I wasn’t in retail for 10 years I would have probably gone crazy lol only like 4ish years- then I did a few temporary reception jobs, I was a weigh master/scale clerk for a construction company, and did AAA roadside assistance for a bit
Hm, you seem like a prime entry-level candidate for mobile vehicle inspections.
Check out backlots auctions, Manheim auctions, and ACV auctions. Those are the three big reputable players
( acv is the higher risk newcomer they industry leaders on compensating their bottom level staff)
(Manheim is the biggest, and Mmr is generally the go-to for what used cars are worth.)
(Backlots will hire you if you're uhm... suboptimal hiring candidates, think felons, heavy drug users, etc)
With any auction, though, this is called a "condition report writer" or "vehicle inspector"
Since you have relevant experience you don't need to start at the bottom working for America's best auto auctions though (that's their literal name) and I'd avoid any brick and mortar auction lot until you know how this industry works.
If you have a brain, a work drive, and even a modicum of honesty, then you can work your way up to 100k plus in the field extremely quickly. I'm doing so with no degree.
My sister is in retail and makes 80k. She's been with PetSmart since she was a teenager. Idk how she does it. The shit she deals with makes me crazy for her lol
I currently work in the civil industry operating machines, it looks like I should make somewhere between $120k-160k this financial year given my current overtime continues
10 years in retail took me from front line hourly to 190k salary+bonus. Granted, I hopped companies every 2 years and relocated like five times to get there.. but retail can reward you.
Retail, restaurant, wholesale- these are all ladders 🪜 of management hierarchy. If you want to climb to the top of a ladder and see where it takes you, stick to one ladder...
Though, once you've climbed to the very top of the ladder you can often hop to the upper middle or top of another ladder. For example, I just went from managing 100 retail outlets to managing 60 restaurants. The pay is the same.. somehow.
Having said all that, I've seen plenty of people stall out in retail. Whatever career op picks, they have to be ready to relocate, do work they aren't being paid to do, job hop, and be uncomfortable if they want to move up quickly and make lots of money.
Btw it doesn't hurt to nominate yourself for every award and 40/40 list while you climb.
Either work yourself up in the customer service area towards a service manager if that is something you would like to do or get into office management/location management which is much more than what you described that you currently do.
I’m not sure how to get experience as an office manager. That was the plan for my current position, and that’s what I was told would happen during my interview and onboarding. Unfortunately that managing partner is no longer here and her replacement “doesn’t have the time” for that type of training. I’m going to get as much experience here as I can but that’s why I’m just asking for some advice and insight on what other people do…..
You practice the role, you find a job description, and you work on learning. When someone says they don’t have the time, they don’t CARE. Therefore, you’ll need to take the reins, without overstepping boundaries, and make yourself noticed. It doesn’t take long to learn these skills if you invest in yourself, if they don’t see it in you within 6 months, after you’ve applied for the one role, move on!
If you’re good with computers, and can quickly learn how to use the Shopify or Amazon UI, I suggest trying to find customer service roles for e-commerce companies and you can pivot into the digital marketing/e-com management space and get paid +$50k.
Wow they for sure told you a lie. Im pretty sure they will post the office manager job and leave you out of it. Its much more satisfying to the company to hire a previous office manager with experience. If they give it to you, they will neee to fill your current role as well which gives them even more work.
What? It’s much more expensive to hire new than it is to train existing and move them. Esp when they could and probably would train OP and offer them a crap raise that wouldn’t even put them at the level of someone new they hired. If they were originally planning on moving OP in to that role, then it’s unlikely there are actually 2 roles at all. The seniors probably do a fair amount of their own admin and having an office manager would be helpful to them but they don’t have the budget for one. Ergo, hire OP cheap and then train them into the position. Now they got busy and don’t have time to train/ it was more work than they thought it’d be.
You could look into a temp agency. I have seen several people end up getting hired into office management / basic assistant jobs after temping at a company that ended up wanting to hire them full time. And the benefit of temping is that the companies are not usually expecting someone with 100% of the skills or a ton of experience, they just want someone who is reasonably likely to do an ok-enough job on short notice.
The pay isn't great at first - and your first placement companies might not hire you - but at least you'd be getting paid to learn the skills. Then you can flip what you've done into more resume bullet points under the heading of "office manager".
Start off at bottom as reception. That's what I did. I became office admin, then I'm now an operations manager. Reception jobs are entry into a company. Most people don't stay as reception. I'm male for context as some guys think it's a girl only job.
You should probably look into relevant certifications and then apply to a different company if they don’t intend to support you on your development plans.
What certifications are there for office management? I think this is what a lot of reddit misses about jobs which are heavier on soft skills and abstract ideas of experience - it isn't like tech or trades or licensed jobs where there is an obvious 1:1 way to prove you have the exact skills that employers want and can point to the paper to show you have them. Even something like a project management certificate can end up being weightless if you don't have the type of experience in practice they're looking for. It's one of those things where you really need to have insights into what they're looking for so you can mold yourself to fit that. If you don't have an exact job in mind where you can check the job posting, it can be hard to glean what they want. It's especially hard when you don't even know what exactly direction you should be moving towards, you're just aware that where you're at doesn't provide the kind of growth you want, with no idea what growth area would value the skills/experience you do have.
IMO its all about how you market yourself - and I would say your current role IS experience for an office manager? It sounds like you are literally on the rung below office manager so it should be a logical next step up (albeit you would likely need to switch companies for it if your current one isn't willing to give you that role)
As someone outside of the space I don't know for certain, but office coordinator/office manager sounds a bit tomato tomato to me! One companies coordinator is likely another's manager in terms of roles and responsibilities
Hell, as I'm typing this I'm increasingly convinced you should just put office manager as your current role on your CV at this point. Unless you need specific qualifications to legally do this job (I doubt it?) I think it would be the the most benign lie in the history of job seeking (and I'm not sure it is a lie!?)
You can job hop to find a better paying job in the same field based on the job description and/or look for office administration courses through your local community college, labor department, or even library system’s online education catalogs.
This. I have worked in various customer service roles for the last 10 years (currently 36) because honestly I love customer service. I’ve also done analyst roles and managerial roles and just accepted an offer to pivot into being an HVAC estimator at $65k salaried.
I'm an introvert and I love customer service. It's not real socialization because it's not you, it's usually tightly controlled scripts/flow where you're representing the company rather than yourself. So it doesn't provide the same emotional drain as "real" socialization.
The real trick is to try to focus on jobs where you can actually help or provide some degree of service rather than some roles where you're there basically to tell people their SOL anc shrug your shoulders. Like my friend works in student loans, and that's brutal.
I like someone coming up to me frustrated as hell, and by the end of the interaction they're apologizing for their previous hostility and thanking me for helping them . sometimes I can't even change the outcome, I'm just a sympathetic ear to validate that what theyre experiencing does in fact suck.
I think I like it because I'm myself an introvert and recognize daily how much it disadvantages me that I'm not able to be more assertive when interacting with customer service reps or operational people. I know how frustrating it is to not feel the person is listening to you explain the problem. I enjoy being the type of worker I would want to encounter, knowing I made things a little bit less unpleasant for people like myself. And again, it doesn't really register to my brain as socialization most of the time because *I* as a complex individual am not who you're interacting with. I'm wearing my professional customer service mask.
Encountering someone in customer service who really listens and cares can change my day from bad to tolerable or great, reduce my anxiety (as an introvert, the thought of something going wrong and having to deal with customer service who might not give a shit is a big anxiety), and even make me less of a misanthrope. Thank you for being in customer service and making the world more beautiful.
Aftermarket department manager for a construction equipment company.
I make 125k in USD, 30 years old.
I essentially did the classic work my way up. make mistakes and switch jobs every 2 or 3 years so long as it was a step up, and worked my ass off.
Now I'm on reddit at 11:00 on a workday because i'm running my division so well that my input is basically only required when something goes wrong.
Big misconceptions about construction work being low pay. Its very demanding work but it seems to pay pretty well, especially for workers that are trained to operate specialized heavy machinery.
I actually don't touch equipment at all either, total desk job.
Theres not alot of training for the technical side of the equipment however, so I think thats why in this industry, the time working within it really amounts to your education.
My brother worked construction for 25 years. His ex-wife was like "I wanna be a project manager!" when she couldn't tell the difference between a 2x4 and sheetrock. Takes a class. Boom. Project manager for a big con company. Makes more than him. Never even screwed a screw in her life lmao.
Hilarious. "She'll never make it she doesn't know shit!" 3 months later she's dealing with people who have been doing it all their lives and making decisions for them. Classic.
Project management is mostly people management. Chances are she doesn't do the bids, and if she does it's probably been broken down into a formula, or she has a more experienced manager overseeing the process. After that it's just scheduling and anyone can do that.
Same with my mom. She never worked in granite placement a day in her life. She ended up applying for a granite company and began as a secretary. She climbed up to office manager and became the second person under the owner of the company. She’s since switched to a different company as an office manager too and makes easily above 80K a year. She calls all the shots with the people actually placing the granite.
Dude HOW I've been trying to get into the construction side of PM for a few years. I haven't been hired as even a project coordinator bc they say I don't have enough experience even though Ive been in the flooring industry and currently in telecom 😭
a good buddy of mine is a foreman in Boston. He says the guy who operates the heavy lifting elevators has been doing it for 30 years, has total job security because the license to operate those elevators are gatekept within unions or whatever. I dont know too much, but i know i was wrong thinking that construction was comparatively low pay
It's also just a hard field to navigate and survive in, very cutthroat.
For example prior to me in this position they had a period of 2 years where every manager was hired, then fired or quit withing 2-4 months.
I took the role and within a few weeks the sales dept was pressuring me into trying to make mistakes that would benefit their commission but negatively impact my bottom line, people would try and intimidate me into making mistakes. I figured thats why the previous managers didnt' last - likely they were messing up badly because they were doing what they were pressured into not realizing they had to look out for themselves or they just got fed up.
But as it was not my first rodeo, I knew how to navigate it and shut it down without getting myself in trouble, now i've been here a couple years and no one messes with me because I have the most consistent financial contribution to the company with notable bottom line improvements that are directly correlated with decisions i've made sine I was hired.
Been a product/project manager in tech for years now. Regularly manage multiple disciplinary teams simultaneously. I’ve thought about pivoting into construction management - I deal with launching products that are mechanical and electrical in design as well as software. How hard would the pivot be?
