By Gina Ryder, Reader's Digest
Our culture emphasizes education as the path to satisfying and lucrative careers. Education is one path to success but not the only one. Finding the right job (and prospering in it) doesn't always require going to college. Hear from 12 brave professionals on how they found career fulfillment without a degree.
Being a DJ
[post_ads]After a semester at a junior college, Brian Buonassissi left school to become a DJ, a subtly smart choice given that music is so good for your health.
He got his start working as an apprentice for a DJ manufacturer
marketing manager. Within a year of his apprenticeship, he was DJ-ing in
nightclubs in California. Over time, he was booking night clubs across
the United States, specifically landing private events in New York where
he relocated to work full-time in 2011 as DJ Brian B.
Officially he's been in the business for 21 years. When he started, he
was earning $25,000 to $30,000 per year and now earns over $150,000 per
year.His advice on making it as a DJ? Know your financial basics,
practice the craft, market yourself (but make sure you have the skills
to back yourself up). With an open approach to his work, Buonassissi
incorporates retro classics, pop hits, hip-hop, rock, reggae and house
into the rotation. He interacts with the crowd through creative
programming, which, to him means figuring out the vibe and adjusting as
needed.Other than DJ-ing for the love of music, Buonassissi lives for
the moments he creates through his work. Often working weddings, Brian
is charged with being the soundtrack to some of the most tender
experiences in a person's life. For one particular wedding, he found out
that the father of the bride had stage four cancer and the event had to
be rescheduled because she wanted her dad to walk her down the aisle.
'In some cases, you're bringing family members back together,' he says,
'and for some, it may be the last time they share a moment with certain
folks.' Salary: According to PayScale.com, a DJ's salary can range from $19,885 to $236,718. Suggested skills: marketing, social media, music industry knowledge, creativity, software proficiency
Carpenter
For 35 years, Billy Dkyan worked as a carpenter in Philadelphia. He
started as a general contractor after graduating high school and then
continued with the carpenter's union where he completed an
apprenticeship program. Throughout his career, he helped build
residential and commercial homes and did everything from house framing
to high-rises. Part of the appeal of being a carpenter is the simplicity
and the reward. He said, 'There is some pressure on your body but
otherwise there is minimal stress involved. Plus, you start with nothing
and end up with a building. You get to see a result at the end of the
day.' Dkyan took a brief hiatus from the field to work in the
carpenter's union office but ultimately returned to manual labor,
preferring to feel the sense of daily gratification that comes with
seeing the progress and result of building four walls every day. Since
physical structures need to be built and maintained, the field offers
job security. Dykan was able to retire at 53 and focus on his five
children. He says, ' If you're a carpenter, you can always make a living
in most circumstances. You can always hang a door or put in a window.' Salary: According to U.S. News, carpenters can earn up to $76,750. Suggested skills: physical strength, precision, math sensibility, mechanical ability, communication
Longshoreman
Ron Hernandez works as a longshoreman at MaHer Terminals in Elizabeth,
New Jersey. Loading and unloading cargo on ships may sound repetitive,
but there are benefits to working in a port or dock. Your inner child
may revel in operating huge machinery—which is exactly what a
longshoreman does. Hernandez says, 'I enjoy using big machines.' MaHer
is a 24-hr operation where teams work virtually nonstop, loading and
unloading car parts, appliances, refrigerated goods, and almost anything
else you can think of. Hernandez says, 'It's one of those jobs I didn't
think I'd love until I started doing it.' Hernandez has an associates
degree in graphic design but acknowledges the college life wasn't for
him. If this sounds like you too, check out 15 jobs you can land without a four-year degree.Formerly
in the military, Hernandez found work as a longshoreman after hearing
his company was looking to hire veterans. One of the best parts of the
gig? It's not an office job. Hernandez describes his terminal workplace
as a small city or it's own Legoland, where everyone works together. The
gig is also pretty lucrative. His starting salary was $60,000 per year
and he'll likely increase to $80,000 by his third year. There's an
element of service to the role as people rely on the goods that
longshoreman process every day. Handling cargo provides a daily sense of
accomplishment, says Hernandez. 'I like the grit of it, doing what you
have to do to get these jobs done.' Salary: According to PayScale.com, the average salary for a longshoreman is around $98,000. Suggested skills: physical strength, hand/eye coordination, stamina, detail-oriented, cooperation, ability to multi-task.
