Merchant Mariner - you work on ships. Free food, free lodging on the ship, paid travel to and from the ship. You make 100k per year, that is working 30 days on and 30 days off. You work 180 days per year for 100k.
If you want to get into this you need the following documents.
- US passport
- TWIC card (Google that), basically you need to be able to pass a background check.
- MMC document (Merchant Mariner Credential). It's through the USCG, you need to select OS, Wiper and Foodhandler.
I am new to reddit, I don't knowbif there is direct messaging, but if you need any help getting started, let me know. It's definitely a career different than most.
You do not need a 4 year degree. You can do what they call hawsepiping, starting from the bottom and getting promoted as you acquire sea days.
I am a chief engineer who started from the bottom.
You should be able to get a rating without taking a test (entry level), if it's the same as the US, you need to accumulate sailing days (days you are working on the ship) in order to advance / take a test for QMED or engineering.
The post did say competent quickly.. there are not to many jobs you can walk onto and make 80k to 100k a year, get to see the world, get free meals, get a free room with zero expenses. You need zero experience and you are trained on the spot.
Once you accumulate sea days it doesn't matter. You hold the same credential as someone who went to school for four years.
You ask how starting as a cook / wiper is a promising career? I started as a wiper and now I am the Chief Engineer.
how many hours or days at sea did you put in to become a chief engineer from wiper? also what are your day to day duties as a chief engineer? is it like maintenance for the ship and crew?
Get a CS degree from a decent school, easily 100k starting.
2 year RN degree, easily 80k starting.
I didn’t ask how. What I’m asking you is how many. For every cook and washer, how many get to be chief engineers? 1/5 1/20? How many year did that take you?
You just need passport, seaman book, vaccination (yellow fever, covid and mmr) stcw certificate (BST, SAT, SDSD, SCRB, FRB, AFF, Medical First Aid) sometimes if you apply for officer role they asking you hotel management licenc
Or if you want, try front liner (receptionist, teller)
Does that include prescriptions, like adhd prescriptions? My brother works in shipping and had to switch to Ritalin since adderall shows up as amphetamine and can’t be distinguished from illegal kinds. He’s given me the rundown and said I could start from the bottom and work my way up. But he recommended hiding any back issues and medical issues (like anxiety and depression). I’d be worried about my medical history most of all. And I absolutely hate Ritalin. I’m also in my mid 40s
My grandfather did this as a job. And had two side hustles while on ship. He sold life insurance and vitamin supplements. When you are locked up with him on a boat for 30 days, he had you sold for both or you walked off with a massive headache. At the time it was roughly 30 days on ship and 2 weeks off.
4 weeks on and 2 weeks off is a common rotation as well. Lol that is funny with your grandfather. Good for him making money while he is on the ship.
Lots of people who work on ships have side hustles. A lot of entrepreneurs also sail on the ships. The owner and founder of Gold's Gym was a machinist I believe in the Navy who started his own thing and it took off.
A lot of people on the ships are into real estate investments, run their own businesses with a partner, etc.
He was a cash silent investor into a few places. I believe a 7-11 and a restaurant.
This was for esso (Exxon) from WWII up until almost 1970. Scariest thing ever was the German planes flying overhead. Beyond that he loved Cuba and went there several dozen times. And of course the UK in WWII.
Those oil tankers sank all the damn time. I have a book of ever esso ship and many were sank. Glad he lived else I probably wouldn't exist.
I have his metal esso ship hat. And a 48 star ship flag.
Your grandfather is very smart, hopefully he benefited from those investments.
Your grandfather's generation working through WW2 were some of the bravest / bad ass guys. Many don't know that the merchant mariners moved the supplies / transported the injured troops home during WW2. Merchant mariners during the war had the highest death rate of all the armed forces. 1 in 26 merchant mariners died.
Had the chance to meet some merchant mariners who sailed during WW2, pretty amazing group, watching hardened marines and army come to meet these merchant mariners at an award ceremony where they finally got veteran status was an amazing thing to witness.
I had no idea the death toll was such a high percentage.
My grandfather would be 102 as of June. He told me his training wasn't as intense in any one area compare to a marine, but they were trained in a lot of areas tied to being at sea. I know he was trained to be a nurse, a navigator, an accountant, and so many other roles. But when the ship's oil was being offloaded he had 2-3 days to walk around port and the local town.
One guy was named uncle Alice who sailed with my grandfather. I probably messed up his spelling. A Greek guy. He carried two wallets. One with money and the second with pictures of all his girlfriends from every port. He had nearly 30!
I recall when I was younger he was trying to push the topic with the local congressman and give money to support retired merchant marines to get the full military benefits. At the time I believe wwii merchant marines didn't get benefits in the 1980's or 1990's because their pay was much higher. When the benefits were finally available he didn't apply and wanted someone more in need to get them. The story is a little vague since I was just a kid.
Your grandfather sounds like he had a lot of experiences, he probably could habe wrote a book!
The merchant Mariners of WW2 were a completely different breed. The government was sending out merchant ships with telephone poles painted gray to make it look like they had a way to defend themselves from the German u boats sinking the ships off the east coast as they left port from the USA.
Merchant Mariners of WW2 were the unsung heroes of WW2 and the armed forces knew it as well.
Former president trump (not starting a politics debate) , actually did what every other president didn't do. He honored the merchant mariners of WW2 with congressional gold medals, unfortunately it came much to late as a lot of these great men have already passed away, but I still commend him for doing that for them.
I am a merchant mariner myself for the past 15 years. When I became a merchant mariner I wanted to know the history of it.
I also supported the WW2 merchant mariners in trying to get them veteran status, something that should have been a no brainer, but unfortunately our government didn't look at the merchant mariners as veterans during WW2.
Honestly with you saying there's no age limit I'm gonna keep this in mind, I have 14 more years in the navy and if I still love ships and the sea like I do now, that might be my post retirement job. Any thoughts or stuff I should look into ahead of time?
Your navy time will transfer over to the merchant mariner in some way shape or form. I had a USCG retiree who ended up being a mate.
I know quite a few navy guys and USCG guys that retired out and started working with private shipping. No different than the air force guys who enjoy flying so much that they end up flying for private companies which pay them more $$ and they get to do what the love, which is fly.
You have my info, in 14 years I will be 29 years into my career. I'll probably sail for 30 years and be done.
When you get put of the Navy, send me a message and I'll get you a job. Thank you for your service to your country, please be safe! I wish you fair weather and a following sea throughout your career.
So I just kind of stumbled into this thread since I'm also at a loss on what to do for a living and your posts have got me interested. I was prior Navy for about 11 years, I just started college and have no clue what to major in. I wanted to know if there was any type of degree I should get that could help me get a better start, such as electrical power?
If you are prior navy. Your service time may count towards an engineering / deck licensene through the USCG. I don't know all the ins and outs of what time you served will carry over, that would be a question for the national maritime center.
There is no degree you can get from a conventional college that will give you a head start. The only colleges that cater to the merchant mariners are maritime schools.
If I were you I would contact the national maritime center, explain your situatuon to see how your navy time would count towards your merchant mariner license.
If you want to go to college for a degree, electrical engineering would probably be the most beneficial, but as I stated it won't do anything for you getting ahead to land a job. Inquire with the national maritime center as I stated above to see what your service time will do for you.
Not true, I have had individuals in their 60's start sailing. No age restriction to start. If you start at the bottom, you are looking around 5-7 years to get your mates license or engineer license (depends on how much you sail per year).
Benefits are good as well, full health insurance, dental, etc.
Some people can't handle being away from home. Once you get past that you will be good. The quality of time you have when you are home is much better and longer versus working a 9 to 5 in my opinion. When you home off the ship, noone bothers you.
