I always encourage people to work with what they have. Job seekers often focus on what they don’t have, such as a college degree, which then impedes their job search efforts and results. If you do not want to go to college, don’t go. Many jobs out there do not require a college degree. So…focus on the jobs that are more open to varying backgrounds and education. Here are a few examples.
Seven Careers With Good Pay, Little School – Yahoo! Education.
By Andrea Duchon
Maybe life edged in or you realized along the way that you aren’t cut out for higher education. But that’s no reason to take a dead-end job or accept a career that doesn’t pay a good wage.
Despite what you may have heard, it’s just not true that earning a bachelor’s degree is the only path to a great career that pays well. You might be able to qualify for some promising careers with only an associate’s degree or the right certificate.
Interested in learning how to get yourself into a career that utilizes your strongest skills, pads your bank account, and doesn’t require years of schooling? Keep reading to learn about seven careers that pay a respectable median salary – all without a bachelor’s degree.
Paralegals could be called the lawyer’s right-hand man (or woman) because they’re working to keep things in check all day, every day. But because they don’t have to go to law school to make it into the office, they can start earning a great paycheck without spending years hitting the books.
What They Do: The U.S. Department of Labor says that paralegals do various tasks to support lawyers and help them prepare for trials, like conducting research, maintaining files, and writing reports.
Why It Pays: Because you’ll often be doing the grunt work that makes a lawyer’s work possible, lawyers are quick to pay you well as a paralegal, says Nicole Williams, a career expert for the professional networking site LinkedIn. Another way to think of it is in terms of the phrase “time is money.” The work you do as a paralegal frees up a lawyer’s time to do other things – something they’ll always find invaluable, says Williams.
Due to their integral role in law offices, paralegals need to be intelligent, have the ability to fill in the blanks and solve puzzles, be highly organized, and know how to prioritize, says Williams.
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Paralegal Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: “Most paralegals and legal assistants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies,” says the Department of Labor. There is another route, however: Those who have a bachelor’s degree in another field could pursue a certificate in paralegal studies.
If you’re looking for a hands-on career that makes a real difference in the lives of others, physical therapist assistant could be right up your alley. And unlike licensed physical therapists, who need to spend years in school, physical therapist assistants don’t need a bachelor’s degree to pull in a solid paycheck.
What They Do: PT assistants are responsible for helping patients recovering from illnesses regain movement, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They might help patients do exercises, treat them using techniques like stretching and massage, and educate them about what to do after treatment.
Why It Pays: “The duties of a physical therapist assistant may not seem mentally challenging, but in fact, they are,” says Williams. “Dealing with patients in different states of recovery is taxing and draining, which is one major reason that the job pays so well.”
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Patient Care and Therapy Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: The pay sounds even better when you consider the schooling required to get there. The Department of Labor says, “Most states require physical therapist assistants have an associate’s degree from an accredited physical therapist program.” Physical therapist assistants must also obtain a license, typically by graduating from an accredited program and passing the National Physical Therapy Exam.
Are you courageous? Do you have a high level of integrity and self-restraint? If so, Williams says you could be cut out for a path as a police officer.
What They Do: Along with the qualities listed above, Williams lists empathy, the ability to preempt emergency, and a keen eye for preventing crime as some strengths of a good police officer. Police officers generally patrol the streets, enforce laws, respond to calls, and arrest suspects, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Pays: Police officers work long hours, often on nights and weekends, Williams adds. Because they constantly need to be prepared, work in dangerous situations, and perform in any type of weather, they are usually paid well, she says.
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Criminal Justice Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: The Department of Labor says police officers must usually have at least a high school diploma or GED, and graduate from an agency training academy. However, they also say that many agencies require candidates to have a college degree or some college coursework. You’ll also need to be a U.S. citizen, be at least 21 years old, and meet “rigorous physical and personal qualifications,” says the Department.
Williams says you’ll need to exhibit tact, understanding, composure, and patience if you wish to pursue a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
What They Do: Sonographers use imaging equipment to assess and diagnose medical issues in patients, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. They’re responsible for preparing the patients and machines for procedures, operating the equipment, and analyzing the images to provide preliminary findings for the physician.
Why It Pays: A major reason why it pays so well is because people in this position need to have excellent bedside manner. You’ll have to assist patients – and keep them calm – when delivering negative news about their health, says Williams.
“When most people hear of sonography, they think of seeing a baby for the first time,” she explains. “However, sonographers need to deal with cysts, tumors, and growths as well. And part of the job involves being on your feet 80 percent of the day, which can be tiring and contributes to why this career pays well.”
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Medical Sonography Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: While you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, the Department of Labor says education in the form of an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate is necessary. “Many employers also require professional certification,” adds the Department.
While it’s true that you’d need to hit the books big time in medical school to get into a career as a dentist, the good news is you can still join the office ranks as a dental hygienist – without a bachelor’s degree.
