Congratulations, you’ve made to graduation and now your at the crossroads of life. You could spend the summer partying, or spend the summer working. Just so you know, life is expensive, so even if you don't continue school for another four years (or put it off until later in your career), there are still a surprising number of career opportunities for those with a high school diploma. With many career paths providing on-the-job training these days, it's often possible to move up into higher-paying positions without an additional degree. Here's a look at jobs you can get right after high school, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator:
Average annual salary: $55,373
Working in malls, warehouses, hotels or large office buildings, stationary engineers manage the complicated ventilation, and heating and air-conditioning systems in these buildings. Stationary engineers oversee heat, electricity and cooling equipment in order to maintain optimal conditions in the work environment.
Desktop Publisher:
Average annual salary: $46,524
Using computer publishing software, desktop publishers produce printed materials like brochures, books and magazines.
Quality Control Inspector:
Average annual salary: $46,378
Maintaining the quality of products in any industry, inspectors work hard to make sure customers are getting exactly what they paid for. Testing vehicles, clothing, food and even electronic components means there is plenty of work variety to adjust to different interests.
Floral Designer:
Average annual salary: $45,234
A dream job for aspiring creative types, floral designers come up with unique ways to present flowers. Using live or faux flowers, greenery, embellishments and vases, floral designers sell their work for occasions like weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties and funerals.
There you go, a few jobs out there that will give you valuable training as well as maybe a few bucks. It will be a lot of hard work to advance, but with persistence and of course the right attitude, you can excel in these fields.
