Every parent frets about his child's prospects, especially when that teen is not university bound. But there are plenty of great jobs that do not require college degrees. So here's another round-up of 5 great jobs that may require some formal training, but not a bachelor's degree.
- Carpenter: If your older teen or 20something is good at working with his hands, loved wood shop and likes the idea of being self-employed - because a third of the people in this profession are - he or she might want to consider carpentry. There's no specific education requirement, but the most successful carpenters are the ones with the most training and, of course, talent and skills. Most carpenters learn their trade through on-the-job experience, trade schools or via a formal 3- or 4-year apprenticeship. Salaries are all over the map, but the average hourly rate translates to $28,000 to $50,000 per year. That said, bad weather can keep carpenters from working weeks or even months at a time, depending on the project.
- Croupier or blackjack dealer: Casinos aren't looking for philosophy Ph.Ds when they fill their employment rosters. They're looking for honest workers with a high school diploma or GED, and really good people skills - plus a license from the state gambling commission - when they hire croupiers and blackjack dealers. And they prefer to hire people with plenty of experience or training in gaming or the hospitality industry. There are dealer schools - yes, really - and some casinos run their own gaming training programs. Licensing commissions generally require photo identification and a fee. Some states have residency and/or age requirements as well. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics list average salaries for dealers at $16,000, but that's a misleading figure. Dealers make a tremendous amount of money off tips, and those are utterly dependent on the type of casino, its clientele and the charm of the individual dealer.
- Dental assistant: Armed with nothing more than a high school diploma or GED, many dental assistants get their training entirely on the job. But an increasing number go through formal dental assistance programs at community colleges or trade schools. Those programs typically take a year, and they make a resume significantly more marketable. Some states require certification to do certain tasks. These are entry-level jobs, with a typical salary range of $27,000 to $39,000 in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Becoming a dental hygienist, the next rung up the advancement ladder, requires a dental hygiene degree from a community college or similar institution. And becoming a dentist requires, of course, dental school. (Here's a parent guide to that process.)
- Electrician: This highly skilled profession doesn't require a college degree, but most electricians go through a 4-year apprenticeship program, which typically includes 144 hours of classroom work - on electrical theory, blueprints, building codes, safety, basic math, and so on - and 2,000 hours of field experience per year, plus a licensing exam. And they'll need a high school diploma or GED and a strong background in math to enter that apprenticeship program in the first place. Average salaries in 2008 ranged from $34,000 to $60,000 a year.
- Home health aides: Home health aides help disabled or chronically ill people live independently at home. Those tasks can range from toileting and basic hygiene assistance to cooking, housekeeping and companionship. It also usually includes significant physical work, including lifting patients out of wheelchairs and transferring them into beds, the shower, etc. A high school diploma is not required, but the profession does require training - formal training and a test if the aide is working through hospice or another organization funded by Medicare or Medicaid. Different states have different requirements. Given the demand for this type of care, and its value to individuals, one would think it would be a well-paid profession. Unfortunately, that's not the case. The average home health aid earned $7.81-$10.98 per hour (roughly $15,000 to $22,000 per year) in 2008.
More jobs that don't require a college degree?