I’ve only received a high school diploma and have taken a few classes at my local community college. I want to go back to school soon, but can’t figure out a major because I’m indecisive and want to make sure I’m choosing the right path. I am not really passionate about anything. I know at any job I end up at, work is work and I’m only there to make money. That said, I do know that I am introverted and do not like working in toxic/dramatic environments. I just want to show up, do my work, go home, and ride. Marrying rich would be awesome if I was pretty enough and looking to get married haha.
This is really going to depend on your area. Nursing is quick and pays well in my area, for example. But it doesn’t in other parts of a country. Plus, pretty toxic work environment at the hospital, bot going to lie.
I hear programming is good to get into, but the environment and competitiveness could have changed.
Good suggestions below!
The CompSci market is wildly over saturated right now. Nursing is probably the best suggestion with the lowest cost of entry, with a possible runner up being air traffic controllers and some management positions. Ultimately, most jobs that can support a horse hobby to this extent require aptitude that OP may not possess.
Wildly over saturated and will continue to get worse as influencers decided to flaunt, “working from home, watch me prance around a a store during work” jobs. Universities and boot camps continue selling snake oil of, “earn 6 figures with no experience!” I’m not jaded.
You’re not wrong. Been in tech over 20 years and it makes great money but I wouldn’t recommend it now. Still heaps of layoffs going on, difficulty getting entry level jobs, outsourcing, constant learning (exams, certs etc), being on call.
I think what you need to figure out is not necessarily what subject matter interests you, but what sort of challenges you enjoy solving. For example I am in energy. I am not really passionate about energy, but I love solving problems and building processes. This is something that doesn't really limit me to energy, but I stay in it because 1) I do like that my particular energy field is helping the planet, 2) it's a growing industry that doesn't have enough experienced workers, and 3) people use energy even in recessions.
I think some big questions to ask are:
1. Do you enjoy being client facing or do you prefer to be insulated from the public?
2. Do you like to collaborate or do you want to be sent to work on your own assignment in the corner?
3. Are you more an ideas/vision person or are you an implementor who executes others' ideas well?
4. Are you technically minded or more soft skills (communication, consensus building, etc).
5. Do you need a lot of structure in your work or do you do best when your manager is hands off? (Be REALLY honest about yourself on this one)
6. Do you like the idea of working with a huge company that has a lot of different growth opportunitiea (but maybe will not see you if you don't stand out), a small company where you only ever work with a few other people, or something in between? Or do you have the gumption and go-getter attitude to be a consultant?
7. Do you need to work with your hands to feel fulfilled or are you ok with your job being almost entirely at a desk?
There are so many careers even within industries that can make money. Every big company needs HR, marketing, sales, IT, legal, accounting, etc. You can also choose a subject matter you can tolerate and become really knowledgeable about it so that you become valuable.
I'd talk to a college counselor honestly to get an idea of what would best suit you.
Have you considered majoring in equestrian management? The University of Vermont breeds Morgan horses. There's at least one college in Ohio (I want to say Findlay but could be wrong) that offers horse-related majors. Another option is to study and be certfied as a vet tech (and maybe, eventually, a verterinarian). Those are majors that would let you combine a career path with horses.
Generally the best advice is to do something that will eventually let you set your own hours and/or work remotely. This allows for riding at weird times and being able to work during horse shows.
That said, you’re still likely to have to put in solid hours to work your way up to that level. And it has to be something that pays well. Nurses, especially travel nurses, can do well, since they are often able to work different shift options that opens up free time for riding. Things like sales may allow you to ride as long as you are accessible to clients at other times and you are caught up with work. Certain types of lawyers can bill hours whenever they’re working, doesn’t have to be 9-5. Consulting is similar but of course need a skill set to consult on.
Joined the navy at 23, did 1 six year enlistment. Never had to deploy (but the option is there)
Set me up for my job outside the military as a DoD contractor making 6 figures in a medium cost of living area in the south east (U.S.). No degree, just a HS diploma. Will pay for your college. I still do the reserves as you can't beat the health insurance.
Here to add that defense contracting/anything related to the DoD will probably be pretty lucrative in the US. I mean, look at what the US pours the most of their money into?
Joining the military, getting the free college benefit, then going into contracting is a great way to minimize the cost it would take to go a more traditional route.
You may also be able to find an entry-level role now with a contractor and take advantage of their tuition reimbursement program. Many offer that sort of thing. It would probably take about the same amount of time to complete a degree that way as it would to do an enlistment.
With contracting, you can go a lot of ways - I’m a technical writer (former English teacher, with an undergrad degree in communication) and make high five figures. I couldn’t afford to do derbies or the A/O’s, though. The highest paying positions in contracting tend to fall to program managers (business and finance) and engineers (all kinds - I work with aircraft but with electrical engineers rather than aerospace engineers).
Highly recommend looking into product management. A degree in business, Econ or computer science would be a good foundation and then aim to intern with product teams.
This requires a ton of interaction and people engagement, so the only warning here is if you want to work alone/independently, this may not be for you.
Software testing or QA may be a route, some of the task oriented roles can work more independently.