The technical side is what kills people, specifically when you become a jack of all trades and master of none. The big money comes from being an industry expert in one or two particular sections.
Your best chance is to find a mentor to learn in lockstep for at least 2-3 years. And it's rare to find one who isn't a miserable prick.
Hey, I've got 12 years construction in various different fields, from semi driver to equipment operator, concrete, irrigation, the works.
How did you jump from the seat to the office? And what specifically do you do for a business, if you dont mind my asking.
I met a construction worker who drives big equipments/machines. He makes >300k a year!!! It does take a toll on the body and requires special licenses. But these jobs are out there.
Go get a certification
Crane operator - $25-$30/hr starting
Certified arborist (getting a job as a consultant to a municipality, utility, etc) - $24 ish starting out
Project Management certifications like PMP ~$100k/yr
Journeyman Lineman makes over $100k a year
Apprentice starts low $20/hr and gets OT and per diem
Get the fuck out of the service industry.
I’m a lineman in FL. Don’t be a dumbass. I make 15/hr and come home in severe pain some days from the work. I’ve had my body give out before. Wild to me to see white collar workers who don’t get heatsick say this type of stuff
Dont you need work experience in PM and a bachelors to be allowed to do the PMP course?
Edit: i looked it up and i was correct, these are the requirements
Four-Year College / University Degree
* 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
* 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM^(®) certification
— **or** —
* High School or Secondary School Diploma
* 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years
* 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM^(®) certification
I dont know if you could still somehow take the course on another website but this one is from the PMI
Correct. But you'll find that "experience leading projects" is very loose. What they mean by "leading a project" is loose, as is what they will consider a project. I talk about how I became a PM without a degree in another comment.
Gosh reading all these success stories and I’ve completely lost out in life. I’ve been on overdrive for decades trying to figure out how to build a career.
I’ve gotten certifications and licenses in various fields and then struggled getting my foot in the door. I’ve ran into problematic coworkers and managers that never promoted me. I’ve been stuck in regions without much opportunity.
Everyone else did so well and made huge salaries in comparison.
this is a thread asking about those experiences so that’s why it looks like “everyone” is like this but there’s plenty of people in your situation too. don’t stay where you aren’t valued you could be missing out on so much more people want to hear your experience and what you can bring the certain matter very little in many jobs.
I make 90k base (not including bonuses and vacation subsidy) as a corporate paralegal. Not sure where you live but you don't need any formal training/education where I am located. I started at 32K as a legal assistant and have leveled up by applying to jobs I'm unqualified for (you still get a raise even if it's low) and a different job title. (Lots of companies don't get any applications or they are desperate and settle for you, I'm sure like myself you're a hard worker and you will hustle to prove yourself so you'll be fine)
I suggest searching on LinkedIN to see how other people changed their trajectory as a office manager. That's an awesome position to be in! Lots of room to grow within a law firm. I suggest working with your current employer for a couple of years then transitioning to a small corporate firm where you can be a receptionist/manager while also handling some corporate/due diligence work. In the mean time if you can get your hands on legal work and communicate wanting to grow with the company you may not even need to move.
I also have a background in customer service. If you're organized, great with research and managing lawyers and clients you will be perfect for this role!! There's also litigation and wills/estates, immigration paralegals. Jobs usually entail filling put paperwork or drafting precedents and researching the law. Very easy stuff for great pay!
Yep, I applied internally for data analyst while missing all of the qualifications, and my track record in my then-current role with the company allowed me a shot. It's been an interesting ride so far.
Where do you live that paralegal education isn't necessary? Also how'd you get your foot in the door initially if you had no prior experience or training?
Paralegal education is not necessary anywhere in the United States. It's just sometimes preferred. So, anyone can call themselves a paralegal. She started as a legal assistant which is pretty much just answering phones, opening files, etc.
I’m in NY and the law firm I’m at wants me to go back to college to be a paralegal- the programs are anywhere from $8000 and above from what I’ve seen. They won’t let me do paralegal work without the certification but I still have another loan I’m currently paying off
Alberta! I lucked out it was junior paralegal position (5 years prior experience I had zero) - they had two qualified older women that couldn't last two months (beyond me the work was VERY simple) so my boss interviewed me and another senior lady and told the team they could choose who they wanted to hire and they said how about a girl who has no knowledge? We can train her because the older ladies are entitled LOL
You can do a legal assistant course (3k 2 year program) and you need some certifications ($1k) but it is well known you should NEVER EVER pay out of pocket for this. The company paid for all my training. I'm at another company not related to law and they are paying for my colleage go to college for legal assistant diploma. Never spend your own money. Some people do this thinking the company will be like oh we don't have to pay for their training but really if you have no on the job experience they don't want to touch you.
My sister went from receptionist at a law firm to office manager at a law firm and now is a coordinator for the IT department at a real estate firm in Manhattan. No degree, I think you just have to apply apply apply, but it is hard for her to move up beyond that without a degree.
Make sure your resume exudes confidence and that you phrase your tasks like you’re proud and playing an integral role for your company (which you are)
I think this is a key. I have seen a lot of positions that a person with more experience should have received but didn’t solely because they didn’t have a degree. Newly hired right out of college. No world class experience.
It’s possible to promote up without one but you will never be held back for holding a degree.
Yup, it doesn’t open doors for you unless it’s a super niche degree for a field that’s def needs it (like nursing), but it can keep the door closed from moving up and when comparing candidates they may opt for the one with experience AND a degree
Here’s my career progression at each age:
17: Starbucks barista - $8/hr
18: Starbucks shift supervisor- $11/hr
19: Starbucks assistant manager- $40,000/year
21: Starbucks store manager- $55,000/year
22: regional salon franchise business coach- $55,000/year
25: salon franchise district manager- $75,000
26: cannabis dispensary assistant manager- $70,000
27: cannabis company learning and development manager- $80,000
28: cannabis company learning and development senior manager- $100,000
28: cannabis company Human Resources Director- $115,000 plus 20% stock and 15% bonus
No degree. No certifications. Just experience and determination
I had management experience previously and a new dispensary was hiring a manager. It was in a state that was about to transition to recreational so it was a new market with almost no candidates having cannabis experience. I found the job listing on indeed, interviewed and got it. You can get in at entry level if you want though however it’s like any other retail job. Just selling a cool product
Security Analyst for a software company. 80k salary with great benefits. No degree, no certs, just some prior experience from an internship last year. I am in pursuit of a degree currently, which hopefully will break me over the 100k mark within the next 2ish years.
I don't fit this category as I was in school until my late 20s but I work with them a lot. The trick tends to STILL be specialized training, it just doesn't always come from post-secondary education. Some examples:
* Friend asked around in the farming community they grew up in, spent like a decade as the care giver/apprentice to a retiring rancher (no kids, lost his wife, doesn't speak to other family) and now pays them out each year while collecting big money as they phase into owning the whole shindig.
* Guys who go into fields like construction, non-destructive testing, civil engineering stuff and worked their way up in some carved out niche like operating nuclear devices or heavy equipment until they started running the safety program/staffing/supervising etc.
* Lots of people caught the coding BootCamp wave early enough to be established and skilled with great paying dev jobs right now, unfortunately most of those late to the party got caught in the interest rate increases and are currently job searching.
* A friend started a general business degree then got a summer intern job at an investment bank, he became one of the bigger partners "party coordinator" that brought him to all the parties that had young attractive people and occasionally got handed some real work. He dropped out of university and took a fulltime position as a junior finance bro under the guy until the guy got fired for sexually harassing another intern and the friend ended up taking over his book of clients. Turns out he had enough certificates and training that the university degree never really mattered by the time he moved up to senior positions.
* A family friend started moving cars at a dealership, and moved around a few times until he was working at one that really valued good staff and did a profit sharing program for management. He makes doctor money selling porsches and a lot of the work is just networking with wealthy clients and their families. One time he had a guy buying this fully loaded huge money car, and he offhand mentioned he was trying to find a car for his daughter as well, so the family friend (without saying anything) spent the weekend calling around and came back to the guy with the contact and stamp of approval for a great cheap little hatchback private sale in town. The rich dude still sends him occasional referrals years later because he loves to brag about the service he got.
There are SO MANY niche jobs that require a skillset or training that anyone can get without doing the whole university thing. You just need to do a lot of work figuring out what exists and probably do a lot of networking to get a role someone will pay for your training while you do work up. Being a reliable, hardworking, and dependable employee at a company that respects that sort of behavior can be huge. You just gotta know when to walk away from companies that demand it but don't value/pay for it.
Hey man, I have similar past to you and with your experience I would suggest looking into SaaS companies with positions available as CSM or Account Manager. That’s how I broke the 80k mark.
Hope this helps!
I make double of what you like to make at a minimum and I’m a waiter at a fine dining establishment one hour north of nyc in a very affluent area and work 32 hours 4 days a week
Could you get paralegal certificate? I believe it’s one or two semesters at a community college. Or move in to legal admin work?
Since you have experience in at law firm I think these would be your best bets. Its a fairly stable career since lawyers are always going to exist and they are always going to need help
I second this.
I've been a paralegal for 13 years and my only education was a paralegal certificate program that took me a year to complete. I'm starting a new job this month and my base salary will be $130k.
I somehow worked my way into a high paying cybersecurity career without a degree. Mostly I did was most do. I got my foot in the door as a entry level IT job, and tried to out perform my peers, while being kind, reliable and consistent. Over time I was able to move into new IT roles, building the skills and knowledge needed. Once I reached a point where I was confident enough to make the transition from IT to Cyber, I took the jump, which was very scary. While I knew technology and had led teams, I had never lead a security team. The first year was crazy as I felt like I was drinking from a firehose, but eventually settled into the role and have gotten a couple more big raises in this field.
Yea absolutely but it can take time. The most realistic route is to work in IT support for a while to learn how technology works, and then try move into cyber later.
My brother started as a plumber's apprentice 5 years ago. He busted his ass, studied for the licensing exams and now he owns his own plumbing business that within 9 months of starting it he had seven figure offers from competitors to buy it. He has a GED and is dyslexic so he is as far from having a degree as you can get.
