Career Advice

@BEST-PAYING JOBS THAT DON’T REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE

DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY BELIEVE, NOT ALL HIGH-PAYING JOBS REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

For many, a college education represents a path to a high-paying job in their chosen field. However, higher education isn't the only path – and for some, it's not necessarily the best one either.

According to data collected by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., there are 136 occupations requiring a high school diploma or equivalent that pay $20 per hour or more. Of those, 62 percent require moderate to long-term on-the-job training. Eleven percent require short-term on-the-job training, 10 percent require apprenticeships and 18 percent don't require any on-the-job training.

Short-term or no training

Just because an occupation doesn't require a college degree doesn't necessarily mean it's an entry-level job. Many will still require several years of experience and on-the-job training.

So where can you get your start? The following are the 10 highest-paying jobs that require a high school diploma for minimum entry and require short-term or no on-the-job training:

1. Transportation, storage and distribution managers

Median hourly earnings – $52.00
On-the-job training – None

2. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Median hourly earnings – $27.00
On-the-job training – None

3. Business operations specialists

Median hourly earnings – $34.00
On-the-job training – None

4. Gaming managers

Median hourly earnings – $36.00
On-the-job training – None

5. Media and communication equipment workers

Median hourly earnings – $28.00
On-the-job training – Short-term

6. Real estate brokers

Median hourly earnings – $35.00
On-the-job training – None

7. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers and repairers

Median hourly earnings – $15.00
On-the-job training – None

8. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Median hourly earnings – $47.00
On-the-job training – None

9. Legal support workers

Median hourly earnings – $24.00
On-the-job training – Short-term

10. Property, real estate and community association managers

Median hourly earnings – $32.00
On-the-job training – None

Moderate or long-term training

Not all technically advanced occupations require a college degree – although some do require a good deal of on-the-job training. In some cases, such as aspiring elevator installers and repairers, workers must complete an apprenticeship before entering the professional field.

Here are 10 of the highest-paying occupations that require a high school diploma and moderate to long-term on-the-job training:

1. Nuclear power reactor operators

Median hourly earnings – $51.00
On-the-job training – Long-term

2. First-line supervisors of police and detectives

Median hourly earnings – $21.00
On-the-job training – Moderate-term

3. Detectives and criminal investigators

Median hourly earnings – $28.00
On-the-job training – Moderate-term

4. Power distributors and dispatchers

Median hourly earnings – $57.00
On-the-job training – Long-term

5. Elevator installers and repairers

Median annual earnings – $110,000
On-the-job training - Apprenticeship

6. Commercial pilots

Median hourly earnings – $50.00
On-the-job training – Moderate-term

7. Transportation inspectors

Median hourly earnings – $23.00
On-the-job training – Moderate-term

8. Electrical power-line installers and repairers

Median hourly earnings – $21.00
On-the-job training – Long-term

9. Gas plant operators

Median hourly earnings – $31.00
On-the-job training – Long-term

10. Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators and gaugers

Median annual earnings – $73,500
On-the-job training – Long-term

@13 JOBS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN REMOTE WORK, HERE ARE 13 OF THE BEST JOBS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME IN POPULAR INDUSTRIES LIKE HEALTH CARE, TECHNOLOGY, AND MARKETING.

Remote work is more popular than ever, so it's not surprising that plenty of job seekers are prioritizing positions where they can work from home. In fact, 90% of workers surveyed in 2021 stated they'd prefer to work from home full-time than return to an office. With added flexibility, many people find it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance while working a remote job.

Remote work policies can vary between employers, but careers that rely on computers, technology, and mobile equipment are typically suitable for a work-from-home lifestyle. While it's definitely possible to collaborate remotely, professionals who handle most of their tasks independently often thrive when working from home, as they can limit distractions and control their environment. We've rounded up 13 jobs that fit the bill, including a few that pay especially well.

IT JOBS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

Tech has been a fast-growing industry for years, but the recent trend toward remote and hybrid work environments has given IT careers another boost. Experts predict jobs for computer professionals could grow as much as 13.4% over the next decade.

Web developer

These professionals create websites for businesses, community groups, and individuals. Web developers are typically competent in the major programming languages, and many have an eye for design. They use these skills to build visually appealing sites that are easy to navigate.

Software tester

Software testers often work on a team with developers and quality assurance (QA) specialists to identify bugs and defects in software programs. They run test scenarios to make sure a program works as expected and look for ways to minimize the risk of error.

IT support specialist

If you enjoy problem-solving and interacting with people, you might put your tech skills to work as an IT support specialist. These professionals troubleshoot to help users solve tech problems. They might assist employees with internal systems and devices or help external users to navigate a tech product.

HEALTH CARE JOBS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

Medical professionals can work remotely thanks to new technology. Whether you're fresh to the field or a licensed professional, here are some work-from-home health care jobs you could pursue.