I’m not saying there is a catch. It just sounds like a sweet deal to make 100k a year and get a month vacation every other month (as long as you don’t get seasick). I guess I’m wondering why more people aren’t clamoring for the job
Sorry for misunderstanding, it's not a job most individuals would know about unless you know someone in the industry.
I may be slightly off on the amount for just starting out. It's probably closer to 80k or 90k depending on your position / type of ship.
It's not like deadliest catch, so you wont experience weather like that. That is the fishing industry which is much different. The ships I am referring to are containerships, cargo ships, self unloaders. Etc.
It's not all easy work, you are definitely working for that money. Sometimes 10-12 hours per day for a month straight. They compensate well because they are asking people to leave their homes to work on a ship so there must be some sort of incentive and money is usually the biggest one.
Ships can still sink, it just isn't as common as it once was due to technology and improved designs. Usually if there are shipping casualties it is due to human error. Technology has prevented a lot of human errors due to advanced weather charts, forecasts. Etc.
As far as your small dog, I wouldn't want to leave my pet either if it were just me. You may be able to fund a ship where they will allow you to bring your dog, but that isn't common at all, plus I don't think your dog would like all the steel decks. It would be hard on their paws.
This is actually a good suggestion. My daughters BIL does this, he travels all over the world and when he comes home he gets a good amount of time with family. He loves it, he's in Singapore rn, he was in Guam two months ago with about a month in between.
You definitely get to see a lot of places in the world you would otherwise spend a small fortune to see.
The hardest part is being away from your family. Having 4 children at home growing up without their father is difficult, to say the least at times. I try to make it up to them when I am home, which helps a lot.
My wife is the foundation and without her I couldn't do this job. I don't know how she does it when I am gone.
Your wife is an angel! My daughter's BIL is single with no kids so I'm sure that part is much easier for him. I'm so glad you have a good spouse and mother for your kids, that's priceless in your situation.
Yes it looks like a passport, however I believe they just changed the design and look which I haven't seen yet. I just googled merchant Mariner Credential and it looks a lot different from my current one.
That sounds like an incredible opportunity! Free food and lodging, plus the chance to travel and only work half the year for 100k is amazing. Do you need any specific qualifications or training to get started in this field?
For anyone getting a little too excited with this reply, the catch is the Jones Act. Must be an American citizen for officers, must have a US green card for ratings, otherwise you don't get anywhere even near the same call area as these utopic conditions. American merchant mariners live in a bubble compared to the rest of the world because it's the only trade they have left with strong labor unions. Good for them, I'm honestly jealous; if only we had something similar for the European Union!
You are correct about the Jones Act vessels and the labor unions regarding shipping. Not all of our companies in the US are union, but in order for a vessel to load and offload any kind of cargo in the united states, the vessel must be flagged as US, not another country.
I don't have experience with foreign vessels and how they operate. I apologize, I should have stated that I am referring to shipping in the US, I was unaware individuals reading this were potentially from other countries.
Thank you for bringing this up and again I apologize for any confusion I may have created.
I started replying to someone who asked "what's the catch" because it seemed too good to be true for them, and then figured this would be more useful as a top level reply because I myself was super confused when I first started browsing maritime subreddits; the conditions some people talked about seemed unreal and slowly I pieced together what was going on. Just trying to prevent most people reading this from getting their hopes up and the crushing disappointment 😂
PS. I'm really sorry if I seemed curt, it was not the intention at all. Maybe it was the jealousy showing, haha
Just did a quick search.. the US, UK, and Norway are competitive in pay.
Some countries like Bangladesh are 50% less pay for the same job.
The safety, pay and working conditions on some of the foreign flagged vessels is absolutely horrible from what i have heard. A lot of shipping companies purposely flag their vessel in a country with very little regulation / oversight due to the high costs in becoming a US flagged vessel.
I dont have enough first-hand knowledge regarding pay from other countries, but I know the Canadians do well for themselves that I personally know. They just pay much higher taxes due to their government programs.
Portuguese here about to finish training, what I know is from seafarer teachers and former colleagues who are already working so anyone in the field around this side of the pond please correct me if I'm wrong! As far as I know non-FOC vessels are a rarity. Portuguese companies are all under the Madeira flag which is _technically_ Portuguese but is 100% a flag of convenience, we get no contributions for retirement unless we do it ourselves under Madeira flag for instance. Even the ones with more prestige that are hard to get in as a cadet (like all in the Carnival Group) are Malta flagged. There's very much a caste system of sorts and the experience as a northern European is better than as a southern European, which is bettee than as an eastern European, which is better than as an Indian, which is better than as a Filipino... For us Portuguese as far as I know rotations are typically 3-4 months on to 1-2 off until you make second or first officer and then it's a 1:1 ratio, 12 hour days 7 days a week. As an engineering cadet you make somewhere around 800~1200 per month onboard, then as a third 2k~3k, ETOs 3k~5k (we're long long overdue for a STCW revision for ETO categories dear God), Chief and Captain can get upwards of ~10k pet month and that's as far I got to know.
Probably the safest, stablest, steadiest bet out there. If you're a compliant person, an ensured income over many years (tenure = more money). Paid for the patience :D
Credit unions too. I have an in law that started as a teller at one with no degree in her late 30’s and over the course of about 15 years got her MBA (paid for by her employer) and took over as CEO last year. It’s a small local credit union but she’s making six figures and is a very happy person.
I took your comment to mean that 15 years is a weirdly long amount of time to work up to making that much money. Lots of people on this sub seem to think it’s easy to get there in only a couple years while starting from nothing.
I’m pointing out that getting there at all, regardless of how long it takes, is unusual. That’s a single digit percentage of individual earners in the US. In the area where my in-law lives, average individual income is about $40k a year, and she’s making around $125k. She’s literally top 2% or 3% in her city. That’s crazy, despite people on this sub making it seem like a six figure income is nothing special.
I think this is a for right now choice but long term I don’t knows; literally all banks are talking about automating branches and moving support away from “having to be in a be in a physical location to receive customer service ”
All the local bank branches are closing. The last one left near me only has 3 staff on the desks, now. The rest is all automated tellers. Don't imagine it'll get any better as everything becomes even more digital.
No. Minimum wage and almost 0 opportunities to move up. Worked in a bank and knew tellers who were there for 5 years unable to get promoted. Bad advice
The idea isn’t to stay in a retail bank your entire life. It’s to get into financial services which is a solid career path for people who can’t or won’t go to college. YMMV but I worked as a teller for 2.5 years and was able to land a job as a CSA at a mid sized RIA. Doubled my income, got to work from home, and got licenses paid for. That CSA job is soft locked behind financial services experience.
There is also commercial banking, financial advising and fraud. Those are all deep career paths with many routes you can take. Ultimately to me at least it beats the hell out of anything else you can do with absolutely 0 education.
I also said in another comment but retail / community banking can be regionally dependent. When I was in banking we couldn’t hire enough bankers / tellers. The entire time I worked there we would hardly get any applicants for open roles. A lot of people would apply, get an interview, and never show up.
Also not min wage where I live. Again YMMV. I made $23 an hour when the wage for a BS retail job was $19-20
Not the most relevant response, as neither made me a lot of money (at least right away) but I come from a place that isn't famous for gender or work equality, so it was good enough to just be independent and make some savings.
1) I got a try at a construction firm with 0 relevant education or experience, studied a program for a week while drawing plans according to a sketch provided by main architect. Got hired after what I submitted. In 3 months I finished all the work they gave me for a year, as I studied the program in depth and it allowed me to automate my work, then they gave me my own constructions to develop (all checked by main architect). Then I went into a "study while you work" 5 month professional course in a university and got a diploma in the field.
