Are there any decent paying jobs out there that don't require schooling? [Archive]

cedardryad

02-22-2008, 11:05 PM

So I'm desperate to get a better job. The job I have pays well, but no matter how many times I apply for full time, it's not happening. On top of it this job isn't me. I don't like dealing with people a lot, not to mention in a hospital.

I went to 2 different colleges and left because it wasn't working out. I love to learn, but college wasn't stimulating enough. Now that I have a family and am the sole provider for the family I can't risk going to school. And to be honest I don't want to set foot in another college. I love to write and I want to be a comic book writer desperately and even do some children's books, but I can't get motivated for the life of me. I get home from work and it's too easy to either relax or do household chores. And currently I can't depend on my "writing" or lack there of to support me.

Does anybody have any suggestions or tips for me?

Kyuubi

02-22-2008, 11:08 PM

Yeah, but they're all illegal.

DaeJi

02-22-2008, 11:16 PM

My first advice is to get some damn initiative and stop complaining about lack of motivation. I've been there before; you really need to address that problem and correct it. I did, and it has done wonders for me. As far as work, construction. Or go to a trade school.

Sabrinaset

02-22-2008, 11:26 PM

I don't like dealing with people a lot, not to mention in a hospital.

......HEY! :mad:

DaeJi

02-22-2008, 11:32 PM

Wait, nevermind, I answered my own question...

cedardryad

02-22-2008, 11:34 PM

......HEY! :mad:

No offense. Hospitals aren't for me.

DaeJi

02-22-2008, 11:36 PM

Is the janitor the one who cleans up the blood and gross bodily fluids in a Hospital?

cedardryad

02-22-2008, 11:37 PM

I wanted to do construction so bad. So far I've been dismissed because of the chick thing. No one thinks that I can do it because I'm a female. I actually think its more because I have a small frame and people think I can't lift things.

Sabrinaset

02-22-2008, 11:40 PM

Is the janitor the one who cleans up the blood and gross bodily fluids in a Hospital?

That's what we have interns and med students for! :D

DaeJi

02-22-2008, 11:46 PM

That's what we have interns and med students for! :D

Fascinating.

I wanted to do construction so bad. So far I've been dismissed because of the chick thing. No one thinks that I can do it because I'm a female. I actually think its more because I have a small frame and people think I can't lift things.

My father used to be a construction overseer. Females are at a disadvantage because men are as a rule stronger. However now a days most companies just want to hire skill-less assembly line workers for lower wages forcing good, hard working men and women out of work and... sorry, that subject is a little touchy for me. Housekeeper?

cedardryad

02-23-2008, 12:06 AM

Did housekeeping since I was in kindergarten. No joke. My mom cleans houses and brought me with her to clean. i never had a childhood or even any type of "hood" for that matter. I cleaned houses with her up until I was 21, not to mention I did this for free. Really screwed with my school and my other job. My dad is a construction worker, self taught carpenter. He offered me a job when I was 16, but I was already working. Plus it doesn't help that I don't have a car or license. That is a complicated story that has more to do with a green card and not because I never went in for it.

Tried trade schools, but gain between work and my daughter it was too much. When I went to school while my daughter was younger, I saw her an hour a day. I came from work and went to school. Got home and she's asleep. Its very hard on me. Plus again I'm debt from the last 2 schools I went to.

Oddly enough all the jobs I was thinking about, i get paid less than I do now. I went to school for what I do now, but found out it wasn't for me.

TomStillwell

02-23-2008, 12:09 AM

Contract killer. It pays great.

Or so I hear...

DaeJi

02-23-2008, 12:14 AM

You could try being a janitor, a receptionist (though you'll need certain skills for that, but not schooling), a librarian, assistant, work in a shop, waitress. I hate to say it, but stripping pays good money. If you have carpenter skills you could work for one, or work for a company that builds things like gazebos.

Cam63

02-23-2008, 12:32 AM

Contract killer. It pays great.

Or so I hear...

You know too much.

*Laser beam sight moves towards Tom*

cedardryad

02-23-2008, 12:32 AM

DaeJi

02-23-2008, 12:51 AM

I'm a receptionist now. Last job was retail, and I sort of had a managerial position. The highest pay i could've gotten there was $14. I get $16 now. But working only 2 days a week really hurts. I filled out tons of applications and put my resume at Monster, but there is nothing that is close enough. I'm definately going to have to focus on the writing.