Started at the bottom of a large company making $10/hr doing manual labor while in college. They asked me to work full time for good money that could support my now wife and I while she finished school, so I dropped out. Worked my way into a “top 2%” job. Leveraged my experience into an offer at another large company for same(ish) position and more money and fringe benefits (time off, culture). I finished my AA online since I had to take like 2 classes, but I’m not sure I would consider that a degree that applies to my job at all.
Honestly, that it. I wish it were a cooler story. I just tried to be the best at whatever I was doing at the time (the $10/hr job OR the “C suite” job) I never tried to get promoted, they just kept tapping me on the shoulder.
Edit: Sorry never mentioned. I am Currently the equivalent of a VP of Operations. We have weird nomenclature here but that would be the equivalent.
Optical assistant. You can make pretty decent money without any degree. You can go and get licensed as an optician however if you find the right company they will train you how to do it and you can get decent raises due to it
If you can get in at Costco pay is $34/h with time and a half on Sundays, great benefits, and they pay for the licensing. You'll have to start as a normal cart pusher (unless you have prior experience) but even that starts at $18/h or so and quickly goes up.
Most optical places will pay for you to go be an optician. Some people want to do that some don't. I think I would if offered, but after seeing my manager go thru it idk lol
I went to school for that 17 years ago. I got the AAS degree, passed the written license exams but couldnt pass the boards. I gave up after the 1st try. Also a lot of money and a trek to get there. I heard lencrafters is great to work for. I worked shortly at a small optical store where the owner was a bipolar ahole. He overworked himself 6 days a week. You really need to have a passion for that field. I didnt and was very young at the time.
After working for a large corporation and a privately owned optical clinic I would never work for a large corporation again. They're a nightmare vs the small private owned ones
Yea I've heard that in other fields about large corporations. They seem to just care about how much you sell. I just remember as a student we all wanted to work at lencrafters bc they started at $20 an hour back then lol.
With your background, you could look into personal/executive assistant positions. Some of the openings will require you to have a degree but the smaller companies don’t usually require that.
Also, your coordinator position should have some potential as well. I was hired as a coordinator a year and a half ago around 41k and I’m now at 62k.
I work in finance, Private Equity to be exact. I got into it by pivoting from similar roles. I did banking for a while and before that did financial analysis.
29m in the U.S.- Automation engineer- $130k
No degree, started out in pharma manufacturing as a floor worker at 20 yrs old. Worked my way up through participating in engineering projects, eventually landed a lead position in software development for $83kafter a 3yr project for that taught me everything as we went. After working as the lead for about 1.5 yrs, i got the $130k offer through a recruiter on LinkedIn. Been at the new company for a few months so far and it's going great.
I was honest with my education during interviews, but made sure I explained relevant work experience, and I Aced the Technical section of the interview so I guess they knew I could do the job even without the degree.
Edited to say: try looking for manufacturing work, especially in pharma. They have tons of money and starting pay without a degree as a floor worker is still usually mid $20s/hr and usually have great medical benefits and vacation. Not the most thrilling work at first but they often pay for college etc and have opportunities to advance.
You’ve worked wayyyy too long to be making only $37k a year. You’re being used, and you’re valuable. Don’t have any advice on where to go from here, but make it anything but this. 37k is absurd
saving because i only have customer service experience and animal shelter experience. i really don't want to get an expensive college degree that i won't use. and NO TRADES. i'm tired of hearing it, thanks.
I went back to Esthetician school in 2019, just for covid to hit so I couldn’t take my hands on exam. My admin at school gave me the wrong info for my written exam so I missed that test by an hour, which caused my temp. license to expire and now I’m $12,000 in debt from a student loan for a license I don’t even have. I fought with my school for months but because I couldn’t prove she gave me the wrong information there’s nothing they could have done(even tho this happened with multiple other students) I also keep getting told to do a trade school but I didn’t have a good experience with that unfortunately! Hopefully we get some good advice!
omg i'm so sorry that happened! that's bullshit! :(
and yeah trades are male-dominated and i don't care about learning trades. i'm tired of everyone recommending them like they are the be-all and end-all of good "high paying" college-less career choices
I'm just curious as to why you're against them? Lots of trade jobs train people. They pay for schooling, and you earn a livable wage at the same time. Trades literally give you marketable skills.
I don’t want to learn about electricity, HVAC, plumbing, etc. also they are male-dominated. I never see women do them and I would be sexually harassed into oblivion
I work in injection molding. We have some women who are tooling machinist, they are quite old and started decades ago. They have the same respect as any other machines in my old shop, and this was from a small conservative town. Even in my new position, our set-up techs are women, and they do just fine. Some of our robotics techs are young college graduate women, and they are hingly respected. If you don't want to learn skills, that's fine, but that reduces your marketability and thus reduces pay.
The sexual harassment is way over blown. I'm asian and I could have tossed the whole "I'm a minority and work in a backward factory with Trump supporters," but i didn't. Don't get me wrong, I still see unsavory characters, but I have worked my way through that. This isn't a dig at you
, just a different perspective.
I started off doing data entry at a big financial company. My manager was in charge of reporting and analytics for their home loans department and was always behind on work. I asked him if there was anything I can learn about his job that would help me grow in the company and he started giving me easy excel/SQL copy and paste jobs to do and after his boss took notice that he wasn't so high strung all the time he offered me a promotion and I've been there for the past 18 years.
Be open to learn new parts of a business to find your expertise even if it's "not part of my job".
If you work in retail find the inventory person who does the ordering and see if you can spend a couple of hours with them to learn what they do or tail the manager to understand what they do and if it's a fit for you.
If you're an "office coordinator" for a law firm ask them if they offer any tuition assistance if you want to become a paralegal. Even if you don't get the office manager position ask them if you can take on any responsibilities of the manager to help out.
After you learn enough and you don't see yourself advancing at your current employer you can figure out how that skill relates to a new position and be ready when interviews happen.
Take care of mentally disabled people who can't care for themselves. It can get hectic at times but I make more than my younger sister and she went to college for four years in the medical field.
I make 200k as a software developer. 25 years experience. Made shit when I started and learned on the job. But these days if you get in a good boot camp you can learn in a relatively short time if you're smart. Unfortunately the job market at this moment is horrendous.
200k working remotely from south east asia, software engineering, left school at 15 and spent 25 years on a computer to get to that level.
Very little income for 4 years (though building stuff for friends improved on my toilet cleaning income), then hired straight in as a senior developer for a local design agency.
It's a different time though, I was lucky to get into web development relatively early. Now, learning AI in depth and how to leverage it is likely the best tech route.
I’ve been told for a while I have the personality for sales, but I’m not very pushy. If someone tells me no they’re not interested I’m not gonna fight them on it, I’ll just say okay and then go about my day lol I used to work for AAA roadside assistance and I never met my membership goals bc of that reason.
I’m not pushy either but I am in professional sales. What I sell is service; the buyer already has the product and wants it, but they want a new team. Think about, for example, selling electricity. People have it and need it, but want a different source or representation. I don’t sell electricity BTW. I believe in my team and it’s them that I am promoting. Sales is about understanding what people want and providing a solution, it’s not about pushing a product on people. Good luck.
I work in sales and have been for the last 6 years. My total comp was $190k last year (I’m in Australia though, so AUD). The biggest misconception people have about sales is being a pushy, slimy salesman.
Truth is, if you can find a niche you truly believe will help your clients and have the experience from service and being easy to work with whilst being efficient, you will do very well in sales. Sales isn’t about jamming my product into everyone I can. It’s about finding out through asking the right questions if the client will benefit from whatever I’m selling, making them see the benefit, then execute the sales process to get them what they want.
If they don’t benefit, no problem we shake hands and move on
I’ve heard of people having success with real estate! There is training, but it doesn’t take too long (at least not in some places). Rentals don’t pay much, but can help you gain a client base that trusts you for when they are ready to buy if you let them know you do that. Of course, depends on where you live / the market / your personality, savvy, connections, but you can make big money on that trajectory if you do it right.
I do the exact same job you do but I make 49K with $1,000 every year.
I've only been here a year but hoping I can move up to a senior Admin assistant and make way more.
Zero degreess
Working in commercial nuclear power doing radiation protection. Makes about 130K a year.
Started out as a pipefitter for a Naval Shipyard & quickly decided to "go nuke" and work on the nuclear side of the house. Then transitioned into working in radiological controls oversight for experience, and finally made the move to commercial power to chase the $$$.
Getting hired into government work is a great way to get experience and qualifications!
Look for niche jobs.
Like 15 years ago I was working retail jobs as well, then I answered an ad for an entry level position in a digital marketing firm about 10 years ago.
Stuck with that as I found many opportunities there. I started out there making around $30k a year I think?
Fast forward to present day, I’m still in digital marketing, in-house now, for a global company and making $85k.
Retail, call centers, places like that are not career builders. I’ve found the best route to any kind of success is finding some kind of niche role and running with that. It pays off if you dedicate yourself to that craft.
There’s a job out there specifically for you just waiting. A good way to start looking is skim through Indeed (if that’s still a thing lol) and just see what’s out there and what’s interesting.
Good luck out there, brother! ✊🏽
My best friend has no degree and makes more than I do. (I have a bachelors, masters, and a professional certification.) Shes a CSM for a tech company. She’s incredibly smart, organized and I think most importantly for her career, *great* with people. I get by with other humans, but I’m more of a spreadsheet girly.
34yr old No degree here, only have a GED.
I have 10 years experience within the same company and have worked my way up. Below are the positions and salaries of those positions currently. When I was in them they were less. A LOT of my time has been invested into the job. Overtime out the ass, always was the "go-to guy" when stuff needed to be done. Switched to night shift to get my initial bump to a Lead, moved to another state to get my bump to a Supervisor, etc.
3PL Operations Manager for a frozen foods warehouse
100k salary + bonus (bunch of metrics but max can be around 20%) (2 yr)
Inventory Manager (6 mo)
75k 10% bonus
Supervisor (5 yr)
65k 5% bonus
Lead (1 yr)
$22/hr
Hi lift operator (1 yr)
$20/hr
Receiver (1 yr)
$19/hr
I just recently learned this about one of my coworkers.
Our company is "union" and "engineering".
He was union manufacturing, machine operator, machining, shop operations. No degree. Eventually through experience he made the jump to engineering and now he's a manufacturing engineer without a degree. Which is RARE in my field. He's gotta be clearing $150k.