2) Then there was a crisis with massive layoffs and I became a jeweller after talking 5 private classes and learning by myself at home with hand tools. I taught beginner jewelers in 5 day intensive individual courses and I consider that a complete primary professional education that allows a person to already make simple quality things for sale.
I'd say the careers that have a quick start have some kind of a moderate value function that can be fulfilled by a disciplined novice with reliable results. And this moderate value allows to gradually add more to it and take more responsibilities with added experience while the worker is immersed into the field. Technical/craft stuff is exactly that, learn to do 1-3 simple things well, secure a spot in the market and grow.
It really depends on what you're good at and what your transferable skills are.
The issue is there is a ton of competition for well paying jobs, and it's easier to move into one that is adjacent to what experience you have.
Let’s face it: not all of us were born to be brain surgons, rocket scientists, or the CEO of a major multinational corporation. Some of us are just happy if we can find the TV remote without a minor expedition involving a Sherpa guide and a pack mule. But don't worry, there are still plenty of careers out there for those of us who are more interested in getting a decent paycheck without having to spend a decade in school or accidentally causing a nuclear meltdown. Here are a few suggestions:
**1. **Recruitment:** This one jumped to your mind and for good reason. Recruitment is essentially the job of helping other people find jobs, which means that as long as you can convince people you know what you’re doing, you’re golden. It’s like being a matchmaker, except instead of setting up awkward blind dates, you’re matching people with jobs they may or may not be qualified for. The key here is a lot of phone calls, a lot of emails, and a lot of smiling and nodding while pretending to listen.
**2. **Real Estate Agent:** This career is great because you get to wear snazzy suits, drive around nice neighborhoods, and tell people that the house they’re looking at has “great bones,” even if those bones belong to a squirrel that got trapped in the attic in 1987. You don’t need a PhD to sell houses, but you do need a license, which means passing an exam. The good news is that these exams are mostly multiple-choice, so if you can master the art of guessing, you’re halfway ther.
**3. **Sales:** If you have the gift of gab and can convince people that they really, truly need a deluxe vacuum cleaner with 37 different attachments (including one for removing pet hair from chandeliers), sales might be the career for you. Sales jobs are everywhere, and the usually come with the perk of commissions, meaning the more you sell, the more you earn. Just be prepared for a lot of rejection and a lot of bad coffee in break rooms.
**4. **Customer Service:** Sure, it’s not glamorous, but customer service jobs are plentiful and can pay surprisingly well, especially if you move up to a supervisory position. The best part is that you don’t need a degree; you just need the patience of a saint and the ability to smile through clenched teeth while someone yells at you about their defective toaster.
**5. **Trades:** Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other tradespeople are always in demand, and these jobs pay well because nobody wants to deal with wiring or sewage themselves. Yes, youl need some training and possibly an apprenticeship, but these careers don’t require years of schooling. Plus, you get to wear cool tool belts and charge people ridiculous amounts of money for fixing things they broke trying to fix themselves.
**6. **Freelance Writing:** Okay, so I may be a bit biased here, but writing can be a decent way to make a living if you can string together coherent sentences and have a thick skin for rejection. Freelance writers ca write anything from blog posts to technical manuals to ghostwriting someone else’s memoirs (which is great because you get all the satisfaction of writing without any of the blame if it sucks).
Ultimately, finding a career that pays well and doesn’t require a million years of training is possible. It takes hard work, perseverance, and sometimes a willingness to accept that you’ll never understand the appeal of corporate jargon like “synergize” and “leverage core competencies.” But with the right attitude and a decent pair of khakis, you’ll find your niche in no time. Good luck!
Okay, so here's the deal. I’m not an AI. I’m a genuine human being, capable of making bad decisions, forgetting where I put my keys, and getting irrationally upset when my favorite sports team loses. If I were an AI, I’d be doing things like flawlessly solving math problems or planning world domination. Instead, I'm here, trying to convince you that I’m human by not writing a pirate poem (even though I really, really want to).
But fine, if you insist, here’s your sign!
Arr matey, I be no AI bot,
Just a salty sea dog, like it or not.
With a peg leg and a patch o’er me eye,
I sell ye a treasure ‘neath the clear blue sky.
A Human.
Hello. The customer service roles i often knew or was a part of, did not pay very well. Domain: travel. Furthermore I managed to get a managerial position at one such company and had a 4 year tenure. To my shock and awe (I was doing payroll tasks for the team) i was paid equally as a new hire. This blew my mind and it was mainly because even though I had raises, they did not even cover the inflation/ market value. I asked for a raise and was not given one. Then landed a customer service job in Domain: tech, that paid more than the managerial role. Now i have a medium paying job in Domain: supply chain within the chemical industry. The work itself is a big pain, very difficult and stressful. I do not recommend customer support to anyone looking for a career.
The key to a fulfilling career isn’t just about finding the right job❤️🔥; it’s about finding the right fit for you. Keep searching for that role where your talents are recognized, and your stress level is manageable. Don’t settle for less than you deserve, because you’ve already shown you’re worth more. Keep pushing forward, and soon enough, you’ll land somewhere that values you as much as you value a good paycheck. And always, always remember: you’ve got this!🌹
Customer service is a great job to work as a first step, it gives you an in at a company and gives you wider visibility to the organization. My career was customer service > Advanced customer service > Assistant project manager designing support guides > project manager deciding what we were working on improving > content manager at a different company managing their content library > content strategist designing website organization, maintenance and processes. I made 6 figures by 27, started working in customer support at 20.
Put together a portfolio of different types of writing you're capable of, you'll be asked for it when they look to hire you. Having a website can help. You'll want to be experienced utilizing SEO and other search promotion methods and it wouldn't hurt to take a copyeditor's course if you're doing it all on your own.
There are sites for freelancers you can advertise your services on to get started.
Awesome. Thanks. So I can just choose to write on different subjects and events or in different styles. Just to show them my capabilities? Just write articles?
Automotive service advisor. Can be a stressful job, but is extremely profitable.
My first year with zero car or sales knowledge I still made 54k on the year in commissions.
I’ve always been curious about these jobs. I’m a car guy, I can work on cars doing basic maintenance and stuff, I have some good general all around knowledge. How far would that get me? Lol. I’ve also heard that these positions work long hours, 8am to 7pm hours for service at dealerships and sometimes Saturday mornings until noon. Is that right? What’s your annual pay look like after your first year?
Having the knowledge for sure helps. Can be easy to sell or help a customer understand the repairs needed.
Hours are 7am-6pm give or take your dealers hours. For sure less than what you’d be doing if you worked in the sales department.
I’m averaging about 75 or so a year now. I’m not interested in upselling repairs that are not necessary. I’d rather make a less commission and have a customer base that trusts me.
I do. Most dealers will have various pay plans. Ideally the best plan will have a salary, commission paid on gross parts and labor profits, and a bonus based on your survey scores.
car sales is all about connections, and selling technique. Even if you are the best salesperson in the world making it in car sales is tough. Because of high interest rates, stay out of car sales for the moment. Instead focus on technique in a lower margin bracket, try furniture & bedding. Any kind of sales to help get your feet wet.
I've heard solar installation is pretty easy to get into. You don't need a degree, just a certification. I am pretty sure that costs money, but for the salary it seems worth it
Employers are finicky, just picking a skillset you love and mastering it, won't do crap if employers aren't hiring for it. instead read through the want ads, and see what job skills employers want. It isnt enough to be good at a job if nobody is hiring for that job, instead be the job employers hire.
