Is it possible to get a job after high school? Of course, and you’ll have even better chances if you decide to learn a specific trade that you are passionate about. You can choose several paths once you have acquired the necessary skills and expertise needed. While there are jobs that high school graduates can quickly get without any additional experience or education, it is advantageous to seek to add extra value by venturing to learn a new trade. Some jobs offer training on the job, which means you will get better as the days go by and with additional experience. Notably, learning a trade after high school opens up many opportunities that can prove to be beneficial. This article highlights several fields that you can venture into by learning a trade after high school. Read along to learn more.
Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists work in dental clinics, help conduct patient screening, provide education on how to take care of the teeth, and observe proper dieting. As a dental hygienist, you will be tasked with treating gum diseases, removing plaque through polishing and scaling the patient’s teeth, taking radiographs and dental impressions of the teeth, and conducting monitoring procedures. Upon acquiring the industry-recommended training, you will be capable of fitting into this role to assist the dentists.
Cosmetologist
If you are in the process of learning a trade after high school and have a passion for beauty and making other people look good, you can choose to become a cosmetologist after graduating from high school. The field allows high school graduates with a diploma and is above the ages of 16 years. Once you have graduated, you will need to enroll in a licensed cosmetology school to conduct training and take a program that usually takes between nine and 15 months to complete. Once you are done with this and passed the state licensing exam, you can seek employment.
As a cosmetologist, you will be in charge of providing clients with nail makeup and hair design. Therefore, you will need to develop skills in haircutting, application of manicure, pedicure, facials, and the removal of makeup. Most of these jobs are available at the beauty salons, while other individuals prefer to go into self-employment.
Plumber
Joining plumbing is another avenue after learning a trade after high school. Plumbers are hands-on individuals who conduct a series of repair, installation, and maintenance tasks. After attaining the industry-specific requirements, you will be tasked with installing valves and fittings, repairing and maintaining drainage systems, diagnosing plumbing emergencies and offering practical solutions to them, and collaborating with construction professionals.
The job description of plumbers is vast and covers services such as the installation of appliances such as water softeners, refrigerators, water heaters, and dishwashers. You will need to possess skills such as dexterity and precision with a good physique to withstand strenuous work conditions for long hours in, at times, confined spaces as you offer a plumbing service.
Roofer
For individuals who have graduated from high school, have a passion for construction, and are intent on learning a trade after high school, they can gain expertise in the roofing industry. Roofers offer services such as repairs, installation, and replacement of commercial and residential roofs. The repair works may range from replacing broken tiles, repairing leaks, and installing new roofing.
As a roofing contractor, you will be tasked with responsibilities such as conducting pre-inspection of roofs to determine the best solutions for repair or replacement. You will also be tasked with giving estimations and measurements for the materials required in a given project, leveling roof surfaces, installing materials such as asphalt and shingles, and finally, cleaning up the project site.
Photovoltaic Solar Installer
To become a photovoltaic solar installer, you only require your high school diploma as the educational requirement. Companies that deal with this task also offer on-job training to those individuals who want to pursue it. You will be expected to install and maintain the solar photovoltaic systems with regard to the schematics and industry-standard requirements.
The job entails assembling, measuring, bolting, and cutting structural frames and solar modules. As a photovoltaic, your job will mainly revolve around the conversion of light to electricity through the panels. You will also include concentrators, fans, solar collectors, and fans in the solar system, perform routine maintenance on the conditioning equipment, structural systems, module maintenance, and weather sealing.
Construction Worker
The construction industry is growing by the day with new designs and styles all over the world and therefore eases the process of learning a trade after high school. Several new structures are being erected every day, with old ones being remodeled to modern standards in several construction sites. With a high school diploma, completing an apprenticeship program, taking the OSHA certifications, and clearing the specialty certifications, you will have attained the required training needed to become a construction worker.
As a construction worker, you will engage in responsibilities such as custom home building, construction of office space for sale, preparation of materials and sourcing of tools needed in the construction site, and assisting the contractors.
HVAC Technician
A high school diploma is a minimum requirement in most states to become an HVAC technician. If you wish to pursue this profession and are keen on learning a trade after high school, you will be expected to pursue a certificate course in HVAC between nine months and one year after graduating from high school. You will then complete an apprenticeship to gain hands-on skills as you work with other qualified technicians and gain on-job training with an HVAC company. Certifications are essential if you wish to beat the competition, especially the NATE certification in this case.