Registered nurse

You might picture nurses working in hospitals or clinics, but the advent and popularization of telehealth services allow some medical professionals to work from home. Registered nurses who work remotely might meet with patients via chat, video, or phone call to provide advice and treat medical conditions.

Medical transcriptionist

Medical transcriptionists work for medical facilities to create written records of their appointments with patients. They typically listen to audio tracks or videos and write down what physicians, nurses, and surgeons say. Working as a medical transcriptionist can be an entry-level role that exposes you to the health care industry.

MARKETING JOBS YOU CAN DO FROM HOME

If you have strong communication skills and enjoy data analysis, you might excel in a marketing position. These professionals often work at home for agencies, corporations, or a roster of freelance clients.

Writer/editor

If you have a way with words, you could earn an income writing and editing articles, blog posts, video scripts, and more. Many companies hire freelance or full-time writers to create and edit promotional or instructional content. If you have a unique background, you could focus on a particular niche, like medical writing or technical writing.

SEO specialist

Search engine optimization (SEO) specialists help organizations tailor their content to maximize its reach. These professionals use analytical and research skills to ensure web pages rank highly on search engines.

Graphic designer

Graphic design is a promising field for professionals with artistic backgrounds. Graphic designers use design software to create images, logos, web pages, and advertisements for companies and individuals. These professionals can work full-time or freelance for many clients.

HIGHEST-PAYING WORK FROM HOME JOBS

Remote work can be lucrative, too. If you're curious how you can maximize your income while working from home, here are some high-paying remote jobs.

Business development manager

Business development managers are skilled professionals who help businesses manage their accounts, grow their client roster, and bolster their revenue. If you have experience in negotiation, sales, and business strategy, you could target a career in business development. These professionals typically earn an average annual salary of $126,000.

Programmer

If you're familiar with some of the most common programming languages and like creating functional programs from scratch, working in programming might be fulfilling. Programmers write code, update outdated elements, and troubleshoot bugs. This career usually earns an average annual salary of around $95,500.

Product manager

Product management is a career that combines skills like research, data analysis, strategic planning, and marketing. These professionals help to develop a product, create it, improve it, and launch it. Great for strong communicators and critical thinkers with a knack for organization, product manager jobs typically pay about $125,500 per year on average.

REMOTE JOBS YOU CAN DO WITH NO EXPERIENCE

If you're new to the workforce, you can still enjoy the perks that come with a remote job. Plenty of work-from-home positions hire employees with little or no experience.

Data entry specialist

Data entry specialists input information into internal databases to help organizations store a digital record. If you find yourself scanning documents for typos and enjoy keeping your personal files organized, you might enjoy data entry.

Administrative assistant

As an administrative assistant, you help busy professionals manage their schedules, files, expenses, and travel. Administrative assistants use calendar software, email, phones, and travel websites, so if you're familiar with computers, you might pick it up pretty quickly.

Whether you're looking for your first full-time job or you're just ready for a change, pursuing a work-from-home job can be fruitful. Your time and personal information are valuable, so remember to research an organization to make sure it's legitimate before accepting a remote job. Upload your resume to CareerBuilder to get started.

More career advice from CareerBuilder

To find more of the best jobs to work from home, explore our job postings and toggle on the setting for remote jobs.

If you're still not sold on remote work, learn about some of the ways remote work can improve your mental health and relationships.

THREE WAYS TO HANDLE COFFEE-FETCHING INTERNSHIPS

HERE ARE THREE WAYS TO HANDLE AN INTERNSHIP WHERE YOU’RE NOT DOING RELEVANT WORK OR LEARNING RELEVANT LESSONS.

So there you are, interning at a company in your desired field, and all they’ve assigned to you so far are monotonous tasks like fetching coffee or sorting papers. Probably not what you were expecting. Many of us have been there, and there are a variety of ways of going about handling it, some undoubtedly better than others.

Here are three ways to handle an internship where you’re not doing relevant work or learning relevant lessons.

1. Find a way to brag about it on your résumé
There are ways to word something on a résumé to make it look good without lying.

In an internship where you do non-relevant tasks like answer phones or run errands for the boss, you can still use it on your resume by applying it toward a specific position you apply for in the future. Brigham Young University gives an example of this on its website, by showing how someone could make a teaching assistant position on their résumé look compelling for a sales position. In this scenario, BYU suggested putting the following on a resume: “Tailored information and resources to the needs of 15 independent students.” Tailoring information is what sales people do, so it works while being accurate.

Fetching coffee may be difficult to brag about, but it does show your willingness to do any task your boss asks of you. Sorting papers shows your organizational skills. Answering the phone displays your interpersonal skills. There are ways to market this to your advantage, without exaggerating or lying.