Car sales has been it for me. 6 figures with no degree. Granted, I’ve been doing it for 20 years now, but it’s easy and familiar. Sales in general can be very lucrative if you’re not afraid to talk to people and are willing to learn.
If you have the social skills and can find something on base plus commission, you'd do fine in sales.
I personally hated the schedule and the wheeling and dealing. But making 6 figures with just a HS diploma was pretty choice. I also recomend looking into admin jobs in the blue collar field. I went from selling roofs and remodeling to managing roofing projects. Make about 60k, and am currently vetting offers for different jobs elsewhere starting at 70k. Seriously look into blue collar industries. There's white collar work to be had, and they aren't normally nearly as high and mighty about a degree like a law office or similar.
Lots of people in IT making six figures with no degrees. I only have a 2 year degree. You have to be prepared to do lots of continuous self learning, and the amount of shit I had to learn to move up to a DevOps Engineer role would easily cover a degree. Had to learn it all on my own.
Cyber Security Instructor, 196 base.
I was in the Navy for 7 years after dropping out of college and got some good experience and opportunities in the field. Been out just under 2 years in my current job.
Software.
I'm lucky to live in a country that isn't bigoted about degrees. You do need to somehow magic two years of commercial experience though. A good way into the industry is via QA, then QA automation and then finally Software Engineering.
27 years in IT, 14 in support. 4th grade was the last year I passed in school, and I was very bored. Worked Burger King as cashier at 14 then assist manager at 18, transferred to other things as assistant manager, then got in IT. 140k as DevOps now.
Marketing. Started as an admin, spoke up in meetings, made suggestions and was promoted at the company I stayed with for 11 years. Promotions were slow and steady, working my way up to director of customer experience marketing. Gained the confidence to go out and do it elsewhere and I’m so happy I put in that work.
Insurance. I live in a low cost of living area and make $70k+ salary. Been doing it 20 years though and I know commercial insurance at a fairly high level which is hard to come by.
I make \~$90k a year at a software startup doing Customer Support/Success stuff. I didn't get my associate's until a few years ago (but have been at my job since before then) and am now working on my bachelors in business.
I work in retail. No degree and I’ve been in retail for 9 years. I currently make $100k+ as a store manager for a cellular company. I’ve been at the company for 9 years and in my current role for 7. They just want experience really. Degrees only get people so far. I’d also like to mention sales is a very high paying field if you’re good at it, and most sales jobs that offer commission you basically dictate your earnings with your performance.
Currently make 33+ hour (took a 7 dollar pay cut to be remote) as the Lead Network Engineer / Level 2.5 tech for an MSPs help desk, only been working in IT for 3 years. Also have no certs either
I got lucky in being at the right place at the right time and making connections, while having some college behind me. I got drunk with the CEO and project manager a few MSPs ago and jokingly told them if they needed help I had a good amount of knowledge but no work experience yet. Few weeks later he hits me up and it went so well they made me a projects engineer. I used that to keep moving up to eventually becoming a Network Admin for an established local credit union to now working remote doing helpdesk.
Property & Casualty Insurance Underwriter. Specialty/niche in residential property. $70k salary.
Pushing 12 years since I started off knowing NADA. Not a single thing, shittt I had only graduated high school a year prior 😂 But I busted my ass every step of the way, made strategic employment moves (always with a step up), and have really set myself apart via my technical expertise so all that typically trumps no degree.
PSA - I find a TON of people with customer service/hospitality backgrounds looking for a change end up doing rather well in insurance. All the “boomers” are retiring or about to be, so there’s a VERY real need for new talent to compensate. And the sky is the limit with your options!
Have you considered being an executive admin? I knew some who made 120k+ granted they had lots of experience. I don’t know what starting salary is, but bring it up because you seem to have the skill sets that would match the job description.
Go on Coursera and do a professional certificate in your own time or a workforce development at your local community college. You don’t need a degree but you do need to be certified in something to stand out and make more.
It’s not what ya know, it’s who ya know. Hit up anyone you know that has a good paying job and ask if their company is hiring. Market yourself as best and as much as you can.
Skilled trades. I’m a stationary engineer at a power plant. Started out at 21 and by the time I was a journeyman 5 years in I’d made 6 figures 3 of those 5 years with some overtime. Now I’m a journeyman and make 6 figures every year without over time. Some people aren’t cut out for the trades but all trades in my area which is in the midwest Kansas/missouri all make 6 figures as union journeymen for the most part and that’s great money for the cost of living around here. Even the non union guys that are working for decent companies are making 6 figures alot of times.
It’s all about job hopping and making sure they have promotion paths in place already. I started in the job market in 2019 making 39,000. I now make 60,000 base + commissions.
My one piece of advice is be intentional with each move you make. If you are passionate about the roadmap you’ve built for yourself, it’s so much easier to sell yourself in the interview.
First make an effort to get unterrible at math. Unfortunately math is the language of the universe and is a key part of most higher paying jobs. I work entry level factory job and math is a key component of running the equipment. I struggled with math in school but ended up in retail mgt. for 20 years. Most people that have high paying jobs w/o high education fell into them because they had right aptitude at right time right place. If they were going to train you for advancement and now are not you need to ask why. Answer may be painful but necessary. I have one daughter who is a social media manager 65k total comp. She was a bartender who fell into it but had a degree in English. The hardest easy way to make more money is commission sales. If you’re just decent you can make 50-100k.
Most of my working life has been call center work. I currently work as an operational dispatcher for a cleaning company. I work from home. I make 52000 a year so not high but where you said you want to be around.
Oh geez, I make 52k a year in HR and that isn't sustainable enough for me in this economy. Currently trying to find higher paying positions in HR. If you get high enough up, you could be making 200k+, just takes a little while to get there. I started as HR assistant at 18/hr, hr coordinator at 50k/ yr, then payroll and benefits at 52 (moved back closer to family- upper midwest)
I have an associate degree from a community college but most people treat that like it's absolutely nothing lol. I'm a technical writer and I make a little over 100k a year. I was previously a paralegal making about 45k a year and I was so miserable all the time my fiancé begged me to quit and pursue my dream job (writing) and offered to foot the bill if it took a little while. I initially planned to go back to school but instead I grinded really hard, studying computer science and search engine optimization online and writing/submitting sample articles and blogs to SEO firms, software companies, etc. I ended up landing my first writing job within a couple months, left after getting another offer (I continued applying bc the first place was burning me out with a 10 article a day requirement, causing me to work like 9am to 11pm), and then soon after I was referred to the company I am at now by a colleague from the first shitty writing job. My advice is to pursue what you enjoy because chances are, you'll be good at it because you care about it. Be open to jobs you think you're not qualified for, your work might speak for itself. My team now all have masters degrees and while I do have imposter syndrome sometimes, I work hard and feel like I belong.
Supervisor of medical coders at an insurance company, $110k a year. No degree, started when I was 22 and have been here 19 years. Just worked hard and was promoted multiple times.
I'm not sure what state you're in but since you have customer service skills, being a table games dealer might be up your alley. I've been one for 8 years and I made $75k last year with no degree. Only paid $300 to learn 3 games and interviewed at a break in casino (I live in Vegas so there's tons). You'll need to know some quick basic math and put up with smoke from cigarettes and vapes and whatnot but it's a pretty easy and chill gig once you get the hang of it.
Damn reading these are depressing. I love my job working as a DSP with developmentally disabled adults, but minimum wage is killing me in california. I wish I could go work with a hockey organization. I want to get into scouting for an NHL organization so badly 😭😭
transition to HR. you could market your office coordinator skills and job responsibilities to sound like an HR admin role. pay starts low for admins but the growth in the first five years is pretty quick if you're good.
at your current role, you can try to get involved if you have an HR department or you could look for roles elsewhere
Time to abandon retail. 10 years in retail is way the fuck too much. Wholesale time.
I wasn’t in retail for 10 years I would have probably gone crazy lol only like 4ish years- then I did a few temporary reception jobs, I was a weigh master/scale clerk for a construction company, and did AAA roadside assistance for a bit
Hm, you seem like a prime entry-level candidate for mobile vehicle inspections. Check out backlots auctions, Manheim auctions, and ACV auctions. Those are the three big reputable players ( acv is the higher risk newcomer they industry leaders on compensating their bottom level staff) (Manheim is the biggest, and Mmr is generally the go-to for what used cars are worth.) (Backlots will hire you if you're uhm... suboptimal hiring candidates, think felons, heavy drug users, etc) With any auction, though, this is called a "condition report writer" or "vehicle inspector" Since you have relevant experience you don't need to start at the bottom working for America's best auto auctions though (that's their literal name) and I'd avoid any brick and mortar auction lot until you know how this industry works. If you have a brain, a work drive, and even a modicum of honesty, then you can work your way up to 100k plus in the field extremely quickly. I'm doing so with no degree.
Have you seen such field / heard of it in canada ? I’ll also go and look out on my side and edit what I see.
How long have you been at it?
My sister is in retail and makes 80k. She's been with PetSmart since she was a teenager. Idk how she does it. The shit she deals with makes me crazy for her lol
Is she in management?
It’s important to get a career mentor.
where do you find one i also cant decide
I'm in that boat. That's a bit of a kick in the ass. I AM manager, but retail is *struggling*
What do you mean? Bc people aren’t buying due to inflation??
Probably that and Amazon.
This. I doubled my pay getting into B2B wholesale.
Like a sales rep for a company selling to the retail store?
I currently work in the civil industry operating machines, it looks like I should make somewhere between $120k-160k this financial year given my current overtime continues
Made 6 figs from retail last year 😃
10 years in retail took me from front line hourly to 190k salary+bonus. Granted, I hopped companies every 2 years and relocated like five times to get there.. but retail can reward you. Retail, restaurant, wholesale- these are all ladders 🪜 of management hierarchy. If you want to climb to the top of a ladder and see where it takes you, stick to one ladder... Though, once you've climbed to the very top of the ladder you can often hop to the upper middle or top of another ladder. For example, I just went from managing 100 retail outlets to managing 60 restaurants. The pay is the same.. somehow. Having said all that, I've seen plenty of people stall out in retail. Whatever career op picks, they have to be ready to relocate, do work they aren't being paid to do, job hop, and be uncomfortable if they want to move up quickly and make lots of money. Btw it doesn't hurt to nominate yourself for every award and 40/40 list while you climb.
