7 Best-Paying Jobs for Which You Don’t Need a Bachelor’s Degree

In this day and age, those who are not so fortunate to have rich parents that are able to pay for any college they desire to enroll in need to think about what they could do without a bachelor’s degree if they are unable to pay for it. Even those who earn the degree are not guaranteed a well-paying job, and many highly educated people end up without an employment, waiting for some opportunity to come their way.

According to the new data acquired from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are plenty of occupations that don’t require you to complete four years of college education to be able to do the job, and all of these jobs pay enough so you can support yourself and your family. The data include facts from 2012 and the prediction for employment and salary up until 2022.

Here are 7 great jobs for which you don’t need a bachelor’s degree:

1. Computer network support specialists

In 2012 the median annual salary for this position was $59,090, which in the U.S. is more than enough for a normal life without holding back too much. This job doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree, but in order to be considered for the position you should have an associate degree, which you receive upon completing a course of study lasting around 2 years. In the U.S. this can also mean that you have completed the first two years of your 4-year college education. The prediction for the job openings through 2022 says that around 39,600 people will be employed as computer network support specialists. Another good thing is that in order to get this job you don’t need to have previous work experience, and there is no on-the job training. This is mainly because the job is simple – you need to analyze, test, troubleshoot and evaluate the network systems such as LAN and WAN, Internet systems, or segments of a network system.

2. Artists and related workers

These workers earn around $59,840 per year and no other diploma than a high school diploma (or equivalent) is required. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ estimation, there will be 2,700 job openings for this line of work through 2022, and you don’t even have to have any previous work experience to get a job. Art is a wide notion, and it includes a wide variety of characteristics, and what you will need to do on the job depends on the position you choose. This occupation includes long-term on-the-job training, which means you never stop learning and developing.

3. Makeup artists (theatrical and performance)

This job includes applying makeup to performers in such a way that it complements the role they are playing, reflecting the period and the setting of their role. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree, but you do need a postsecondary non-degree award, one that would testify to your skills and abilities. You might need to complete a course for that, but it is completely worth it, as the annual average salary for this occupation is around $64,450 and you can be employed without any previous experience.

4. Gas plant operators

The annual salary for a gas plant operator was around $61,140 in 2012, and it stayed relatively the same. To get a job in this line of work you need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. If you choose this occupation, what you would have to do is control systems and frequently do round checks to see if everything is working as it should. You don’t need to have any previous work experience, but once you start working, you will have to commit to long-term on-the job training and never stop developing. It has been estimated that through 2022 there will be around 4,700 job openings for this kind of work.

5. Web developers

To be a successful web developer, you need to work on your skills individually and constantly, and always stay on track with new technologies. A web developer’s job is to design, create and modify websites, and the best thing about it is that you don’t need to have previous work experience, and you don’t need a bachelor’s degree, but an associate degree could be required. The average annual salary is around $62,500 and there should be around 50,700 job openings through 2022. It seems that this is one of the best paid jobs and one of the most interesting ones too.

6. Postmasters and mail superintendents

These jobs will require of you to plan, direct, and coordinate all the services of a U.S. post office. These services include administrative, supportive and operational tasks and management. For this job you need just a high school diploma or equivalent, but previous work experience is required (less than five years), which means that you will probably have to work up to that position from a lower position at the post office. The average annual salary for postmasters and mail superintendents is around $63,050 and according to the estimation, there should be around 5,000 job openings through 2022.

7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Electrical power-line installers and repairers’ work is to install or repair electrical power systems and cables, as well as telecommunication cables and fiber optics. This job includes long-term on-the-job training and it requires a high school diploma or equivalent. The average salary for this position is around $63,250 and it seems that through 2022 there will be around 49,900 open positions. To get a job like this you often don’t need to have any previous work experience.

6 Great Small-Business Opportunities

In today’s economy, one cannot simply rely on one source of income. Many people cannot afford to give up their day jobs to shift to entrepreneurship, but they recognize the value of having a business.

