First Job/Career Suggestions

[FingeringAm]

hi-
ill be out of high school in 2 years(mabe less) at which time i would like to have a clear career in mind to either go straight into or take classes to better improve said career

i have interest in architectural landscape -graphic design aswell as limited interest in painting -sales - and various other contruction related fields (please note these are just interest and do not necesarily have to have an imapct on your recomendation)

im not opposed to sitting behind a desk but i would prefer something more hands-on

ive tried talking with my school councilor but was rejected a meeting due to scheduling conflicts

i know this may not be the best place to ask but there are a lot of knowledgable people out there and you most likely have experience in this poor economy

so i would like some recomendations on careers that will withstand the down turn of the economy aswell as be able to provide for a family

thank you for your time

[cheesemonkey]

You might want to check out this one business called McDonalds. You can find them in most cities. They just look for people to cook quality gourmet food.

[tplyons]

You're planning on a career right out of high school and want us to tell you what you want to do? We can recommend jobs, but not careers.

The one thing I can say, if you're looking to not go to college, you're going to work HARD for your money.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by tplyons

The one thing I can say, if you're looking to not go to college, you're going to work HARD for your money.

+1

However, if 4-year college is not in the cards, there are 2-year programs worth looking into. A piece of paper showing that you have gone through a recognized curriculum is easy for an employer to understand. Try your guidance counselor again. Meanwhile, you could always ask to meet with someone in the admissions department at your local community college, because the local schools are geared towards making people employable. People like that will often make some time for someone who shows an interest.

[FingeringAm]

Originally Posted by tplyons

You're planning on a career right out of high school and want us to tell you what you want to do? We can recommend jobs, but not careers.

The one thing I can say, if you're looking to not go to college, you're going to work HARD for your money.

i dont mind that one bit - but i would like to know WHAT to work hard at so i dont waste half my life in a dead end job you know?

unfortunatly i dont have the luxury of going to a 4 year college - like i said in the OP i just wanted an IDEA of what i was going to do out of high school with the intentions of starting as soon as possible - my uncle was able to get a degree in 2 years and now works for napster making 6 figures a year - he works very long hours tho and i know this is the ideal situation and will probobly not happen but i would like to atleast have a solid plan coming out of high school so i wont be living with my parents or paying of student loans till im 40

Originally Posted by fdeck

+1

However, if 4-year college is not in the cards, there are 2-year programs worth looking into. A piece of paper showing that you have gone through a recognized curriculum is easy for an employer to understand. Try your guidance counselor again. Meanwhile, you could always ask to meet with someone in the admissions department at your local community college, because the local schools are geared towards making people employable. People like that will often make some time for someone who shows an interest.

thats pretty much exactly what im looking to do - ive switched schools at the begining of this year and hope they are more helpful - the community colleges usually give me the "your still young its too early to rule out a 4 year school" speech which really turns me off

thanks for your advice

[illidian]

If I may ask, why is a four-year college out of the question?

The jobs available to those without at least an Associate's Degree are shrinking fast. The majority are physical labor.

[FingeringAm]

even with a decent scholarship the loans i would have to take out would have me working backwards for years - a place i saw my parents in first hand and i dont want to be - id much rather take only courses i would use in the future 2-3 days a week and not be giving my paychecks for the first 5+ years to the bank - not to mention the commute to a decent college in my area would set me back a lot aswell

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by FingeringAm

even with a decent scholarship the loans i would have to take out would have me working backwards for years - a place i saw my parents in first hand and i dont want to be - id much rather take only courses i would use in the future 2-3 days a week and not be giving my paychecks for the first 5+ years to the bank - not to mention the commute to a decent college in my area would set me back a lot aswell

Unfortunately, it's becoming harder and harder to find jobs with no degree, associates degrees, let alone bachelors degrees.

It's a sad truth that a piece of paper is the big difference between collecting a paycheck and collecting unemployment. My brother is a quarter million in debt from undergrad and law school, but he'll make it back one day.

Especially in the job market we're currently in, you need to do EVERYTHING in your power to make sure you're qualified and OVERQUALIFIED to ensure that you're getting checks signed by your boss and not the government.

Student loan debt is becoming part of society, get used to it.

[FingeringAm]

Originally Posted by tplyons

Unfortunately, it's becoming harder and harder to find jobs with no degree, associates degrees, let alone bachelors degrees.