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Photographer
Even though Phillip Van Nostrand
studied philosophy in college, he's now a professional photographer who
earns over $80,000 per year. A former math teacher, Van Nostrand got
his start in photography in 2009. A friend offered him $500 to
photograph a budget wedding after noticing the photographs Van Nostrand
had posted online; he had been taking photos as a hobby for about six
years. Now 36, he's been a professional photographer for nine years.Is
living off your photography your dream? Van Nostrand says, 'You must
love the art of business as much as the art of taking a picture.' His
least favorite part of the job is financial bookkeeping, but mostly the
job is a happy one. The joy of photography is evident from Van Nostrand
shots. (Here are the shots that have make top photographers happiest.)
His favorite part of his work? The intensity of a photo shoot. 'You've
gone through something with tremendous effort on all sides and created
something amazing that didn't exist beforehand,' he says. 'That's a
phenomenal feeling.' Salary: Income varies greatly for
photographers depending on who you work for and what kind of photography
you do (photojournalism, commercial, event photographer, headshots,
etc). According to Indeed.com, the national average is $25,780. Those
who own their own photography business have the potential to build a
much larger income. Suggested skills: creativity, marketing, social media, camera proficiency, networking, pricing, negotiation, contract, email prowess
Makeup artist
A longtime makeup lover Stella Accardo decided to pursue a career in
freelance makeup artistry after experiencing burn out in a previous role
as a communications director for a non-profit. After taking a few
courses that taught color theory, sanitary practices, and facial
structure, she started to book weekend wedding gigs, which made summer
her busy season. Weddings can be stressful, she says, because it's a
high-stakes event and the work is being done under a serious
time-crunch. But Accardo says she loves it, because making people feel
good is one of the rewards of the job. Accardo enjoys bringing out 'the
confidence in someone they didn't realize was there.'Working in
Pennsylvania, Accardo charges around $500 per wedding, though the price
fluctuates depending on the size of the bridal party. She enjoys the
creativity and working with photographers. Some of her most precious
memories on the job include doing makeup for mothers and grandmothers at
weddings. She remembers one 80-something grandmother in particular who
was set on matching her eye shadow to her turquoise dress. When Accardo
mixed some colors together to accommodate her, the grandmother thanked
her profusely. Accardo says, 'To make someone that happy is an amazing
feeling.'Salary: According to the Bureau of National Labor Statistics,
the median salary for makeup artists is $63,710 (2011) although wages
can vary between $27,000 and $88,550, depending on market location and
demand. Suggested skills: creativity, business
sensibility, time management, customer service, knowledge of beauty
industry, sensitive to the needs of brides and wedding parties,Working
with a makeup artist anytime soon? Here are 22 secrets makeup artists wish they could tell you
Communications director for video game company
[post_ads]Growing up in California, Rachel Caswell says it was often too hot to
play outside. That meant video games indoors with her brother. She
played Sega Genesis, Tetris, and Super Mario. (Despite what you may have
heard, video games can be good for your health.)
Caswell originally went to college for fashion design and journalism,
but then one day while walking home from work, a car hit her. Briefly
unconscious, she ended up the emergency room after a stranger called
911. Even though she went home with minor injuries, her medical bills
piled up and she decided to take a break from college to pay off her
debts.In one of her jobs after the accident, she worked as a secretary
for a magazine that was looking for video game reviewers. Caswell
volunteered and was successful; that role led to promotions within the
industry over the next 11 years. Caswell is now the director of global
communications for 505 Games where she handles consumer communication,
public relations, and global strategy. Now 33, Caswell makes over a
$100,000 per year.As for her degree, she never went back. She was honest
with her hiring managers over the years to let them know her path. She
has now paid off both her medical bills and the school loans she took
out way back when.Interested in getting into video game communications?