I'm a writer; you really need a day job. Trust me, you REALLY need a day job.

cedardryad

02-23-2008, 01:07 AM

I know that. I don't plan on leaving my day job at all. I don't mind the receptionist thing, it's where I am. In this area of the neighborhood there are a lot of jerks. Not to mention that people tend to talk down to me like I'm a 2 year old. But then again I'm more of the hands on type. I need to feel like I'm making something and contributing to the world in that fashion. Physical labor and all, I think that's the way I was raised.

Apex Tech

02-23-2008, 01:19 AM

There are a few that pay well and don't require a degree, but a little higher education will never hurt.

It hardly costs anything to go to Brooklyn College, and it's great.

MacQuarrie

02-23-2008, 01:39 AM

There have been a few women in my area who have done well for themselves running handyman or painting businesses. They market on the idea that women are more detail-oriented and cooperative, so the quality is higher and more likely to be what the customer wants.

If you're handy with power tools and know something about plumbing, electrical and basic carpentry, it might not be a bad idea.

Tyr

02-23-2008, 02:28 AM

That's what we have interns and med students for! :D

And orderlies, which I think you have to go to school for these days. My sis, thinks its cause everyone in the hospital biz wants to give off the illusion that their edumacated.

As to Cedars question, you could try opening your own business which is what I'm planning to do, but few business courses won't hurt.

shrike

02-23-2008, 08:30 AM

You don't have to 'step foot in a college' to get a degree nowadays.

If you want to honestly make a decent wage you _really_ should be getting a degree.

Just make sure it isn't in social work. ;)

Jeff Brady

02-23-2008, 08:42 AM

I'm a receptionist now. Last job was retail, and I sort of had a managerial position. The highest pay i could've gotten there was $14. I get $16 now. But working only 2 days a week really hurts. I filled out tons of applications and put my resume at Monster, but there is nothing that is close enough. I'm definately going to have to focus on the writing.

Go to the local Department of Labor (http://www.labor.state.ny.us/businessservices/Agency%20Counties.shtm#Kings). They have lots of resources for people just like you.

TCJohnson

02-23-2008, 08:48 AM

I repair computers. Only training I had was a 3 week course. And I am making pretty good money.

And my girlfriend is making pretty decent money at being a social worker...but man, what she has to put up with I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy.

TomStillwell

02-23-2008, 09:10 AM

If there's any small law firms around where you live, see if they are in need of any kind of administrative help. Typically they tend to hire people who can be a jack-of-all-trades and pay pretty well. In a small office setting they depend on less staff to handle a variety of jobs.

They might need you to answer phones, type stuff up, file stuff at court, etc. You just need to be able to multi-task, communicate, and get stuff done. No higher education is needed and you'll learn a lot just doing the job.

A friend's daughter started at one of these jobs a couple years ago. She worked her ass off and is now pretty much running the office with good pay as well.

SUPERECWFAN1

02-23-2008, 09:14 AM

There is porno acting. How do ya feel about that business ? You could be the next Dirk Diggler !

Ok being serious....Tom's post above mine makes the best option.

Cream Filled Taco

02-23-2008, 09:30 AM

Does anybody have any suggestions or tips for me?

How much preparation are you willing to do before getting a job, and how much do you want to make when you start?

KevinTBrown

02-23-2008, 10:08 AM

You know too much.

*Laser beam sight moves towards Tom*

He has protection though:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Zapow21/prettyprincess.jpg

K'Nort

02-23-2008, 11:35 AM

You could try being a janitor, a receptionist (though you'll need certain skills for that, but not schooling), a librarian

That actually requires a masters degree in most countries. Although there are plenty of jobs in a library other than librarian. Kinda like jobs in hospitals besides doctor.

Jeff's recommendation of the labor dept is a good one. They have free aptitude tests. There could be something compatible that isn't on your radar yet.

Puma

02-23-2008, 11:40 AM

That actually requires a masters degree in most countries. Although there are plenty of jobs in a library other than librarian. Kinda like jobs in hospitals besides doctor.

Jeff's recommendation of the labor dept is a good one. They have free aptitude tests. There could be something compatible that isn't on your radar yet.

I love being equated with a waitress, how about you?

Sabrinaset

02-23-2008, 11:42 AM

There is porno acting. How do ya feel about that business ? You could be the next Dirk Diggler !

I treated a VERY high-end prostitute (or so she said, anyway) a couple months ago who told me that, on an hourly basis, she makes more than I do. I didn't disagree with her.

Lester C.

02-23-2008, 11:47 AM

I want to be a gun runner. Lord of War, which I saw last night, made it look so damn sexy. Failing that I've always felt my calling to be a Sith Lord or Demagogue. I get to bullshit people and make an insane amount of money. What can be a better job than that?

K'Nort

02-23-2008, 11:48 AM

I treated a VERY high-end prostitute (or so she said, anyway) a couple months ago who told me that, on an hourly basis, she makes more than I do. I didn't disagree with her.

