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  • Could a Job as a Truck Driver be Right for You?

    Could a Job as a Truck Driver be Right for You?

    Maybe you’ve been looking into a job as a semi-truck driver and thinking about what it would mean for you. What kind of money do truck drivers make? What kind of hours do they work?

    In short, you’re wondering if a job as a truck driver would be right for you. Let’s look into that very question.

    Truck Driver Jobs

    Requirements

    First, before you can even be a professional truck driver, you need to get licensed to drive a semi-truck. The license you need is called a CDL, and usually, you want a Class A. Sometimes you have to get your license yourself, but some companies will sponsor you while you get your license.

    Aside from having the right license, there aren’t really any other requirements for becoming a truck driver. Companies usually prefer people with high school diplomas, though even that isn’t set in stone. A GED would work just as well as a diploma for most prospective drivers.

    Job Responsibilities

    Depending on the company and type of work you’re getting into, your job responsibilities could vary. However, generally, the responsibilities of a truck driver include hauling cargo from one place to another. Some drivers will work in smaller areas and could even go home every night after their route.

    Other drivers do “long-hauls,” staying on the road for days at a time to carry cargo cross-country. These drivers tend to get several days in a row off when they return home. On some occasions, these drivers will pick up hauls at their own discretion.

    Generally speaking, truck drivers don’t sweat the loading and unloading of cargo into their vehicle. The hard part of their job is all the time spent out on the road.

    Average Salaries

    Truck driving pays relatively well for what could be considered a blue-collar job. On average, student drivers make $41,000 per year. CDL drivers, who are licensed and more experienced, make an average of $66,000 per year.

    OTR CDL drivers, who have a ton of experience and complex licenses, make an average of $82,000 per year, making their job position a desirable one for drivers.

    Bottom Line

    A job as a truck driver could be right for you if you don’t mind being alone, on the road and far from home more often than not. If you can handle that, then there’s quite a bit of money to be made for an experienced driver with good endurance.


  • Looking for a Change of Career? Upgrade Your Life With These Quick Online Programs:

    Looking for a Change of Career? Upgrade Your Life With These Quick Online Programs:

    When it comes to careers, it’s a bit disheartening to think about having to change your path as an adult. You’ve already been trained and educated in your field! How are you going to switch gears when you suddenly find yourself without a job, or start looking for a change of pace?

    Today we’re going over some of the top online degrees that are sought out by people changing careers. These are programs that will work on your schedule, at your pace, and help you transition into a new career path with no fuss.

    Top Online Degree Programs:

    Accounting

    Accounting is a very stable field of work. If a company exists and does business, it has an accountant. As long as there are people doing business, people need an accountant. You can pursue a degree in accounting through many great online programs, and getting into the field is straightforward once you have a degree.

    Independent work in the field of accounting is plentiful, whether as a bookkeeper, payroll professional or freelance accountant. Arguably the most plentiful work for a freelance accountant would be tax preparation. On average, an accountant makes $68,000.

    Human Resources

    HR is a field that offers very stable work, as all large companies need an HR department. Without an HR department, companies can’t easily manage their people. If you like working with people and don’t mind defusing potentially incendiary situations, HR might be a great field for you.

    You’re sure to find ample work in the field once you get an online degree in HR. Companies with large enough profiles require sizable HR departments, making the field very consistent and stable. On average, HR professionals make around $60,000 per year.

    Nursing Degrees

    If you have a compassionate heart and want to get your foot in the door in a medical career, consider an online nursing degree. Nursing is a rewarding and stable career that you can pursue via an online degree course. No matter where you live, there are hospitals that need nurses, so the job is consistent. Additionally, nurses make good money and often receive full benefits for their work.

    Registered nurses can make an average of $70,000 per year once they’re in full swing.

    Criminal Justice

    If you’re interested in a more civic-minded career, you could look into online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field includes jobs like corrections officer, court functionaries and even police officers. While the degree itself has a wide scope, it can be pursued online and offers a great change of pace to a rewarding career serving one’s community.

    Police officers usually make an average of $60,000 per year, though that number can vary widely depending on the county, experience and other factors.

    Cyber Security

    Jobs in cyber security are highly sought-after in our increasingly connected world. While you might not think it, IT specialists and cyber security professionals are in higher demand than most other skilled labor. If you’re passionate about technology and interested in a career in cyber security, a degree in the field can be pursued online at your own pace.

    Cyber security professionals can make an average of $90,000 per year if they’re successful and have relevant experience. This makes the field very attractive for people looking for a change of pace from their existing career!

    Graphic Design

    If you’ve got a hand for art and want to get into a paying career, graphic design could be the path for you. Designers typically work for companies that need lots of graphics, such as designing logos, advertisements and the like. Graphic design work often sees lots of overlap between art and computer science. As such, it’s a highly competitive field with lots of job opportunities.

