Successful and Independent without a college degree?

[Anonymous]

Child went into navy then a-school to become navy corpsman (“doc”)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes:

Friend of husbands went to one of those computer training type schools where you get a degree in a year or 2. He's very bright and makes a great living because he is good at what he does. He is divorced with one child and has lived independently since age 18.

The guy who's company remodeled our kitchen lives in a megamansion and goes to Europe often. He did not go to college and he does not come from money. He is married with 4 kids.

Every plumber, electrician and HVAC person we have used in different locations seemed to do quite well without college degree.

Hairdressers can do quite well-mine seem to be managing it all.

I know there are more, I just can't think of them right now. Also, I know people with advanced degrees who don't navigate independent living well.

Most contractors and other trades folks that own small businesses don't make much money. Contractors go bankrupt at an alarming rate because they are so bad at estimating job costs, time to complete, etc.

My HVAC guy runs a "successful" business and he said in his best years, that he himself takes home about $150k, but it's a ton of stress for that.

His own advice for his own kids is to learn a trade and then go work for a large company...welders, electricians, pipe fitters, etc. can make a ton (with OT) working at auto companies or ship builders, etc.

I think the common thread to all of this, is you do need to have a skill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in manufacturing. My entire staff of machinists, assemblers, glass hangers, electricians, etc. They're ages 19-45 and they have families and live in houses. They are amazing with their hands. Some of the work they do is an art! There's a lot of jobs that don't require college educations.

Agree...this is why my own kid suggests every HS should have a robotics program because it brings together programmers, engineers, machinists, carpenters, etc. Some of those kids decide they will become engineers and go to college, while others see a future as a skilled trades person. If you attend competitions you see companies sponsoring events and recruiting some of the HS kids to go directly into jobs.

Some of the best teams are out of MI because they have some of the best machinists and other trades folk who are still in HS (and access to some very leading edge machines) because a well constructed machine can beat the most hi-tech silicon valley entrants.

[Anonymous]

My cousin was working as a wedding videographer and saving up to buy his own equipment and start his own company. He's always been artistic and was very good at his job. He was doing pretty well financially too and working in LA for really, really wealthy brides, where wedding videography was almost a full on movie production. Unfortunately he said he found the bridezillas too stressful and started smoking pot habitually. He lost all motivation and now works at a pot and vape shop.

[Anonymous]

My nephew is a pilot and jet mechanic—no college degree but has a pilot license and all the certifications required to be a jet mechanic. He only flies and maintains private jets for the uber-wealthy. Nets $500k+ per year in his late twenties. Worth noting that he inherited clients from a family member who passed away.

[Anonymous]

Only people I know who did that are in IT and possess lots of certifications, my plumber, and my electrician. Even my home renovator was valedictorian and went to college.

[Anonymous]

Nephew just finished a 5-year journeyman program in HVAC. He worked for an HVAC company the entire time (paid) and attended the Union's training classes 3 nights a week (free, no student loans). He makes $140,000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nephew just finished a 5-year journeyman program in HVAC. He worked for an HVAC company the entire time (paid) and attended the Union's training classes 3 nights a week (free, no student loans). He makes $140,000.

This is amazing. Congrats to your nephew.

[Anonymous]

I knew a young man growing up - think he’s about 5 years younger than me, so late 20s now. He never went to college and is an HVAC mechanic: became an apprentice straight out of HS and now works for a local company. He works hard but seems interested in the work and enjoys it. He bought a nice SFH a few years back (in MD, but a bit further out) and prior to getting married rented a room out to a buddy to save more money. He drives a very nice car!

It seems like a simple life but a nice one. He and his wife seem really happy.

[Anonymous]

Let's not underestimate the facts that these are physically demanding jobs and everyone isn't cutout for such work. However, beats mental stress of low pay jobs. I would still recommend getting an associate degree, even if online. That should help with self confidence, dating, parenting, business and socialization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know whether this is fortunate or unfortunate, but my friend's son is raking it in with his YouTube channel. He also does video editing for other YouTubers. I have no idea how long someone can sustain this "career" but if a kid has an entertaining skill such as gaming or building stuff, other people may want to watch it online.

😂 no this is not true

Do you not understand how many utters there are and the metrics for this

I don't quite understand the utters part but the kid is bringing in six figures, which is common for highly successful YouTube channels. (TikTok also pays for views but not nearly as much.) It's enough to live on his own (he's mid-20s and a college dropout). There are TONS of people trying to build a YouTube audience and most of them will fail because they suck at videos. This kid is apparently pretty good, although my Gen-X eyes don't appreciate the content as I am not the intended audience.

