Best Jobs For College Dropouts

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If you’re like most people, the last thing you want to do is go back to school. It’s a time suck and expensive, not to mention that it’s hard enough just trying to find a job in an already tough market.

But even if you have given up on your dream of college or never even attempted it, there are still some opportunities for work out there for the taking.

The trick is finding something with flexible hours so that while other people are at their desk jobs or stuck in traffic commuting from one place to another, you can be making money part-time from home without having any set schedule.

Here is a list of some of the best jobs for college dropouts:

Freelance Writer

While some clients may require freelance writers to have some journalism education, in most cases, one can work as a freelance writer without a degree.

Having SEO experience is also a plus if you want to grow your career as a freelance writer.

Where can I find freelance writer jobs?

There are plenty of freelance job boards where you can find writing gigs. These include Upwork, Indeed, Problogger.

Another option for finding work is pitching to bloggers in your niche. Joining Facebook groups in your niche that deal mostly with blogging can help you link up with potential clients.

In order to increase your chances of landing well paying writing gigs, you need to have a portfolio. If you are new and haven’t worked for anyone that can recommend you, or you can use that work for pitching, not to worry. Starting a blog is a good way of building your portfolio.

Virtual Assistant

Another job option for college dropouts is being a virtual assistant. This position usually requires an off-site location and can be done from home, if desired.

As a virtual assistant, you’ll take on the responsibilities of administrative tasks such as typing correspondence, scheduling appointments for others, booking travel arrangements or event reservations. Virtual assistants are also in charge of maintaining calendars and other records that their employer need.

To excel at this job, you need to be a hands-on kind of person and willing to learn on the go. The tasks you handle will always vary from client to client. Learning new skills and investing in a few tools will help make your work easier.

Got a virtual assistant interview coming up? Check out these virtual assistant interview questions and answers to help you prepare.

Social Media

Social media jobs are some of the easiest jobs to get, which is why they’re often one of the first things college dropouts turn to. There’s no degree required for these positions and a lot of them can be done remotely from home!

Many people think that social media managers just post on Facebook or Instagram all day long but their job actually entails way more than that.

A social media manager is responsible for researching and understanding different audiences, developing content calendars, analyzing metrics to determine the effectiveness of campaigns, running continual tests on ads/campaigns to understand which ads are converting more.

You can invest in online courses to help you acquire the necessary skills to get the job done.

Photographer

A photographer’s work is never done. It might not be the most glamorous of jobs, but if you’re someone who likes to take photos and has a developed eye for details, then it can be an excellent way to earn money without college or university education.

Photographers shoot weddings, events and portraits in all sorts of different environments making it one of the most exciting jobs to take on.

You can start by taking photos of your family and friends to build your portfolio. One way to market yourself is through word of mouth. Your family and friends can refer you in their circles. Another option is to check out photography job boards.

As a newbie photographer, you may also find freelance photography jobs online on various platforms.

Automotive Mechanic

Automotive mechanic jobs are open to anyone who has a high school diploma or GED. These jobs require candidates to be able to read and interpret mechanical drawings, as well as having the ability to use tools such as wrenches, drills and torque sticks.

There is no formal education requirement for automotive mechanics; however, some employers may prefer applicants to have gone through an automotive mechanic course.

If you are a car enthusiast and don’t mind getting a little dirty as you make money, you may want to consider taking up a job as an automotive mechanic. As an automotive mechanic, you can choose to specialize in specific vehicles or parts of the vehicle such as engine, brakes, or tires.

Sommelier

Do you love wine? How about taking up a job as a wine specialist?

A sommelier is a person who’s a specialist in the wine trade and is typically trained to analyse, identify wines and recommend food-wine pairings.

While no formal education or degree is needed to work as a sommelier, there are various courses offered at some universities. Some of the courses you may want to look into include, Wines of France & Italy and Introduction to Wine.

Here’s your chance to do what you love and have fun while at it.

Plumber

Plumbing is an integral part of building and our day to day lives.

A plumber is someone who installs and repairs plumbing systems for homes, buildings or industrial plants such as water heaters and pumps; usually where the piping has been installed by an electrician or mason contractor. They study blueprints in order to determine how everything should be connected together.

Plumbers are in high demand and can expect to make around $50,000 a year. To become a plumber, you will need to complete an apprenticeship program that lasts four years. You’ll attend college classes during the day and work as an apprentice for one of their employers at night or on weekends. Plumbing jobs often require contractors who are licensed with a specific state agency.

Massage Therapist

If you have a passion in wellness, you may embark on a career of helping others feel better in their skin by offering massage sessions.

A massage therapist, or masseur, is a person who performs the skill of massaging. The word “massage” can also refer to pressing and rubbing muscles with hands and fingers, usually in order to relieve tension within them. A message typically takes place on a mat on the floor but may happen on a massage bed.

Every state has different requirements to work as a massage therapist. While a college degree may not be required, enrolling in a post secondary massage therapy course is in most cases required.

Office Manager

If your major was in business, office management may be just the job for you to find and keep! These professionals manage daily operations of businesses such as offices or other commercial buildings. They are responsible for hiring and managing office staff.

They are also responsible for overseeing budgets, making financial decisions, and ensuring company compliance with local laws.

Office managers may need to have a bachelor’s degree in business or management in order to qualify for the position.

Insurance Agent

If you have a degree in business, insurance may be the perfect job for you. Insurance agents are responsible for finding clients and providing them with quotes or policies that provide coverage against certain events such as car accidents, fires, or theft. This career is often referred to as “broker”.

To qualify for this position, one is required to have a high school diploma on the minimum. Being good at sales will help you achieve better results in closing sales.

Real Estate Broker

If you are interested in real estate, this is the perfect job for you.

Working as a real estate broker involves helping clients to buy, sell, rent residential and commercial properties.

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for one to work as a real estate broker. However, you’ll need to check with your state department on the type of licensing you require in order to start practicing.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to find a job. But if you don’t have a degree, there are still plenty of options for work. You can combine your experience with the skills that college dropouts often get and create an opportunity for yourself in one of these good jobs for college dropouts listed above!