r/careerguidance • u/Lemonade2250 • 2d ago

Advice What kind of jobs do most young people do ?

Anyone just got the advice that after high school is complete go to university for four years and get a good paying job at some company. And life will be secured. If not then continue working unskilled jobs entire life. I wish I had the clear path of going college straight after high school was completed but things didn't go as planned. I ended up going to community college but that didn't go well and somehow silently stopped taking classes. Worked at fast food and retail but everything felt unfilling and repetitive. Same earnings same position same routine no sorta growth and advancement opportunities. I told myself maybe I need to go college again but I'm already in late 20s sighs not sure what to pursue

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6

u/catlover123456789 2d ago

Reddit will tell you to do trades, etc.

School is always an option but tbh the ROI might not be there.

You need to “get into” entry level jobs that have room for growth - prob not retail or fast food.

I can’t speak for other industries but I’ll share for mine (healthcare) what I’ve seen as examples where non-degree holders have moved up quickly

  1. Start as an entry level receptionist
  2. Move up into front office supervisor roles. Don’t just expect it, do the supervisory work and come up with workflows to show initiative.
  3. Move into office manager style roles
  4. Can pivot into other departments when you find your “niche”
  5. Continue - I’ve met directors with no formal education

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u/Correct-Leg-3051 2d ago

Reddit does have a good point about trades those jobs can pay well and you learn skills fast entry jobs with room to grow are key, fast food and retail can get boring quick finding a niche you like makes all the difference

7

u/Accovac 2d ago

Also, I’m 28 and I’ve spent the last 10 years trying to figure out what the hell I want to do. I’m in college right now about to transfer to university. A lot of people in my class are our age, or even older than us. I think part of it for me was just understanding that I don’t have any big passions that I would love to have a career in, and I shifted my mindset to view my career as a way to pay for my passions outside of work

3

u/Hybrid67 2d ago

This, a lot of people are expecting unicorn careers.

It's all about balancing between money, happiness, and stability, and growth.

4

u/Accovac 2d ago

I had two of my childhood dream careers. Park Ranger, and dog trainer. It’s never fun when it’s your job making money will ultimately lead some more happiness than finding it at work and then going home broke

10

u/Accovac 2d ago

Look, my husband is in the trades, like zero education experience, and he brings in 150,000 a year with a very flexible schedule. I used to deliver for Amazon, and I would see plenty of plumbers and woodworkers who owned the massive houses in the hills. Trude school might be a little bit more up your alley if it’s more hands-on and technical. And they are jobs that AI won’t be able to take over my best friend‘s husband did a two year trade School to be an electrician, he brings in 90,000 a year With only five years of experience.

1

u/AyeXLuis 1d ago

If you don’t mind me asking, what does your husband do for work? This is very motivating as a 21 year old not knowing what direction to head in.

1

u/Accovac 1d ago

General contractor. Keep in mind- we live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where 150k isn’t considered a whole lot ☠️ like we can’t buy a house or anything on his salary. Outside of the bay he would make much less but we would live more comfortably.

1

u/AyeXLuis 1d ago

Got it, thank you for the insight

4

u/Lou_Ferrari69 2d ago

Unemployed

2

u/Quinnjamin19 2d ago

Union Boilermaker welder here.

Last year I worked 17 weeks and brought in $107k

1

u/SweetGattino 2d ago

I have worked in a fast food restaurant in my town and there got some money

1

u/eme_nar 2d ago

#teamaccounting

1

u/-thatsongonyouradio- 2d ago

I have an English Degree and photography degree.

I ended up in an entry level role as a Bank Teller. I started at $14/hr and after 3 years, make $20/hr in the same position. I can move up into book keeping, loan processing, or be a loan officer. :)

1

u/Somethingelsehimbo 2d ago

I officially got my degree at age 31. I could have had it sooner, but a battle with my MH made it a struggle. At 32, I’m working an okay job making 55k a year in a small college town. I’m gearing up to get my masters and that will jump me up to about 80k-90k. You can still go back to school if you want. You can change paths. It’s not too late. You do have to find something to commit to tho

1

u/Appropriate-Tutor587 2d ago

Definitely go back to college to get at least your bachelor’s degree if you want a way out or you will just stuck from one dead end job to the next.

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u/Twirlmom9504_ 2d ago

CDL driver. Find an apprenticeship program for trades through comm. colleges in your area.