Jobs after High School
College is not for me right now. What skilled jobs can I learn after high school?
Finding the right skilled job or trade begins with a few questions.
What do you like to do? What subjects do you like in school? What do you do well?
Make a short list of the classes, assignments, or activities outside of school you enjoy. Think about what you like about them. What skills do you need to develop to continue in those activities?
Here are just some of the trades you can learn more about.
| If you like to: | Explore these general fields: | Example trades: |
|---|---|---|
| Build things with my hands | Construction | Electrician, Brick Mason, Plumber, Sheet Metal Worker |
| Work with people | Service:
|
Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Aide, Firefighter, Vet Technician, Chef |
| Figure out how things work | Installation:
|
Computer Repair Technician, Mechanic, Appliance Repair Technician |
| Create | Production:
|
Machinist, Welder, Carpenter, Multi-media Animator |
| Travel | Transportation: Motor Vehicle Operators | Truck Driver |
| Work with mechanical systems | Production: Plant/System Operations | Power Plant Technician |
| Pay attention to detail | Production: Various Jobs Professional: Legal Jobs | Inspector, Jeweler, Semiconductor Technician, Court Reporter |
A four-year college degree is not needed for success in the skilled trades. For most skilled trades you will need training or certification from a community or technical college. Most trades offer on-the-job training and encourage continuing education so you can grow your skills—and earnings.
Skilled workers in demand
“12 of the 30 occupations projected to grow the fastest during the next decade are in health care.”Picking the right trade also means matching your skills to what employers need.
The need for workers is dropping in some industries like farming and ranching, electronic assembly, and other manufacturing. Health care jobs are growing more than any other field. Retirements and job growth in the oil and gas industry in Texas create excellent opportunities for welders.
The fastest or largest growing skilled trade jobs not requiring a bachelor’s degree from 2006-2016 include:
- Home caregivers
- Home health aides
- Medical assistants
- Veterinary technicians
- Social and human services assistant
- Physical therapy assistants
- Pharmacy technicians
- Dental assistants and hygienists
- Security guards
- Carpenters
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor (Table 5, 6, 8); Texas’ Top Jobs; CareerExplorere.com Ten Hottest Careers
View what kind of paychecks you could earn