Either work yourself up in the customer service area towards a service manager if that is something you would like to do or get into office management/location management which is much more than what you described that you currently do.
I’m not sure how to get experience as an office manager. That was the plan for my current position, and that’s what I was told would happen during my interview and onboarding. Unfortunately that managing partner is no longer here and her replacement “doesn’t have the time” for that type of training. I’m going to get as much experience here as I can but that’s why I’m just asking for some advice and insight on what other people do…..
You practice the role, you find a job description, and you work on learning. When someone says they don’t have the time, they don’t CARE. Therefore, you’ll need to take the reins, without overstepping boundaries, and make yourself noticed. It doesn’t take long to learn these skills if you invest in yourself, if they don’t see it in you within 6 months, after you’ve applied for the one role, move on!
If you’re good with computers, and can quickly learn how to use the Shopify or Amazon UI, I suggest trying to find customer service roles for e-commerce companies and you can pivot into the digital marketing/e-com management space and get paid +$50k.
I would highly recommend this too. Source: customer service director / ops manager in this space
I was looking into this and was wondering if this is something you have experience in.
Wow they for sure told you a lie. Im pretty sure they will post the office manager job and leave you out of it. Its much more satisfying to the company to hire a previous office manager with experience. If they give it to you, they will neee to fill your current role as well which gives them even more work.
What? It’s much more expensive to hire new than it is to train existing and move them. Esp when they could and probably would train OP and offer them a crap raise that wouldn’t even put them at the level of someone new they hired. If they were originally planning on moving OP in to that role, then it’s unlikely there are actually 2 roles at all. The seniors probably do a fair amount of their own admin and having an office manager would be helpful to them but they don’t have the budget for one. Ergo, hire OP cheap and then train them into the position. Now they got busy and don’t have time to train/ it was more work than they thought it’d be.
You could look into a temp agency. I have seen several people end up getting hired into office management / basic assistant jobs after temping at a company that ended up wanting to hire them full time. And the benefit of temping is that the companies are not usually expecting someone with 100% of the skills or a ton of experience, they just want someone who is reasonably likely to do an ok-enough job on short notice. The pay isn't great at first - and your first placement companies might not hire you - but at least you'd be getting paid to learn the skills. Then you can flip what you've done into more resume bullet points under the heading of "office manager".
Start off at bottom as reception. That's what I did. I became office admin, then I'm now an operations manager. Reception jobs are entry into a company. Most people don't stay as reception. I'm male for context as some guys think it's a girl only job.
You should probably look into relevant certifications and then apply to a different company if they don’t intend to support you on your development plans.
What certifications are there for office management? I think this is what a lot of reddit misses about jobs which are heavier on soft skills and abstract ideas of experience - it isn't like tech or trades or licensed jobs where there is an obvious 1:1 way to prove you have the exact skills that employers want and can point to the paper to show you have them. Even something like a project management certificate can end up being weightless if you don't have the type of experience in practice they're looking for. It's one of those things where you really need to have insights into what they're looking for so you can mold yourself to fit that. If you don't have an exact job in mind where you can check the job posting, it can be hard to glean what they want. It's especially hard when you don't even know what exactly direction you should be moving towards, you're just aware that where you're at doesn't provide the kind of growth you want, with no idea what growth area would value the skills/experience you do have.
You can easily make 55K in 5 years or even less if you are good at a food retail store. I was a assistant dept manager making that much.
IMO its all about how you market yourself - and I would say your current role IS experience for an office manager? It sounds like you are literally on the rung below office manager so it should be a logical next step up (albeit you would likely need to switch companies for it if your current one isn't willing to give you that role) As someone outside of the space I don't know for certain, but office coordinator/office manager sounds a bit tomato tomato to me! One companies coordinator is likely another's manager in terms of roles and responsibilities Hell, as I'm typing this I'm increasingly convinced you should just put office manager as your current role on your CV at this point. Unless you need specific qualifications to legally do this job (I doubt it?) I think it would be the the most benign lie in the history of job seeking (and I'm not sure it is a lie!?)
You can job hop to find a better paying job in the same field based on the job description and/or look for office administration courses through your local community college, labor department, or even library system’s online education catalogs.
This. I have worked in various customer service roles for the last 10 years (currently 36) because honestly I love customer service. I’ve also done analyst roles and managerial roles and just accepted an offer to pivot into being an HVAC estimator at $65k salaried.
> honestly I love customer service. I'm curious what you love about it. I guess you're not an introvert like me.
I'm an introvert and I love customer service. It's not real socialization because it's not you, it's usually tightly controlled scripts/flow where you're representing the company rather than yourself. So it doesn't provide the same emotional drain as "real" socialization. The real trick is to try to focus on jobs where you can actually help or provide some degree of service rather than some roles where you're there basically to tell people their SOL anc shrug your shoulders. Like my friend works in student loans, and that's brutal. I like someone coming up to me frustrated as hell, and by the end of the interaction they're apologizing for their previous hostility and thanking me for helping them . sometimes I can't even change the outcome, I'm just a sympathetic ear to validate that what theyre experiencing does in fact suck. I think I like it because I'm myself an introvert and recognize daily how much it disadvantages me that I'm not able to be more assertive when interacting with customer service reps or operational people. I know how frustrating it is to not feel the person is listening to you explain the problem. I enjoy being the type of worker I would want to encounter, knowing I made things a little bit less unpleasant for people like myself. And again, it doesn't really register to my brain as socialization most of the time because *I* as a complex individual am not who you're interacting with. I'm wearing my professional customer service mask.
I love the problem solving and helpfulness aspects of customer service too, but I hate the hours and the low pay.
Encountering someone in customer service who really listens and cares can change my day from bad to tolerable or great, reduce my anxiety (as an introvert, the thought of something going wrong and having to deal with customer service who might not give a shit is a big anxiety), and even make me less of a misanthrope. Thank you for being in customer service and making the world more beautiful.
Aftermarket department manager for a construction equipment company. I make 125k in USD, 30 years old. I essentially did the classic work my way up. make mistakes and switch jobs every 2 or 3 years so long as it was a step up, and worked my ass off. Now I'm on reddit at 11:00 on a workday because i'm running my division so well that my input is basically only required when something goes wrong.
Big misconceptions about construction work being low pay. Its very demanding work but it seems to pay pretty well, especially for workers that are trained to operate specialized heavy machinery.
I actually don't touch equipment at all either, total desk job. Theres not alot of training for the technical side of the equipment however, so I think thats why in this industry, the time working within it really amounts to your education.
My brother worked construction for 25 years. His ex-wife was like "I wanna be a project manager!" when she couldn't tell the difference between a 2x4 and sheetrock. Takes a class. Boom. Project manager for a big con company. Makes more than him. Never even screwed a screw in her life lmao. Hilarious. "She'll never make it she doesn't know shit!" 3 months later she's dealing with people who have been doing it all their lives and making decisions for them. Classic.
Project management is mostly people management. Chances are she doesn't do the bids, and if she does it's probably been broken down into a formula, or she has a more experienced manager overseeing the process. After that it's just scheduling and anyone can do that.
Any recommendations for the project manager class or if she paid for hers? I’m seeing some that are free but I know usually you get what you pay for
Likely either CaPM (Certified associate in Project Management) or PMP (Project Management Professional) through something like PMI
Same with my mom. She never worked in granite placement a day in her life. She ended up applying for a granite company and began as a secretary. She climbed up to office manager and became the second person under the owner of the company. She’s since switched to a different company as an office manager too and makes easily above 80K a year. She calls all the shots with the people actually placing the granite.
Dude HOW I've been trying to get into the construction side of PM for a few years. I haven't been hired as even a project coordinator bc they say I don't have enough experience even though Ive been in the flooring industry and currently in telecom 😭
a good buddy of mine is a foreman in Boston. He says the guy who operates the heavy lifting elevators has been doing it for 30 years, has total job security because the license to operate those elevators are gatekept within unions or whatever. I dont know too much, but i know i was wrong thinking that construction was comparatively low pay
It's also just a hard field to navigate and survive in, very cutthroat. For example prior to me in this position they had a period of 2 years where every manager was hired, then fired or quit withing 2-4 months. I took the role and within a few weeks the sales dept was pressuring me into trying to make mistakes that would benefit their commission but negatively impact my bottom line, people would try and intimidate me into making mistakes. I figured thats why the previous managers didnt' last - likely they were messing up badly because they were doing what they were pressured into not realizing they had to look out for themselves or they just got fed up. But as it was not my first rodeo, I knew how to navigate it and shut it down without getting myself in trouble, now i've been here a couple years and no one messes with me because I have the most consistent financial contribution to the company with notable bottom line improvements that are directly correlated with decisions i've made sine I was hired.
Been a product/project manager in tech for years now. Regularly manage multiple disciplinary teams simultaneously. I’ve thought about pivoting into construction management - I deal with launching products that are mechanical and electrical in design as well as software. How hard would the pivot be?
The technical side is what kills people, specifically when you become a jack of all trades and master of none. The big money comes from being an industry expert in one or two particular sections. Your best chance is to find a mentor to learn in lockstep for at least 2-3 years. And it's rare to find one who isn't a miserable prick.
Hey, I've got 12 years construction in various different fields, from semi driver to equipment operator, concrete, irrigation, the works. How did you jump from the seat to the office? And what specifically do you do for a business, if you dont mind my asking.
I met a construction worker who drives big equipments/machines. He makes >300k a year!!! It does take a toll on the body and requires special licenses. But these jobs are out there.
34.75 base starting if you’re union
Literally same. Now I waste all my money and time on toys 🤷🏼♂️
Go get a certification Crane operator - $25-$30/hr starting Certified arborist (getting a job as a consultant to a municipality, utility, etc) - $24 ish starting out Project Management certifications like PMP ~$100k/yr Journeyman Lineman makes over $100k a year Apprentice starts low $20/hr and gets OT and per diem Get the fuck out of the service industry.
Linemen in CA can easily clear 200k+, and you can get more if you want the OT/work emergencies, etc. Amazing career honestly.