Caswell advises reaching out to people you know in the industry while
developing good writing skills and demonstrating dedication.Salary: Salaries for communication directors vary depending on the company you work for. According to Glassdoor, the national average is $120,000. Suggested skills:
knowledge of media industry, excellent communication, writing
proficiency, understanding of gamer lifestyle, relationship building
expertise
Transmission operator
Ryan O'Grady operates the controls needed to assure safety when
electricians call in while completing their work for residential and
industrial locations. A former reactor operator for the U.S. Navy,
O'Grady currently training to get his National Electric Reliability
Corporation Certificate so he can officially be a systems operations
supervisor with Eversource Energy. Once certified, he'll sit in a
control room with an enormous video wall that has a map of an electric
grid of for all of Connecticut and most of Western Massachusetts where
he'll be trusted with operating the bulk electric system and the
transmission of high voltage electricity from the generation to the
distribution level. (Looking to build trust in your workplace? Check out
16 smart ways to you can get your boss to trust you.)O'Grady
has been doing control room operations for more than a decade. He said,
'I like being in charge. I'm a Type A personality. I was responsible
for a nuclear reactor in the Navy, a $20 billion semiconductor plant,
and now the bulk electric system, all without a college degree. O'Grady
did a semester of college before realizing it wasn't for him. Once he
finishes his training, he'll earn $120,000 a year before overtime. Some
of the senior officers in his company earn approximately $140,000 per
year. To be considered for the job, O'Grady had to take an aptitude test
and complete a psychological profile through PSP Metrics. Because he
works a rotating shift, dealing with the hours can be tough and the days
are long—12 hours. But being in a position of authority and keeping
electricians safe keeps him going. 'You need to question things that may
be wrong. There are big fines and issues if you drop the wrong piece of
equipment.'Salary: According to PayScale, control room operators can earn between $39,679 and $97,279. Suggested skills: assertiveness, confidence, questioning attitude, leadership.
Entertainment hairstylist
On a whim in 2010, Amber Jasmine Marrow moved to New York City where she
rented a small room in Inwood where her roommate happened to be a wig
designer. To get a break on her rent, she began assisting him on shows.
He taught her how to ventilate wigs, a strategy often used in theater
and film. Later that year she went on her first Broadway tour as hair,
makeup and wig supervisor for Monty Python's Spamalot. She's since
toured with The Color Purple and Rock of Ages, and she has worked on Les
Misérables. She's currently a television hairstylist working most
recently for CBS's 'The Bull.'Flexibility is a perk of this career path,
says Marrow, since she can freelance for various shows; demand can
increase when networks are shooting large scenes or if a full-time
staffer is on vacation. Marrow said, 'The beauty of my job is there is
no average day. Sometimes I wake up at 3:30 a.m. to be on set at 5 a.m,
and work until 7 p.m. Some days I'm waking up in a hotel to start
prepping wigs for a live theatrical show. Other days I work from home
making wigs for clients, doing custom extensions, or doing a quick up do
for an awards show.Another plus to the job is working so closely with a
diverse range of creative people with interesting stories. Not to
mention, the gig offers solid compensation. In New York, Marrow's base
wage for Broadway, film, and television is guaranteed through the Makeup
Artists and Hairstylist's Guild. In the film industry in New York, the
range for a full-time show employee is $114,000 not including over time.
And in film, there always seems to be over time.Salary: There is a huge range depending on genre, skill level, job specifics, and location. According to the Houston Chronicle, hairstylists in the motion picture industry have an average rate of $33.55 per hour.Suggested skills: creativity, flexibility, grooming, fashion sensibility, good communicationWant to know what a hairstylist thinks? 38 secrets your hair stylist won't tell you.
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Professional nanny
Emily Joy Wallace started as a nanny when she was 13 years old. She's
now 29 and works as a teacher and artist. For seven years, she worked as
a professional nanny for more than 12 families. The first little girl
she babysat is now 16 years old, and they still keep in touch. Wallace
loves knowing she played a part in so many children's formative years.
During her time as a nanny, she averaged an income of $32,000 per year,
she says. 'I hoped that by being with children I would have time to
practice my art, songwriting, and other passions. Plus I find it so
fulfilling to help kids with drawing, being a good friend, baking, and
believing in themselves.' (Here's one way to encourage a child: Let them play with imaginary friends!)Her
time in childcare led to teaching abroad, and she now works in
childhood education in Costa Rica. While she's happy with her path,
she's battled some insecurity along the way. She said, 'Not having a
degree was hard for me at first, but I never felt like it was a
priority. The work I've done is different and not something many people
do for very long or pursue as a career.' Still, the work is meaningful
for Wallace. Currently single and without children of her own, the
children she works with feel like an extended family. 'I feel the
journey of working with children in different capacities has kept me
young at heart,' she says. 'I feel so much joy as I look back at all the
kids I have adventured with.' Salary: According to the
2012 INA Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey, the national average hourly
rate for babysitting or short-term assignments is $16 per hour. The
national average gross weekly salary for full-time live-out nannies is
$36,660. The national average gross weekly salary for full-time live-in
nannies is $34,000. Suggested skills: nurturing, empathetic, patience, creativity, warmth, playfulness, imaginative.
