Need help finding a career!

[VanityGirl]

My boyfriend has been struggling from job to job, but he's been wanting to find a lifelong career.
He has no idea where to start, the only things he can think of are Firefighter, Policeman and that's pretty much it.
He really doesn't want to go COLLEGE (he tried it and it wasn't for him), so any job that might not require getting a 2-4 year degree.
Getting certified in something doesn't always mean you have to go to school, so if there's a job that requires certfication, please do tell.

My boyfriend has been working as a mechanic, but he really dislikes working on cars now (long story). He's good with his hands and he's very smart.


I'd like to ask everyone here, what's a good career to jump into?

 

[Marter]

Maybe he should try computer repair? It might be better than working with cars.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

Sadly, most good careers need a college diploma.

 

[VanityGirl]

Sadly, most good careers need a college diploma.

That's not actually true.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

Sadly, most good careers need a college diploma.

That's not actually true.

Well obviously you're doing good with your search.

 

[VanityGirl]

Well obviously you're doing good with your search.

Not trying to sound all knowing, but I did do a quick search on jobs that don't require a degree. Most places just post the top 20 highest paying ones, like this site: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/Careers/02/24/cb.no.degree.jobs/

I'm looking for a broader spectrum of jobs from other people. It also helps to have people who actually know something about the job, the hours and the pay versus just looking online.


I, for one, am in school. I will say that school is not for everyone. He does have some college, which is better than just high school, but he never had the attention span for college.

 

[Aulleas123]

Truck driver. Seriously, it pays well.

Something else to consider, I went to college for four years, graduated last year and JUST got a job two months ago. Right now is a time to build oneself, not to try to start something for the rest of life. If I had the choice, I might consider taking an additional year of college and work of classes in which I didn't do well or get a second minor. Instead, I spent a year working for free in something that (while educating and not necessarily hard work) wasn't my background.

Also, military isn't a bad path for someone who doesn't want to go to college.

 

[mokes310]

Maybe he should try computer repair?

Not likely. Current IT trends see us switching from a "service" based to an "exchange" based system: i.e., XBOX 360, iPod/iPhone/iPad, etc...

Sadly, most good careers need a college diploma.

That's not actually true.

I would like to know which industries that is not the case for? There are very few options available to those w/o college diplomas in one form or another. Traditionally, manufacturing jobs would have been my initial suggestion, but since the early 90's, those jobs have been outsourced to countries with lower payroll requirements. I hate to say it like this, but I would tell your boyfriend to swallow his pride and enroll at the nearest tech college to jump-start his search.

 

[katsumoto03]

While it might not be a job requirement, a college degree is still a nescesity if you want a job today, as most employers will choose the most educated person. I can't say I agree with them, but that's just how it is.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

Well obviously you're doing good with your search.

Not trying to sound all knowing, but I did do a quick search on jobs that don't require a degree. Most places just post the top 20 highest paying ones, like this site: http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/Careers/02/24/cb.no.degree.jobs/

I'm looking for a broader spectrum of jobs from other people. It also helps to have people who actually know something about the job, the hours and the pay versus just looking online.


I, for one, am in school. I will say that school is not for everyone. He does have some college, which is better than just high school, but he never had the attention span for college.

Pretty much all of those jobs require experience in the field before you get paid.

 

[VanityGirl]

I would like to know which industries that is not the case for? There are very few options available to those w/o college diplomas in one form or another. Traditionally, manufacturing jobs would have been my initial suggestion, but since the early 90's, those jobs have been outsourced to countries with lower payroll requirements. I hate to say it like this, but I would tell your boyfriend to swallow his pride and enroll at the nearest tech college to jump-start his search.

It's not a pride thing, it a he doesn't do well in school (attention problems) and it takes money that we don't have to send him to school.
I'd go for school loans, but school loans are KILLER to pay off. He's paying off school loans from going to college the first time. (The loan company will also not halt his loans if he chose to go back to school, hence the monetary problem again.)

Also, quick digging showed me there were a couple of jobs that did not require a college degree, but the site only showed the top 20, so I did not get a great look at what else is out there.
One of the highest paying being Air Traffic Controller.

Pretty much all of those jobs require experience in the field before you get paid.

That's fine, he's knows he is not going to be raking in the big bucks. He understand that he needs experience before he can make money.
If there are any other jobs like that, please let me know.

 

[Pandalisk]

Perhaps a Garden Centre? My brother works in one, and he loves the work, its just digging and planting, seeding and its all outdoors.. Pay is..Okay, but its enjoyable work.

