1) It Supercharges Your Job Search

It does that primarily by building your professional network. Volunteering puts you in close contact with people who may know about job openings, can make introductions, or even hire you. Even in today’s world of electronic recruiting, the majority of jobs are still filled through networking, jobs you would never find any other way.

It also boosts your job-search skills. Applying for volunteer roles practices everything from writing applications to interviewing. Plus, seeing your impact in real time rebuilds confidence that sometimes dips during long job hunts.

It’s low-risk career exploration. You can test-drive different industries, roles, or causes without any risk. Many people discover their true passion or next career move while volunteering.

2) It Improves Your Odds of Actually Getting Hired

It adds real-world experience to your resume. Particularly if you’re new to the workforce or changing careers, volunteering adds tangible achievements, projects, and responsibilities that make your resume look complete and professional. Employers see it as equivalent to paid work in many cases.

You get strong, credible references. Supervisors and colleagues from volunteer roles can vouch for your skills, reliability, and attitude — often more convincingly than a short-term gig.

Hiring managers actively value it. Surveys show 81% of HR professionals consider volunteer experience when making hiring decisions, and 41% view it as equal to paid work. It makes you more desirable—and helps you stand out in a sea of similar resumes.

It fills gaps in your work history. If you have a gap in employment, as many people who have been out of work do, recruiters may wonder what you have been doing with all that time, and whether it indicates a low-energy personality or worse. It pays to be able to fill those gaps with something as praiseworthy as volunteering.

3) It Gives You New Skills And Boosts Your Mojo

You often develop new and transferable skills. Whether it’s project management, communication, leadership, social media, or data analysis, volunteering let’s you practice (and prove) skills that directly translate to paid roles — without the pressure of a full-time job.

It proves your work ethic and dedication. Hiring managers love seeing that you show up consistently, take initiative, and care about something bigger than a paycheck. It signals you’re reliable and committed—qualities that stand out on any application.

4) It Can Even Lead Directly to a Job

It can turn into a paid job inside the same organization. Nonprofits and companies often hire from within their volunteer pool first. You’re already trusted, trained, and familiar with their mission—making you the obvious choice when a paid position opens up.

So What Kind of Volunteering Should You Consider?

Almost any kind of volunteering will help your job search in the ways described above — so it’s more important to do something than hold out for specific volunteer work. But that said, volunteer work is especially helpful if you can wind your way into roles that mirror your existing skills or potential target industries (e.g., tech nonprofits if you want ed-tech; animal shelters for veterinary tech; libraries/museums for education or museum jobs).

Before taking a volunteer opportunity, ask yourself:

1. Does the opportunity connect you with people in any way? Networking is one of the biggest benefits of volunteering, and you don’t get much of that in some roles, though there may be other upsides.

2. Does it enhance or at least demonstrate your skills? These might include fundraising, client/customer service, communications, program coordination, or specific skills you have (e.g., bookkeeping, language skills, etc.).

3. Will you be happy doing it? If the opportunity looks like an unwelcome chore, don’t take it. You need to feel good about volunteering to do a good job, and part of the benefit, even apart from the practical value, is helping you to get your mojo back. It might be added that happy people are more attractive as job candidates because people want to work with them.

4. If you don’t take the volunteer opportunity, would you be doing anything else? Large gaps in your resume are red flags for recruiters, because they can indicate low energy. So it’s better to do something than nothing, just to show employers — and yourself — that you’ve still got your mojo. If you’re not doing anything else, then at least volunteer.

Next Steps

You may already be aware of local volunteer opportunities at churches or charities (Red Cross, etc.), and those can be great, especially for local networking.

If you need additional volunteering sources, here are some of the biggest volunteer matching sites. Note: Some of the opportunities offered through these sites are remote — those can demonstrate your skills and get you recommendations, but might be less likely to build your network in some cases, so bear that in mind.

1. Catchafire.org — The gold standard for skills-based, project-based virtual volunteering. Nonprofits post specific needs (marketing plans, website redesigns, financial audits, etc.). Most projects are remote and time-bound.