Here are 6 great small business opportunities that anyone can start with just a little bit of enthusiasm and energy. These small business opportunities can help you set up a potentially long-term revenue stream. The best part is that these ideas are simple and possible to start at your own home.

1. Lease Your Space

Airbnb , Roomorama and Couchsurfing have now enabled people to rent out their unused space to travelers and short-term leasers from around the world. If you have a spare room or apartment, why not convert it into a rental space that can generate you income while you’re at work or away. You can also target exchange students or visiting professors if you’re near a university. If you live in a prime location or near a famous tourist destination, travelers would pay the extra dollar just to stay in your room or space.

2. Party Services/Event Coordination

Do you love planning your friends’ gatherings and parties? Why not turn that into a business by doing party planning and services during the weekends. This is perfect weekend business as most parties occur on a Saturday or Sunday. Create a database of suppliers, from caterers to entertainers and designers. Most people do not have the time or patience to plan family reunions or parties so this is the perfect opportunity for you to take charge and give service.

People are willing to pay good money just to avoid the headache of planning a special occasion. Do not worry as the internet is your friend with all the tips and ideas available. Other party services you can provide are table and chair rentals, DJing, making custom cakes, freelance bartending, and photography.

3. Food Truck

If food is your first love, then consider starting a mobile food truck business. It can cost you a couple of thousand dollars but it’s cheaper than building a traditional restaurant. Moreover, consumers are slowly turning to food trucks for their breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks. Bring your kitchen anywhere and serve hungry customers with your specials. Mobi Munch founder Josh Tang even said that the failure rate for food trucks is just between 10 and 20 percent as compared to 60 to 90 percent for a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

That’s a considerably lower risk to take if you're just starting a business. All you need is one special recipe and, of course, a truck to bring it to customers everywhere.

4. Website Design

If you don’t like talking to people face to face, then you can set up your own website design service. There are a number of short courses to help you develop your skills or just find website designers that can help you. Nowadays, businesses know the value of having a website where their customers can check out their products or services. Every single new entrepreneur can be your client and it will not take too much of your time.

Go through your local community and built your client base there. With a solid client base, you have a good small business without requiring too much maintenance time.

5. Translation Services

Businesses are also going global these days. A translation service is a small business you can build at the comfort of your home if you speak different languages. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook projects a 46% growth in demand for translators by 2022. This is a big business opportunity you can start small and grow while having a day job.

6. Vending Machines

If you are looking to dip your feet into the entrepreneur waters, then franchising a vending machine can help you start small. Skip the soda machines and go for those health-oriented and specialized vending companies to put in schools, offices and other public buildings. A lot of people are shifting to a healthy lifestyle. Franchising a healthy vending machine will enable you to enter the market with lower risks and better returns than starting from scratch. It will also require little time from you once you’ve purchased your machine.

5 Best Paid Hourly Jobs

You may think that a monthly salary brings more money, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

Many hourly jobs bring more profit than regular monthly salaries, and they often come with other good benefits too. For example, there is the flexibility many would wish to have.

According to last year’s data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we have comprised a list of the 5 best paid hourly jobs that have also become very popular among job seekers.

1. Administrative Assistants and Secretaries

These employees are needed in every company, organization, or corporation to perform organizational duties. The pay varies from industry to industry and it also depends on the variety of obligations the employee needs to attend to, as well as on the complexity of the task. Some of the highest paid secretaries and administrative assistants are those who work for top executives and their rate goes up to $25.76 per hour, but a more realistic pay that most assistants and secretaries receive is around $18.63 per hour, which is still good considering that many people work for much less.

2. Dental Assistants

A dental assistant is the link between the dentist and the patient, and they make sure that the patient is well taken care of. They assist the dentist through treatment procedures and perform all other necessary assisting duties that law permits them. They also sometimes keep records and do lab work.

Different institutions and states require different levels of education for this position, but usually to get a job like this you either need to have a degree from an accredited program and a state certification or a license, or commit to on-the job training. Some dental assistants work part time, some full time, others only during weekends, but the average hourly pay for all of them is around $17.43 per hour.