    On average, graphic designers make around $47,000. That number can vary a lot based on how much experience you have, who you’re working for and where you’re located.


  • Looking for a Change of Career? Consider These Online Degree Programs

    Looking for a Change of Career? Consider These Online Degree Programs

    When it comes to careers, it’s a bit disheartening to think about having to change your path as an adult. You’ve already been trained and educated in your field! How are you going to switch gears when you suddenly find yourself without a job, or start looking for a change of pace?

    Today we’re going over some of the top online degrees that are sought out by people changing careers. These are programs that will work on your schedule, at your pace, and help you transition into a new career path with no fuss.

    Top Online Degree Programs:

    Nursing Degrees
    If you have a compassionate heart and want to get your foot in the door in a medical career, consider an online nursing degree. Nursing is a rewarding and stable career that you can pursue via an online degree course. No matter where you live, there are hospitals that need nurses, so the job is consistent. Additionally, nurses make good money and often receive full benefits for their work.

    Registered nurses can make an average of $70,000 per year once they’re in full swing.

    Criminal Justice
    If you’re interested in a more civic-minded career, you could look into online degrees in criminal justice. The criminal justice field includes jobs like corrections officer, court functionaries and even police officers. While the degree itself has a wide scope, it can be pursued online and offers a great change of pace to a rewarding career serving one’s community.

    Police officers usually make an average of $60,000 per year, though that number can vary widely depending on the county, experience and other factors.
    Cyber Security
    Jobs in cyber security are highly sought-after in our increasingly connected world. While you might not think it, IT specialists and cyber security professionals are in higher demand than most other skilled labor. If you’re passionate about technology and interested in a career in cyber security, a degree in the field can be pursued online at your own pace.

    Cyber security professionals can make an average of $90,000 per year if they’re successful and have relevant experience. This makes the field very attractive for people looking for a change of pace from their existing career!


  • Could a Job as a Truck Driver be Right for You?

    Could a Job as a Truck Driver be Right for You?

    Maybe you’ve been looking into a job as a semi-truck driver and thinking about what it would mean for you. What kind of money do truck drivers make? What kind of hours do they work?

    In short, you’re wondering if a job as a truck driver would be right for you. Let’s look into that very question.

    Truck Driver Jobs

    Requirements

    First, before you can even be a professional truck driver, you need to get licensed to drive a semi-truck. The license you need is called a CDL, and usually, you want a Class A. Sometimes you have to get your license yourself, but some companies will sponsor you while you get your license.

    Aside from having the right license, there aren’t really any other requirements for becoming a truck driver. Companies usually prefer people with high school diplomas, though even that isn’t set in stone. A GED would work just as well as a diploma for most prospective drivers.

    Job Responsibilities

    Depending on the company and type of work you’re getting into, your job responsibilities could vary. However, generally, the responsibilities of a truck driver include hauling cargo from one place to another. Some drivers will work in smaller areas and could even go home every night after their route.

    Other drivers do “long-hauls,” staying on the road for days at a time to carry cargo cross-country. These drivers tend to get several days in a row off when they return home. On some occasions, these drivers will pick up hauls at their own discretion.

    Generally speaking, truck drivers don’t sweat the loading and unloading of cargo into their vehicle. The hard part of their job is all the time spent out on the road.

    Average Salaries

    Truck driving pays relatively well for what could be considered a blue-collar job. On average, student drivers make $41,000 per year. CDL drivers, who are licensed and more experienced, make an average of $66,000 per year.

    OTR CDL drivers, who have a ton of experience and complex licenses, make an average of $82,000 per year, making their job position a desirable one for drivers.

    Bottom Line

    A job as a truck driver could be right for you if you don’t mind being alone, on the road and far from home more often than not. If you can handle that, then there’s quite a bit of money to be made for an experienced driver with good endurance.

  • Great Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree

    Great Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree

    Just because you didn’t go to college doesn’t mean you can’t find a great job in an exciting career field. In fact, there are a number of great career opportunities that people without degrees can pursue. If your biggest concern is landing a great job that will pay you well and has room for growth, you’re not out of luck if you didn’t go to college. Here are some of the best jobs you can find that will hire with just a high school diploma.

    Great Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree

    Web Developer

    Generally speaking, web developers don’t need to have college degrees to find work. If you’re good with computers and can design a great website, whether you went to school won’t really matter. Some web developers work for one company as a full-time employee, covering their web needs, creating and maintaining their website, handling their backend tech issues and more. This is a great job for tech-savvy people who might not have the money or desire to go to college.