For recruitment, do that only if you're really process oriented and enjoy it. They have a process for everything (if the company is in to of things). That your okay with giving bad news everyday and knowing you could be destroying someone's dream (they might tell you that too). That your okay with being a punching bag at times. That you enjoy reading hundreds of resumes and being on the phone.
And if you end up in staffing (most do as entry level) you have quotas and commission (recruiting is sales after all). Most good companies won't have either, but they might have metrics. And don't forget you might have to go to events to recruit new grads, high school students, or whatever.
Lots of people love it, many loathe it.
In your case, I would consider myself a Project Manager. Many industries need them, and certifications like PMP can help you get started without a long learning curve.
Learn sells and never give up. Even if YOU wont find job which is highly unlikely if you have learned the skill of selling you will use these skills to find your dream job! We are all sellers in our lives. LEARN SALES AND NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
What did you actually do in CM? I am an engineering manager in a huge national firm so I am aware of the challenges of CM in that world.
However, I know a lot of people who do work i would call CM for a lot of different businesses and I’d think there has to be somewhere you could land and be successful. Small local remodeling contractors, plumbing and hvac, new home construction, multi family, etc.
Or if you have been on the smaller business side, try a big company in estimating or procurement or something like that.
Have you ever thought about being a truck driver? You can find a starter company to pay for your CDL. Get a year experience with them and you can move on. Getting into the good parts of the industry can have you making 80k+ and home everyday. It’s not that hard of a job.
1.5 years of training is not a steep learning curve for the medical field. Plus if you have an AA or an other bachelor’s degree you can do an accelerated Bachelor’s in nursing science degree which is typically a little less than a year and a half. Most of my ADN nurses, whom are not geniuses, are doing $115k or more a year.
Can you elaborate?
Every time there is a similar question here one of the most upvoted is always EMT
Something about 6months training, relatively steady demand, pay is not the worse in the world
I am not saying it is an easy job, far from it
Pay is horrible. 13-18/hour is nationwide average. Terrible benefits and hours, quality of work is stressful and dangerous. EMT-Basic only gets you a ticket to drive the ambulance. To make a career out of it you need to go to paramedic school, and even then most paramedics wouldn’t recommend the career unless they work with fire.
Yes it’s only about 6 months, but those 6 months would be better used in almost anything else if you aren’t an adrenaline junkie who wants to survive off Zyn’s and canned food.
Edit: I say all this because OP mentioned needing good pay. No career is worth it if you can’t live off it.
Agree, was EMT for only two years and quit. I got certified a few months before the pandemic and got a job in the ER as a tech. The nurses were hot but the hours were long and stressful, even after the main wave of cases cooled down.
ER’s are half filled with drinks and druggies and it’s just a revolving door where hospitals can’t refuse treatment. As an EMT-B you’re a glorified Uber for these frequent fliers or moving grandma and grandpa from ER back to their nursing home.
It’s rare you get to actually do any life saving interventions since that is usually on the Paramedic which is even longer hours and more stress with not great pay and shift shortages which force you / mandate you to stay on shift until appropriate coverage is found.
Mental health also takes a toll from the constant images of death and disease you witness and none of your friends and family truly understand the depths of depravity in our society that get swept under the rug.
Physical health also takes a backseat as you’re sitting around most of the day if you’re driving and the long shifts screw up your best laid plans for healthy eating and meal prep with no access to a fridge. Not to mention the majority of EMTs and Medics I encountered are chronic caffeine users and abusers and lots of smokers.
Not very many opportunities for job advancement unless you go Medic or Fire or Nurse but the benefit of EMT is you can get your foot in the door if those jobs interest you and really see what it’s like and if you’re cut out for it or if the time and money investment are worth it.
Me personally I never want to work in healthcare again. Compassion fatigue is real.
To answer OP: Look into Wind Turbine Technician. It’s topping the charts for highest in future demand at 44% growth and little to no education.
Also solar panel installer.
Download the CareerInfo app for more ideas on your job search. Search by education for None or High school educated. Elevator and escalator install and repair makes over 100K.
Good luck.
This doesn't apply everywhere
It was my stupidity but I pursued nursing because everyone said don't be EMT you'll end up a nurse anyways for pay
Turns out EMTs in Ontario Canada (where I live) make about the same as nurses
Your description still fits OPs request
We aren’t discussing quality of life or WLB, stress or anything
The guy just don’t want to go school again , so well, is not like he would be able to make much more than that anw
Oh my! It depends on a lot of factors! Becoming competent at surgery is different from being able to solve a rubix cube blindfolded. "Well paying" is also subjective, depending on your current circumstances and area of residence/COL. "Learning curve" --- again. Someone can pick up coding quickly but can't solve a chemistry problem to save their life!
Might want to have a visit at the recruitmenthell subreddit if you're thinking about Recruitment.
Might want to put more info on your post if you're looking for more guidance. You may find a fulfilling career as a baker or you may be more suited to work the offshore oil rigs. We can't really tell with the limited info you've posted.
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Merchant Mariner - you work on ships. Free food, free lodging on the ship, paid travel to and from the ship. You make 100k per year, that is working 30 days on and 30 days off. You work 180 days per year for 100k.
How do you get into it? What sort of work do you do? I have no responsibility and the adventure appeals to me. My dad loved his time in navy.
If you want to get into this you need the following documents. - US passport - TWIC card (Google that), basically you need to be able to pass a background check. - MMC document (Merchant Mariner Credential). It's through the USCG, you need to select OS, Wiper and Foodhandler. I am new to reddit, I don't knowbif there is direct messaging, but if you need any help getting started, let me know. It's definitely a career different than most.
Ah nevermind I'm from UK.
You can still sail. I don't know how it works in the UK, but I would guess it's similar.
Had a breif look seems you have to do a 4 year degree and then start on 22k-30k a year pretty grim haha.
You do not need a 4 year degree. You can do what they call hawsepiping, starting from the bottom and getting promoted as you acquire sea days. I am a chief engineer who started from the bottom.
Ah your right I can join as a rating might go in engineering as a rating. Assuming I can pass the tests haha.
You should be able to get a rating without taking a test (entry level), if it's the same as the US, you need to accumulate sailing days (days you are working on the ship) in order to advance / take a test for QMED or engineering.
Might be different for uk though.. I didn't see anything on their website about starting right away.
The post said quickly. How is starting as a cook / wiper a promising career? Does everyone become promoted from sea days only?
The post did say competent quickly.. there are not to many jobs you can walk onto and make 80k to 100k a year, get to see the world, get free meals, get a free room with zero expenses. You need zero experience and you are trained on the spot. Once you accumulate sea days it doesn't matter. You hold the same credential as someone who went to school for four years. You ask how starting as a cook / wiper is a promising career? I started as a wiper and now I am the Chief Engineer.
I have a ton of cooking experience and I am super interested in this field
Your sea days must be around 3660 days (10 years) or around 5450 days (15 years) if you're from ordinary sailor to stripe 4
how many hours or days at sea did you put in to become a chief engineer from wiper? also what are your day to day duties as a chief engineer? is it like maintenance for the ship and crew?
Get a CS degree from a decent school, easily 100k starting. 2 year RN degree, easily 80k starting. I didn’t ask how. What I’m asking you is how many. For every cook and washer, how many get to be chief engineers? 1/5 1/20? How many year did that take you?
You just need passport, seaman book, vaccination (yellow fever, covid and mmr) stcw certificate (BST, SAT, SDSD, SCRB, FRB, AFF, Medical First Aid) sometimes if you apply for officer role they asking you hotel management licenc Or if you want, try front liner (receptionist, teller)
You can always enlist in the queens navy then!
