There are two types of people at work—one who loves what they are doing and make a living out of it; and one who does the job for the sole purpose of surviving. Many of us may have felt stuck in a job that we don’t really like, a job or career we pursue either because we feel like we are trapped in it, have no other choice, or are too afraid to try new things and follow an uncertain path.
In most cases, we get to choose our own careers. But there are also instances, particularly among Asian households, where children were groomed, and their parents predetermine their career choices. While this is common in Asian culture, it happens anywhere and everywhere. Most teens do not feel the need to stand up for their own choices because, as the old saying goes, parents know best.
Most people want something convenient, even if that means not pursuing your passion and letting someone make decisions that will directly impact your life. While this might seem a sound and logical decision to you back when you were a teen who didn’t know any better, things can change in a matter of years, and suddenly, you are already in your thirties feeling just as lost as you did a decade ago.
You are lucky if you learn to love the career that someone else has chosen for you. If it’s something you want to pursue for the rest of your life until you retire, then well and good. But if you are someone stuck in a job you hate, it’s not yet too late! Whether you have a passion you want to finally chase or want to try and find something new to do, there are many alternative careers you can choose to pursue without the need for a college degree.
EMT and Paramedics
Not everyone has the privilege to go to medical schools and pursue a degree in medicine. Tuition fees are no joke and can range from $37,000 to $62,000 a year. This is why many aspiring doctors or nurses are discouraged from further pursuing this career. But if saving lives is your passion, you don’t need to spend that much. You can still save lives without that M.D. by getting EMT training.
EMT, or emergency medical technicians, are typically the first to respond to emergencies. Paramedics, on the other hand, are just like EMTs. However, EMTs and paramedics have different roles. The latter can perform more complex procedures. But do note that you need to be a certified EMT first before you can become a paramedic.
Paramedics, just like nurses and doctors, save lives. In fact, they probably have an even more important role to play because they are trained to respond in life-and-death situations.
There are affordable courses you can take to become a certified EMT, so you can pursue your passion for saving lives!
Freelance Writing
Many people think there is not much money in writing. Some don’t even consider writing a job. But that is not true. While the minimum wage per hour is 7.25 dollars, experienced writers can get paid up to 24.12 dollars on average.
One of the advantages of freelance writing is that you don’t need to have a permanent boss, and you get to work for people you choose. It is because the job is project-based. You wouldn’t need to be stuck working with and for people for months or years whose interests or work ethics do not align with yours.
Formal education is not usually a requirement for applying as a freelance writer, but there are short courses you can take to hone your writing skills further.
Web Development
You can take many paid and free courses online if you want to try writing codes and programming. Web developers are very in demand. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 13 percent growth in web developers by 2028 as more and more people are using mobile devices.
Like freelance writing, one can learn many programming languages without a degree but note that some companies may require one. Fortunately, many small businesses employ freelance web developers with reasonable remuneration. Another advantage is you can take online courses for web development at your own pace.
Whether you have a passion for arts, medicine, or even computer programming, there are many alternative careers and jobs you can pursue. It is never too late to switch careers. Life is too short to waste it on a job that does not give you satisfaction and happiness.