Finding a way to demonstrate your skills with menial tasks could still enable the internship to be useful for you.

2. Ask for more responsibilities
It may sound nerve-wracking, but asking for more relevant responsibilities may work. It may also blow up in your face, if the boss thinks you’re undermining his or her authority. So be sure that when you go about this you do so as respectfully as possible, reiterating how much you appreciate the company’s work and your opportunity to intern there.

If this is an unpaid internship, then legally the company can’t merely have you fetching coffee. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are six criteria that must be met that determine a legal unpaid internship, summarized below:

The internship should be similar to the kind of training found in an educational environment.
The internship is for the benefit of the intern.
The internship doesn’t replace employees, but works under their supervision.
The employer “derives no immediate advantages from the activities of the intern; and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded.”
The intern’s not necessarily guaranteed a job after the internship ends.
Both you and your employer understand the internship’s not paid.

If the company where you’re interning at for free doesn’t meet those criteria, then not taking on more responsibilities keeps you in illegal status. At this point, it seems you have a legal obligation to ask for more responsibilities. Of course, this only applies to for-profit companies and unpaid internships. If you’re paid or interning at a non-profit organization, you can’t take the legal approach with your boss when asking for more relevant work tasks.

3. Do your best and then find another internship
If things aren’t panning out with your internship as you hoped, should you quit it and try to find another? Unless you’re being harassed or mistreated in some way, you should finish up any internship you’ve already started, whether it’s paid, unpaid, relevant or irrelevant. And finish it up well. But after the internship spent fetching coffee is over with, find another internship.

Lauren Berger, founder of Intern Queen, completed 15 internships during college. Most college students won’t get near this number, so don’t allow your only college internship be one where you don’t gain anything — money or valuable work experience. Internships are an excellent way to gain relevant experience, learn about career fields you’re interested in, and network with current professionals. Don’t let one bad internship solidify your experience with internships. Land at least one more, if not a few more, during college, but only after giving your current internship your best shot.

WELL-PAYING JOBS THAT YOU CAN GET RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL

READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING? CHECK OUT THESE WELL-PAYING JOBS THAT YOU CAN GET RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

College has never been more expensive, and while achieving a degree typically does lead to increased earnings, it may not be the right choice for everyone. In fact, there are still plenty of high-earning opportunities for those with a high school diploma. And because many career paths providing on-the-job training these days, it's often possible to move up into higher-paying positions without an additional degree.

Here's a look at well-paying jobs you can get right after high school, according to the Emsi data:

1. Transportation, storage and distribution managersdirect, plan or coordinate transportation, storage or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations.*

Avg. annual earnings: $97,061.65

2. Commercial pilots are involved in unscheduled flight activities, such as aerial application, charter flights and aerial tours. Some commercial pilots schedule flights, arrange for maintenance of the aircraft and load luggage themselves. Commercial pilots need a high school diploma or equivalent and a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Avg. annual earnings: $85,379

3. Detectives and criminal investigators are uniformed or plainclothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. They conduct interviews, examine records, observe the activities of suspects, and participate in raids and arrests. Detectives usually specialize in investigating one type of crime, such as homicide or fraud. Most police and detectives must graduate from their agency’s training academy before completing a period of on-the-job training.

Avg. annual earnings: $81,494

4. Power plant distributors and dispatchers control power-generating equipment and read charts, meters and gauges to monitor voltage and electricity flows. They typically need a high school diploma or equivalent combined with extensive on-the-job training that may include a combination of classroom and hands-on training. Many jobs require a background check and drug and alcohol screenings. Nuclear power reactor operators also need a license.

Avg. annual earnings: $81,494

5. Elevator installers and repairers install, fix and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways and other lifts. Nearly all elevator installers and repairers learn through an apprenticeship. Currently, 35 states require workers to be licensed.

Avg. annual earnings:$76,856

6. Transit and railroad police patrol railroad yards and transit stations. They protect property, employees and passengers from crimes such as thefts and robberies. They remove trespassers from railroad and transit properties, and check IDs of people who try to enter secure areas.

Avg. annual earnings:$67,849

7. Electrical and power-line installers and repairers install, maintain or repair the power lines that move electricity, and identify defective devices, voltage regulators, transformers and switches.

Avg. annual earnings:$66,868

8. Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim, and if so, how much.

Avg. annual earnings:$64,525

9. Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance. Insurance sales agents explain various insurance policies and help clients choose plans that suit them.

Avg. annual earnings: $64,524

10. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers are the most common type of police and detectives and have general law enforcement duties. They wear uniforms that allow the public to easily recognize them as police officers. They have regular patrols and also respond to emergency and nonemergency calls. During patrols, officers look for signs of criminal activity and may conduct searches and arrest suspected criminals.

Avg. annual earnings: $62,753