If you don't have a college degree

[raeoflyte]

What do you do, how did you get there, and if you're comfortable, approximately how much money do you make?  

[Phoenix84]

The question doesn't apply to me, but hypothetically speaking, if college wasn't in my future, I'd probably join the military.

It's not a bad career and it's a hell of a lot better than working at the local walmart or fast food restaraunt.

[MJ2.0]

Jul 15, 2016 23:11:09 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

The question doesn't apply to me, but hypothetically speaking, if college wasn't in my future, I'd probably join the military.

It's not a bad career and it's a hell of a lot better than working at the local walmart or fast food restaraunt.

Except for the dodging bullets and bombs on a near daily basis....

[NoNamePerson]

Jul 16, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Jul 15, 2016 23:11:09 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

The question doesn't apply to me, but hypothetically speaking, if college wasn't in my future, I'd probably join the military.

It's not a bad career and it's a hell of a lot better than working at the local walmart or fast food restaraunt.

Except for the dodging bullets and bombs on a near daily basis....

  I was thinking the same thing while you were typing

[MJ2.0]

Although depending on the location of the Walmart or McDonald's, you might be in the same boat re: flying bullets.

Seriously, I'd probably go to a trade school allied health program.

[Deleted]

Jul 15, 2016 21:36:57 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

What do you do, how did you get there, and if you're comfortable, approximately how much money do you make?  

You want to hear success stories like that of my former FIL. He started at a printing company after high school. sweeping. Then he learned to operate a press, eventually becoming a foreman. Then he became the plant manager. Then he became vice-president and eventually president. He was making 250k when I got divorced.

But you couldn't do that these days.  He was succeeded by his other son (not my ex) who graduated from college, became a pharmaceutical rep, and then a general manager.  Eventually, he went to work for his father and became vice-president.  He became president after his father died.

Career paths have changed dramatically over the years.

[milee]

Jul 16, 2016 7:42:00 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Jul 15, 2016 21:36:57 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

What do you do, how did you get there, and if you're comfortable, approximately how much money do you make?  

You want to hear success stories like that of my former FIL. He started at a printing company after high school. sweeping. Then he learned to operate a press, eventually becoming a foreman. Then he became the plant manager. Then he became vice-president and eventually president. He was making 250k when I got divorced.

But you couldn't do that these days.  He was succeeded by his other son (not my ex) who graduated from college, became a pharmaceutical rep, and then a general manager.  Eventually, he went to work for his father and became vice-president.  He became president after his father died.

Career paths have changed dramatically over the years.

When I was growing up the regional grocery store chain - Publix - prided itself on promoting from within.  Stories of bag boy turns into regional manager (funny, I never heard about cashier - the women's starter role - ever turning into regional manager  ) were common.  But I think that's changing.  Publix still promotes heavily from within but it's a long, long path and somewhere along the way you'll probably have to get a degree if you want to go above a certain level.

[ArchietheDragon]

My brother works at a doggie day care. I think he makes $12 an hour or so but it could be a little higher. My sister works at a home for severely handicapped adults. I think she makes around $40k a year or so maybe a little more. Neither have a degree but my sister got really close.

[giramomma]

I had an ex-boyfriend that was a plumbers apprentice. He didn't have a degree. I don't know if he ever ended up being a plumber, though.

There are other trades, like carpentry that you can apprentice with. I think eventually when you have enough work experience, you make 40K or so. Management roles will push your income up. According to indeed, foremen can make 75K or so.

[Lizard Queen]

Sales.  Had an xbf who was a used car sales manager, and made a lot more than I did with a degree.  Of course, if you can sell and have a degree, you're golden.

[wvugurl26]

My brother has an electrician's license. He started in train maintenance at DC Metro and has worked his way up. He's making around $70k before overtime which comes and goes.

[NoNamePerson]

It was a running joke among the group that graduated with my EX. One of the group barely made grade to graduate.

He went into pharm sales back in the 60's.

Only one of the group that drove a Porsche but couldn't spell it!!

[Phoenix84]

Jul 16, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Jul 15, 2016 23:11:09 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

The question doesn't apply to me, but hypothetically speaking, if college wasn't in my future, I'd probably join the military.

It's not a bad career and it's a hell of a lot better than working at the local walmart or fast food restaraunt.

Except for the dodging bullets and bombs on a near daily basis....

Nah, more specifically, I'd probably have leveraged my natural ability for math and science and joined the Navy Nuclear program.  Those 100k+ re enlishment bonuses are sweet, and no dodging of bullets required, though maybe a torpedo or two. 

[MJ2.0]

Jul 16, 2016 8:26:46 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Jul 16, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except for the dodging bullets and bombs on a near daily basis....

Nah, more specifically, I'd probably have leveraged my natural ability for math and science and joined the Navy Nuclear program.  Those 100k+ re enlishment bonuses are sweet, and no dodging of bullets required, though maybe a torpedo or two. 

I think they'd still highly encourage you to go to college. I mean they pay for it so why not?