And this "career" could (and most likely will) easily disappear overnight at any point.

I think OP is talking about kids who have a real career path that they can continue for decades

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have any kid in my circle who didn't attend or finish college but my carpenter, electrician and plumber seems to do well enough for themselves. I guess if you don't want to go to college, few years of training for a high demand skill can be an option.

This 100%

If your kid is not interested in college/more classes and likes to work with things, then picking from electrician, HVAC, plumbing, construction is a viable path. They can do extremely well for themselves. Just realize that after 20 years of doing this, you want to be owning your own company and not working physical labor 10 hours a day...your body will not like that.

Same for hairdresser, healthcare techs (only require a 2 year degree for many), pick something you are interested in and pursue it. We need people doing all of those things and the pay is good

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a number of family members that didn’t go to college. They all own successful businesses. Two of them went to tech high schools.

They aren’t slackers “that couldn’t get into college.” Instead, they work hard and are businessmen. So when you are looking at successful outcomes without college, you need to factor in work ethic and business smarts.

Yes! If you only want to "clock into work for your 8 hours exactly" and never go above and beyond, you will have a job, but you won't advance. If you are motivated, you can eventually be management/own your own company and make more. Just like any field, those who work hard tend to advance faster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes:

Friend of husbands went to one of those computer training type schools where you get a degree in a year or 2. He's very bright and makes a great living because he is good at what he does. He is divorced with one child and has lived independently since age 18.

The guy who's company remodeled our kitchen lives in a megamansion and goes to Europe often. He did not go to college and he does not come from money. He is married with 4 kids.

Every plumber, electrician and HVAC person we have used in different locations seemed to do quite well without college degree.

Hairdressers can do quite well-mine seem to be managing it all.

I know there are more, I just can't think of them right now. Also, I know people with advanced degrees who don't navigate independent living well.

Most contractors and other trades folks that own small businesses don't make much money. Contractors go bankrupt at an alarming rate because they are so bad at estimating job costs, time to complete, etc.

My HVAC guy runs a "successful" business and he said in his best years, that he himself takes home about $150k, but it's a ton of stress for that.

His own advice for his own kids is to learn a trade and then go work for a large company...welders, electricians, pipe fitters, etc. can make a ton (with OT) working at auto companies or ship builders, etc.

I think the common thread to all of this, is you do need to have a skill.

A contractor living in a mega mansion is likely doing very well and not going to "go bankrupt". Our contractor does extremely well (I should know, he charges a lot). He constantly has work (even during Covid)---I don't have to wait long for a project with him, simply because I have given him a lot of business in the last 4 years, so when something comes up I get worked in quickly. Otherwise he's a 4-5 month wait typically. He drives a fancy Truck as well as a large luxury SUV. He's doing extremely well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes:

Friend of husbands went to one of those computer training type schools where you get a degree in a year or 2. He's very bright and makes a great living because he is good at what he does. He is divorced with one child and has lived independently since age 18.

The guy who's company remodeled our kitchen lives in a megamansion and goes to Europe often. He did not go to college and he does not come from money. He is married with 4 kids.

Every plumber, electrician and HVAC person we have used in different locations seemed to do quite well without college degree.

Hairdressers can do quite well-mine seem to be managing it all.

I know there are more, I just can't think of them right now. Also, I know people with advanced degrees who don't navigate independent living well.

Most contractors and other trades folks that own small businesses don't make much money. Contractors go bankrupt at an alarming rate because they are so bad at estimating job costs, time to complete, etc.

My HVAC guy runs a "successful" business and he said in his best years, that he himself takes home about $150k, but it's a ton of stress for that.

His own advice for his own kids is to learn a trade and then go work for a large company...welders, electricians, pipe fitters, etc. can make a ton (with OT) working at auto companies or ship builders, etc.

I think the common thread to all of this, is you do need to have a skill.

A contractor living in a mega mansion is likely doing very well and not going to "go bankrupt". Our contractor does extremely well (I should know, he charges a lot). He constantly has work (even during Covid)---I don't have to wait long for a project with him, simply because I have given him a lot of business in the last 4 years, so when something comes up I get worked in quickly. Otherwise he's a 4-5 month wait typically. He drives a fancy Truck as well as a large luxury SUV. He's doing extremely well

I understand...but literally 90% of all contractors don't do just OK or don't do well at all...and 1% do extremely well. Certainly the guys that started a design/build like Case have done well, but most independent contracts live hand-to-mouth and wouldn't recommend their own kids follow the path.

But way to miss the forest through the trees because your specific contractor is in the 1%.