Rewarding careers not on the radar for most.

[Schrup]

Public Utilities, Power if you're smart, Sewer if you ain't. I could do niether, so I picked Water.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally Posted by JTO

Chemistry. I've never had trouble finding a job
It's such a broad field that the days of sitting in a lab with a bunch test tubes are a minor risk
Troy

Agree. That and math. You really can't go wrong. I would add physics to. That as well.

[dennis in se pa]

Sales. Find something you like and sell it. 100% commission is the way to go. Work as hard as you want. Limit your expenses so you are not a slave to work.

[apriliaguy]

Personally i think any job you love doing. Is best. I enjoyed being a stay at home dad for three years until my little one went to preschool. And now i own my own construction company. Work when i want too and put personal pride in the work i do. Right now we are working on hinkle fieldhouse where the butler bulldogs play.

[DonDavis]

Get a bachelors in whatever interests the student, then get a commission as an Officer in the military. Do 20 years, retire, then begin another career.

And I'm serious.

A young person should travel a bit, see the world. Do that while serving as an Officer and their eyes will open to the world. By their late 20s they'll know what they really want to do and at that time they can put their post-military life on track and cruise into their "earning years".

Btw, it's not just push ups, carrying backpacks and saluting. Take a real look.

[cstreit]

Id be looking at anything around unmaned aircraft... robotics... or rapid prototyping...

[Ronbo]

Accounting. Can be boring but the right position is not. Opens lots of doors and you can find work just about anywhere. Earning potential is large.

[flatbutt]

I convinced my nephew to study environmental science and math then take the civil service exam. He now has several offers to choose from.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Get a bachelors in whatever interests the student, then get a commission as an Officer in the military. Do 20 years, retire, then begin another career.

And I'm serious.

A young person should travel a bit, see the world. Do that while serving as an Officer and their eyes will open to the world. By their late 20s they'll know what they really want to do and at that time they can put their post-military life on track and cruise into their "earning years".

Btw, it's not just push ups, carrying backpacks and saluting. Take a real look.

That sure worked for my dad. He served 25 years in the air force as a pilot. He retired at age 49. He had a solid income.

[theFONZ]

I say military, but you have to do something you like to do. Too many military folks hate the job that was picked for them and resent their branch of service. Therefore, you must do research and talk to people about what you are interested in. Don't just listen to the recruiters, and pick something YOU want to do for the service YOU want to be in.

Also try to align your job with what you would like to do in the future (engineer, law enforcement, electronics, trades, medical, etc.), unless you want to stay in for 20-30 years. Either that, or do something fun and rewarding for the minimum obligation, and take advantage of every benefit offered.

This is coming from someone that absolutely loves their job, has very high job satisfaction, and makes decent money.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by AFC-911

Engineering sucks. My brain would have exploded by the age of 22...

But I'm a creative, I love my job writing & producing for TV. I'd say it's pretty rewarding when you know your work is seen by millions.

If I had to give advice? Don't follow the relatively safe path of majors like engineering or law. Do something you REALLY, REALLY want.

THIS ^^^^^

HOWEVER if you like engineering and law it does not suck. But of course that is if it is something you REALLY, REALLY want.

My advice is exactly that, pursue what you love.

BUT understand that in the beginning you may not make a bunch of money and your lifestyle will not be what "TV" says it should. The true reward with "REALLY, REALLY (want) LOVE" is the contentment and confidence that will show up and characterize one's life. Contentment is underrated but it is key to success!

What I find is that folks that pursue their passion (wisely), are simply enjoyable to be around. When you enjoy what you do, you not only get good at it, but you achieve the discipline and confidence to achieve in any other endeavor. The money shows up.

[Zeke]

I really haven't seen an answer that involved a job 'off the radar' yet. Did anyone read the title?

I think a job not spoken of much today would be in agriculture. And I think folks involved in producing food or crops for industry find it rewarding that they are providing sustenance.

Now the financial part might not be as appealing. Nor is the work easy.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by Schrup

Public Utilities, Power if you're smart, Sewer if you ain't. I could do niether, so I picked Water.

This is some very good advice, for those that don't want to be a behind the desk engineer. Some of the best water and sewer engineers I EVER met were water treatment plant operators. And it pays big. T5 treatment plant operators can make more than senior engineers.

[941MXVET]

Instrumentation, often techs make as much as engineers and only have a two year degree to obtain.

[bmcuscgr94]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I really haven't seen an answer that involved a job 'off the radar' yet. Did anyone read the title?

I think a job not spoken of much today would be in agriculture. And I think folks involved in producing food or crops for industry find it rewarding that they are providing sustenance.

Now the financial part might not be as appealing. Nor is the work easy.

Agree with what you said. Average of age farmers in California is rising but few kids taking over. Lots of innovations going on with both crops and equipment. I was forth generation farmer but got interested in government, spent twenty years representing farmers interests before government agencies. Now I'm a finiance guy.

#3 son still involved in farming, he's a diesel tech with Cat and he helps his grandparents with their orchard and repairs their equipment. He makes about 20% less than I do and has already bought a house at 21.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by mreid

Human resources and I'm not kidding.

There.....and speech pathology, sign language, learn a second language or maintain your native non English language.....

[masraum]

My daughter got her PA cert (Physicians Asst), specialized Masters. It's a great option compared to being a doctor.

I'm in IT, no degree, but I have a mind for this sort of stuff. A degree certainly wouldn't hurt. But I make good money without it.

Good with languages? I bet if you learned a couple of languages, you could probably make decent money and have some cool benefits, like travel. But that's just me guessing.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

A young person should travel a bit, see the world. Do that while serving as an Officer and their eyes will open to the world. By their late 20s they'll know what they really want to do and at that time they can put their post-military life on track and cruise into their "earning years".

Btw, it's not just push ups, carrying backpacks and saluting. Take a real look.

My son and I had this very conversation Friday. He is at VMI doing very well, happy and content. He will get a commission in another three years.

He mentioned to me during our drive back to Maryland Friday that he wasn't exactly sure what he wanted to do after he is commissioned...his ROTC advisers are recommending a number of things, many he had not considered before. They like the fact that he is incredibly fit and great at the trigger puller stuff but also that he has a knack for languages (he is minoring in Japanese and will add Chinese after he graduates). He can still be infantry (leading he hopes to Ranger and beyond if he passes muster) but he is beginning to realize there may be more to life.

My advice was, "Good."

Anyone who knows exactly what they want to do with their life when they are 18 has my respect. I sure didn't.

Best thing to do is excel at the task at had, create options and a solid foundation. Learn to write. Become proficient at speaking in public. Comb your hair. Be polite. Tuck in your shirt.

It is that easy

[ZAMIRZ]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I really haven't seen an answer that involved a job 'off the radar' yet. Did anyone read the title?

I think a job not spoken of much today would be in agriculture. And I think folks involved in producing food or crops for industry find it rewarding that they are providing sustenance.

Now the financial part might not be as appealing. Nor is the work easy.

A good suggestion.

It actually can be very financially rewarding, but it takes time...like 10+ years until you're really raking in the dough. In this right-here-right-now society we're living in, people are too impatient to stick it out that long unless they can put Dr. in front of their name.

[diverdan]

Construction management! Big bucks even to begin. Probably long hours. Friend just graduated from Mich. State U. and got a job for $70 k. He had great internships and loves constucting buildings. Howwever, follow your heart and then you will excell at what you do.

Diverdan