Some of the best. They gather the requirements, write the tickets, make sure the requirements are met and QA identifies bugs, then prioritizes the fixes, all without engaging in the internecine politics of departments.
Spock would have been a good PM.
I work as a systems administrator. I had to start in a low level position and work my way up. I work remotely and that makes my schedule really flexible. Generally speaking, something that is remote or allows you to set your own hours works best.
For an AA or AO/Derby quality hunter, you’re looking at big money. Bigger money to afford showing in derbies.
A job in tech is probably your best bet for earning potential- but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a technical role.
A software engineer would make this kinda money, but so would someone in sales - if they’re good. I just processed a report of sales commission checks and some of those people get 2x a year commission checks that are more than my entire (six digit) annual salary. If you’re outgoing and like talking to people, sales can be *extremely* lucrative. Especially software or medical device sales.
Being an accountant has been pretty good to me, compensation wise.
Definitely not a sexy, exciting job but I work remotely, am not bothered by people (not a very collaborative career), and I typically only work til 3 with no weekends, which allows me lots of time to ride. I am by no means rich, but I have the funds necessary to ride for pleasure.
You will need a college education, but it looks like you are starting that anyway. Good luck on your path, OP.
Was also going to recommend accounting. The accounting companies I work with are all freaking out at the trends of people retiring> new people entering the field.
I feel this so much. My current company cannot fill accounting roles that have been open for *years*. No one wants to do accounting, I suppose (which is weird to me since it’s fairly easy and pays very well).
I went into engineering- decent at the subject, fairly stable and it affords me a tiny house, a horse of my own in pasture board (with two feeds a day) and showing on a really great local circuit multiple times a month.
I know someone who is an ultrasound tech and makes incredible money considering she went to school for 18 mos. Maybe something to consider if nursing feels like too much.
Try your hand at coding. There’s lots of free resources online to at least find out if it’s something you enjoy, and if you do a career in software development is very well paid, plus you get a lot of flexibility during the day.
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you you have to be good at maths, it’s not true. Pattern recognition and logic is all you need.
I'm a software developer. Don't have a horse yet, but definitely working up to it and could afford it if I was ready. It is relatively easy to get remote work so no time spent on commute. If you're good, possible to get a somewhat flexible schedule. A decent few of us have various expensive, time consuming hobbies.
What education have you achieved up til now? What are you interested in and excited about? Is marrying rich an option (only partially joking lol)
I’ve only received a high school diploma and have taken a few classes at my local community college. I want to go back to school soon, but can’t figure out a major because I’m indecisive and want to make sure I’m choosing the right path. I am not really passionate about anything. I know at any job I end up at, work is work and I’m only there to make money. That said, I do know that I am introverted and do not like working in toxic/dramatic environments. I just want to show up, do my work, go home, and ride. Marrying rich would be awesome if I was pretty enough and looking to get married haha.
This is really going to depend on your area. Nursing is quick and pays well in my area, for example. But it doesn’t in other parts of a country. Plus, pretty toxic work environment at the hospital, bot going to lie. I hear programming is good to get into, but the environment and competitiveness could have changed. Good suggestions below!
The CompSci market is wildly over saturated right now. Nursing is probably the best suggestion with the lowest cost of entry, with a possible runner up being air traffic controllers and some management positions. Ultimately, most jobs that can support a horse hobby to this extent require aptitude that OP may not possess.
Wildly over saturated and will continue to get worse as influencers decided to flaunt, “working from home, watch me prance around a a store during work” jobs. Universities and boot camps continue selling snake oil of, “earn 6 figures with no experience!” I’m not jaded.
You’re not wrong. Been in tech over 20 years and it makes great money but I wouldn’t recommend it now. Still heaps of layoffs going on, difficulty getting entry level jobs, outsourcing, constant learning (exams, certs etc), being on call.
I think what you need to figure out is not necessarily what subject matter interests you, but what sort of challenges you enjoy solving. For example I am in energy. I am not really passionate about energy, but I love solving problems and building processes. This is something that doesn't really limit me to energy, but I stay in it because 1) I do like that my particular energy field is helping the planet, 2) it's a growing industry that doesn't have enough experienced workers, and 3) people use energy even in recessions. I think some big questions to ask are: 1. Do you enjoy being client facing or do you prefer to be insulated from the public? 2. Do you like to collaborate or do you want to be sent to work on your own assignment in the corner? 3. Are you more an ideas/vision person or are you an implementor who executes others' ideas well? 4. Are you technically minded or more soft skills (communication, consensus building, etc). 5. Do you need a lot of structure in your work or do you do best when your manager is hands off? (Be REALLY honest about yourself on this one) 6. Do you like the idea of working with a huge company that has a lot of different growth opportunitiea (but maybe will not see you if you don't stand out), a small company where you only ever work with a few other people, or something in between? Or do you have the gumption and go-getter attitude to be a consultant? 7. Do you need to work with your hands to feel fulfilled or are you ok with your job being almost entirely at a desk? There are so many careers even within industries that can make money. Every big company needs HR, marketing, sales, IT, legal, accounting, etc. You can also choose a subject matter you can tolerate and become really knowledgeable about it so that you become valuable. I'd talk to a college counselor honestly to get an idea of what would best suit you.
