Career Options Without College

Everybody doesn't have the time, the money or the inclination to attend a four year college. However, everybody would like to make as decent a salary as possible with the skills they already possess or are willing to train for.

Apart from blue collar jobs, there are a variety of careers that pay well enough to survive quite nicely on and provide room for advancement in the field. Although, there is not a thing wrong with a blue collar job.

The world wouldn't run properly without the folks who are willing to collect your trash, clean your streets, do your laundry, serve your dinner or scrub your toilet, to name just a few of those necessary but not necessarily glamourous jobs. If those positions don't appeal to you there is still hope. Just don't forget to tip the waiter on your way to a better career.

Firefighter

Some fields that offer a good paying position without a college degree will surprise you but if you envision yourself the hero type, maybe you'd like to be a FIREFIGHTER. A college education isn't required to join the Fire Department of most cities. You must be in good physical shape and be able to pass a test of ability and agility as well as a written test to determine if your firefighter material.

If you pass those tests and are chosen for the job, you'll be sent off to fire fighting school for twelve to fifteen weeks to learn every aspect of fire and rescue. The salary ranges from $20K-$50K. Not a bad deal for three to four months of school.

Sales

If you are a people's person and have a persuasive personality, consider a career in SALES. If you're very good at connecting people with the products or services that they need, you could find yourself in the six figure income arena, especially if you find a job that pays commissions and bonuses. Providing consumables is job security in itself.

Mechanic

With the price of a new car in the $20-$60,000 range people are keeping their vehicles long enough to require repairs. A MECHANIC makes a good living providing this service. No college degree is necessary but if you were prudent enough to attend a vocational school during your high school years, you could walk into a cushy job in the field at a very young age. If you attend classes to attain a certification as a Class A or B mechanic, you're on your way to smooth financial sailing. A 28 year old shop supervisor that I know personally is making $30 an hour. Not too shabby.

Casino Manager

Another job to consider is that of a Floor Manager in a Casino. You doesn't necessarily have a college degree but you has come up through the ranks and learned the job from the bottom up. You would have to be a strong leader and the ability to manage, organize and motivate people must be a natural skill of yours. It helps if you can make quick, rational decisions and are willing to think outside the craps table. You'll come in contact with a large variety of people in this industry so you can't be easily shocked by strange behaviors. In exchange for your hard work and great personality you could take home something in the neighborhood of $50K a year.

Your Own Business

And then, of course, there is always the prospect of starting your own business. If there is something you're very good at. Why not make a living doing it? It could be as basic as baby sitting, or something more complicated like web site design. People always need services and if you have the ability to provide them, you have the key to unlock the door to a substantial living.

You can make a great living with a little hard work and a lot of ambition. Or, if you don't want to work hard and you're not really motivated, memorize this one pertinent question: Do you want fries with that?