What They Do: Dental hygienists might spend their days cleaning teeth, taking x-rays, and applying fluoride to protect patients’ teeth, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It Pays: “Dental hygienists tend to do a lot of the leg work at the office,” says Williams. “The routine can get tedious, and let’s not forget that they need to deal with bad breath the majority of the day.”
No one enjoys getting their teeth cleaned and the hygienist knows it, Williams continues. But because they perform a job that people need but don’t necessarily want, they’re often paid well.
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Dental Hygienist Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: Every state requires dental hygienists to be licensed, though exact requirements may vary, according to the Department of Labor. Additionally, you’ll typically need an associate’s degree in dental hygiene to pursue entry-level positions.
Are you patient and compassionate? You’ll need to be if you want to consider being an assistant to an occupational therapist. What you won’t need, however, is a bachelor’s degree to get yourself into this career.
What They Do: “Occupational therapy assistants help people tackle daily activities they can no longer do due to loss of limbs, a debilitating disease like multiple sclerosis, or developmental disabilities,” says Williams.
Why It Pays: One reason occupational therapist assistants earn a decent salary is that the career can be strenuous and requires a great deal of determination, as many aspects of the job are repetitive teaching exercises, says Williams.
What’s more, occupational therapy helps people regain the ability to take care of common tasks. “These activities are often things that are essential to functioning in society, which also makes this career essential and contributes to why it pays so well,” she adds.
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Patient Care and Therapy Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: You’ll need to be licensed in most states if you want to pursue a job as an occupational therapy assistant, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. An associate’s degree is also required.
Do you peg yourself as a tinkerer who’s fascinated with the manmade world? Civil engineer techs get to flex their “always-on” brains and pair them with a well-paid career path, minus the bachelor’s degree.
What They Do: Williams says that “these are people that help to plan and design roads, bridges, and tunnels. They determine the materials that are needed for a project and estimate the amount of money needed for its completion.”
You’ll need to have a solid set of analytical skills as well as amazing communication skills, she adds.
Why It Pays: Civil engineer assistants are often working on contracts worth millions of dollars, and their employers are often investing in them to move the project along, Williams says.
Along with those set of skills mentioned above, civil engineer techs are also paid well to be quick thinkers and excellent problem solvers, says Williams. She provides this illustrative example: “Let’s say a water main breaks or a sewer leaks. The technician and his team need to have the answer as to why – and they need to have it fast.”
NEXT STEP: Click to Find the Right Engineering Program.
Bachelor’s-Free Path: An associate’s degree in civil engineering technology is preferred for this career path, though the U.S. Department of Labor says that it’s not always required. Prospective candidates should seek out programs that are certified by ABET (formerly the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
Release what you cannot control and seek instead to make a real connection with the meet you meet…even in interviews. Here’s my latest interview advice…
Interviewing Tips: When Your Interviewer is Half Your Age! | vitalink.
Is your cup half empty or half full? You can choose to focus on those things that hinder your job search or those things that play to your strengths and move you forward. It’s all a matter of how you think.
This article reinforces my thoughts on Baby Boomers and employment. There is tremendous need and opportunity for job seeking Boomers.
A Golden Opportunity: Hiring the Baby Boomers to Advance the Workforce.
Its not about me, its about you… the 20 questions you need to ask in a job interview | TheLadders.
It’s time for my twice-a-year update of the best questions for you to ask in an interview.
I’ve put this list together because so often we can forget what an interview’s all about. It sure feels like it’s about you, but it’s really not.
An interview is actually about how you can help your future boss and future employer succeed. It’s about finding out what their requirements and hopes are and matching up your background and experience with what they need.
Overlooking these basic facts about the interview is easy. There’s so much else going on in your work, your life, and in your job search, that you can forget to look at the interview from the interviewer’s point of view. And that’s a shame, because you need the interviewer to walk away from the interview thoroughly impressed.
When I ran these questions previously, commenter “spiderji” wrote in and said:
Marc, I used some of your questions in a job interview today. When I asked how to get a “gold star” on the evaluation, the interviewers faces lit up!” I contrast today’s interview with others I’ve been on where I didn’t have any meaningful questions at the end. This one was electric! I won’t know the results for a couple of days, but if they hire me I’ll owe you a drink! Thank you!
And reader LBRZ shared:
I have to thank you! I had an interview yesterday and it went great. When I asked about his leadership style and reward system his face lit up like a christmas tree.
After he answered the question “how can I help you receive your next promotion?”, he began to give me advice on how I should negotiate for a higher starting salary.
And that’s exactly the point, Readers. By asking these questions, which focus on the needs, traits, and preferences of your future boss and future employer, you’re demonstrating that you are somebody who is genuinely interested in their well-being. And the more interest we show in others, the more commitment they show to aiding our cause.
With that in mind, here’s the twice-a-year update to my collection of “twenty best interview questions” below. My aim here is to arm you with easy-to-ask, revealing-to-answer questions for you to take with you to an interview:
1. What’s the biggest change your group has gone through in the last year? Does your group feel like the tough times are over and things are getting better, or are things still pretty bleak? What’s the plan to handle to either scenario?