She won't make it for nearly as long, however.

Sabrinaset

02-23-2008, 11:51 AM

K'Nort

02-23-2008, 11:56 AM

I think what kills most of them is the drug use. I mean really, take the money you make and invest it in a good retirement plan. Kick those pimps to the curb, they're just a drain on expenses and don't do anything for you anyways.

PROSTITUTION! But what does that mean really? Sometimes it helps to understand a word if you break it down, so let's do that now shall we? Pros... it doesn't mean anything, you can forget about that... Tit, I think we all know what that means, Tu, two tit and TION of course, from the Latin to shun... to say uh-uh no thank you anyway I don't want it, to push away... it doesn't even belong in this word really.

SUPERECWFAN1

02-23-2008, 03:51 PM

I treated a VERY high-end prostitute (or so she said, anyway) a couple months ago who told me that, on an hourly basis, she makes more than I do. I didn't disagree with her.

Are they hiring any straight men who can satisfy the ladies ? I mean construction is nice but I'm looking at a career plan where I can be satisfied and perhaps retire with the right money. How would I file this on my W-2's ?

CutterMike

02-23-2008, 04:00 PM

I treated a VERY high-end prostitute (or so she said, anyway) a couple months ago who told me that, on an hourly basis, she makes more than I do. I didn't disagree with her.

...so how high was her end? (Inquiring minds, and all that...!)

mgs

02-23-2008, 04:23 PM

If there's any small law firms around where you live, see if they are in need of any kind of administrative help.

If you don't have schooling, skill is usually necessary. Tom's answer is what I would suggest. Dealing with the people will be the worst part. Esp. idiot lawyers that you may work for. They give receptionists a hard time when they first start out. But this job is also high stress, but worth it if you get decent benefits and pay....so how high was her end? (Inquiring minds, and all that...!)

I've heard high end ones can cost 15-20 grand, a night!

cedardryad

02-23-2008, 05:02 PM

How much preparation are you willing to do before getting a job, and how much do you want to make when you start?

I go all out. The thing is I love to work hard. I'm the kind of person that loves a busy day because I need to keep working to stay sane. The problem is that the more I work the more people take advantage of me. I tend to do my work load and others' and they get the credit. I'm a pushover I guess. The minute I speak up I get reprimanded. I don't get it, no one else gets in trouble for standing up for themselves on my floor, but the second i stand up for myself I get in trouble. I'm a quick learner, at almost all my jobs within the year my reviews were always excellent or above average, but for some odd reason I never get promoted. My last job was because I didn't drive. It took me 4 and a half years out of 6 to finally get a lead position. A position that everyone told me i deserved at an earlier time.

My current job I'm screwed over by seniority. No matter how lazy or irresponsible the other person is, if they were there longer than me they get the better position. I lost out to 2 positions because of that. What pissed me off is the I was supposed to get an interview regardless, and I never got it. The second position was partly due to the fact that human resources lost my transfer request. The second time the same position was posted I applied again and the lady told me it was already filled and that they just posted the revised one. Today I had people tell me I work really hard and do a better job than the regulars on the floor. I was doing over time on another floor. I always find this amusing, people say I'm so good but I get treated like a 2 year old half of the time. People love talking down to me.

The thing is that so far every time I went into an interview I always get the job. My last three jobs were like that, now I don't even get called in for an interview.

Payment wise, I want to get $20 at the most. I'll be happy with a dollar or two more than I get now. The thing is I would be happy if I got full time hours.

Dr Ray Palmer

02-23-2008, 05:28 PM

Cream Filled Taco

02-23-2008, 07:29 PM

Maybe you'd like software testing/QA? Generally, you need experience for a full time position, but often there are temp positions available, where you'd gain experience. I know at my company, many people have gotten their foot in the door through the temp tester positions, and later moved on to full time testers, or other positions in the company. I believe you mentioned you weren't working full time, so perhaps you have time to gain experience in temp work somewhere.

http://www.softwareqatest.com/newsandjobs1.html

jerrymcl89

02-23-2008, 07:40 PM

I don't know how one gets it, but UPS driver seems to be among the most lucrative jobs that doesn't require a high level of education.

mgs

02-23-2008, 07:44 PM

I don't know how one gets it, but UPS driver seems to be among the most lucrative jobs that doesn't require a high level of education.

I think you are correct, but I think it is also one of those 'prime' jobs that requires working on the stinky, backbreaking packing line for many years before you get a chance at it.

jerrymcl89

02-23-2008, 07:50 PM

I think you are correct, but I think it is also one of those 'prime' jobs that requires working on the stinky, backbreaking packing line for many years before you get a chance at it.

