Video:Job Opportunities With a High School Diploma

Transcript:Job Opportunities With a High School Diploma

In today's challenging job market, you may feel you are doomed with just a high school diploma but no other higher education degree to show a prospective employer. Well, the good news is that there is a crowd of successful entrepreneurs who will tell you that is okay, there are job opportunities that await you. It's about knowing where to look.

Retail Offers Great Job Opportunities With a High School Diploma

Retail has always been a great place to start with just a high school diploma, working as a cashier or customer associate for anything from a grocery store or clothes store to electronics and general merchandise. In this role, you'll handle transactions and money as well as provide customer service and restock inventory on shelves. Be prepared to working evenings and weekends to start. Usually, the starting salary is minimum wage or just above that, depending on the retailer.

Food Prep Also Has Good Job Opportunities With a High School Diploma

If customer service is not necessarily your preferred work environment, you can also work behind the scenes in various types of jobs. One of these backroom jobs is that of a food preparation worker or line cook. While chefs undertake formal schooling, these other jobs often only require some on-the-job training. You will also have to be open about your schedule and be prepared to start at minimum wage. However, this can turn into a profitable career as you gain experience and responsibility, leading to better jobs and higher salaries.

Therapy Aides Are Fast-Growing Job Opportunities With a High School Diploma

Other potential job opportunities are fast-growing, including the role of physical therapist aide and occupational therapist aide. These involve on-the-job training with responsibilities that run the gamut from clerical duties to assistance with materials and equipment. The salary, career movement, and available positions are all very positive.

Office Clerks Are an Ongoing Job Opportunity With a High School Diploma

An ongoing job for those who like the cubicle career lifestyle is that of an office assistant or clerk. This job requires good communication and writing skills as well as high levels of organization. It tends to start out above the minimum wage rate and comes with a Monday to Friday, 9-5 type of a schedule. These jobs can start through a temporary agency or word-of-mouth but move into higher levels of job responsibility if you commit to working hard. 

Even better are the new opportunities to work as a virtual assistant, which lets you work from home.

Vocational School Increases Job Opportunities With a High School Diploma

There are many other types of jobs to consider as well that can get you started with just a little bit of training, separate vocational schooling, or an apprenticeship or internship. These jobs include everything from a cosmetologist where you can work in a salon, spa, or barber shop, cutting hair, doing nails, or applying makeup. You must attend a barber or cosmetology school for training and then get your license, but there are numerous salons and spas that are continually looking for cosmetologists. Some states even allow for mobile salons and spas, which makes for a fun environment to work on movie sets or at events. These often pay well between salary and tips.

Construction Is a Good Job Opportunity With a High School Diploma

On the other side of the career spectrum are construction jobs and swimming pool professionals. Both offer apprenticeships to learn about the building, construction, and maintenance trade. Eventually, in order to tackle certain projects, you will have to get a license, but starting pay can exceed minimum wage and offer plenty of career growth.

Entrepreneurship Can Be a Successful Job Opportunity With a High School Diploma

Finally, there is the world of entrepreneurship where people have turned hobbies and interests into their own companies -- from real estate and writing to child care and cupcakes. You name it, and it can become a viable business if you put your time and creativity into developing it without needing a college degree to become a success. Just look to Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, or Steve Jobs.

I'm Jonathon Stewart, with About.com.