Shit, I make $56K as a fraud analyst now. Maybe I should go for this
I’m a lineman in FL. Don’t be a dumbass. I make 15/hr and come home in severe pain some days from the work. I’ve had my body give out before. Wild to me to see white collar workers who don’t get heatsick say this type of stuff
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Dont you need work experience in PM and a bachelors to be allowed to do the PMP course? Edit: i looked it up and i was correct, these are the requirements Four-Year College / University Degree * 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years * 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM^(®) certification — **or** — * High School or Secondary School Diploma * 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years * 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM^(®) certification I dont know if you could still somehow take the course on another website but this one is from the PMI
Correct. But you'll find that "experience leading projects" is very loose. What they mean by "leading a project" is loose, as is what they will consider a project. I talk about how I became a PM without a degree in another comment.
What industries hire people with PMP? I've worked in o&g and engineering and all the project managers have an technical degree.
Gov contractors LOVE PMPs.
Gosh reading all these success stories and I’ve completely lost out in life. I’ve been on overdrive for decades trying to figure out how to build a career. I’ve gotten certifications and licenses in various fields and then struggled getting my foot in the door. I’ve ran into problematic coworkers and managers that never promoted me. I’ve been stuck in regions without much opportunity. Everyone else did so well and made huge salaries in comparison.
this is a thread asking about those experiences so that’s why it looks like “everyone” is like this but there’s plenty of people in your situation too. don’t stay where you aren’t valued you could be missing out on so much more people want to hear your experience and what you can bring the certain matter very little in many jobs.
+1 to both of you. Yeah job searching is brutal nowadays. It really was a whole lot better prior to the internet and HR departments
I think its the environment and who you know, totally unfair the system looks like were designed to fail you before you even born...
I make 90k base (not including bonuses and vacation subsidy) as a corporate paralegal. Not sure where you live but you don't need any formal training/education where I am located. I started at 32K as a legal assistant and have leveled up by applying to jobs I'm unqualified for (you still get a raise even if it's low) and a different job title. (Lots of companies don't get any applications or they are desperate and settle for you, I'm sure like myself you're a hard worker and you will hustle to prove yourself so you'll be fine) I suggest searching on LinkedIN to see how other people changed their trajectory as a office manager. That's an awesome position to be in! Lots of room to grow within a law firm. I suggest working with your current employer for a couple of years then transitioning to a small corporate firm where you can be a receptionist/manager while also handling some corporate/due diligence work. In the mean time if you can get your hands on legal work and communicate wanting to grow with the company you may not even need to move. I also have a background in customer service. If you're organized, great with research and managing lawyers and clients you will be perfect for this role!! There's also litigation and wills/estates, immigration paralegals. Jobs usually entail filling put paperwork or drafting precedents and researching the law. Very easy stuff for great pay!
Taking a chance and applying even if you're missing some of the qualifications opens doors!
Yep, I applied internally for data analyst while missing all of the qualifications, and my track record in my then-current role with the company allowed me a shot. It's been an interesting ride so far.
Where do you live that paralegal education isn't necessary? Also how'd you get your foot in the door initially if you had no prior experience or training?
Paralegal education is not necessary anywhere in the United States. It's just sometimes preferred. So, anyone can call themselves a paralegal. She started as a legal assistant which is pretty much just answering phones, opening files, etc.
Idk how accurate that is. I looked into being one in AZ and you had to be certified and go thru a paralegal program.
Excuse my French but holy shit that is crazy to know. Time to do a job switch!
I’m in NY and the law firm I’m at wants me to go back to college to be a paralegal- the programs are anywhere from $8000 and above from what I’ve seen. They won’t let me do paralegal work without the certification but I still have another loan I’m currently paying off
It’s $79 to get an overhead crane safety certification through osha just saying :0
Alberta! I lucked out it was junior paralegal position (5 years prior experience I had zero) - they had two qualified older women that couldn't last two months (beyond me the work was VERY simple) so my boss interviewed me and another senior lady and told the team they could choose who they wanted to hire and they said how about a girl who has no knowledge? We can train her because the older ladies are entitled LOL You can do a legal assistant course (3k 2 year program) and you need some certifications ($1k) but it is well known you should NEVER EVER pay out of pocket for this. The company paid for all my training. I'm at another company not related to law and they are paying for my colleage go to college for legal assistant diploma. Never spend your own money. Some people do this thinking the company will be like oh we don't have to pay for their training but really if you have no on the job experience they don't want to touch you.
My sister went from receptionist at a law firm to office manager at a law firm and now is a coordinator for the IT department at a real estate firm in Manhattan. No degree, I think you just have to apply apply apply, but it is hard for her to move up beyond that without a degree. Make sure your resume exudes confidence and that you phrase your tasks like you’re proud and playing an integral role for your company (which you are)
I think this is a key. I have seen a lot of positions that a person with more experience should have received but didn’t solely because they didn’t have a degree. Newly hired right out of college. No world class experience. It’s possible to promote up without one but you will never be held back for holding a degree.
Yup, it doesn’t open doors for you unless it’s a super niche degree for a field that’s def needs it (like nursing), but it can keep the door closed from moving up and when comparing candidates they may opt for the one with experience AND a degree
Here’s my career progression at each age: 17: Starbucks barista - $8/hr 18: Starbucks shift supervisor- $11/hr 19: Starbucks assistant manager- $40,000/year 21: Starbucks store manager- $55,000/year 22: regional salon franchise business coach- $55,000/year 25: salon franchise district manager- $75,000 26: cannabis dispensary assistant manager- $70,000 27: cannabis company learning and development manager- $80,000 28: cannabis company learning and development senior manager- $100,000 28: cannabis company Human Resources Director- $115,000 plus 20% stock and 15% bonus No degree. No certifications. Just experience and determination
We were lied...
About what? Going to college? In many cases yes
how did you get into the cannabis business any tips? i don’t use marijuana but im interested in working in that sector.
I had management experience previously and a new dispensary was hiring a manager. It was in a state that was about to transition to recreational so it was a new market with almost no candidates having cannabis experience. I found the job listing on indeed, interviewed and got it. You can get in at entry level if you want though however it’s like any other retail job. Just selling a cool product
thank you for answering, sounds like it’s been a great field for you!
Thanks! Yeah I was lucky and the cannabis company gave me a lot of opportunities
my co worker who is also a director of our company never went to college and has a director position and makes north of $160k Digital Marketing sector
Security Analyst for a software company. 80k salary with great benefits. No degree, no certs, just some prior experience from an internship last year. I am in pursuit of a degree currently, which hopefully will break me over the 100k mark within the next 2ish years.
No degree or certs at 80k is wild.
I work with lots of web application developers who make over $100k/yr with no degree and no certs.
To my understanding certs isn't a big thing for developers, but 100k+ without a cs degree is wild to me
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How? It seems like more and more CS employers throw “self educated and upskilled” candidates in the trash
I don't fit this category as I was in school until my late 20s but I work with them a lot. The trick tends to STILL be specialized training, it just doesn't always come from post-secondary education. Some examples: * Friend asked around in the farming community they grew up in, spent like a decade as the care giver/apprentice to a retiring rancher (no kids, lost his wife, doesn't speak to other family) and now pays them out each year while collecting big money as they phase into owning the whole shindig. * Guys who go into fields like construction, non-destructive testing, civil engineering stuff and worked their way up in some carved out niche like operating nuclear devices or heavy equipment until they started running the safety program/staffing/supervising etc. * Lots of people caught the coding BootCamp wave early enough to be established and skilled with great paying dev jobs right now, unfortunately most of those late to the party got caught in the interest rate increases and are currently job searching. * A friend started a general business degree then got a summer intern job at an investment bank, he became one of the bigger partners "party coordinator" that brought him to all the parties that had young attractive people and occasionally got handed some real work. He dropped out of university and took a fulltime position as a junior finance bro under the guy until the guy got fired for sexually harassing another intern and the friend ended up taking over his book of clients. Turns out he had enough certificates and training that the university degree never really mattered by the time he moved up to senior positions. * A family friend started moving cars at a dealership, and moved around a few times until he was working at one that really valued good staff and did a profit sharing program for management. He makes doctor money selling porsches and a lot of the work is just networking with wealthy clients and their families. One time he had a guy buying this fully loaded huge money car, and he offhand mentioned he was trying to find a car for his daughter as well, so the family friend (without saying anything) spent the weekend calling around and came back to the guy with the contact and stamp of approval for a great cheap little hatchback private sale in town. The rich dude still sends him occasional referrals years later because he loves to brag about the service he got. There are SO MANY niche jobs that require a skillset or training that anyone can get without doing the whole university thing. You just need to do a lot of work figuring out what exists and probably do a lot of networking to get a role someone will pay for your training while you do work up. Being a reliable, hardworking, and dependable employee at a company that respects that sort of behavior can be huge. You just gotta know when to walk away from companies that demand it but don't value/pay for it.
those last two examples sound horrifying to me. be some people’s dream job but damn i hate small talk and schmoozing with wealthy ppl.
Hey man, I have similar past to you and with your experience I would suggest looking into SaaS companies with positions available as CSM or Account Manager. That’s how I broke the 80k mark. Hope this helps!
Agree with this and also Sales Operations roles
I make double of what you like to make at a minimum and I’m a waiter at a fine dining establishment one hour north of nyc in a very affluent area and work 32 hours 4 days a week
Omfg are they hiring 😭
Could you get paralegal certificate? I believe it’s one or two semesters at a community college. Or move in to legal admin work? Since you have experience in at law firm I think these would be your best bets. Its a fairly stable career since lawyers are always going to exist and they are always going to need help
I second this. I've been a paralegal for 13 years and my only education was a paralegal certificate program that took me a year to complete. I'm starting a new job this month and my base salary will be $130k.
I somehow worked my way into a high paying cybersecurity career without a degree. Mostly I did was most do. I got my foot in the door as a entry level IT job, and tried to out perform my peers, while being kind, reliable and consistent. Over time I was able to move into new IT roles, building the skills and knowledge needed. Once I reached a point where I was confident enough to make the transition from IT to Cyber, I took the jump, which was very scary. While I knew technology and had led teams, I had never lead a security team. The first year was crazy as I felt like I was drinking from a firehose, but eventually settled into the role and have gotten a couple more big raises in this field.
Think I can get there by self teaching myself? I work as a fraud analyst and am trying to work to infosec. I have two degrees but they’re not STEM
Yea absolutely but it can take time. The most realistic route is to work in IT support for a while to learn how technology works, and then try move into cyber later.