[raeoflyte]

I don't have a college degree, but have a base pay in the high 60's and have grossed over 70k for the last several years. I'm not an anomaly in real estate and have several of my employees who make more than I do, not including sales.

My skills in life include showing up and trying my best which has worked out pretty well. Although I think the work/life balance issues in the real estate field overall are caused in large part because so much of the work force doesn't have a degree. The way they could get business over the next guy was to be available sooner, longer, and more often.

I hope more people without degrees will post as well. Of any place to get median/high earners without degrees I would think it would be on ym. I don't think I'm a success story, and if I could get into another field I would. It's tough to look at paying to get a degree that would get me into a career that would pay less.

My dh and my sister both have 2 degrees--a bachelors in the sciences that are both worthless apparently, and an associates degree that with licensing/certification as vet techs can make $45k+ when working full time.

[alabamagal]

Jul 16, 2016 7:50:31 GMT -5 milee said:

Jul 16, 2016 7:42:00 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

You want to hear success stories like that of my former FIL. He started at a printing company after high school. sweeping. Then he learned to operate a press, eventually becoming a foreman. Then he became the plant manager. Then he became vice-president and eventually president. He was making 250k when I got divorced.

But you couldn't do that these days.  He was succeeded by his other son (not my ex) who graduated from college, became a pharmaceutical rep, and then a general manager.  Eventually, he went to work for his father and became vice-president.  He became president after his father died.

Career paths have changed dramatically over the years.

When I was growing up the regional grocery store chain - Publix - prided itself on promoting from within.  Stories of bag boy turns into regional manager (funny, I never heard about cashier - the women's starter role - ever turning into regional manager  ) were common.  But I think that's changing.  Publix still promotes heavily from within but it's a long, long path and somewhere along the way you'll probably have to get a degree if you want to go above a certain level.

My cousins wife started out as cashier at Publix and has worked there 30 years. She is front end manager. She makes good money but also has a large amount of company stock. She is very happy working there.

[milee]

Jul 16, 2016 8:46:30 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

Jul 16, 2016 7:50:31 GMT -5 milee said:

When I was growing up the regional grocery store chain - Publix - prided itself on promoting from within.  Stories of bag boy turns into regional manager (funny, I never heard about cashier - the women's starter role - ever turning into regional manager  ) were common.  But I think that's changing.  Publix still promotes heavily from within but it's a long, long path and somewhere along the way you'll probably have to get a degree if you want to go above a certain level.

My cousins wife started out as cashier at Publix and has worked there 30 years. She is front end manager. She makes good money but also has a large amount of company stock. She is very happy working there.

Definitely.  I'm just guessing that had she been male, in 30 years time she would have been at a much higher level than front end manager, which is just a small step up from head cashier.  After 30 years, she could be a regional manager for example.  One of my redneck neighbors growing up had started as a bag boy and was a store manager after 10 years and trust me, he was no prize...

[alabamagal]

I have an uncle now in his 70s. He went to Navy and did electronics. Think he was only in for 4 years. He got a job working on fare machines for Atlanta public transportation system and eventually worked his way up in the engineering department. Became an expert in escalators. After he retired he does contract work and as an expert witness in escalator law suits. Never went to college.

[giramomma]

Jul 16, 2016 8:41:18 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

My dh and my sister both have 2 degrees--a bachelors in the sciences that are both worthless apparently, and an associates degree that with licensing/certification as vet techs can make $45k+ when working full time.

I have two worthless degrees, really. I need to get an actual education in my field. My "gut" really isn't cutting it anymore. So, I'll be getting a second master's sooner than later.

I think there's no real between degree and salary unless you become a professional: CPA, pharmacist, etc.

I think a degree gets your foot in the door. The rest is up to you.

DH had a worthless undergrad. He was doomed because he didn't move away from me to take on job experiences that would help his career. Not so much that he picked a bad major.

I'm sticking it out as long as I can in the public sector. On salary alone, I've been underpaid. But, the benefits in flexibility more than make up for my lower salary. Working opposite DH in the summers saves 5K in daycare costs a year. That's like getting a 10% raise right there, moving me out of underpaid territory.
 

[souldoubt]

I've got friends that work at the gas/electric company who don't have degrees and clear 6 figures with OT.  It used to be you started off reading meters and if you want to move up you apply for jobs that open up at other bases while the jobs promote based on seniority but you have to pass certain tests/certifications depending on what position you go for.  The tests and training involve physical labor and skills they train you on so it's definitely not a given you move up.  It's changing now because they're installing new meters that they either automatically report back via computer or one reader can read a lot more meters.  I don't know the exact details but it's union, they have some kind of pension (40% after so many years) but there's also a 401K.  I think they may be doing away with pensions for newer works but my friends that are in have a shot at the pension.  It's a good living if you can do it but it's also a lot of physical labor and my buddy said most the guys in their 50's have to have knee replacements and move into an office position. 

[NoNamePerson]

Guess I should own up to the fact that after 2 1/2 yrs of college I wound up with my MRS. degree.     But I've had a pretty good life so I'm not gonna bitch and moan about not making $250,000 a yr.