    Other web developers work as independent contractors and handle web services and backend for numerous companies. These contractors are technically self-employed, which makes education less important than portfolio. Contractors can set their own hours and take work at their own pace. And as creating stylish websites is a highly sought-after skill, this is a very safe career path choice. The internet isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

    Hotel Manager

    Working for a hotel is a great way to make good money without needing a college degree. Hotels generally need all the help they can get, and management positions at these positions often don’t require you have a college degree. Even if you’re not immediately placed into management, hotels are full of great career paths that could be uniquely suited to your strengths.

    For instance, if you’re a people person you can easily find work at the front desk of a hotel. If you’re a night owl, you could get a night audit position. If you like driving, you could drive the shuttle to and from the hotel and various attractions in town. Then, if you perform well, hotels often promote from within. As such, positions within a hotel often lead to management positions over that department. Front desk, catering, housekeeping: there are tons of departments within hotels that require managers to oversee them.

    This is a great way to sort of slide into a solid career by just starting at the ground level. If you keep your head down, work hard and impress your managers, you could likely find yourself in a position to manage the entire hotel by the time you’ve been there for ten years. And those intervening ten years will have you making solid money in a good field while you climb the ladder.

    Executive Assistants

    Nearly every office building needs assistants. It might sound like a very unfun job, but hear us out. Assistants play a vital role in most offices. Between those who act as receptionists, helping visitors and managing calendars, to those who help coordinate executives’ activities, assistants are a huge support role. Additionally, work as an assistant is often full-time and has a lot of opportunities for career growth.

    A few things about getting hired on as an assistant make it a great back-door into a career you want. For one, you don’t often need a college degree to get hired on as an assistant. For another, you’re working directly with a major boss of the company, so any great work ethic or talent you show is observed directly by the person who has a say in promoting you. Further, once you’ve proven yourself a valuable asset to the company, you’ll likely find yourself promoted into a position you really want and deserve. That’s literally the definition of career growth!

    Retail Management

    If you can stand the absolute drudgery of retail floor work, retail management is a good career field to enter into. Often times you’ll have to start out on the ground level, especially if you’re coming in with no degree, but that’s life. Generally, retail work is rather unforgiving, if relatively boring. For the first bit on the ground level, you’ll likely spend more time just trying to keep customers happy than anything.

    However, those who work hard and show skills with people and coworkers will likely find themselves fast-tracked to management. Smart people, with or without college degrees, can expect to move up the ladder into management positions that come with benefits and solid pay.

  • The Best Cities to Find Tech Jobs

    The Best Cities to Find Tech Jobs

    Demand for software engineers, programmers and other tech jobs has only gone up in the past decades. If you’re a tech professional looking for a city to call home and find work, we’ve compiled a round-up of our favorite cities for tech jobs. If you’re thinking about moving, we’re here to help you with your considerations. Read on to find out which cities we think are the best for tech jobs!

    Seattle

    Between Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing there are plenty of opportunities for tech professionals to find work in Seattle. Salaries for the tech field average nearly $100k per year, making this a desirable home for many who aren’t scared off by near-constant rainfall or expensive housing. While progressive tax bill proposals have stopped planning for new Amazon locations, these plans are likely to resume. Amazon isn’t the only game in town, and they’re hardly likely to stop focusing on their home city over a few tax code changes.

    Philadelphia

    Home of tons of new start-ups, the city of brotherly love is a great place for a tech professional. Salaries in Philly average around $97k, making it a reasonable consideration on the basis of money alone. As for those start-ups, they range from initiatives to increase diversity in the tech field to programs intended to feed newborns. This city is also the home of Philly Tech Week, a week-long celebration of the city’s bright future in technology. The deep history and rich culture of the city are certainly considerations to keep in mind when weighing options!

    Los Angeles

    You would’ve been surprised if this one hadn’t made the list, huh? Home of clogged freeways and gorgeous beaches, LA remains a giant in the tech field. If you can stand the traffic, there is plenty of money to be made in LA: tech professionals average $99k per year. Between the weather and the opportunities here, LA is a fantastic home for a professional, and those second-guessing the city due to the corwds, fret not. Tesla’s Elon Musk has promised a solution to the traffic problem in the form of “boring tunnels.” Here’s to boring solutions to boring problems!

    San Diego

    Sporting some crazy tech professional salaries averaging $101k per year, San Diego is a great choice for those in the tech field. Home of tech giant Qualcomm, San Diego is clearly a city focused on tech: they recently started a 3-year test program for drones with the Department of Transportation. This test program will allow for more pilot programs for food deliveries and the like via drones. Much like Los Angeles, San Diego boasts stellar weather and beautiful beaches, making it an ideal pick for professionals looking to enjoy their days off in the sun.