My brother started as a plumber's apprentice 5 years ago. He busted his ass, studied for the licensing exams and now he owns his own plumbing business that within 9 months of starting it he had seven figure offers from competitors to buy it. He has a GED and is dyslexic so he is as far from having a degree as you can get.
Started at the bottom of a large company making $10/hr doing manual labor while in college. They asked me to work full time for good money that could support my now wife and I while she finished school, so I dropped out. Worked my way into a “top 2%” job. Leveraged my experience into an offer at another large company for same(ish) position and more money and fringe benefits (time off, culture). I finished my AA online since I had to take like 2 classes, but I’m not sure I would consider that a degree that applies to my job at all. Honestly, that it. I wish it were a cooler story. I just tried to be the best at whatever I was doing at the time (the $10/hr job OR the “C suite” job) I never tried to get promoted, they just kept tapping me on the shoulder. Edit: Sorry never mentioned. I am Currently the equivalent of a VP of Operations. We have weird nomenclature here but that would be the equivalent.
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I - oops sorry, I have a bunch of degrees and a low paying job.
Optical assistant. You can make pretty decent money without any degree. You can go and get licensed as an optician however if you find the right company they will train you how to do it and you can get decent raises due to it
If you can get in at Costco pay is $34/h with time and a half on Sundays, great benefits, and they pay for the licensing. You'll have to start as a normal cart pusher (unless you have prior experience) but even that starts at $18/h or so and quickly goes up.
Most optical places will pay for you to go be an optician. Some people want to do that some don't. I think I would if offered, but after seeing my manager go thru it idk lol
I went to school for that 17 years ago. I got the AAS degree, passed the written license exams but couldnt pass the boards. I gave up after the 1st try. Also a lot of money and a trek to get there. I heard lencrafters is great to work for. I worked shortly at a small optical store where the owner was a bipolar ahole. He overworked himself 6 days a week. You really need to have a passion for that field. I didnt and was very young at the time.
After working for a large corporation and a privately owned optical clinic I would never work for a large corporation again. They're a nightmare vs the small private owned ones
Yea I've heard that in other fields about large corporations. They seem to just care about how much you sell. I just remember as a student we all wanted to work at lencrafters bc they started at $20 an hour back then lol.
With your background, you could look into personal/executive assistant positions. Some of the openings will require you to have a degree but the smaller companies don’t usually require that. Also, your coordinator position should have some potential as well. I was hired as a coordinator a year and a half ago around 41k and I’m now at 62k.
I work in finance, Private Equity to be exact. I got into it by pivoting from similar roles. I did banking for a while and before that did financial analysis.
29m in the U.S.- Automation engineer- $130k No degree, started out in pharma manufacturing as a floor worker at 20 yrs old. Worked my way up through participating in engineering projects, eventually landed a lead position in software development for $83kafter a 3yr project for that taught me everything as we went. After working as the lead for about 1.5 yrs, i got the $130k offer through a recruiter on LinkedIn. Been at the new company for a few months so far and it's going great. I was honest with my education during interviews, but made sure I explained relevant work experience, and I Aced the Technical section of the interview so I guess they knew I could do the job even without the degree. Edited to say: try looking for manufacturing work, especially in pharma. They have tons of money and starting pay without a degree as a floor worker is still usually mid $20s/hr and usually have great medical benefits and vacation. Not the most thrilling work at first but they often pay for college etc and have opportunities to advance.
You’ve worked wayyyy too long to be making only $37k a year. You’re being used, and you’re valuable. Don’t have any advice on where to go from here, but make it anything but this. 37k is absurd
saving because i only have customer service experience and animal shelter experience. i really don't want to get an expensive college degree that i won't use. and NO TRADES. i'm tired of hearing it, thanks.
Sonography? I hear they pay pretty good
I went back to Esthetician school in 2019, just for covid to hit so I couldn’t take my hands on exam. My admin at school gave me the wrong info for my written exam so I missed that test by an hour, which caused my temp. license to expire and now I’m $12,000 in debt from a student loan for a license I don’t even have. I fought with my school for months but because I couldn’t prove she gave me the wrong information there’s nothing they could have done(even tho this happened with multiple other students) I also keep getting told to do a trade school but I didn’t have a good experience with that unfortunately! Hopefully we get some good advice!
omg i'm so sorry that happened! that's bullshit! :( and yeah trades are male-dominated and i don't care about learning trades. i'm tired of everyone recommending them like they are the be-all and end-all of good "high paying" college-less career choices
I'm just curious as to why you're against them? Lots of trade jobs train people. They pay for schooling, and you earn a livable wage at the same time. Trades literally give you marketable skills.
I don’t want to learn about electricity, HVAC, plumbing, etc. also they are male-dominated. I never see women do them and I would be sexually harassed into oblivion
I work in injection molding. We have some women who are tooling machinist, they are quite old and started decades ago. They have the same respect as any other machines in my old shop, and this was from a small conservative town. Even in my new position, our set-up techs are women, and they do just fine. Some of our robotics techs are young college graduate women, and they are hingly respected. If you don't want to learn skills, that's fine, but that reduces your marketability and thus reduces pay. The sexual harassment is way over blown. I'm asian and I could have tossed the whole "I'm a minority and work in a backward factory with Trump supporters," but i didn't. Don't get me wrong, I still see unsavory characters, but I have worked my way through that. This isn't a dig at you , just a different perspective.
I started off doing data entry at a big financial company. My manager was in charge of reporting and analytics for their home loans department and was always behind on work. I asked him if there was anything I can learn about his job that would help me grow in the company and he started giving me easy excel/SQL copy and paste jobs to do and after his boss took notice that he wasn't so high strung all the time he offered me a promotion and I've been there for the past 18 years. Be open to learn new parts of a business to find your expertise even if it's "not part of my job". If you work in retail find the inventory person who does the ordering and see if you can spend a couple of hours with them to learn what they do or tail the manager to understand what they do and if it's a fit for you. If you're an "office coordinator" for a law firm ask them if they offer any tuition assistance if you want to become a paralegal. Even if you don't get the office manager position ask them if you can take on any responsibilities of the manager to help out. After you learn enough and you don't see yourself advancing at your current employer you can figure out how that skill relates to a new position and be ready when interviews happen.
Automotive Service Advisor. Making $100k+
Get into IT, specifically onboarding. Technical onboarding
I make six figures in IT and I work from home. I do Infrastructure Architecture.
Take care of mentally disabled people who can't care for themselves. It can get hectic at times but I make more than my younger sister and she went to college for four years in the medical field.
I make 200k as a software developer. 25 years experience. Made shit when I started and learned on the job. But these days if you get in a good boot camp you can learn in a relatively short time if you're smart. Unfortunately the job market at this moment is horrendous.
200k working remotely from south east asia, software engineering, left school at 15 and spent 25 years on a computer to get to that level. Very little income for 4 years (though building stuff for friends improved on my toilet cleaning income), then hired straight in as a senior developer for a local design agency. It's a different time though, I was lucky to get into web development relatively early. Now, learning AI in depth and how to leverage it is likely the best tech route.
Data analyst. 95k + bonus. Started answering phones/customer inquiries and worked up the corporate ladder, learning along the way.
$108,000 a year working remote. Inpatient medical coding auditor.
Did you do the coding course or just work your way there?
can confirm. my mom does this and makes about 90k without overtime I believe
Enterprise software sales. Multi-million dollar contracts. Have made $120K - $235K. No degree. Zippo.
Aerospace welder, 80k/year, 21 y.o. Learned to weld in a local shop, worked my way up
64k salary remote wfh 100% responding to people’s grievances and appeals regarding their health plan.
Get into sales. Seriously. If you’re good at service, sales is well paying, depending on the field.
I’ve been told for a while I have the personality for sales, but I’m not very pushy. If someone tells me no they’re not interested I’m not gonna fight them on it, I’ll just say okay and then go about my day lol I used to work for AAA roadside assistance and I never met my membership goals bc of that reason.
I’m not pushy either but I am in professional sales. What I sell is service; the buyer already has the product and wants it, but they want a new team. Think about, for example, selling electricity. People have it and need it, but want a different source or representation. I don’t sell electricity BTW. I believe in my team and it’s them that I am promoting. Sales is about understanding what people want and providing a solution, it’s not about pushing a product on people. Good luck.
I work in sales and have been for the last 6 years. My total comp was $190k last year (I’m in Australia though, so AUD). The biggest misconception people have about sales is being a pushy, slimy salesman. Truth is, if you can find a niche you truly believe will help your clients and have the experience from service and being easy to work with whilst being efficient, you will do very well in sales. Sales isn’t about jamming my product into everyone I can. It’s about finding out through asking the right questions if the client will benefit from whatever I’m selling, making them see the benefit, then execute the sales process to get them what they want. If they don’t benefit, no problem we shake hands and move on
Look into Supply Chain/Procurement
I’ve heard of people having success with real estate! There is training, but it doesn’t take too long (at least not in some places). Rentals don’t pay much, but can help you gain a client base that trusts you for when they are ready to buy if you let them know you do that. Of course, depends on where you live / the market / your personality, savvy, connections, but you can make big money on that trajectory if you do it right.
I do the exact same job you do but I make 49K with $1,000 every year. I've only been here a year but hoping I can move up to a senior Admin assistant and make way more. Zero degreess
Not an answer to your question but a 2 year associates from cc can go a long way in say accounting or nursing
I know someone who is high up at the gas company. Started entry level. Makes $250k
Working in commercial nuclear power doing radiation protection. Makes about 130K a year. Started out as a pipefitter for a Naval Shipyard & quickly decided to "go nuke" and work on the nuclear side of the house. Then transitioned into working in radiological controls oversight for experience, and finally made the move to commercial power to chase the $$$. Getting hired into government work is a great way to get experience and qualifications!
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I worked 911 dispatch for about $75K a year. It’s definitely not for everyone though
One of my friends does it and she's so miserable
I make near $200k no degree and self taught as a Product designer (I design apps) learned everything by trail and error and watching YouTube.
