I know of twin daughters just graduated from high school. They both did very well with their homeschool and co-op classes. Both were involved in their community and their church.
While they both were accepted to a variety of colleges, only one is going to begin college in the fall. The other has decided to go a simpler route and start working as soon as possible. As it turns out, if your kids don’t want to pursue a bachelor’s degree, there are many careers they can pursue immediately out of high school with a bit of training.
Some of these jobs require some post-secondary education but don't fall into the four-year college path.
Top Careers That Require No College Education
If your kids want to forego the college experience (and the debt that often goes with it), there are several occupations they can pursue. These jobs all require a high school diploma, but are open to homeschoolers and don't require a bachelor degree.
1. Real estate agents
Being a realtor can be a fun job that has the potential to make a high income, but real estate is a cutthroat business, so be forewarned. To become a licensed realtor, you’ll need to take a pre-licensing course first. The number of hours this course takes varies by state.
Then, you’ll need to take a test and activate your license. As the job market fluctuates, it can be hard to make money in a difficult market, but the potential for a high-paying career is significant.
2. Virtual Assistant
Being a virtual assistant is a great work from home job that requires no college education. Many virtual assistants take courses in the area they’re interested in from places like Udemy. Others learn on the job as they go. You will need to set up your own website to attract clients.
Pay ranges from $15 to $50 an hour.
3. Dental Assistant
Dental assistants differ from dental hygienists in that they generally don’t work alone with patients. Instead, they work closely with the dentist and assist with procedures such as fillings, crowns, and extractions.
Dental assistants generally must complete a certification program that takes three to 11 months. They also must pass an exam to get certified. Most dental assistants earn approximately $38K a year.
If a dental assistant does decide to get an associate’s degree and become a dental hygienist, she can make on average $77K a year. There are some programs that require a four year degree, but these are not the only way into the field.
4. At-Home Daycare
The requirements for owning an at-home daycare vary by state, but generally, you’ll need to get a license from the state. Before you can be licensed, you’ll also need a home inspection. In addition, you’ll need to have certification in CPR and have liability insurance.
A friend I went to high school with never pursued a college education. Instead, she ran an at home daycare for nearly 20 years. When her children were small, this was the perfect job because she could spend all day with them while earning a living.
5. EMT
If you’re looking for a fast-paced job, consider becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). EMTs generally provided emergency services whether that be in an ambulance or emergency room.
EMTs must be certified in CPR, take EMT training courses (which generally take six months to two years), and pass an EMT certification test. EMTs can later decide to become paramedics, which would give them more responsibilities and a pay increase. Of course, more training is also required, but this is an area of large job growth.
EMTs earn $17 per hour on average. Paramedics can earn up to $31 an hour.
6. Hair Stylists
Hair stylists generally attend cosmetology school, which can take nine months to a year to complete. In most states, they then must take a test so they can be licensed. Hair stylists can work in salons or even at home.
While this job can allow creative people to do something they love, it is one of the lowest paying jobs out there. On average, they earn approximately $25K to $30K a year.
7. Chef
If you love cooking, you could pursue a career as a chef. Some chefs start from the bottom and work their way up at a restaurant. If you’d like to advance more quickly, consider getting a culinary certificate from a community college. This generally takes six months.
Some chefs go on to culinary school, which can take two to four years to complete. Others get a bachelor’s degree in hospitality. However, you don’t have to get these degrees to be successful as a chef.
Chefs have a median annual wage of $40K a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
8. Registered Behavioral Technician
A registered behavioral technician (RBT) most commonly works with children with autism to implement the behavioral plan her supervisor has created. To become a registered behavioral technician, around 40 hours of training is required, and there is also a certification process. Job training is a big part of learning.
On average, RBTs earn between $17 and $25 an hour.
Final Thoughts
If your child doesn’t want to go to college, don’t be concerned. There are many jobs recent high school graduates can enter, like the ones listed above, that will allow them to start their careers with minimal training and expense. For many students, foregoing a college education and entering their career field is much more appealing. Technical schools are another option that balance the need for training in a higher paying field with a shorter time commitment and less debt.
Comments
Post a Comment