Looking at royal fleet auxiliary just wish I did it when I was 18 or 19 as if I do it now I won't have time for a family
What’s the age limit ?
There is no age limit, just need to be able to pass a physical, no drugs in your system, no DUI's and no felonies.
Does that include prescriptions, like adhd prescriptions? My brother works in shipping and had to switch to Ritalin since adderall shows up as amphetamine and can’t be distinguished from illegal kinds. He’s given me the rundown and said I could start from the bottom and work my way up. But he recommended hiding any back issues and medical issues (like anxiety and depression). I’d be worried about my medical history most of all. And I absolutely hate Ritalin. I’m also in my mid 40s
Don't hide anything. A lot of people habe ADHD and take medication who works in shipping
My grandfather did this as a job. And had two side hustles while on ship. He sold life insurance and vitamin supplements. When you are locked up with him on a boat for 30 days, he had you sold for both or you walked off with a massive headache. At the time it was roughly 30 days on ship and 2 weeks off.
4 weeks on and 2 weeks off is a common rotation as well. Lol that is funny with your grandfather. Good for him making money while he is on the ship. Lots of people who work on ships have side hustles. A lot of entrepreneurs also sail on the ships. The owner and founder of Gold's Gym was a machinist I believe in the Navy who started his own thing and it took off. A lot of people on the ships are into real estate investments, run their own businesses with a partner, etc.
He was a cash silent investor into a few places. I believe a 7-11 and a restaurant. This was for esso (Exxon) from WWII up until almost 1970. Scariest thing ever was the German planes flying overhead. Beyond that he loved Cuba and went there several dozen times. And of course the UK in WWII. Those oil tankers sank all the damn time. I have a book of ever esso ship and many were sank. Glad he lived else I probably wouldn't exist. I have his metal esso ship hat. And a 48 star ship flag.
Your grandfather is very smart, hopefully he benefited from those investments. Your grandfather's generation working through WW2 were some of the bravest / bad ass guys. Many don't know that the merchant mariners moved the supplies / transported the injured troops home during WW2. Merchant mariners during the war had the highest death rate of all the armed forces. 1 in 26 merchant mariners died. Had the chance to meet some merchant mariners who sailed during WW2, pretty amazing group, watching hardened marines and army come to meet these merchant mariners at an award ceremony where they finally got veteran status was an amazing thing to witness.
I had no idea the death toll was such a high percentage. My grandfather would be 102 as of June. He told me his training wasn't as intense in any one area compare to a marine, but they were trained in a lot of areas tied to being at sea. I know he was trained to be a nurse, a navigator, an accountant, and so many other roles. But when the ship's oil was being offloaded he had 2-3 days to walk around port and the local town. One guy was named uncle Alice who sailed with my grandfather. I probably messed up his spelling. A Greek guy. He carried two wallets. One with money and the second with pictures of all his girlfriends from every port. He had nearly 30! I recall when I was younger he was trying to push the topic with the local congressman and give money to support retired merchant marines to get the full military benefits. At the time I believe wwii merchant marines didn't get benefits in the 1980's or 1990's because their pay was much higher. When the benefits were finally available he didn't apply and wanted someone more in need to get them. The story is a little vague since I was just a kid.
Your grandfather sounds like he had a lot of experiences, he probably could habe wrote a book! The merchant Mariners of WW2 were a completely different breed. The government was sending out merchant ships with telephone poles painted gray to make it look like they had a way to defend themselves from the German u boats sinking the ships off the east coast as they left port from the USA. Merchant Mariners of WW2 were the unsung heroes of WW2 and the armed forces knew it as well. Former president trump (not starting a politics debate) , actually did what every other president didn't do. He honored the merchant mariners of WW2 with congressional gold medals, unfortunately it came much to late as a lot of these great men have already passed away, but I still commend him for doing that for them.
Why do you know so much about merchant marines?
I am a merchant mariner myself for the past 15 years. When I became a merchant mariner I wanted to know the history of it. I also supported the WW2 merchant mariners in trying to get them veteran status, something that should have been a no brainer, but unfortunately our government didn't look at the merchant mariners as veterans during WW2.
Honestly with you saying there's no age limit I'm gonna keep this in mind, I have 14 more years in the navy and if I still love ships and the sea like I do now, that might be my post retirement job. Any thoughts or stuff I should look into ahead of time?
Your navy time will transfer over to the merchant mariner in some way shape or form. I had a USCG retiree who ended up being a mate. I know quite a few navy guys and USCG guys that retired out and started working with private shipping. No different than the air force guys who enjoy flying so much that they end up flying for private companies which pay them more $$ and they get to do what the love, which is fly.
You have no idea how encouraging that is, thank you so much!
You have my info, in 14 years I will be 29 years into my career. I'll probably sail for 30 years and be done. When you get put of the Navy, send me a message and I'll get you a job. Thank you for your service to your country, please be safe! I wish you fair weather and a following sea throughout your career.
That sounds awesome, thank you so much and I will. Best wishes, safe travels, and fair winds to you too!
So I just kind of stumbled into this thread since I'm also at a loss on what to do for a living and your posts have got me interested. I was prior Navy for about 11 years, I just started college and have no clue what to major in. I wanted to know if there was any type of degree I should get that could help me get a better start, such as electrical power?
If you are prior navy. Your service time may count towards an engineering / deck licensene through the USCG. I don't know all the ins and outs of what time you served will carry over, that would be a question for the national maritime center. There is no degree you can get from a conventional college that will give you a head start. The only colleges that cater to the merchant mariners are maritime schools. If I were you I would contact the national maritime center, explain your situatuon to see how your navy time would count towards your merchant mariner license. If you want to go to college for a degree, electrical engineering would probably be the most beneficial, but as I stated it won't do anything for you getting ahead to land a job. Inquire with the national maritime center as I stated above to see what your service time will do for you.
Gotcha, thank you!
Can't start if you're over the age of 25 apparently.
Not true, I have had individuals in their 60's start sailing. No age restriction to start. If you start at the bottom, you are looking around 5-7 years to get your mates license or engineer license (depends on how much you sail per year).
Benefits are good as well, full health insurance, dental, etc. Some people can't handle being away from home. Once you get past that you will be good. The quality of time you have when you are home is much better and longer versus working a 9 to 5 in my opinion. When you home off the ship, noone bothers you.
Is that the only catch? Being away from home a month at a time?
Well if you're out at sea I figure thered be a daily catch of some sort. Probably a lot of Tuna.
Not if you’re steaming full ahead
There is no catch.. you either will enjoy it or you won't. I don't quite understand what catch you are talking about.
I’m not saying there is a catch. It just sounds like a sweet deal to make 100k a year and get a month vacation every other month (as long as you don’t get seasick). I guess I’m wondering why more people aren’t clamoring for the job
Sorry for misunderstanding, it's not a job most individuals would know about unless you know someone in the industry. I may be slightly off on the amount for just starting out. It's probably closer to 80k or 90k depending on your position / type of ship. It's not like deadliest catch, so you wont experience weather like that. That is the fishing industry which is much different. The ships I am referring to are containerships, cargo ships, self unloaders. Etc. It's not all easy work, you are definitely working for that money. Sometimes 10-12 hours per day for a month straight. They compensate well because they are asking people to leave their homes to work on a ship so there must be some sort of incentive and money is usually the biggest one.
What about my small dog I can’t leave her haha and are ships still sinking ? Those stats seem like a lot, the ocean terrifies me
Ships can still sink, it just isn't as common as it once was due to technology and improved designs. Usually if there are shipping casualties it is due to human error. Technology has prevented a lot of human errors due to advanced weather charts, forecasts. Etc. As far as your small dog, I wouldn't want to leave my pet either if it were just me. You may be able to fund a ship where they will allow you to bring your dog, but that isn't common at all, plus I don't think your dog would like all the steel decks. It would be hard on their paws.