It's a sad truth that a piece of paper is the big difference between collecting a paycheck and collecting unemployment. My brother is a quarter million in debt from undergrad and law school, but he'll make it back one day.

Especially in the job market we're currently in, you need to do EVERYTHING in your power to make sure you're qualified and OVERQUALIFIED to ensure that you're getting checks signed by your boss and not the government.

Student loan debt is becoming part of society, get used to it.

then i guess its off to waiting in front of Home Depot with the mexicans

[Visirale]

Originally Posted by FingeringAm

even with a decent scholarship the loans i would have to take out would have me working backwards for years - a place i saw my parents in first hand and i dont want to be - id much rather take only courses i would use in the future 2-3 days a week and not be giving my paychecks for the first 5+ years to the bank - not to mention the commute to a decent college in my area would set me back a lot aswell

Deciding to pass up college because of money will be the biggest regret of your life. The life income differences for someone with a degree... ANY degree... is jaw-dropping. Let alone a bachelors or masters degree...

[Tsal]

You can't get any job here in most of EU without somekind of a paper, the two-year diploma is a minimum, even if you'd want to work in construction. Well, there's always McD..

I have a friend who's got a 2-year graphics designer diploma, and he's now working for a newspaper putting the ad's together - he's the one who puts the pricing on a can of broccoli in the supermarket ad. Still, he's been having a hard time finding a full-time job, and you can imagine the pay.

Would you have an option to take a diploma now, and update it to a bachelor's a bit later?

[Porksicle]

If you don't immediately want to go to school, learn a trade. You're going to be someone's gopher for a few years, and you'll have to scrape by and be poor for a while, but the experience will be invaluable, especially in a hands-on trade (i.e. electrician, plumbing, welding, etc.)

Making a living isn't the hard part - it's knowing how to manage it that's important. I know auto workers who make $100K a year or more that live paycheck to paycheck, and I know people who make $25K a year in bakeries and restaraunts that live very well, take vacations, have money in the bank, and sleep easy at night. These folks also know that if their restaraunt closes down, they can always find a job in another (try doing that as an auto worker).

It's not what you make, it's what you save.

Good luck!

[wazzel]

If you don't mind working hard I suggest picking up a skilled trade. Something like welding, carpentry, mechanic, etc. I would also suggest moving out of S Cal. our money will got further somewhere else. If you don't ming working real hard and being away from home for half the year offshore construction pays well. The up side is you have half the year off.

[ahkiatt]

Don't presume that you'll be one of the lucky ones who will make it big with just a high school cert. Believe me, with a cert, you have much more options than a high school grad.

Another thing I learnt from this forum.
There was one talkbasser( I can't remember who, honest) who didn't have a passion at the end of high school, so he asked his grandfather for advice. His grandpa said something this: Life's a business, you can always get a business degree, and find your passion later in life.

My 22 cents.

[tycobb73]

Reading your post I got the idea that civil engineering would be good for you. Of course you have to be good in math in college as you'll got through 2 years of calcualus then use it through all your classes, then never use it once you get out. And of course it is 4 years. If you go summers your first 2 years and intern your last you may be able to get it down to 3.

There's more to college educated jobs than pay as well. If you don't have a degree you will probably end up working in a factory. My wife works for hospice and sees many peiple dieing meserably and early after years of factory work.

[taquitos43]

This may not be a POPULAR response right now, but the military offers a LOT in the way of tuition assistance for serving. Some of the job offerings are good preparation for a career in itself. That being said, after I got out of the military, I went into the Fire Service and it's been a most rewarding career field. Where I'm at a degree isn't required to work but it is if you want to promote up through the ranks to be an officer. You'd have to check the departments where you live to see what requirements they have there. Something to consider...

[bobba66]

Do hard, physical labor for a couple years. Then grow up and get back to school.

[Porksicle]

Originally Posted by bobba66

Do hard, physical labor for a couple years. Then grow up and get back to school.

I recommend that every young man spend at least 6 months doing some hard, physical labor right out of high school. It'll humble you.

I spent my first six months out of high school working for a steel fabrication shop. Midnight shift, $7.93 an hour, 58 hours a week. My job was to pick up parts and pack them in bins... all night long.

Those six months really humbled me, and I knew that I did NOT want to do that for the rest of my life.

[Jerose]

Alaskan crab fishing.

[nortonrider]

Say it with me:
"Would you like fries with that?"