What do Bill Cosby, Michael J. Fox and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas all have in common? They are all incredibly successful individuals who are high school drop outs and GED holders. While they are atypical of GED holders, their accomplishments can be used to motivate individuals struggling to earn their equivalency degree as aside from performing or entrepreneurship, there are other great career ideas for GED holders.
As student debt is a mounting consider (students of the graduating class of 2011 were stuck with an average of $27,000 in student debt) more individuals are looking for career options that do not require continuing education such as career degrees or college diplomas. Although it may be challenging to try to get ahead only with a GED, there are options that can provide a lifelong level of satisfaction.
Sales
Consumer spending is the backbone of the American economy and while part of that spending is based on consumer decisions, there is a larger segment linked directly to the skills of a sales person. Regardless of education, individuals that are diplomatic, great with people and look the part of of company rep can easily launch lucrative sales careers.
Thanks to diversity and supply and demand, there are limitless sales opportunities for a hard working individuals. The decision of what to sell can be based on industry stats (wholesale sales reps are a favorite career recommendation of Kiplinger's, product lines (beauty products and spring collections do not sell themselves), services (repair contracts, event spaces and luxury hotels require proper representation) are all ways to find a particular sales niche and people who have the natural ability to convince Eskimos to buy snow and the desire to succeed have all it takes to become a sales rep.
Wholesale reps represent companies and sell there wares directly to businesses and government agencies. A high school diploma is part of the equation; a strong work ethic, outgoing personality and a desire to succeed also help. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics the position can also be quite lucrative, as of 2010 the estimated median salary for those positions was $56,620 per year or $27.22 per hour.
Get Crafty
Tailors, cobblers, plumbers and wood workers all have different skills that untrained folks are willing to pay big money for. No matter what a person loves to do with their hands, chances are there is someone out there willing to pay for their assistance. That is why talented craftsmen can succeed with only a GED to their name.
Getting crafty can mean something different to everyone and the category can include positions such as hair styling, make-up application, estheticians, woodworkers, plumbers, painters, bricklayers and electricians. While these fields may require individuals to get state licensure and mandated certification, individuals can start picking up related job skills by securing industry related part-time work, volunteering or even apprenticing for a trained professional in a field.
Factory Worker
The industrial revolution is dead, long live the industrial revolution! Although most people are sharing the news about the new technology, there was a time when manufacturing was the backbone of America's economy. What is old is new again, and now American factories are clamoring for trained, local workers.
Trained machinists are in high demand and the supply of those trained workers cannot keep up with the demand of local factors. This particular job sector is booming and while individuals may have to relocate to states like Indiana individuals learning to learn the task and skills can build a future for themselves.
Each job will require different skills, knowledge and passion but all of them have the potential to deliver a healthy salary and a bright future. The best part is that they all provide individuals with nothing more than a GED to pursue their version of the American Dream.