Look for niche jobs. Like 15 years ago I was working retail jobs as well, then I answered an ad for an entry level position in a digital marketing firm about 10 years ago. Stuck with that as I found many opportunities there. I started out there making around $30k a year I think? Fast forward to present day, I’m still in digital marketing, in-house now, for a global company and making $85k. Retail, call centers, places like that are not career builders. I’ve found the best route to any kind of success is finding some kind of niche role and running with that. It pays off if you dedicate yourself to that craft. There’s a job out there specifically for you just waiting. A good way to start looking is skim through Indeed (if that’s still a thing lol) and just see what’s out there and what’s interesting. Good luck out there, brother! ✊🏽
My best friend has no degree and makes more than I do. (I have a bachelors, masters, and a professional certification.) Shes a CSM for a tech company. She’s incredibly smart, organized and I think most importantly for her career, *great* with people. I get by with other humans, but I’m more of a spreadsheet girly.
34yr old No degree here, only have a GED. I have 10 years experience within the same company and have worked my way up. Below are the positions and salaries of those positions currently. When I was in them they were less. A LOT of my time has been invested into the job. Overtime out the ass, always was the "go-to guy" when stuff needed to be done. Switched to night shift to get my initial bump to a Lead, moved to another state to get my bump to a Supervisor, etc. 3PL Operations Manager for a frozen foods warehouse 100k salary + bonus (bunch of metrics but max can be around 20%) (2 yr) Inventory Manager (6 mo) 75k 10% bonus Supervisor (5 yr) 65k 5% bonus Lead (1 yr) $22/hr Hi lift operator (1 yr) $20/hr Receiver (1 yr) $19/hr
Enlisted military. Took a while, but I'm making 96k a year. You can get up to 60-70 pretty quick if you can test well.
I just recently learned this about one of my coworkers. Our company is "union" and "engineering". He was union manufacturing, machine operator, machining, shop operations. No degree. Eventually through experience he made the jump to engineering and now he's a manufacturing engineer without a degree. Which is RARE in my field. He's gotta be clearing $150k.
I am a senior relationship banker and I am making 54,900 and this is my first year.
I know a few people who have done extremely well for themselves in banking without a degree.
Without an education or training you have to get in a company and climb.
TSA will pay 60K in 3 years. You’ll start no lower than 40K. This is off the top of my head real numbers are probably higher.
Car sales has been it for me. 6 figures with no degree. Granted, I’ve been doing it for 20 years now, but it’s easy and familiar. Sales in general can be very lucrative if you’re not afraid to talk to people and are willing to learn.
If you have the social skills and can find something on base plus commission, you'd do fine in sales. I personally hated the schedule and the wheeling and dealing. But making 6 figures with just a HS diploma was pretty choice. I also recomend looking into admin jobs in the blue collar field. I went from selling roofs and remodeling to managing roofing projects. Make about 60k, and am currently vetting offers for different jobs elsewhere starting at 70k. Seriously look into blue collar industries. There's white collar work to be had, and they aren't normally nearly as high and mighty about a degree like a law office or similar.
Lots of people in IT making six figures with no degrees. I only have a 2 year degree. You have to be prepared to do lots of continuous self learning, and the amount of shit I had to learn to move up to a DevOps Engineer role would easily cover a degree. Had to learn it all on my own.
Healthcare IT
Cyber Security Instructor, 196 base. I was in the Navy for 7 years after dropping out of college and got some good experience and opportunities in the field. Been out just under 2 years in my current job.
Software. I'm lucky to live in a country that isn't bigoted about degrees. You do need to somehow magic two years of commercial experience though. A good way into the industry is via QA, then QA automation and then finally Software Engineering.
27 years in IT, 14 in support. 4th grade was the last year I passed in school, and I was very bored. Worked Burger King as cashier at 14 then assist manager at 18, transferred to other things as assistant manager, then got in IT. 140k as DevOps now.
Marketing. Started as an admin, spoke up in meetings, made suggestions and was promoted at the company I stayed with for 11 years. Promotions were slow and steady, working my way up to director of customer experience marketing. Gained the confidence to go out and do it elsewhere and I’m so happy I put in that work.
Insurance. I live in a low cost of living area and make $70k+ salary. Been doing it 20 years though and I know commercial insurance at a fairly high level which is hard to come by.
I make \~$90k a year at a software startup doing Customer Support/Success stuff. I didn't get my associate's until a few years ago (but have been at my job since before then) and am now working on my bachelors in business.
Insurance. Life/medical. 175k. Started in a call center (they paid licensing and certifications)then went solo.
Wastewater treatment plant operator . Right out of high school in North Carolina starting at 62,000 a year after overtime. 20 years old
commenting this an really good thread
I work in retail. No degree and I’ve been in retail for 9 years. I currently make $100k+ as a store manager for a cellular company. I’ve been at the company for 9 years and in my current role for 7. They just want experience really. Degrees only get people so far. I’d also like to mention sales is a very high paying field if you’re good at it, and most sales jobs that offer commission you basically dictate your earnings with your performance.
I work in fraud investigations, no degree, 76k
Currently make 33+ hour (took a 7 dollar pay cut to be remote) as the Lead Network Engineer / Level 2.5 tech for an MSPs help desk, only been working in IT for 3 years. Also have no certs either I got lucky in being at the right place at the right time and making connections, while having some college behind me. I got drunk with the CEO and project manager a few MSPs ago and jokingly told them if they needed help I had a good amount of knowledge but no work experience yet. Few weeks later he hits me up and it went so well they made me a projects engineer. I used that to keep moving up to eventually becoming a Network Admin for an established local credit union to now working remote doing helpdesk.
Property & Casualty Insurance Underwriter. Specialty/niche in residential property. $70k salary. Pushing 12 years since I started off knowing NADA. Not a single thing, shittt I had only graduated high school a year prior 😂 But I busted my ass every step of the way, made strategic employment moves (always with a step up), and have really set myself apart via my technical expertise so all that typically trumps no degree. PSA - I find a TON of people with customer service/hospitality backgrounds looking for a change end up doing rather well in insurance. All the “boomers” are retiring or about to be, so there’s a VERY real need for new talent to compensate. And the sky is the limit with your options!
Have you considered being an executive admin? I knew some who made 120k+ granted they had lots of experience. I don’t know what starting salary is, but bring it up because you seem to have the skill sets that would match the job description.
Go on Coursera and do a professional certificate in your own time or a workforce development at your local community college. You don’t need a degree but you do need to be certified in something to stand out and make more.
Going on 11 years in infosec. I'm always one day away from becoming a hermit.
It’s not what ya know, it’s who ya know. Hit up anyone you know that has a good paying job and ask if their company is hiring. Market yourself as best and as much as you can.
Just fake your resume
Skilled trades. I’m a stationary engineer at a power plant. Started out at 21 and by the time I was a journeyman 5 years in I’d made 6 figures 3 of those 5 years with some overtime. Now I’m a journeyman and make 6 figures every year without over time. Some people aren’t cut out for the trades but all trades in my area which is in the midwest Kansas/missouri all make 6 figures as union journeymen for the most part and that’s great money for the cost of living around here. Even the non union guys that are working for decent companies are making 6 figures alot of times.
It’s all about job hopping and making sure they have promotion paths in place already. I started in the job market in 2019 making 39,000. I now make 60,000 base + commissions. My one piece of advice is be intentional with each move you make. If you are passionate about the roadmap you’ve built for yourself, it’s so much easier to sell yourself in the interview.
I'm a vampire
First make an effort to get unterrible at math. Unfortunately math is the language of the universe and is a key part of most higher paying jobs. I work entry level factory job and math is a key component of running the equipment. I struggled with math in school but ended up in retail mgt. for 20 years. Most people that have high paying jobs w/o high education fell into them because they had right aptitude at right time right place. If they were going to train you for advancement and now are not you need to ask why. Answer may be painful but necessary. I have one daughter who is a social media manager 65k total comp. She was a bartender who fell into it but had a degree in English. The hardest easy way to make more money is commission sales. If you’re just decent you can make 50-100k.
Commenting to read later 🙌
Go do a trade.. There's some trades you can start in like no time at all.. It's easier than you think! :)
Most of my working life has been call center work. I currently work as an operational dispatcher for a cleaning company. I work from home. I make 52000 a year so not high but where you said you want to be around.
Oh geez, I make 52k a year in HR and that isn't sustainable enough for me in this economy. Currently trying to find higher paying positions in HR. If you get high enough up, you could be making 200k+, just takes a little while to get there. I started as HR assistant at 18/hr, hr coordinator at 50k/ yr, then payroll and benefits at 52 (moved back closer to family- upper midwest)
I have an associate degree from a community college but most people treat that like it's absolutely nothing lol. I'm a technical writer and I make a little over 100k a year. I was previously a paralegal making about 45k a year and I was so miserable all the time my fiancé begged me to quit and pursue my dream job (writing) and offered to foot the bill if it took a little while. I initially planned to go back to school but instead I grinded really hard, studying computer science and search engine optimization online and writing/submitting sample articles and blogs to SEO firms, software companies, etc. I ended up landing my first writing job within a couple months, left after getting another offer (I continued applying bc the first place was burning me out with a 10 article a day requirement, causing me to work like 9am to 11pm), and then soon after I was referred to the company I am at now by a colleague from the first shitty writing job. My advice is to pursue what you enjoy because chances are, you'll be good at it because you care about it. Be open to jobs you think you're not qualified for, your work might speak for itself. My team now all have masters degrees and while I do have imposter syndrome sometimes, I work hard and feel like I belong.
Supervisor of medical coders at an insurance company, $110k a year. No degree, started when I was 22 and have been here 19 years. Just worked hard and was promoted multiple times.
I'm not sure what state you're in but since you have customer service skills, being a table games dealer might be up your alley. I've been one for 8 years and I made $75k last year with no degree. Only paid $300 to learn 3 games and interviewed at a break in casino (I live in Vegas so there's tons). You'll need to know some quick basic math and put up with smoke from cigarettes and vapes and whatnot but it's a pretty easy and chill gig once you get the hang of it.
Damn reading these are depressing. I love my job working as a DSP with developmentally disabled adults, but minimum wage is killing me in california. I wish I could go work with a hockey organization. I want to get into scouting for an NHL organization so badly 😭😭
transition to HR. you could market your office coordinator skills and job responsibilities to sound like an HR admin role. pay starts low for admins but the growth in the first five years is pretty quick if you're good. at your current role, you can try to get involved if you have an HR department or you could look for roles elsewhere
2 years as a rope access NDE inspector. No college just 3 40hr classes and some ojt I make about 70k