Jobs without a college degree

Guitarmattms · #1 07-02-2009, 11:38 PM

O'kay Guys. I would like to hear your opinions on this.

I've been talking to my parents and we've been debating about this.

It seems that the only types of jobs I can find anymore are costumer service, retail, or medical and all the other jobs out there that require a degree. My parents claim that I can find a 19 dollar an hour job without any education? Is this still true or are my parents a little outdated? (no offense to them).

**elcid** · #2 07-03-2009, 12:11 AM

My wife was having a hard time even finding work as a receptionist without a college degree, even with a degree it doesnt assure high pay. I never finished college and make $55/hr as an electrician, plus I have great benefits.

RNRCRAZYKNIGHT · #3 07-03-2009, 12:29 AM

I'm a Direct Sales Rep for a cable company. No college degree. I make about $78,000 a year.

Scott

ColinMmmmm · #4 07-03-2009, 12:36 AM

It seems a lot of jobs require one, but in my opinion, a college degree doesn't guarantee intelligence . . . but I suppose employers need some way to narrow down their search. I know plenty of people without one that make decent pay. If you can afford it though, I'd do it.

rickcard71 · #5 07-03-2009, 12:36 AM

It is a f'ing joke what these damn companies require with NO PAY! Even with good pay what they require. I have 2 Associate degrees and I am unemployed (not that one has to do with the other just stating my info.). Elicid your wife probably has way more experience and would be better than more than 50% of the people with degrees. It is a damn joke.

But to answer the original question, it is possible to make $19/hr. without degree, but it is hard. Competition and most Cus. Service jobs pay around $10 to $20\hr. So to get $19 is tough, but attainable.

Most of these companies pass on the best candidates because they look for a degree.

sick-boy · #6 07-03-2009, 01:15 AM

Around here, the only jobs that paid $19 an hour were the factory jobs. Since almost every factory in the county has been shut down (they relied on the automotive industry) we no longer have jobs like that.
On the other hand, just having a degree doesn't guarantee good pay. I work as direct care staff, and a few of my co-workers have degrees and make just as much as me.
It should also be noted that a direct care staff job is severely underpaid. For instance, I had the following things thrown at me today:
(2) Garbage cans
(3) Heavy plastic chairs
(1) Half full, industrial sized bottle of hand soap
(1) Laundry basket
(1) Crayon (high velocity)
(1) Cheap, heavy rubber sandal
Not to mention the numerous fists, kicks, and spit. All that for $9 an hour. Not exactly on topic, but hey, I gotta vent somewhere.

TheToneZone · #7 07-03-2009, 01:46 AM

I think the real question you need to ask yourself when considering pay vs. degree or non is whether you're doing what you want to be doing and whether you're pursuing a job or a career. There certainly are well paying positions out there without college requirements but they are becoming few and far between. It's also has a lot to do with the field in which you enter, there are some that you simply cannot do the work without some type of formal training.

I chose accounting because it's the family business for the most part, that and I tried about everything else. The general rule with accountants or CPA's is that in any business they are the first ones hired and last ones fired. Not to mention a decent CPA in my area can charge 150 an hour and not break a sweat, but that's after a fair amount of personal time mastering the profession, and it's one that generally requires a lot of time to cut your teeth. This isn't necessarily true for other degrees or certificates. What I would consider to be the more fluffy BA degrees can take a lot less time to complete and merit the same amount of pay, but at the end of the day in times of downsizing (much like now) their holders tend to get cut first and have a more difficult time getting back into the workforce when able.

I actually think it's a sad state the country is in when a person can't actually freely choose a profession but are instead forced into one by the economic conditions. I realize that is pretty much the state of MOST people working, but because we're talking about college we are assuming that you are making some sort of decision about your profession. With where we are headed the manufacturing industry is going to be non-existent and you are either going to be in the service industry, working in an office, or cleaning up after the people working in the office. The choice between pliers, a pencil, or a broom doesn't seem like much of a choice to me.

I'll be honest in saying that most the people I've known over my life who didn't go to "college" do earn more than I do in a year, but at the same time, I don't mind what I do. I make my own hours for the most part while sitting in an air conditioned office listening to music. Considering where I've been, I know that I couldn't have that without a college degree.

Guitarmattms · #8 07-03-2009, 01:38 PM

So, it is possible but I just have to be pretty damn lucky! :-) excuse the language....

I live near Moline, IL where the John Deere head quarters are and we use to have Case IH here as well. Back in the day I know you could get a great paying job with one of these companies or another factory in the area. Most of these have either cut their staffing way back and never attend to hire. Or simply just got up and moved to another location.

For the past year I've been working at everyone's favorite retail store.... Wal-mart!!! *Shudders* Well, despite all the crappy things that Wal-mart has done. They have been pretty good to me. I'm full time, making about $9.50 an hour and have health benefits. However, I'm at the point where I don't enjoy coming to work. So, I've been looking for a new job and at the moment all I can find are retail jobs... My parents mention that I should get out of retail and get into a more psychical type of work such as a factory setting. Well, I would love to but I'm not even sure where to go anymore and I'm not the greatest for psychical work. :-( I just don't have the muscles for it.
.
Anyway, I'm planning on majoring in Computer Technology so I can work in the IT league. Which would be fun I think. I know there are some great paying jobs in that area so I just need to hold out a little bit longer. I'm hoping that next year I will be returning to school and completing a degree in Microcomputer Support Specialist.

Once, I graduated from school I'm thinking of venturing up to Chicago. I'm sure there will be more opportunities.

anderson · #9 07-09-2009, 06:52 AM

Have you tried working on a cruise ship?
I work on a cruise ship, maybe it's not a good money for your standard, but, it's a big amount of money for me(considering I came from developing country).
From what I've heard, they pay different for US citizens, so I think you should give it a try.
Like US musicians here onboard, they work only 4 hrs/day, and they get good money (that's what they told me).

Maybe you could try this Miami based cruise line, good luck for you.

Cheers,
Anderson