Anyone here work fulltime and NOT have a college degree?

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Dorimukyasuto

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What kind of jobs are available for someone who only has a high school diploma? I have 2.5 years of college completed but I don't think I'll be able to finish for a while, for more than one reason. I'm not talking working as a cashier (already doin' that) but more like an actual job I can use to pay rent and live comfortably (hopefully doable as I am single), and eventually get a car.

I'm good with computers, like a lot of us here, but I don't have any "trade" skills. I'm also talking about in the US.
For those who are grown with families and did not go to college, how is your life right now? Are you living comfortably?
 
I work full time at Michelin and do not have a college degree. I'm married with a wife and three kids, two new(ish) cars, and just built a house 2 years ago this September. My wife only has a part time job, mostly to get out of the house and have a little extra pocket/spending money.

I'm comfortable. We pretty much want for nothing. I'm not rich, and never will be, but I'm ok with that. :)

In SC, btw.
 
I went to college for 3 years, they weren't teaching me what I wanted to learn, and I dropped out. I've been a Systems Administrator for the past 16 years and never looked back. I love my workk and get paid well for doing it.
 
I have been working for 10 years in TV with only my GCSEs and 2 e's at A Level. No Uni education at all.

Nice house, wife, kids next year. Happy days.
 
If you want to get into IT you can skip getting a diploma and just study for a cert. A good cert. One that will allow you to specialize.
 
I work full time, no college degree.
Working on my certifications.
Been working two part time jobs since I was sixteen, had a full time job or another since I was eighteen.
Just the lot I was given and what my household situation needed.

Aesius said:
This thread will be full of IT guys and Web devs/designers.
Click to expand...

Pretty much lol
 
I only have a year of college and work as a Quality Manager at a middling manufacturing plant in Pittsburgh. I make over 50k a year. Of course, I started my post dropout career working as a technician on Wind Turbines which is a shitty job by anyone standards, but it builds up a really good resume that a college degree can't match.

You probably won't land a GREAT job without having good work experience OR a college degree, either one of those take time and sacrifice and debasement.
 
Don't limit yourself due to a lack of a college diploma. If you're smart and driven, there is no reason you can't do any job that "requires" a non-specific BA. Get in somewhere as an admin assistant and work your way up. It's the same way anyone with a degree would have to do it, but you'll face more adversity at the hiring stage.
 
I dont even "Technically" have a High School diploma. Been working professionally for 15 years. It probably made my life harder early on. I had to work hard to get a job early on. I found after 25 no one really cared what documents I had, more what experience I had.

I did a lot of labouring work when I left highschool. After 3 years I got sick of that and wanted to work indoors so I focused on getting a job where I would be encouraged to study and expand my skills. After that every job I have accepted since I have always picked in on the ability to learn and progress.

After all I'd rather be paid to learn than have to pay to learn.

*Edit*
I'm currently in Management.
 
Worked collections for 4 years, now I audit internal and third-party collections. Make pretty good money and really enjoy my job. Certainly no college degree required. The industry gets a bad rap, but if you work first-party you're basically customer service that dials out as well.
 
Starsunder said:
I work full time at Michelin and do not have a college degree. I'm married with a wife and three kids, two new(ish) cars, and just built a house 2 years ago this September. My wife only has a part time job, mostly to get out of the house and have a little extra pocket/spending money.

I'm comfortable. We pretty much want for nothing. I'm not rich, and never will be, but I'm ok with that. :)

In SC, btw.
Click to expand...

where in SC? I worked in Michelin Laurens in SC back in the day


Also, op, just get a warehouse job some where. Low impact and it'll be decent pay
 
I make pretty shit money compared to you dudes at a bit under $10 an hour, but I guess it isn't terrible for someone with only a HS diploma in north-central Florida.

Basically I work in a diet office in the food service department of a hospital. I interact with patients, Registered Dietitians, Certified Dietary Managers (Hope to start certification course for this sometime next year!), Nursing staff, etc...

It's pretty cool as I'm not really getting my "Hands dirty" like you do so often in food service, not that I mind going into the trenches either. I did pots and pans for years until I let my boss know that I wanted something more, and she gave me a shot thankfully.

Like I said, my position doesn't require a degree but it does require a good bit of training on dealing with therapeutic diets. I've been really working on learning as much as I can about nutrition this past year or so to lose weight, so you might say I kind of grew into a passion for the job.

It can be super stressful when you've got 3 lines ringing all at once (And I personally have a phone phobia) and you're dealing with nurses who don't know how to properly enter their information and patients who don't understand WHY they can't have a piece of cake just because they are diabetic and everything needs to happen ASA fucking P.


But, if you can stick with it, working in food service can be a pretty rewarding gig in a clinical setting. Full time work, benefits, lots to keep you busy. Honestly I love my work and would rather be there than home most of the time. Hell, I'd work 60 hour weeks if they'd let me!
 