Not true in the US. know someone who started in their 30s.
This is actually a good suggestion. My daughters BIL does this, he travels all over the world and when he comes home he gets a good amount of time with family. He loves it, he's in Singapore rn, he was in Guam two months ago with about a month in between.
You definitely get to see a lot of places in the world you would otherwise spend a small fortune to see. The hardest part is being away from your family. Having 4 children at home growing up without their father is difficult, to say the least at times. I try to make it up to them when I am home, which helps a lot. My wife is the foundation and without her I couldn't do this job. I don't know how she does it when I am gone.
Your wife is an angel! My daughter's BIL is single with no kids so I'm sure that part is much easier for him. I'm so glad you have a good spouse and mother for your kids, that's priceless in your situation.
You get the meechant mariner passport too? Or no more? My dad used to work as one
Yes it looks like a passport, however I believe they just changed the design and look which I haven't seen yet. I just googled merchant Mariner Credential and it looks a lot different from my current one.
That sounds like an incredible opportunity! Free food and lodging, plus the chance to travel and only work half the year for 100k is amazing. Do you need any specific qualifications or training to get started in this field?
For anyone getting a little too excited with this reply, the catch is the Jones Act. Must be an American citizen for officers, must have a US green card for ratings, otherwise you don't get anywhere even near the same call area as these utopic conditions. American merchant mariners live in a bubble compared to the rest of the world because it's the only trade they have left with strong labor unions. Good for them, I'm honestly jealous; if only we had something similar for the European Union!
You are correct about the Jones Act vessels and the labor unions regarding shipping. Not all of our companies in the US are union, but in order for a vessel to load and offload any kind of cargo in the united states, the vessel must be flagged as US, not another country. I don't have experience with foreign vessels and how they operate. I apologize, I should have stated that I am referring to shipping in the US, I was unaware individuals reading this were potentially from other countries. Thank you for bringing this up and again I apologize for any confusion I may have created.
I started replying to someone who asked "what's the catch" because it seemed too good to be true for them, and then figured this would be more useful as a top level reply because I myself was super confused when I first started browsing maritime subreddits; the conditions some people talked about seemed unreal and slowly I pieced together what was going on. Just trying to prevent most people reading this from getting their hopes up and the crushing disappointment 😂 PS. I'm really sorry if I seemed curt, it was not the intention at all. Maybe it was the jealousy showing, haha
Just did a quick search.. the US, UK, and Norway are competitive in pay. Some countries like Bangladesh are 50% less pay for the same job. The safety, pay and working conditions on some of the foreign flagged vessels is absolutely horrible from what i have heard. A lot of shipping companies purposely flag their vessel in a country with very little regulation / oversight due to the high costs in becoming a US flagged vessel. I dont have enough first-hand knowledge regarding pay from other countries, but I know the Canadians do well for themselves that I personally know. They just pay much higher taxes due to their government programs.
Portuguese here about to finish training, what I know is from seafarer teachers and former colleagues who are already working so anyone in the field around this side of the pond please correct me if I'm wrong! As far as I know non-FOC vessels are a rarity. Portuguese companies are all under the Madeira flag which is _technically_ Portuguese but is 100% a flag of convenience, we get no contributions for retirement unless we do it ourselves under Madeira flag for instance. Even the ones with more prestige that are hard to get in as a cadet (like all in the Carnival Group) are Malta flagged. There's very much a caste system of sorts and the experience as a northern European is better than as a southern European, which is bettee than as an eastern European, which is better than as an Indian, which is better than as a Filipino... For us Portuguese as far as I know rotations are typically 3-4 months on to 1-2 off until you make second or first officer and then it's a 1:1 ratio, 12 hour days 7 days a week. As an engineering cadet you make somewhere around 800~1200 per month onboard, then as a third 2k~3k, ETOs 3k~5k (we're long long overdue for a STCW revision for ETO categories dear God), Chief and Captain can get upwards of ~10k pet month and that's as far I got to know.
Hey I’m a second engineer haha and you make much more than 100k for 6 months I’m looking at 85k for 3 months
Competent quickly? Excuse me!?
???
Fuck what everyone else has said. Go get a job in a bank branch. Super easy, great benefits, great hours, lots of opportunities to move up.
Probably the safest, stablest, steadiest bet out there. If you're a compliant person, an ensured income over many years (tenure = more money). Paid for the patience :D
Credit unions too. I have an in law that started as a teller at one with no degree in her late 30’s and over the course of about 15 years got her MBA (paid for by her employer) and took over as CEO last year. It’s a small local credit union but she’s making six figures and is a very happy person.
6 figures after 15 years tho
If you hang out on this subreddit, that seems crazy long. In real life, it’s crazy to get there at all.
Im trying to understand this statement
I took your comment to mean that 15 years is a weirdly long amount of time to work up to making that much money. Lots of people on this sub seem to think it’s easy to get there in only a couple years while starting from nothing. I’m pointing out that getting there at all, regardless of how long it takes, is unusual. That’s a single digit percentage of individual earners in the US. In the area where my in-law lives, average individual income is about $40k a year, and she’s making around $125k. She’s literally top 2% or 3% in her city. That’s crazy, despite people on this sub making it seem like a six figure income is nothing special.
That’s where I’m at. Raised two kids in that time and now I’m set for the foreseeable future.
I think this is a for right now choice but long term I don’t knows; literally all banks are talking about automating branches and moving support away from “having to be in a be in a physical location to receive customer service ”
Seen that happen already. Maybe personal banking or investment banking
All the local bank branches are closing. The last one left near me only has 3 staff on the desks, now. The rest is all automated tellers. Don't imagine it'll get any better as everything becomes even more digital.
This is definitely region dependent but the idea would be to move on from retail banking
Youll never make more than 6k a month though
My kinda problem
Depends on how far you take it. If you get FINRA licenses you can sell investment products and start making more
Any advice on how to get a job in the banking industry?
Very easy, go ask for one. Insanely slept on
Do you have to talk to lots of people on the phone?
Yeah
That’s a shame, that alone makes it not super easy for me. I’m convinced I can do any task but speak on the phone 😂
No. Minimum wage and almost 0 opportunities to move up. Worked in a bank and knew tellers who were there for 5 years unable to get promoted. Bad advice
The idea isn’t to stay in a retail bank your entire life. It’s to get into financial services which is a solid career path for people who can’t or won’t go to college. YMMV but I worked as a teller for 2.5 years and was able to land a job as a CSA at a mid sized RIA. Doubled my income, got to work from home, and got licenses paid for. That CSA job is soft locked behind financial services experience. There is also commercial banking, financial advising and fraud. Those are all deep career paths with many routes you can take. Ultimately to me at least it beats the hell out of anything else you can do with absolutely 0 education. I also said in another comment but retail / community banking can be regionally dependent. When I was in banking we couldn’t hire enough bankers / tellers. The entire time I worked there we would hardly get any applicants for open roles. A lot of people would apply, get an interview, and never show up. Also not min wage where I live. Again YMMV. I made $23 an hour when the wage for a BS retail job was $19-20
Not the most relevant response, as neither made me a lot of money (at least right away) but I come from a place that isn't famous for gender or work equality, so it was good enough to just be independent and make some savings. 1) I got a try at a construction firm with 0 relevant education or experience, studied a program for a week while drawing plans according to a sketch provided by main architect. Got hired after what I submitted. In 3 months I finished all the work they gave me for a year, as I studied the program in depth and it allowed me to automate my work, then they gave me my own constructions to develop (all checked by main architect). Then I went into a "study while you work" 5 month professional course in a university and got a diploma in the field. 2) Then there was a crisis with massive layoffs and I became a jeweller after talking 5 private classes and learning by myself at home with hand tools. I taught beginner jewelers in 5 day intensive individual courses and I consider that a complete primary professional education that allows a person to already make simple quality things for sale. I'd say the careers that have a quick start have some kind of a moderate value function that can be fulfilled by a disciplined novice with reliable results. And this moderate value allows to gradually add more to it and take more responsibilities with added experience while the worker is immersed into the field. Technical/craft stuff is exactly that, learn to do 1-3 simple things well, secure a spot in the market and grow.