My son dropped out and wound up buying the small construction company he worked for. He's doing fine. As for his income I have no clue since it's none of my business but he and wife enjoy a good lifestyle from all indications.

[Apple]

I know a lot of guys with no degree working as welders, crane operators, maintenance mechanics and electricians making about $87-92k. 

[Regis]

I have three field guys who work with me doing land surveying, none of them with college degrees.  With a decent amount of overtime this year, they'll make anywhere between $60k-$80k.

[sesfw]

Fifty years ago I went to work for Bemis Bag running a sewing machine that sews tape on the ends of large paper bags. ($2.50 per hour) Think fertilizer, dog food, rolled insulation, etc.  Then did my mandatory stint at McDs for 3 months before becoming QC at a local Pepsi bottling plant. ($2.50)  Next job was at Gore in wire/cable final inspection.  (final pay $9.50)  All of these jobs without any college.

After Gore (I got gored) at age 50 I went to DeVry and got an AA degree as an electronics tech. (1992)  Next job was a repair/calibration tech at a very small company.  (final pay $14.85)  I took out student loans to go to school and paid everything back.  ($17K)  It was a degree I needed to earn a living and home for us.  My passion is music which I do on my own time.

I'll be 75 next month and working part time as an electronics assembler and very happy with the position.  Looking around at the young people just starting out there is no way they can do when I was able to do.  Somewhere along the line some kind of formal training is a must.  It can be college, tech school, trade school, apprenticeship........... it has to be something that gives you a piece of paper saying you are trainable.

Running joke with my DeVry classmates ....... this AA degree proves we are trainable monkeys.

[Anne_in_VA]

I work in healthcare (manager but don't supervise anyone) and made just over $100k last year.  I have two years at cc but no degree.  I'm the first to admit that I've been very lucky!

[gregintenn]

[vonna]

Jul 16, 2016 8:26:46 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Jul 16, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Except for the dodging bullets and bombs on a near daily basis....

Nah, more specifically, I'd probably have leveraged my natural ability for math and science and joined the Navy Nuclear program.  Those 100k+ re enlishment bonuses are sweet, and no dodging of bullets required, though maybe a torpedo or two. 

I used to be a part of the Naval Nuclear Program, and why do you think those bonuses are so large? 

[msventoux]

No one in my immediate family has a degree or went to college or trade school and they've done pretty well for themselves.  Probably around $80K per year average.  But they went into timber, mining and oil field services as laborers and were able to work their way up into higher paying jobs as heavy equipment mechanics and operators, etc.  Their skills were also not so specialized that they couldn't find a new job when the timber industry tanked, then oil prices dropped, etc. 

I also know a few that do very well in the fishing and construction industries.  Those are few and far between though as you have to have some self-control to save funds to tide yourself over when the season is over, and most are young guys who blow every cent they get and are always trying to get caught up financially because of it. 

I did get a degree and professional license, but I started out at a small firm as a receptionist/bookkeeper.  While there I went to school, but before I got my degree I was making $45K-$50K.  I realized I didn't need the degree/license for that job, but my earning potential was topped out there without them, and I'd probably have a difficult time getting another job that paid as well without those pieces of paper. 

[Tiny]

Jul 16, 2016 7:03:58 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Jul 15, 2016 23:11:09 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

The question doesn't apply to me, but hypothetically speaking, if college wasn't in my future, I'd probably join the military.

It's not a bad career and it's a hell of a lot better than working at the local walmart or fast food restaraunt.

Except for the dodging bullets and bombs on a near daily basis....

Does every recruit spend time in an active war zone - like for their whole career? I'll admit I have little knowledge of how it all works - but if I had to make a guesstimate on how it MIGHT work - there's probably plenty of military 'jobs' that do not involve daily dodging of bullets and bombs.

IDK, I've been exposed to a couple of about to retire military guys (one did mostly 'construction' type stuff and the other had a "desk job" type job with the Navy (he did spend a lot of years at sea in his younger years- but the last decade not so much) - he did something with 'supplies' moving them around/making sure stuff got where it needed to be. I wasn't able to ask a lot of questions and this is what I gleaned from the conversations. Yes, being in the military/navy had a lot of sucky parts over the years but both guys seemed pretty happy with their over all career and were both glad to be 'retiring' at 55yo or younger. I think both were planning to go on to civilian type jobs.

[mroped]

Although I went to college and got an AA in Construction, Masonry Emphasys, I believe that it could've been done differently.
Masons don't go to college to learn that, they learn from someone else but arround here, at the time, everybody that run a masonry business was doing concrete block or brick and they were not so inclined as to teach you and turn you into a mason. They were mostly looking at you as a laborer forever. The real skills(if they had some) were passed in the family.
What college helped me mostly with was the principles of business running.
What I mostly do, stone work, it is a skill that just came naturally to me without much effort and I was told by those that were teaching that is very rare for that to happen.
So I guess I'm very lucky!
(even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while )