3. Construction Workers

Construction workers usually work outside, at construction sites, and their obligations vary from preparing construction sites to working on the machines, helping to build or tear down buildings or roads, etc.

Some construction workers work for themselves while others are employed by a company. Most of them need to be trained briefly before they start the job, in order to meet the requirements of the employer. There are some construction workers who specialize in certain areas of construction work, and that brings them a higher hourly pay. An average wage for a construction worker is around $17.19 per hour.

4. Delivery Service Truck Drivers

Delivery service truck drivers’ job is to pick up, drop off and carry goods though a country or a city. Basically, what they need to do is carry goods from the distribution center to various delivery locations. Some also sell the products they carry, and they recommend some products to potential customers while delivering the goods. To be able to perform this job, people need to have a driver’s license and often need to complete on-the-job training. An average hourly pay for a delivery service truck driver is around $16.28.

5. Assemblers and Fabricators

These laborers typically work in factories and their job is to construct or assemble products such as aircrafts and toys. Their responsibilities may also include testing the quality of the product once it is complete. To get a job like this, a person usually needs a high school diploma and at least some experience. If a person has acquired a higher degree education, the position they get may bring more benefits and a higher paycheck. For instance, an aircraft assembler with technical knowledge can earn around $24.43 per hour, while without that knowledge an average hourly pay is around $15.25.

Just Graduating? Here’s How to Get that First Job

When you are trying to land that first employment after graduating, it might seem that everything is going against you. Being inexperienced is often an obstacle in getting a job – and gaining experience – so it seems like a vicious circle of rejection.

What can you do to improve your chances of finding a job, standing out from the crowd, and making your employer see that you will be a good addition to their company and that they won’t regret picking you?

Here are some tips on how to maximize your chances.

1. Resume

Obviously, you will need one for every job interview you go to. Not having one says enough by itself. So, put together the list of things that will show all your abilities and accomplishments you have had so far. Even if you never worked a day in your life, there are definitely things you could write down, like extracurricular activities, maybe some competitions you attended and awards you won during your studies, and how about some recommendation words from your favorite professors.

Talk about your computer and social skills, preferences, interests and try to persuade an employer that you are the best option. Research online for some more advice on how to write a resume, write your every relevant skill in it, include your best headshot just in case, and print out a dozen copies (for starters) – and you are ready to go.

2. Create a LinkedIn profile

Just having a Facebook page isn't enough social networking if you are on a hunt for a job.LinkedIn is a must if you are looking for a job – even if you don't have much to put on your profile yet. Maybe you have babysat before or you had a short summer part-time job – that is more than enough as a starting point. This will show your potential employer that you have worked before or at least that you can handle responsibilities.

This is also a good way to make connections with people in the working world, who may remember you next time they have an open spot at their company. Also, you can put it in your resume, which will show you are serious about finding a job. Put some effort in it and present yourself in the best light to the internet working society.

3. Keep an open mind

Yes, we all have our dream jobs somewhere at the back of our heads, but the first one doesn’t have to be it. Try to find something that is in the same line of work, or at least close to “what you want to do when you grow up”, but remember – you have to start somewhere. And the sooner you do, the sooner you will get where you want to be. That perfect position will become available somewhere along the way, but don’t expect to become an executive right out of college. That’s not the way it works, and you’ll have to work very hard to be extraordinary, you know that as well as we do. So even if you start at the mail section, be a good employee and you will move ahead. Don’t be a brat, be diligent and patient.

And, of course, don’t stop dreaming about your perfect job position – you’ll get there sooner or later.

4. Consider an internship

Having an internship in your resume could be the thing that will land you that job you wanted. This is a good way to get the experience you are lacking, and get familiar with the working world.

A piece of advice: try interning at a company that has a widely familiar brand, like, say, Nike, Microsoft, Google etc. It doesn’t have to be an important position either (nor will it be while you are interning) but these brands alone might open doors for you.