Other than that..Could he get an apprenticeship? like a Carpenter? you said he's good with his hands, my grandfathers one, trained under his father, made great money too

Policeman is always a Sturdy job i always thought, and then theres Firemen!. it even has the word Fire! Thats awesome..

Maybe a Fitter? or Agricultural Mechanic?

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Electrician.

Or if he's not afraid of heights or lethal shock, Lineman.

 

[Bashful Reaper]

Hard to say, what does your area need? If you cater for a demand, it will always be more lucrative. Horticulture maybe a good way to go... Being good with your hands is essential; sound knowledge of engines is very helpful (think chainsaws and such) but not a focal point; and since he's smart, picking up knowledge of plants and such won't take long.
I don't know what country you live in. But a lot of places are getting a massive cut in public sector spending, ergo: cops and firefighters are looking at getting a bit of a raw deal in future.

 

[YouBecame]

My instinctual response was a surgeon, then I recalled that he didn't want to study, so thats firmly out of the window.

If it makes you feel any better, 2 years on from my degree and I've only just embarked on my career. It takes time to work out what you want to do

 

[mokes310]

I would like to know which industries that is not the case for? There are very few options available to those w/o college diplomas in one form or another. Traditionally, manufacturing jobs would have been my initial suggestion, but since the early 90's, those jobs have been outsourced to countries with lower payroll requirements. I hate to say it like this, but I would tell your boyfriend to swallow his pride and enroll at the nearest tech college to jump-start his search.

It's not a pride thing, it a he doesn't do well in school (attention problems) and it takes money that we don't have to send him to school.
I'd go for school loans, but school loans are KILLER to pay off. He's paying off school loans from going to college the first time. (The loan company will also not halt his loans if he chose to go back to school, hence the monetary problem again.)

Also, quick digging showed me there were a couple of jobs that did not require a college degree, but the site only showed the top 20, so I did not get a great look at what else is out there.
One of the highest paying being Air Traffic Controller.

Were his loans private, or federally subsidized? If they were subsidized, then he has every right in the world to defer his payments while he is enrolled at least half-time (6credits/units).

Secondly, and not to offend, but that article you posted was circa 2005/6. Let me ask you this: What's happened in this country since then? Also, the vast majority of those vocations don't "require" degrees, but in many instances, a simple certification program will likely not be enough to satisfy the employers heightened requirements.

I tell you this out of friendship and honesty. I was an uneducated IT worker for three years (04-07) and was laid-off from my position in California (before the recession in Dec 07). After that, I was competing for Data Entry level positions with people who had CIS PhD's. Trust me, in today's America, you need a BS/BA at a MINIMUM if you want to get more than minimum wage for the rest of your life.

 

[VanityGirl]

Were his loans private, or federally subsidized? If they were subsidized, then he has every right in the world to defer his payments while he is enrolled at least half-time (6credits/units).

Secondly, and not to offend, but that article you posted was circa 2005/6. Let me ask you this: What's happened in this country since then? Also, the vast majority of those vocations don't "require" degrees, but in many instances, a simple certification program will likely not be enough to satisfy the employers heightened requirements.

I tell you this out of friendship and honesty. I was an uneducated IT worker for three years (04-07) and was laid-off from my position in California (before the recession in Dec 07). After that, I was competing for Data Entry level positions with people who had CIS PhD's. Trust me, in today's America, you need a BS/BA at a MINIMUM if you want to get more than minimum wage for the rest of your life.

I'm not quite sure about the loans, I will have to double check. I do remember him calling the company and asking if he could had his loans halted while he went back to school. He recieved a swift no.

And I appreciate you picking that up. I understand that article is old, I was secretly hoping it would still be useful. (Sadly no.)

And I will have to see what we can do. He might have to just be a fireman or something if the school loans will not be halted.

 

[Quaxar]

Also, quick digging showed me there were a couple of jobs that did not require a college degree, but the site only showed the top 20, so I did not get a great look at what else is out there.
One of the highest paying being Air Traffic Controller.

Sure, but then again that's a really, really stressful job and Air Traffic Controllers have one of the highest suicide rates of all jobs.

What's wrong with Firefighter? Payment is good, it's relatively safe these days and when he comes home he might smell of BBQ.
Of course there's always the chance for him to start his own business, probably no degree necessary. Then again it costs money and a lot of time, plus if it fails you are left with the negative consequences.