Some of the responsibilities that you will be expected to undertake include installing HVAC systems, repairing air ventilation, and maintaining the conditioning systems. You can also choose to work as an AC contractor to diagnose mechanical and electrical faults in HVAC systems, conduct emergency repairs, comply with standards and offer technical expertise.
Exterminator
An exterminator identifies pests that are invasive such as snakes, rats, mosquitos, wasps, bed bugs, and gets rid of them either through traps or bait. They are also in charge of spraying gases and applying chemical solutions in different places to eliminate the pests. As an exterminator, you will be responsible for inspecting buildings, conducting cost estimations.
If you want are intent on learning a trade after high school and want to become an exterminator, you need to have a high school diploma and complete a training program in pest control. You should ensure that the school is recognized by the pesticide regulatory board in your state. The training, in most cases, takes about three months to complete. Lastly, you need to get hands-on skills through an on-the-job training opportunity, after which you become certified. Remember that you must have a license in order to execute your mandate as an exterminator.
Landscaper
A landscaper is tasked with caring or cultivating the grounds or landscaping surrounding a given commercial or residential building. As an individual who is in the process of learning a trade after high school, you will be expected to tender for the flower beds, mow the lawn and landscape the bushes, shrubs, flowers, and grass. Tree cutting, shoveling snow on walkways, sweeping debris, pulling weeds, and trimming shrubs encompass some of the manual tasks that landscapers perform.
You will also be expected to know how to handle and work with tools and equipment such as chainsaws and other dangerous equipment. The benefit of this job is that you can work anywhere since the skills and responsibilities are always required. These places include museums, conservation sites, state parks, and offering services to residential clients.
Auto Mechanic
After graduating, you can decide to pursue a job in the automotive field as an auto mechanic in the process of learning a trade after high school. In order to fully qualify to be in this profession, you will be required to attend an auto mechanic program from a trade school to gain the necessary essential skills for this job. Once you attain the required skills, you will need a job to go through employer training which also helps you gain hands-on skills with on-job training. To become more efficient, it would be a great idea to consider pursuing certifications in auto mechanics to increase your knowledge base and gain expertise.
Some of the responsibilities that you will be tasked with as an auto mechanic include conducting inspections, diagnostics, and test drives, diagnosing and repairing the electrical and mechanical components of the vehicles, checking the diesel performance, and replace windshields. You will also flush and replace fluids, replace and repair breaks, and perform oil changes.
Welder
Most careers in welding require you to have a diploma from high school as a minimum requirement. If you are keen on joining this field, you will need to choose a welding course since different options are available. The certifications that you will need are specific to the option you pick. The welding certification takes about six months to two years, after which you can seek hands-on experience through an apprenticeship.
As a welder, you will perform tasks such as interpreting the drawings and blueprints in different plans, setting up welding components regarding job specifications, and inspecting surfaces that have been welded. You will also have to understand how to operate grinders, semi-automatic equipment, and repair machinery. This job both offers satisfaction as well as lays a foundation for constructing solid infrastructures.
Home Health Aide
Home health aides help take care of sick, disabled, or aged individuals who cannot take care of themselves on their own. The responsibilities of the home health aides include monitoring the medication given to the patients, offering companionship, preparing a plan, and helping with housekeeping needs. When serving as a home health aide, you will have to understand how to check the patient’s vital signs, use the ventilator, and administer medication.
Power Plant Operator
Once you have completed your high school studies, you can decide to pursue the path to becoming a power plant operator. Trade schools offer the option of completing this vocational training after high school graduation. You will also have to acquire specialized certification to show that you have attained the necessary skills to perform the tasks. It would also be advisable to seek hands-on experience through an apprenticeship if companies need experienced individuals and do not offer on-job training.
Power plant operators are responsible for operating equipment and machinery at the different facilities responsible for production. As a plant operator, you will have to ensure that every process is completed with guaranteed safety and efficiency. As a power plant operator, you may have to handle water turbines, electric generators, and nuclear reactors. Part of the duties will include monitoring, operating, and conducting maintenance on the power plants.
Having graduated from high school offers you the opportunity to pursue several different career paths depending on your interest and passion. Highlighted above are some of the jobs that learning a trade after high school may grant you upon graduation. Whether you have graduated or not, it is never too early to start planning your options and redirecting your efforts towards the career choice you are most passionate about. Apart from the desire and passion you have, take a moment and reflect on whether you love working with people, whether you love working and fixing things with your hands, and if you prefer working in an office or in an outdoor setting. Learning a trade after high school offers many opportunities, so consider enrolling in a program.