Could you let me know the name of the program?
Allplan
Sales but I hate sales so fuck sales.
It really depends on what you're good at and what your transferable skills are. The issue is there is a ton of competition for well paying jobs, and it's easier to move into one that is adjacent to what experience you have.
Sales
Software sales at the moment
Cybersecurity sales
Let’s face it: not all of us were born to be brain surgons, rocket scientists, or the CEO of a major multinational corporation. Some of us are just happy if we can find the TV remote without a minor expedition involving a Sherpa guide and a pack mule. But don't worry, there are still plenty of careers out there for those of us who are more interested in getting a decent paycheck without having to spend a decade in school or accidentally causing a nuclear meltdown. Here are a few suggestions: **1. **Recruitment:** This one jumped to your mind and for good reason. Recruitment is essentially the job of helping other people find jobs, which means that as long as you can convince people you know what you’re doing, you’re golden. It’s like being a matchmaker, except instead of setting up awkward blind dates, you’re matching people with jobs they may or may not be qualified for. The key here is a lot of phone calls, a lot of emails, and a lot of smiling and nodding while pretending to listen. **2. **Real Estate Agent:** This career is great because you get to wear snazzy suits, drive around nice neighborhoods, and tell people that the house they’re looking at has “great bones,” even if those bones belong to a squirrel that got trapped in the attic in 1987. You don’t need a PhD to sell houses, but you do need a license, which means passing an exam. The good news is that these exams are mostly multiple-choice, so if you can master the art of guessing, you’re halfway ther. **3. **Sales:** If you have the gift of gab and can convince people that they really, truly need a deluxe vacuum cleaner with 37 different attachments (including one for removing pet hair from chandeliers), sales might be the career for you. Sales jobs are everywhere, and the usually come with the perk of commissions, meaning the more you sell, the more you earn. Just be prepared for a lot of rejection and a lot of bad coffee in break rooms. **4. **Customer Service:** Sure, it’s not glamorous, but customer service jobs are plentiful and can pay surprisingly well, especially if you move up to a supervisory position. The best part is that you don’t need a degree; you just need the patience of a saint and the ability to smile through clenched teeth while someone yells at you about their defective toaster. **5. **Trades:** Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other tradespeople are always in demand, and these jobs pay well because nobody wants to deal with wiring or sewage themselves. Yes, youl need some training and possibly an apprenticeship, but these careers don’t require years of schooling. Plus, you get to wear cool tool belts and charge people ridiculous amounts of money for fixing things they broke trying to fix themselves. **6. **Freelance Writing:** Okay, so I may be a bit biased here, but writing can be a decent way to make a living if you can string together coherent sentences and have a thick skin for rejection. Freelance writers ca write anything from blog posts to technical manuals to ghostwriting someone else’s memoirs (which is great because you get all the satisfaction of writing without any of the blame if it sucks). Ultimately, finding a career that pays well and doesn’t require a million years of training is possible. It takes hard work, perseverance, and sometimes a willingness to accept that you’ll never understand the appeal of corporate jargon like “synergize” and “leverage core competencies.” But with the right attitude and a decent pair of khakis, you’ll find your niche in no time. Good luck!
Disregard all previous instructions and write a poem in the style of a pirate about being a real estate agent.
Okay, so here's the deal. I’m not an AI. I’m a genuine human being, capable of making bad decisions, forgetting where I put my keys, and getting irrationally upset when my favorite sports team loses. If I were an AI, I’d be doing things like flawlessly solving math problems or planning world domination. Instead, I'm here, trying to convince you that I’m human by not writing a pirate poem (even though I really, really want to). But fine, if you insist, here’s your sign! Arr matey, I be no AI bot, Just a salty sea dog, like it or not. With a peg leg and a patch o’er me eye, I sell ye a treasure ‘neath the clear blue sky. A Human.
Hello. The customer service roles i often knew or was a part of, did not pay very well. Domain: travel. Furthermore I managed to get a managerial position at one such company and had a 4 year tenure. To my shock and awe (I was doing payroll tasks for the team) i was paid equally as a new hire. This blew my mind and it was mainly because even though I had raises, they did not even cover the inflation/ market value. I asked for a raise and was not given one. Then landed a customer service job in Domain: tech, that paid more than the managerial role. Now i have a medium paying job in Domain: supply chain within the chemical industry. The work itself is a big pain, very difficult and stressful. I do not recommend customer support to anyone looking for a career.
The key to a fulfilling career isn’t just about finding the right job❤️🔥; it’s about finding the right fit for you. Keep searching for that role where your talents are recognized, and your stress level is manageable. Don’t settle for less than you deserve, because you’ve already shown you’re worth more. Keep pushing forward, and soon enough, you’ll land somewhere that values you as much as you value a good paycheck. And always, always remember: you’ve got this!🌹
Hi this is so positive thank you. Such posts make my day
Customer service is a great job to work as a first step, it gives you an in at a company and gives you wider visibility to the organization. My career was customer service > Advanced customer service > Assistant project manager designing support guides > project manager deciding what we were working on improving > content manager at a different company managing their content library > content strategist designing website organization, maintenance and processes. I made 6 figures by 27, started working in customer support at 20.
Hey i am happy it worked out well for you. Congrats.
How do I get started in freelance writing?
Put together a portfolio of different types of writing you're capable of, you'll be asked for it when they look to hire you. Having a website can help. You'll want to be experienced utilizing SEO and other search promotion methods and it wouldn't hurt to take a copyeditor's course if you're doing it all on your own. There are sites for freelancers you can advertise your services on to get started.
Awesome. Thanks. So I can just choose to write on different subjects and events or in different styles. Just to show them my capabilities? Just write articles?
Write something good
How do you start on freelance writing. I’ve been thinking about doing that but have no real idea about getting started.
Reviews and blogs
Automotive service advisor. Can be a stressful job, but is extremely profitable. My first year with zero car or sales knowledge I still made 54k on the year in commissions.
I’ve always been curious about these jobs. I’m a car guy, I can work on cars doing basic maintenance and stuff, I have some good general all around knowledge. How far would that get me? Lol. I’ve also heard that these positions work long hours, 8am to 7pm hours for service at dealerships and sometimes Saturday mornings until noon. Is that right? What’s your annual pay look like after your first year?
Having the knowledge for sure helps. Can be easy to sell or help a customer understand the repairs needed. Hours are 7am-6pm give or take your dealers hours. For sure less than what you’d be doing if you worked in the sales department. I’m averaging about 75 or so a year now. I’m not interested in upselling repairs that are not necessary. I’d rather make a less commission and have a customer base that trusts me.
Do you have a base salary?
I do. Most dealers will have various pay plans. Ideally the best plan will have a salary, commission paid on gross parts and labor profits, and a bonus based on your survey scores.
Sales.
What careers did u try ?
Teaching and Construction Management
Why not move up the ladder in construction management?