Probably. Or an uncle in the Teamsters Union.

mgs

02-23-2008, 07:53 PM

Probably. Or an uncle in the Teamsters Union.

actually, I'm not sure if UPS uses teamsters, I might be wrong on this, but I think they hire internally, especially for more of their 'key' jobs.

Sabrinaset

02-23-2008, 08:09 PM

I want to be a gun runner.

A-HA! NOW we know the REAL reason why that gun is in your house! ;)

DungeonmasterJim

02-23-2008, 08:10 PM

Is there any reason you can't ask your father for a carpentar's job? He offered you one before didn't he? Seems like a win-win situation.

DM Jim

jerrymcl89

02-23-2008, 08:10 PM

actually, I'm not sure if UPS uses teamsters, I might be wrong on this, but I think they hire internally, especially for more of their 'key' jobs.

The Teamsters struck them a few years ago, so I'm pretty sure they do.

mgs

02-23-2008, 08:14 PM

The Teamsters struck them a few years ago, so I'm pretty sure they do.

my bad! :)

CutterMike

02-23-2008, 08:17 PM

As Jeff noted the U.S. Department of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/dol/library.htm) has lots of resources available, as should your state employment office.

One thing that you might do is look at the DoL's Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/home.htm) site.

Here (http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/compub.htm), for instance, is the page where you can look up your home area and get the survey of what average salaries for a lot of jobs are (or were, depending on when the last survey was done.) Take a look and see if there's anything that you could do that interests you.

They also have Occupational Outlook (http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm) reports, detailing general requirements and job prospects for a number of occupations.

Check your online state and federal job resources - depending on where you live, there may be municipal programs, as well. If your city has a web site, and most do, these days, check their services. They may also have resources for opportunities that you might never have considered. For instance, as part of the mandated "public service" requirement that most cable television companies have to agree to to get into larger communities, there is often a local access channel and studio with free or very economical courses in video production and editing. (I'm planning on taking some this year at our local studio, just because I'm a geek and it's a new set of toys to play with.) Get some free or cheap training and a few free community-access production credits under your belt and who knows where you could go?

Just some thoughts...

PatrickG

02-23-2008, 08:52 PM

Depending on disposition and schedule, I'd keep the receptionist job (those are weekdays, right?) and get a job waiting tables on the side.

The beauty is, waiting is more of a weekend job. And the days you'd be missing to do receptionist work, you probably wouldn't pull $14 an hour anyway at most chains. But you could make more than that on the weekends.

IMHO, the best thing in the world with a waiting job is to have some obligation (like the receptionist job) that guarantees you the prime money making shifts.

Best of both worlds potentially if you're suited to it.

cactusmaac

02-24-2008, 06:16 AM

I think what kills most of them is the drug use. I mean really, take the money you make and invest it in a good retirement plan. Kick those pimps to the curb, they're just a drain on expenses and don't do anything for you anyways.

There was some interesting economics work done by Venkatesh that indicated pimps are necessary for safety.

In the five years I observed vice in Maquis Park, there was only one fatality for a prostitute who was managed by a pimp. In contrast, thirteen self-employed prostitutes died during the night hours at work. Of these, ten died at the hands of either an abusive john, a spouse or partner jealous of their work, or a pimp trying to clear them away from a spot: the other three died of drug overdoses, although they too may have been dealing with some type of harassment.

Sex workers with pimps can earn more money, and their work is more steady.

cedardryad

02-24-2008, 10:38 AM

Have you looked at government jobs -- federal (post office?), state, local? The pay is often decent with those and the benefits are usually terrific. You should also check into local college/university websites to see what kind of job opportunities they may have.

I can't get a federal job. I'm not a citizen.:(

When it comes to UPS, I applied once and they told me that I couldn't work there because I was too small. Go figure.

I talked to the housekeepers in the hospital and they told me that housekeeping is hiring. So tomorrow when their manager is in I'm going to talk to him. They get better hours and benefits than I do, and they don't deal with people as much. Besides it gives me that physical labor thing I needed so badly.:D Some people are telling me not to do it, but hell it's not beneath me and someone has to keep the hospital clean. Those damn Med. students suck at it.:D

cedardryad

02-24-2008, 10:42 AM

Is there any reason you can't ask your father for a carpentar's job? He offered you one before didn't he? Seems like a win-win situation.

DM Jim

My dad works as a road worker and is laid off now. He is a carpenter on the side. Self trained. He dropped out of 3rd grade and basically was doing carpentry since then. That is what I call determination. Besides my dad lives in CT and I'm in NY.