Posted on 10/22/2011 8:37:46 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
After I graduated HS, I wanted to go to college but couldn’t afford it and my parents couldn’t help, and besides, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in so I started out in retail part time, but I worked hard and quickly moved up to management – at 19, I was the youngest store manager the chain ever had and turned around several failing stores. But I worked my ass off, sometimes up to 80 hours a week.
When I got sick of retail, I got a job as an administrative assistant for an architecture firm in construction administration. I didn’t have any experience but I did have familiarity with construction and construction terminology having sort of grown up around it. I had never used a computer either but soon found I had a real aptitude, especially with databases and spreadsheets. I worked very hard, took on projects outside of my job description, got to be friends with the CAD and IT manager and learned a lot about computers and when the bookkeeper left, I was offered that position even though I didn’t know the difference between a debit or a credit. But once again, I worked hard, learned as I went and was never afraid to ask questions and pushed myself to learn as much as possible.
After working as a bookkeeper for that firm and then a general contractor for many years as a full charge bookkeeper and office manager, I eventually landed a job with a pharmaceutical company after the GC closed when the owner retired. I started out as just a temp on a fixed asset project due to my very strong computer and Excel skills. I was told there was no fulltime position but about a month later I was offered one as a payroll manager (although I was the entire PR department so I was sort of managing myself.) : )
While at the pharma, a publically traded company BTW, I also was given charge of the AP department, supervising two AP clerks and eventually was promoted to a senior staff accountant, promoted over a few who had accounting degrees – again myself having no degree. I worked a lot of hours (usually in before 8AM and not leaving until 7 or 8 PM) and had a lot of responsibilities and a lot of stress, but I loved my job. I probably would still be with the pharma had they not been sold to a bigger pharma and the accounting functions moved out of state.
I moved on to a tech company that specialized in HR systems and third party insurance administration, supervising the department and a staff of three that provided premium billing, COBRA administration and data audits of insurance company enrollments. I really honed my tech skills and sort of self taught myself some programming language along the way and became the office “Excel” guru and learned a lot about insurance and benefits. I was making close to 70k per year BTW. That company had some very serious cash flow and management problems so when I saw an opportunity I moved on. I took a position as independent contractor for a firm where one of my former manager’s went to implement a new payroll and HRIS system. Unfortunately that didn’t work out and the contract ended after less than six months but I did pick up some new skills and knowledge.
Unfortunately this happened at the height of the economic downturn and I was unemployed for over a year. I think, even though I had great skills and excellent references, my lack of a degree hurt me and I couldn’t get a job for a time, any job for that matter, and I even applied to Walmart as a greeter! Eventually I got a part time seasonal job at Target and worked my ass off, and then got a full time job as a COBRA administrator (working two jobs for a time) but for a whole lot less $ money than what I previously made and in much lower position, but I was happy just to have a job and worked hard and again, learned as much as I could while I was there.
I now have a much better job as a payroll and HRIS manager for a manufacturing division of a multi-national company. I’m not quite up to my previous high salary level but I’m making over 50k, have great benefits and absolutely love my job! I actually look forward to going to work and it must show because after only three months, my manager gave me an excellent 90 day review and a salary increase.
The bottom line is that I’m not special or even what I would consider brilliant by any means, but I work hard, apply myself, look for opportunities to learn more (even doing so on my own time) take on any and all projects as assigned and do the best I can.
Ironically if I had an accounting degree, I might not be doing any better than I am now financially excepting perhaps having an MBA or working in public accounting (which I don’t think I’d like) or being a CFO, which is not my passion in life. I love payroll and information systems management. And I’m very good at it.