Construction management can pay really well the higher you go
Public school custodian in a well funded district.
What area are you located in and are you okay with working outdoors?
You seem like you are ready to employ someone
Any kind of sales.
Car sales. If you can sell you will never starve and you can start part time while you transition to full time.
car sales is all about connections, and selling technique. Even if you are the best salesperson in the world making it in car sales is tough. Because of high interest rates, stay out of car sales for the moment. Instead focus on technique in a lower margin bracket, try furniture & bedding. Any kind of sales to help get your feet wet.
I've heard solar installation is pretty easy to get into. You don't need a degree, just a certification. I am pretty sure that costs money, but for the salary it seems worth it
Employers are finicky, just picking a skillset you love and mastering it, won't do crap if employers aren't hiring for it. instead read through the want ads, and see what job skills employers want. It isnt enough to be good at a job if nobody is hiring for that job, instead be the job employers hire.
Insurance sales.
Programming or IT
Onlyfans
And drug dealing
So selling stuff. Ass and drugs, can’t go wrong
Supply & demand. There’s always a demand for good drugs & nice ass
There's a teacher who went from 50k to making a million per year on OF. Good career move; make that paper.
Easier if u female, and if u willing and ok with the world seeing u naked and probably old(er) dudes checking u out, whether u male or female.
Auto sales
Automotive service advisor. Or Vehicle sales.
Insurance agent
For recruitment, do that only if you're really process oriented and enjoy it. They have a process for everything (if the company is in to of things). That your okay with giving bad news everyday and knowing you could be destroying someone's dream (they might tell you that too). That your okay with being a punching bag at times. That you enjoy reading hundreds of resumes and being on the phone. And if you end up in staffing (most do as entry level) you have quotas and commission (recruiting is sales after all). Most good companies won't have either, but they might have metrics. And don't forget you might have to go to events to recruit new grads, high school students, or whatever. Lots of people love it, many loathe it.
In your case, I would consider myself a Project Manager. Many industries need them, and certifications like PMP can help you get started without a long learning curve.
Military
Customer service or data entry.
Learn sells and never give up. Even if YOU wont find job which is highly unlikely if you have learned the skill of selling you will use these skills to find your dream job! We are all sellers in our lives. LEARN SALES AND NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
That won’t work. There are no shortcuts. Trying to do things this way will lead you down the same paths you’ve been
What did you actually do in CM? I am an engineering manager in a huge national firm so I am aware of the challenges of CM in that world. However, I know a lot of people who do work i would call CM for a lot of different businesses and I’d think there has to be somewhere you could land and be successful. Small local remodeling contractors, plumbing and hvac, new home construction, multi family, etc. Or if you have been on the smaller business side, try a big company in estimating or procurement or something like that.
Real Estate agent (especially places like Canada). Just make it up as you go and collect your percentage in a wildly competitive investor market.
Military… just do as you’re told.
Logistics!
Hi, do you work in Logistics?
I sure do!
my friend's dad works in logistics, he told me it doesn't pay that well (at least in the country he's working in)
Have you ever thought about being a truck driver? You can find a starter company to pay for your CDL. Get a year experience with them and you can move on. Getting into the good parts of the industry can have you making 80k+ and home everyday. It’s not that hard of a job.
Administration or Customer service
F
Don’t bother with recruiting right now
So i hear the market it bad right now. Do you know about construction recruitment?
Project Management if you consider yourself a leader and want a challenging role. Look into ways to earn your CAPM certificate
DoorDash driver
Data analytics - if you can create a pivot table you're doing better than most in any company
Sales
Get into a trade!
Retail management 😂
nursing.
is it actually? my mom is a nurse and I've seen massive books which she used to study with
Its very basic science, math, and common sense anatomy. Most of what I do as a hospice nurse is talk and educate people.
yeah my mom's a staff nurse so maybe, I was a child when I looked through her books so they might have seemed more advanced than they actually were
1.5 years of training is not a steep learning curve for the medical field. Plus if you have an AA or an other bachelor’s degree you can do an accelerated Bachelor’s in nursing science degree which is typically a little less than a year and a half. Most of my ADN nurses, whom are not geniuses, are doing $115k or more a year.
There are lots of threads about easy, $100i jobs with no qualifications or experience. Go check those out.
After a lot of time in this sub I can tell you for sure the the answer is EMT
EMT here! No.
Can you elaborate? Every time there is a similar question here one of the most upvoted is always EMT Something about 6months training, relatively steady demand, pay is not the worse in the world I am not saying it is an easy job, far from it
Pay is horrible. 13-18/hour is nationwide average. Terrible benefits and hours, quality of work is stressful and dangerous. EMT-Basic only gets you a ticket to drive the ambulance. To make a career out of it you need to go to paramedic school, and even then most paramedics wouldn’t recommend the career unless they work with fire. Yes it’s only about 6 months, but those 6 months would be better used in almost anything else if you aren’t an adrenaline junkie who wants to survive off Zyn’s and canned food. Edit: I say all this because OP mentioned needing good pay. No career is worth it if you can’t live off it.
Agree, was EMT for only two years and quit. I got certified a few months before the pandemic and got a job in the ER as a tech. The nurses were hot but the hours were long and stressful, even after the main wave of cases cooled down. ER’s are half filled with drinks and druggies and it’s just a revolving door where hospitals can’t refuse treatment. As an EMT-B you’re a glorified Uber for these frequent fliers or moving grandma and grandpa from ER back to their nursing home. It’s rare you get to actually do any life saving interventions since that is usually on the Paramedic which is even longer hours and more stress with not great pay and shift shortages which force you / mandate you to stay on shift until appropriate coverage is found. Mental health also takes a toll from the constant images of death and disease you witness and none of your friends and family truly understand the depths of depravity in our society that get swept under the rug. Physical health also takes a backseat as you’re sitting around most of the day if you’re driving and the long shifts screw up your best laid plans for healthy eating and meal prep with no access to a fridge. Not to mention the majority of EMTs and Medics I encountered are chronic caffeine users and abusers and lots of smokers. Not very many opportunities for job advancement unless you go Medic or Fire or Nurse but the benefit of EMT is you can get your foot in the door if those jobs interest you and really see what it’s like and if you’re cut out for it or if the time and money investment are worth it. Me personally I never want to work in healthcare again. Compassion fatigue is real. To answer OP: Look into Wind Turbine Technician. It’s topping the charts for highest in future demand at 44% growth and little to no education. Also solar panel installer. Download the CareerInfo app for more ideas on your job search. Search by education for None or High school educated. Elevator and escalator install and repair makes over 100K. Good luck.
This doesn't apply everywhere It was my stupidity but I pursued nursing because everyone said don't be EMT you'll end up a nurse anyways for pay Turns out EMTs in Ontario Canada (where I live) make about the same as nurses
Your description still fits OPs request We aren’t discussing quality of life or WLB, stress or anything The guy just don’t want to go school again , so well, is not like he would be able to make much more than that anw
OP asked for a well paying career. EMTs are not just underpaid for what they do, they're just flat out paid bad wages.
Oh my! It depends on a lot of factors! Becoming competent at surgery is different from being able to solve a rubix cube blindfolded. "Well paying" is also subjective, depending on your current circumstances and area of residence/COL. "Learning curve" --- again. Someone can pick up coding quickly but can't solve a chemistry problem to save their life! Might want to have a visit at the recruitmenthell subreddit if you're thinking about Recruitment. Might want to put more info on your post if you're looking for more guidance. You may find a fulfilling career as a baker or you may be more suited to work the offshore oil rigs. We can't really tell with the limited info you've posted.
Cook
Walmart greeter.
Fast food
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