Another thing: you could end up getting a full time job at the company you started at as an intern, so choose wisely. They probably won’t pay you for your internship (or they will pay very little) but that is not the point. The point is getting experienced and paving the way to employment.

Do this as soon as possible (if you had an internship during your college years, that’s even better) and work your way up.

5. The hidden job market

This is all about knowing the right people and being the right person at the right time. Try making as many acquaintances as possible in the line of work you are interested in…  and others, too. You never know when you could end up with a job just because you knew someone who knew someone who was looking for someone just like you.

The thing is, many employers don’t even advertise an open position out of fear of too many time-wasting interviews with the wrong people. So they will turn to their friends and acquaintances to recommend someone – this is where you could come in. An old college professor or someone you once helped for free might give you a hand in finding a good job. So don’t think you are wasting time when you are giving a helping hand to someone, as you never know when and how it could pay off.

6. Patience and persistence

These are the most important traits you need right now. Patience is gold, and so is persistence. Knock on many doors, give out many resumes, talk to a lot of people, apply, call, do internships, do whatever you can to get what you want. Even if you get rejected for a job, keep in touch, maybe they’ll call if the need for a new employee arises. Someone will eventually see that you are worthy and hire you. Just be stubborn and show them why it is you they are searching for!

NINE Things Hiring Managers Value More than Your Education

When applying for a job, having a good resume is important, but it is not the most important thing. What you really need to pay attention to are the so called soft skills.

Those are the skills that can’t be taught at school. They are mostly based on your ability to adjust, to communicate and work with a team. They are a part of one’s emotional intelligence and they practically determine whether you are the “right fit” for the job.

So what are these soft skills you need to have?

1. Cultural fit

This means you should be able to fit into the company and work well with your co-workers as well as your boss. The employer is looking for somebody with similar views on work. Feel the air and try to guess what the employer wants to hear from you. If you are skillful enough, your values will align with those of your potential boss.

2. Creativity

It is essential for you to be able to bring something new to the table. From the countless faces the hiring manager will see that day, you need to stand out. You need to be innovative, think outside the box and offer a fresh opinion. The company is supposed to grow, and if you can’t grow with it, you are not employee material.

3. Experience

Of course, experience is a very important category. You need to have relevant work history and good references. This will show your employer that you can handle the position you are applying for. And not only that, you should definitely mention volunteer work and internships to show that you are passionate about your job and willing to learn and improve yourself.

4. Taking initiative

The employer wants to know whether you have what it takes, whether you are willing to be independent and come up with some ideas yourself. Anybody can follow others. The real value is in initiating a plan yourself. If you can organize it and put it to action, well that is even better. If you have this quality you are bound to progress on the company ladder.

5. Teamwork

You should be able to work independently, but if you need to, you must know how to team up with your colleagues too. This doesn’t mean you should take the main role and lead, nor should you just listen passively and do as told. This means you need to actively contribute with your own ideas, you need to be constructive and a valuable part of the team.

6. Problem solving

Everyone can point out a problem but not many people are successful problem solvers. You need to be able to come up with ideas and solutions, and not only that, you must be willing to finish the job. If you show you can take matters into your own hands, that you are reliable and good under stress, you will soon become an irreplaceable member of the company.

7. Flexibility

In companies, things never stay the same. Everything changes, moves and develops and you need to be able to keep up. You shouldn’t be rigid and only be willing to work in certain circumstances. If your deadline shifts, you need to know how to adapt to the new situation. Prioritizing is also a great asset here because it helps you assess the projects at hand according to importance.

8. Work ethic

Are you hard-working, reliable and loyal? Are you able to meet deadlines and focus on work even when it gets stressful? All of these make a good work ethic. Your boss needs to know that you can do this job, and that you can do it well. He or she wants to hire somebody who is trustworthy and gets the job done.

9. Attitude

Maybe the most important thing is your attitude. From the very beginning you need to look like a positive and confident person. The first impression is extremely important, so be professional but don’t forget to smile from time to time. If the employer sees that you believe in your capabilities, he or she is more likely to believe in them too.