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Author
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Topic: Group Brainstorm...: what are career options without a GED?
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Virgo-AriesArtist
Knowflake Posts: 1409
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted March 10, 2004 11:14 PM
 
So, there's this person I know that is seriously talking about going into the Army National Guard, I think mainly because they don't have the ability, or merely the confidence in their ability, to pass the GED (mind you, they're homeschooled). Not that I'm down on the military, I really respect those who fight for the country they believe in, but I just don't think the current gov't has very much respect for human lives or casualties. Anyhow, I thought with so many intelligent minds out there, y'all could help me come up with a list of realistic career options I could sorta casually present to my friend, in an effort to make them think this through a bit more and see their options.
So.....
What are semi-profitable long-term career options for someone without a highschool diploma/GED???------------------
-K
"Most people love with restraint
As if they were someday to hate
We hated gently, carefully
As if we were someday to love"-Venus Trines at Midnight IP: Logged |
Motherkonfessor
Knowflake Posts: 1140
From:
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted March 11, 2004 03:48 AM
Please, please, please, VAA....encourage your friend to go for that GED. I am not even sure the armed forces take someone without a GED, HS diploma, or the equivalent.
(maybe the Army does...but I know that the Navy, AF and Marines do NOT.)I don't want to be negative, but we are all in a situation where even college grads can't find jobs. I guess it would also depend where you live. The one person I am sure who doesn't have his GED (he's almost done) works in a porn store. Long time ago you could get a good paying factory job with a HSD.....but no longer. I don't even think Wal Mart hires folks without GEDs, but I am not sure on that. Is your friend have a skill s/he could get cash for? Mechanic work? Typing? Perhaps restaurant serving doesn't have an education recquirement..sometimes cooks, also...but usually you need to have experience to get hired over someone who has graduated from HS//GED. I think it really depends on area. In Colorado you couldn't get hired without AT LEAST a HSD/GED, drug test, last 9 addresses and a security clearance. In WI, its more of "who you know"..that stuff isn't as important. I think there are some possiblities, however. My best bet? Restaurants. Construction- at least at an entry level. Try recycling centers. "Adult" stores. Try to avoid corporations, at least big huge ones. They have lots of hoops to jump thru.
I am sorry these aren't exactly "profitable career choices" but your buddy has to start somewhere.....and hopefully somewhere that won't get him hurt.
Good luck to your friend!!!
MK IP: Logged |
trillian
Knowflake Posts: 4050
From: The Boundless
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted March 11, 2004 11:04 AM
Without a GED, the job market is extremely thin. Try McDonald's.I don't mean to be flip, but to echo MK, even college grads have a tough time. The alternate is to perhaps be an entrepreneur, or a gifted writer of novels... Good luck. IP: Logged |
Aphrodite
Knowflake Posts: 4992
From:
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted March 11, 2004 11:33 AM
I agree with Trillian, entrepreneur. OR, leaving the US to a less developed economy. That has its own struggles, but we're just tossing out ideas at this point. IP: Logged |
WychOfAvalon
Knowflake Posts: 633
From: Los Angeles
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted March 11, 2004 01:24 PM
Get the GED! I dropped out of highschool to get the GED and it's not NEARLY as bad as they make it sound. In fact, I was really surprised it was so easy. There are even books out there designed to help you study for the test. I found the books were MUCH MUCH harder than the test.Granted, I have never had a job ask to SEE my GED or ask for any proof that I took it. IP: Logged |
Total Pieces
Knowflake Posts: 291
From: Los Angeles, CA
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted March 11, 2004 05:37 PM
Hey Sweetie,I am pretty sure that no branches of the Military will take someone without the GED. Life will be very difficult without a HS diploma or GED. He should consider them to be like a work permit. If there is a local adult school near by try to get him to stop by and talk to one of the counselors about his situation, maybe they could recommend books that can be studied at home or maybe a local library, ask the Research Librarian for help. Being entrepreneur is fine but that takes money. When you go in for a business loan it may make a difference. At the very least it would force your friend to take on a partner to ”„speak for the business”¦ They will want to know why they should loan you money and invest in you. Not having a GED or HSD could make someone question whether or not you are a risk, if you won”¦t invest in yourself why should I? If he is good with computers there will be work there but there will be studying in the beginning and what he will be paid will be VASTLY different then other people with a diploma. (Even in that a lot of jobs are being out sourced) There is construction, automotive work, welding, plumbing, etc. Although these positions pay well but they are very physical and they do require education. I guess what I”¦m saying is that your friend even if he can join the military will have to go to school. There is no running from it. I wish him the best! Amber
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2tailscorp
Knowflake Posts: 172
From: Grand Canyon State
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted March 11, 2004 07:54 PM
They are very, very, very CRRAPPY!IP: Logged |
Virgo-AriesArtist
Knowflake Posts: 1409
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted March 13, 2004 11:40 PM
MK: He's good with cars, or at least has the potential to be quite skilled. He's had a summer job in construction building a house, and liked the work, but was disgusted by his fellow workers attitudes and behavior. I will try to encourgage the GED option more stongly, but am not sure how they'll take it.trill: Thanks for the heads up on the status of the job market. Aphrodite: True, but I don't think he plans on leaving the country... WofA: That's definitely worth mentioning to them, about the books being more difficult than the actual test. TP: Well, see I thought that was strange too, as I thought the military expected some sort of HS degree too, but he has said something to the effect of he gets a sign-on bonus, then pay during basic training, and then the military also covers his cost of education, which to me, might imply that they'd help him get the GED, although that doesn't exactly make the best of sense. But, as far as going into business goes, IF he were to go into auto mechanics, I'd be more than happy to be the paperwork/finacially-responsible partner with him, if he wanted my help. I think we work well together as a team.
He's not that into computers, so that's not the best path, and I do hear you on the 'no avoiding education' bit. I'm just not sure what wavelength he is on this education thing.
Thanks again, everyone for the well wishes.
 ------------------
-K
"Most people love with restraint
As if they were someday to hate
We hated gently, carefully
As if we were someday to love"-Venus Trines at Midnight IP: Logged |
CappyChic
Knowflake Posts: 174
From: Ohio
Registered: May 2003
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posted March 20, 2004 06:47 AM
Hey VAA, how old is this person you know? My brother is 17 and he dropped out of high school. He wants to join the marines, but he has to get his GED to get in. There are a lot of things he could do. I'm a server and I went to college for a year, but it's not really a requirement to have a diploma and I make decent money. Also, construction pays really well. Actually the armed forces is a really good career choice . The pay is good and there are so many options available that they will pay for. Well that's just my humble opinion. Oh and maybe like landscaping or roofing... anything in the service industry. But also it's really hard without a GED or HS diploma. I'm sure your friend can pass the GED. IP: Logged | |
Lindaland
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