I'm in insurance. No degree, but it does require a state license. It has afforded me a comfortable enough life for a single dude without a proper college education, but I am getting to a point where I can't grow further in my company without one. Which is a pain because they only to pay for business classes, yet they don't actually care what kind of degree you have.
 
You don't have to have a bachelors for my job, but I do.

I'm an Air Traffic Controller. It's fucking hard, but worth it. Look into it, they're in desperate need of controllers but the problem is that it's a long ass process to get in. Took me 4 years from when I applied to when I started.
 
I don't have one. I'm a cook, I went to a culinary school but it was only for one year and now I make almost 22$ an hour.
 
One of my co-workers doesn't have a college degree and he's been working as a Loan Processor in the mortgage industry for quite a few years now. Not too sure what his story is since he just got hired, but I'm sure he was in the same position that I'm in now when he started (e.g. hourly wage, regular 9-5 with the occasional overtime). Only difference is that I have a college degree (...sigh) and I'm looking to become a Loan Officer. Anyway, he's doing pretty well with a base salary + commission + benefits and the job pretty much involves reviewing documents and putting together files for clients (varies by company).
 
High school only here and getting 47k right now while training and will be pulling 70-110k after I'm finished qualifying in my position which takes half a year or so. Much better than my last job
 
I make 6 digits as a marketing director at a Fortune 500. Been working there for 11 years though ever since I got out of the Air Force. Worked my way up from 23k.

I was very lucky. I've been freaking out the last few days though because if I somehow lose my job, no way I can come close to what I'm making. I need to go back to school but I don't really have the time.
 
daw840 said:
You don't have to have a bachelors for my job, but I do.

I'm an Air Traffic Controller. It's fucking hard, but worth it. Look into it, they're in desperate need of controllers but the problem is that it's a long ass process to get in. Took me 4 years from when I applied to when I started.
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Jeez. That must be stressful as fuck.
 
I dropped out of high school in grade 11 and don`t have a college degree.

I apprenticed in the trades and make a lets say a very comfortable living. Hows strong s your back and mechanical aptitude? See if any construction sites needs help, or plumbers/electricians always need helpers. Hell go be a swamper pay is good skill level is low.
 
I was making almost 100k, $30/hr plus huge bonuses, working in a nickel refinery at a mine with only a GED. Oil/gas and mining are where you can make lots of money quick to set yourself up.

Right now I do carpentry/plumbing work at $18/hr which is decent for where I am. I could get a trade (red seal) but that's 4 years just like a bachelors and physical...

I'd like to get a degree of some kind once our second vehicle is paid off. I've been working physical labour for 10+ years and I'm sick of it.
 
daw840 said:
You don't have to have a bachelors for my job, but I do.

I'm an Air Traffic Controller. It's fucking hard, but worth it. Look into it, they're in desperate need of controllers but the problem is that it's a long ass process to get in. Took me 4 years from when I applied to when I started.
Click to expand...

I recall news stories where ATCs were falling asleep. If it's that stressful, then I can't exactly blame them.
 
I don't have a degree yet. I'm working as a Computer Systems Engineer. I luckily had lower end jobs that realized I had the capability to do higher end stuff. I don't get paid as much as i should, but i'm working on the degree now that my career is stable :)
 
Huh, I never knew you can make so much without a college degree. Some of you guys are making more than me. Now I feel even worse.

Since some of you have been working for a long time without degrees, what do you recommend for those of us who has degrees in unrelated stuff?
 
Amory said:
Jeez. That must be stressful as fuck.
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Yeah, it's pretty fucking bad.

Rhomega Beta said:
I recall news stories where ATCs were falling asleep. If it's that stressful, then I can't exactly blame them.
Click to expand...

The problem is the schedule. You work a five day schedule and your days off are generally the same for a year, and you bid every year for your days off. It goes in order of seniority. A typical schedule is as follows.

Day 1: 1455-2255
Day 2: 1340-2140
Day 3: 0830-1630
Day 4: 0545-1345
Day 5: 2255-0655
Day 6: Off
Day 7: Off

Note that on the Day 4 to Day 5 transition you are actually going back into work on the same day that you got off work.
 
I dropped out of college halfway through and I currently work full-time in the games industry. I had some help from a friend or two to get started and I'm not making a ton of money, although that's to be expected since it's a startup. Honestly, if I were trying to support a family on one income, I'd probably do better trying to get two waiting jobs. Luckily I'm not and have time to pay some dues.
 
Furious Styles said:
One of my co-workers doesn't have a college degree and he's been working as a Loan Processor in the mortgage industry for quite a few years now. Not too sure what his story is since he just got hired, but I'm sure he was in the same position that I'm in now when he started (e.g. hourly wage, regular 9-5 with the occasional overtime). Only difference is that I have a college degree (...sigh) and I'm looking to become a Loan Officer. Anyway, he's doing pretty well with a base salary + commission + benefits and the job pretty much involves reviewing documents and putting together files for clients (varies by company).
Click to expand...

Apparently I'm your co worker.
 