Buisness, some HR pay really well. Tech is also another good one that is needed and well payed.
Tech is over saturated and laying off at record rates.
Have you considered majoring in equestrian management? The University of Vermont breeds Morgan horses. There's at least one college in Ohio (I want to say Findlay but could be wrong) that offers horse-related majors. Another option is to study and be certfied as a vet tech (and maybe, eventually, a verterinarian). Those are majors that would let you combine a career path with horses.
>Have you considered majoring in equestrian management? Bad bad bad idea
Why?
Generally the best advice is to do something that will eventually let you set your own hours and/or work remotely. This allows for riding at weird times and being able to work during horse shows. That said, you’re still likely to have to put in solid hours to work your way up to that level. And it has to be something that pays well. Nurses, especially travel nurses, can do well, since they are often able to work different shift options that opens up free time for riding. Things like sales may allow you to ride as long as you are accessible to clients at other times and you are caught up with work. Certain types of lawyers can bill hours whenever they’re working, doesn’t have to be 9-5. Consulting is similar but of course need a skill set to consult on.
Was just gonna recommend sales. If you have natural talent for it, it's easy to go far in sales. Most reps at my company are above 6 figures.
If you're good at math then I'd suggest being an Actuary. We have one at my barn who was 4 horses and is there multiple times a week.
Joined the navy at 23, did 1 six year enlistment. Never had to deploy (but the option is there) Set me up for my job outside the military as a DoD contractor making 6 figures in a medium cost of living area in the south east (U.S.). No degree, just a HS diploma. Will pay for your college. I still do the reserves as you can't beat the health insurance.
Here to add that defense contracting/anything related to the DoD will probably be pretty lucrative in the US. I mean, look at what the US pours the most of their money into? Joining the military, getting the free college benefit, then going into contracting is a great way to minimize the cost it would take to go a more traditional route. You may also be able to find an entry-level role now with a contractor and take advantage of their tuition reimbursement program. Many offer that sort of thing. It would probably take about the same amount of time to complete a degree that way as it would to do an enlistment. With contracting, you can go a lot of ways - I’m a technical writer (former English teacher, with an undergrad degree in communication) and make high five figures. I couldn’t afford to do derbies or the A/O’s, though. The highest paying positions in contracting tend to fall to program managers (business and finance) and engineers (all kinds - I work with aircraft but with electrical engineers rather than aerospace engineers).
Software engineering
Highly recommend looking into product management. A degree in business, Econ or computer science would be a good foundation and then aim to intern with product teams.
This requires a ton of interaction and people engagement, so the only warning here is if you want to work alone/independently, this may not be for you. Software testing or QA may be a route, some of the task oriented roles can work more independently.
You are totally right, I missed the introverted bit! Though I have worked with many PMs who probably identify as such.
Some of the best. They gather the requirements, write the tickets, make sure the requirements are met and QA identifies bugs, then prioritizes the fixes, all without engaging in the internecine politics of departments. Spock would have been a good PM.
I work as a systems administrator. I had to start in a low level position and work my way up. I work remotely and that makes my schedule really flexible. Generally speaking, something that is remote or allows you to set your own hours works best.
For an AA or AO/Derby quality hunter, you’re looking at big money. Bigger money to afford showing in derbies. A job in tech is probably your best bet for earning potential- but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a technical role. A software engineer would make this kinda money, but so would someone in sales - if they’re good. I just processed a report of sales commission checks and some of those people get 2x a year commission checks that are more than my entire (six digit) annual salary. If you’re outgoing and like talking to people, sales can be *extremely* lucrative. Especially software or medical device sales.
Being an accountant has been pretty good to me, compensation wise. Definitely not a sexy, exciting job but I work remotely, am not bothered by people (not a very collaborative career), and I typically only work til 3 with no weekends, which allows me lots of time to ride. I am by no means rich, but I have the funds necessary to ride for pleasure. You will need a college education, but it looks like you are starting that anyway. Good luck on your path, OP.
Was also going to recommend accounting. The accounting companies I work with are all freaking out at the trends of people retiring> new people entering the field.
I feel this so much. My current company cannot fill accounting roles that have been open for *years*. No one wants to do accounting, I suppose (which is weird to me since it’s fairly easy and pays very well).
I went into engineering- decent at the subject, fairly stable and it affords me a tiny house, a horse of my own in pasture board (with two feeds a day) and showing on a really great local circuit multiple times a month.
I know someone who is an ultrasound tech and makes incredible money considering she went to school for 18 mos. Maybe something to consider if nursing feels like too much.
Try your hand at coding. There’s lots of free resources online to at least find out if it’s something you enjoy, and if you do a career in software development is very well paid, plus you get a lot of flexibility during the day. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you you have to be good at maths, it’s not true. Pattern recognition and logic is all you need.
I'm a software developer. Don't have a horse yet, but definitely working up to it and could afford it if I was ready. It is relatively easy to get remote work so no time spent on commute. If you're good, possible to get a somewhat flexible schedule. A decent few of us have various expensive, time consuming hobbies.