a degree. There are a lot that say that experience can replace the degree, but today's generation isn't going to be able to get the experience without the degree. Heck I feel like I can't get it with one. As much as I hated college, I'm glad I got the degree and yes the pay is low. Instead of fast food minimum wage getting raised the need to raise the pay for entry level graduates. I highly suggest looking at job boards and seeking which industries have the most postings and go into that field. Medical/health, marketing, sales & accounting seem to be the most popular around here. Anyway you look at it the job market sucks right now. Not the answer to your question, but just something to think about.
Thank you.. This is very helpful. I am currently in my second year of college, but it's making me miserable.. I keep trying to pin point what exactly it is that I dislike so much, but I can't. I have a job in sales at a jewelry store and I love working. So I've been trying to see what exactly my options would be if I stopped school, but that plan isn't looking too bright for me lol
Even working at a higher level jewelry store requires a degree..
Its only 4 years of the rest of your life. If you already have that much school under your belt I would say go ahead and tough it out for another 2 years. You already know there isnt as much available without a degree, so why not open yourself up to more job possibilities with a degree. |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | you can go into retail and try to work your way up that way. |
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 Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| Many college degrees today are worthless. Having said that, without an education, your road to higher pay is much steeper. If you don't want to make the effort to get a meaningful degree, pick a trade and go to trade school.
There are plenty of jobs available in America right now for skilled labor. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I know that there are a lot of jobs at hospitals and clinics. A friend of mine has an associates in vet tech but just got hired at a hospital doing like housekeeping. Is making decent money and the hours arent terrible. I worked as 911 dispatcher, I had a degree but many of my co-workers didnt. I also worked at a disability law form doing intake and managing disability application, pay wasnt great but more than minimum wage. I had benefits and good hours. I had a degree but many co-workers didnt.
My mom also works in sales and does a lot of traveling. She has her associates but her experience has allowed her to be a big player in the company. She works for an electronics company based overseas and she manages the north america accounts.
What are you going to school for now? |
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Googly Goo
Posts: 7053
| That's what I did but I also have college degrees.
I make a good living but the road was long and steep. |
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Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| kboltwkreations - 2015-11-12 12:53 PM
outrundaizy - 2015-11-12 12:30 PM
TheDutchMan01 - 2015-11-12 12:22 PM I feel like you can only get manufacturing type jobs without a degree. There are a lot that say that experience can replace the degree, but today's generation isn't going to be able to get the experience without the degree. Heck I feel like I can't get it with one. As much as I hated college, I'm glad I got the degree and yes the pay is low. Instead of fast food minimum wage getting raised the need to raise the pay for entry level graduates. I highly suggest looking at job boards and seeking which industries have the most postings and go into that field. Medical/health, marketing, sales & accounting seem to be the most popular around here. Anyway you look at it the job market sucks right now. Not the answer to your question, but just something to think about.
Thank you.. This is very helpful. I am currently in my second year of college, but it's making me miserable.. I keep trying to pin point what exactly it is that I dislike so much, but I can't. I have a job in sales at a jewelry store and I love working. So I've been trying to see what exactly my options would be if I stopped school, but that plan isn't looking too bright for me lol
Even working at a higher level jewelry store requires a degree..
Its only 4 years of the rest of your life. If you already have that much school under your belt I would say go ahead and tough it out for another 2 years. You already know there isnt as much available without a degree, so why not open yourself up to more job possibilities with a degree.
I also agree, your student loans will hurt a lot more if you're paying on something you got nothing out of. I have steep student loans but also a job I love... makes the payments a little less painful. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | kboltwkreations - 2015-11-12 12:53 PM
outrundaizy - 2015-11-12 12:30 PM
TheDutchMan01 - 2015-11-12 12:22 PM I feel like you can only get manufacturing type jobs without a degree. There are a lot that say that experience can replace the degree, but today's generation isn't going to be able to get the experience without the degree. Heck I feel like I can't get it with one. As much as I hated college, I'm glad I got the degree and yes the pay is low. Instead of fast food minimum wage getting raised the need to raise the pay for entry level graduates. I highly suggest looking at job boards and seeking which industries have the most postings and go into that field. Medical/health, marketing, sales & accounting seem to be the most popular around here. Anyway you look at it the job market sucks right now. Not the answer to your question, but just something to think about.
Thank you.. This is very helpful. I am currently in my second year of college, but it's making me miserable.. I keep trying to pin point what exactly it is that I dislike so much, but I can't. I have a job in sales at a jewelry store and I love working. So I've been trying to see what exactly my options would be if I stopped school, but that plan isn't looking too bright for me lol
Even working at a higher level jewelry store requires a degree..
Its only 4 years of the rest of your life. If you already have that much school under your belt I would say go ahead and tough it out for another 2 years. You already know there isnt as much available without a degree, so why not open yourself up to more job possibilities with a degree.
Welcome :) and I agree tough it out. It took me 5 years, but I made it. What's your major now? Do you like sales? If so I would get a sales/marketing degree. I always see jobs open for those and all kinds of businesses need sales or marketing. You can always get an associates degree, but once you graduate you won't want to go back so don't step off the horse now. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| casualdust07 - 2015-11-12 12:58 PM
you can go into retail and try to work your way up that way.
Home Depot is really good about promoting from within .... Something to think about, a pal here in KS started out as a cashier for them, moved into kitchen/bath design, then applied and got their in-house scheduler/pay roll/ HR position. She is now applying for an area management position.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| If you are going to get a degree, get it in something that requires a degree. Ex-------Accounting, you can still do lots of other jobs, but only an accountant can do accounting--------Nursing etc.
Everybody knows somebody with a degree, that is working a dead end job. What nurse do you know, that can't find a job?
I hear people talking about getting in an industry, and working their way up.. That's awesome.........until the industry your in plays out, or the company you work for folds. then you have specialized skills that may not be marketable.
nothing wrong with a trade either. |
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