I worked as a 911 Dispatcher for a while and recently got into IT, using my dispatch experience to work my way into a niche section of IT. I do decent, but I wish I made a little more. My new company pays tuition reimbursement, so I'm going to try and get a degree in Info Systems to expand opportunities in the future.

I'm just glad I got out of dispatch. I still work there part time and it's terrible. I doubt I'll be there part time much longer.
 
I had a full-time construction job for a while. $15/hr. Then I moved away.


Edit- For shits and giggles, a list of people that don't have college degrees:

Mark Zuckerberg
Steve Jobs
Ralph Lauren
Ben Affleck
Bill Gates
Michael Dell
Ted Turner
David Geffen
Brad Pitt
Troy Aikman
Christina Aguilera (no high school diploma either)
Woody Allen
Julian Assange
Lucille Ball
Luc Besson
Ray Bradbury
Marlon Brando
Herman Melville (high school dropout)
Warren Buffett
Claude Monet

among many others.
 
daw840 said:
You don't have to have a bachelors for my job, but I do.

I'm an Air Traffic Controller. It's fucking hard, but worth it. Look into it, they're in desperate need of controllers but the problem is that it's a long ass process to get in. Took me 4 years from when I applied to when I started.
Click to expand...

I wanted to get into this, and I feel I would have been a perfect fit, but the hoops they make you jump through to get in are ridiculous. Last I heard they had a hiring freeze, but that was a few years ago. Now I'm too old to get in ( 30.. seriously.. too old. ).

What a joke. They need to get their shit together and have a consistent hiring process. It's such a trainwreck.
 
I make 18 an hour. Never set foot in a college. But I know people that make double or triple what I do with no education. If you are willing to get your hands dirty there are plenty of ways to make a good living without going to college.
 
OrangeGrayBlue said:
I had a full-time construction job for a while. $15/hr. Then I moved away.


Edit- For shits and giggles, a list of people that don't have college degrees:

Mark Zuckerberg
Steve Jobs
Ralph Lauren
Ben Affleck
Bill Gates
Michael Dell
Ted Turner
David Geffen
Brad Pitt
Troy Aikman
Christina Aguilera (no high school diploma either)
Woody Allen
Julian Assange
Lucille Ball
Luc Besson
Ray Bradbury
Marlon Brando
Herman Melville (high school dropout)
Warren Buffett
Claude Monet

among many others.
Click to expand...
These lists are always interesting, but they are the exceptions. Statistically though, people with degrees are more likely to land a full time job.

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http://www.businessinsider.com/college-vs-no-college-unemployment-rates-2013-6
 
No college degree here. I did do 3 years at university plus an internship. I dropped out when my parents couldn't afford my schooling anymore.

I make pretty good money considering my age and my lack of experience. I'm currently employed as an email marketer.
 
1 year of college. (Hoping to go back, but...:( )

Work retail at 40 hrs/week. While 40 is usually considered full time, I don't have the title "Full Time". If that makes any sense. I make decent money (10.50/hr) for a single guy out on his own with manageable rent.
 
I'm in the software industry and I work with many people who don't have college degree.
My own education is practically irrelevant to my job too.

But computer science is a bit of a silly degree (not for your job prospects mind you, it's just a silly, slow and expensive way to teach someone how to code).
 
I've been working 15 years full time without a degree. I work in sports training/coaching, but 5 years ago I decided I wanted a change in career paths and am now 3 classes away from completing a Bachelor of Science Information Technology degree. Hard to get a foot in the door these days without a degree unless you're involved in IT.
 
I work full time, but I'm a temp. When I get back into school I'll be able to turn it into a career, just gotta get that started by getting out of a situation. So yeah no degree for me yet.
 
whitehawk said:
These lists are always interesting, but they are the exceptions. Statistically though, people with degrees are more likely to land a full time job.

*snip*
Click to expand...


No surprises there. I find that a college degree is much less mandatory for people looking to pave their own path, though. If you're looking to start your own business, do something in the arts or anything entrepreneurial then a degree is much more of a personal preference than a career booster. Almost everyone in that list falls into those categories. Even people with degrees, such as Elon Musk, have gone on to talk about their impracticality in certain regards. Anyone who has a clear vision of what they wish to do can educate themselves much more quickly than a university can. Hell, free college lectures are widely available online. Getting the knowledge is cheap; it's the degree itself that's costly.

Obviously, though, anyone who's just looking for a stable job and doesn't have some life-defining passion they wish to pursue would be wise to get one.
 
I'd do anything to get a job paying more than min. wage. Seriously, anything. I'd pack up my bags today and get on a plane and do whatever.
 
daw840 said:
You don't have to have a bachelors for my job, but I do.

I'm an Air Traffic Controller. It's fucking hard, but worth it. Look into it, they're in desperate need of controllers but the problem is that it's a long ass process to get in. Took me 4 years from when I applied to when I started.
Click to expand...
This really has caught my attention. What exactly takes 4 years, all the training?

Also, some great responses here. Just wanted to add that I live in an urban environment in the North so we don't have all the construction opportunities for non-union workers.
 
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