Entry level jobs
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Finance an Associate's degree or certificate through student loans by taking online or night classes while working during the day.
It is one of the best financial investments you can make.
one person who lived it
Upgrade to a Class A CDL with a Hazmat endorsement to haul specialized materials like jet fuel.
One person reported earning six figures despite being a high school dropout.
- Based on single anecdote
one person who lived it
Start with a Class B CDL obtained through school or city bus programs to drive box trucks, cement trucks, dump trucks, or charter buses.
Training may be free.
one person who lived it
Take delivery jobs with major carriers like UPS, FedEx, or USPS.
Pay has been pretty good.
one person who lived it
Focus on jobs with substantial training over those with slightly higher immediate pay.
Compensation is not just about money; training adds long-term value.
one person who lived it
Use organizations like ANEW for prep and pre-training if you are a woman entering trades.
Such organizations funnel women into the trades.
- Specifically mentioned in Washington state context; scope limited to similar orgs.
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Report unsafe working conditions to OSHA or your country's work safety board.
To help future employees.
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Work as an alcohol salesman for a distributor.
Pay is solid, though pressure is higher than at breweries or wineries.
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Work in aerospace fabrication for relatively well-paying labor-intensive jobs.
It pays relatively well despite being somewhat labor intensive.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
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Seek employment in waste management, line cooking, or janitorial services rather than retail for higher pay.
Less glamorous jobs that anyone could do generally pay more.
one person who lived it
Consider starting a banking career as a teller, as banks often hire from within and offer paths to higher-paying roles like loan underwriting without a college degree.
one person who lived it
Emphasize Sunday availability on resumes for warehouse jobs to access shift premiums.
Employers offer shift premiums to combat low demand for Sunday work.
one person who lived it
Seek older, established, and larger companies for better training opportunities.
They are typically better at training than new or smaller companies.
one person who lived it
Verify job descriptions carefully when applying through temp agencies, as actual duties may differ from advertised roles.
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