My advice for anyone who can’t afford college or doesn’t have the aptitude for it; take the best job you can get and apply yourself, make your job your passion even if it isn’t your life’s passion. Learn everything you can, ask questions, lots of questions even if it isn’t directly related to your job. Work overtime when it’s offered, don’t turn down any assignment even if it isn’t in your job description or you’re not going to be paid extra for it or you find it “beneath you”. Respect your boss but don’t be afraid to challenge him or her when appropriate. Respect your co-workers like you want to be respected. Be loyal to your company and follow the rules but if you find a better opportunity - take it. If at all possible, never burn bridges and if you leave a job, leave it on the best terms possible. Keep on good terms with former bosses and co-workers; they can be great recourses and references for a future job. Don’t be afraid to take a lower position or lower paying job if that’s all you can get but make the absolute best of it and learn everything you can from the experience and parley those new skills for your next job.
Eventually however, with or without a degree, you must follow your bliss; find what you really like doing and be the very best you can at doing it. Do these things and you will do eventually do well even without a college degree.
CATV
TELCO TECH
I did 30 as telco and I am quite comfi
Well, he was responding to a person who asked a question about what field of engineering his son should go into.
You have laid out a very basic plan for success, no matter what the field of employment.
Your attitude is what has made the country great although in all of years of hiring people, I find this attitude a diminishing staple.
Many potential hirees today are looking for a quick score, a short time period to the top and the thought of hard work, perseverance and old fashioned “pluck” are far down on their list.
“RN... all it takes is an associate’s degree”.
That has changed, I believe. A two year degree and you are a nurse’s aid but you need a four year degree for a R.N.
Air Traffic Controller. Highest paid profession that does not require a degree.
My sister’s fiance is a mechanic at a big Ford dealership. Its better now than it was two years ago, but (apparently) things are still dicey. He had to take two paycuts because business was that slow.
“Just out of curiosity, what did the one college grad major in? Would I be wrong to guess that he or she is also the only liberal in the family?”
I don’t think she majored in anything but her boyfriend. It was a 4 yr Bible College. I was in the Navy at the time so I don’t know what her aspirations were or the classes she took. As far as her voting record - she votes Republican, but like a Liberal expects the Government to provide. Her downturn happened after he 12 year marriage ended.
Doesn't he have a college degree? Oh, no college records are available to verify.
The wages on the truck driver are going to fall now that Mexican trucks can cross the border.
According to the salary tracker — PAYSCALE,
Average Salaries for Welders vary according to experience.
Hourly rates vary from $11 to $25
Overtime rates vary from $16 to $37
See here:
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Welder,_Cutter,_Solderer,_or_Brazer/Hourly_Rate
I work in Astronomy. I also do side work fabricating electrical wiring harnesses (thanks in part to the US Navy for that training). I make a decent salary, although in California, so it’s relative. I have a HS degree. For a guy in my position, the key to employment is who you know, and how well you sell yourself. Get yourself known to people (especially the important ones) in your field. Networking, I think it’s called.
Founder and CEO of Microsoft.
Project Manager: $35,000-$125,000
Computer Programmer: $50,000-$125,000
Business Owner: $0 - $Loads.
Contact Aerotek, Argus, or any other engineering / maintenance / specialty agency. Most of the jobs are temp to hire. Here in Memphis they start out around $23 per hour. Agencies or headhunters are the only way anymore. The HR departments at most companies are sourced out or are run by idiots. The same company that wouldn’t even respond to a resume will get all lovey dovey when Aerotek sells the same resume. Dumb I know, but that’s todays HR departments.
Ping
Churchill said something like: "if in your twenties you aren't a liberal you don't have a heart. If in your fifties you aren't a Conservative you don't have a brain". Just think of yourself as being ahead of schedule.
With respect, that is not the case. CNA takes a few months; LPN takes a year. RN takes two years and an associate’s degree, but many go on to get a 4-year BSN. If they want to teach or become a APRN it’s mandatory, IIRC.
>>”After all, a college degree nets around $20,000 a year more than you’d otherwise receive...”
Have you seen this video? Interesting!
Title: College Conspiracy (the first video link on the page)
http://inflation.us/videos.html
Best,
RWL
Wouldn’t Perry just say I’m heartless?
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