2. If I get the job, how do I earn a “gold star” on my performance review? What are the key accomplishments you’d like to see in this role over the next year?
3. What’s your (or my future boss’) leadership style?
4. About which competitor are you most worried?
5. How does sales / operations / technology / marketing / finance work around here? (I.e., groups other than the one you’re interviewing for.)
6. What type of people are successful here? What type of people are not?
7. What’s one thing that’s key to this company’s success that somebody from outside the company wouldn’t know about?
8. How did you get your start in this industry? Why do you stay?
9. What are your group’s best and worst working relationships with other groups in the company?
10. What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest worry these days?
11. What’s the timeline for making a decision on this position? When should I get back in touch with you?
12. These are tough economic times, and every position is precious when it comes to the budget. Why did you decide to hire somebody for this position instead of the many other roles / jobs you could have hired for? What about this position made you prioritize it over others?
13. What is your reward system? Is it a star system / team-oriented / equity-based / bonus-based / “attaboy!”-based? Why is that your reward system? What do you guys hope to get out of it, and what actually happens when you put it into practice? What are the positives and the negatives of your reward system? If you could change any one thing, what would it be?
14. What information is shared with the employees (revenues, costs, operating metrics)? Is this an “open book” shop, or do you play it closer to the vest? How is information shared? How do I get access to the information I need to be successful in this job?
15. If we are going to have a very successful year in 2014, what will that look like? What will we have done over the next 6 months to make it successful? How does this position help achieve those goals?
16. How does the company / my future boss do performance reviews? How do I make the most of the performance review process to ensure that I’m doing the best I can for the company?
17. What is the rhythm to the work around here? Is there a time of year that it’s “all hands on deck” and we’re pulling all-nighters, or is it pretty consistent throughout the year? How about during the week / month? Is it pretty evenly spread throughout the week / month, or are there crunch days?
18. What type of industry / functional / skills-based experience and background are you looking for in the person who will fill this position? What would the “perfect” candidate look like? How do you assess my experience in comparison? What gaps do you see? What is your (or my future boss’) hiring philosophy? Is it “hire the attitude / teach the skills” or are you primarily looking to add people with domain expertise first and foremost?
19. In my career, I’ve primarily enjoyed working with big / small / growing / independent / private / public / family-run companies. If that’s the case, how successful will I be at your firm?
20. Who are the heroes at your company? What characteristics do the people who are most celebrated have in common with each other? Conversely, what are the characteristics that are common to the promising people you hired, but who then flamed out and failed or left? As I’m considering whether or not I’d be successful here, how should I think about the experiences of the heroes and of the flame-outs?
I hope you find these questions useful in your interviews, Readers!
A final note. Previously, another commenter, “Lenore”, asked:
Hi Marc. Awesome questions!
My question for you is…..how do you ask questions when you are meeting with more than one interviewer. I met with 3 to 4 interviewers, one at a time. I didn’t want to come off generic by asking each of them the same questions. I guess you can go by their role to determine what questions you are going to ask. Sometimes they are all top executives. I’m guessing there are enough questions to divide amongst them all. I had asked so many questions in an interview once, that I didn’t want to seem redundant. Do you think this is ok?
To which I replied:
Great question Lenore.
Three options:
1) Change the wording a little bit each time so you’re not asking the same question in the same way.
2) Mention that “You know, I already asked your colleague about this, and I’d love to hear your thoughts…”
3) Divide the list and ask different people different questions, as you suggested.
Hope that helps!
M
OK, Readers, have a great week in the job search!
I’m rooting for you!
Over the course of the last twenty years I have interviewed and coached countless 40+ job seekers. I find that most tend to focus on doing what everyone else does and blending in. They follow generic guidelines for resumes, ask typical questions in interviews, and do whatever else it takes to be liked and accepted. This is the exact opposite of what resonates with most Recruiters and Interviewers.
Want better interview results? Follow these tips on Effective Interview Strategies for 40+ Job Seekers:
I find it interesting that many also seek advice on what NOT to say or do in an interview. To that I ask the question, “Well, do you want to focus on those things that are detrimental to you or those things that are beneficial to you?” Focus on the positive. Focus on those things that move you forward and bring value to you and to those with whom you associate. Focusing on the negative only brings about more negative and makes it much more likely that you will say the one thing you were trying not to say.
If you limited my interviewing advice to two words, my message is simply this: Be authentic. Both you and your Interviewer will consider the interview to have been time well spent.
From an insider’s perspective, I understand why organizations do not personally respond to each applicant. The reason is simple…VOLUME. Hundreds and thousands even of people click “submit” on the job boards for a single position. Interestingly, and frustratingly, at least 80% of the applicants do not meet even the minimum qualifications Read More
More than half, or 51 percent, of new employees hired in 2012 have “buyer’s remorse” and 88 percent are looking to make a change, notes DDI’s report. Their chief complaint: The hiring process “failed to paint a realistic or accurate picture of the job.”
via New Employees: ‘We Were Jobbed About This Job’ | Latest News – Workforce.com.