Corporate general manager
As a general manager for Aire Serv, Jeremy Anderson says his job as a
company leader is like being life coach, babysitter, entrepreneur,
businessperson, and problem-solver all at once. He's had to remember the five mantras all successful leaders have memorized.
He says, 'I do some of everything. I've run parts, worked on rooftops,
and climbed in attics.' As a leader within various roles in the heating
and air condition industry, he's been able to earn up to $120,000 per
year.When he was a kid he wanted to work in the FBI. His dad was a
successful entrepreneur who didn't go to college so Anderson never felt
the pressure to focus on school; at an early age, he realized it wasn't
for him. School felt boring. For Anderson, being a manager is fun. He
especially enjoys the camaraderie with his employees. He even loves
knowing his co-worker's families. Plus, he feels a sense of service in
knowing he can help others make a living. He said, 'The opportunities
you're giving them is allowing them to buy a house. That's rewarding.'Salary: General
manager salaries vary depending on the company you work for. Speaking
broadly, general managers make $60,002 on average, according to PayScale. In the heating and air conditioning industry, a general manager can earn up to $95,853. Suggested skills: management, leadership, sense of humor, customer satisfaction, knowledge of electrical systems, maintenance technology.
Service technician
[post_ads]One way to escape the monotony of an office job is to find work that
requires you to use your senses. Every day, Brenda Hart, 44, uses her
eyes and ears to fix appliances as a service technician for Mr.
Appliance in Northern Colorado. She says, 'I'm constantly using my
hearing to listen to motors, drains, and machine functions to try to
determine what's going on.' This kind of sensory problem solving is
satisfying in a way an office job isn't. (You can sharpen you sense of smell and taste with these tips.)
Before working as a technician, Hart was an administrative assistant
making around $50,000 a year. Of her last job, Hart says, 'The job never
ended. There was always another staff meeting, always more inventory to
do, and never any satisfaction.' She enjoys leaving a customer's home
knowing that their appliance is fixed. Getting the job done puts both
her and the customers at ease. Plus, the active work is for the body. 'I
move a lot. I'm a lot happier. I'm physically healthier. I use my brain
a lot more.'Salary: According to Glassdoor.com, the national average for service technicians is $35,900. In the appliance field, service technicians can earn up to $60,908. Suggested skills: problem solving, tenacity, customer service, organization, time management, diagnosing technical issues.
Firefighter
At first, Mike Gnitecki was a volunteer firefighter. He loved the
variety and the excitement of the job. A former public school teacher,
he decided to go through firefighter training after learning he didn't
need a degree to work full time in emergency services. To become a
firefighter with Emergency Medical Technician training he undergo
approximately 12 weeks of training and education. Other departments
(often the higher paying ones) also require paramedic training which can
range from nine to 18 months.Gnitechki remembers arriving to work early
as a paramedic for East Texas Medical. He and his team responded to a
patient who had no pulse. The patience was stuck in ventricular
fibrillation, a rhythm that doesn't allow movement of blood to the
organs or brain. They shocked the patient, performed CPR and
administered life-saving medications before transporting the patient to
the hospital where the man's pulse returned. A week later, the patient's
family surprised the emergency team with gifts. Gnitechki said, 'The
best gift was hearing that the patient had fully recovered. All of the
past training was completely worth it.' Towns can be incredibly pround
and fond of their firefighters, especially the town that firefighters all over the country have call the 'most hospitable' one.Employed
by both East Texas Medical Center and Gladewater Fire Department,
Gnitechki is allowed to pick up shifts in accordance with his schedule.
As both a firefighter and paramedic, he enjoys the opportunity to make
medical observations. He said, 'You can make a big impact in this job if
you work hard.'Salary: Full-time firefighters earned an average $47,720 per year, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Suggested skills: integrity, sensitivity, composure, reassuring manner, resilience, ability to work as a team, good communicator.
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