2. VolunteerMatch.org — Largest volunteer database in the U.S. Excellent skill-based and virtual filters; you can search by your exact expertise.

3. Idealist.org — Huge selection of volunteer gigs plus nonprofit jobs. Great for both local and remote opportunities; easy to browse by cause and skill.

4. Taproot Foundation / Taproot+ — Connects professionals with pro-bono consulting projects (strategy, tech, HR, etc.). Extremely high-quality and resume-boosting.

5. Engage (pointsoflight.org / AllForGood) — Points of Light’s platform (includes former AllForGood). Massive marketplace with many skills-based and corporate-partnered opportunities.

6. LinkedIn Volunteering Opportunities — Search “volunteer” in LinkedIn’s jobs/volunteer section or browse company/nonprofit pages. Also perfect for networking while volunteering.

7. CreateTheGood.org (AARP) — User-friendly site focused on flexible, meaningful roles—many skills-based or leadership-oriented, especially good for mid-career or older volunteers.

8. Executive Service Corps (ESC) or local affiliates — Matches experienced professionals with nonprofits needing strategic help (finance, marketing, board development).

9. MovingWorlds.org — Skills-based “experteering” platform with both virtual and international opportunities; strong focus on career growth and impact.

10. Local United Way, HandsOn Network, or nonprofit board portals (e.g., BoardSource.org, Idealist board listings) — Search your city + “board service” or “volunteer leadership.” Board roles are one of the fastest ways to gain high-level experience and connections.

Good luck!

Is It Really Free?

The college doesn’t actually say that it charges no tuition as such, but that every student gets a “tuition scholarship.” The way this works is that every student is required to work 15 hours a week (plus 40 hours for two weeks) to help pay their own way and the rest is made up for by state and federal grants and the college’s own generous donors. Students must nonetheless come up with funds to cover housing and food, fees, and books. Still, this is a pretty sweet deal. How many colleges can say their students typically graduate debt-free? This one can.

So is the College Any Good?

College of the Ozarks scores high marks in all the top ranking lists. US News ranks it at #3 overall among Midwest Regional Colleges, and #1 in undergraduate teaching in that same group. Niche ranks it in the top 10%-20% of all colleges in America across a variety of measures. The Wall Street Journal included it in its 400 Best Colleges in the US list, essentially the top quartile out of 1,700 US colleges.

College of the Ozarks offers an impressive range of majors — chemistry, biology, math, English, history, art, music, as well as a variety of professional concentrations such as accounting, engineering, computer science, etc.

It also offers something few colleges can boast: its work/study model means that students necessarily graduate with a significant amount of work experience. These aren’t just drudge jobs but include everything from working in the print shop, power plant, to the college’s radio station, etc.

A Good Choice — for the Right Person

This is explicitly a college with a Christian mission. “The mission of College of the Ozarks is to provide the advantages of a Christian education for youth of both sexes, especially those found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to procure such training. The vision of College of the Ozarks is to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic.”

This will sound dreamy to most conservatives, but those not into this dream should look elsewhere. Also, parents, this is not a place to send your kids to reform them into fitting this mold. Online comments from the students themselves reveal that those who want this patriotic Christian vision really, really like it, describing it as being part of a family of like-minded people; those who came just to get a good deal are sometimes unhappy with the college’s culture.

The college also goes by the nickname Hard Work U, a title taken so seriously it appears prominently on the college’s website. Students are expected to work 15 hours a week while taking a full load of classes. It takes a person committed to their education and to self-improvement to crank this out for four years. But the result is impressive, and as far as I am concerned makes the place even dreamier.

The college is located in Point Lookout, Missouri, an unincorporated community near the cities of Branson and Hollister, which is to say a rural area in the Ozark Mountains. Fans of the outdoors and open space will consider this a plus; those seeking the sensations of urban life will not.

This is a small college, with only about 1,500 students, so it’s a good place for an intimate college experience, but not a good place to find a party scene or the kind of large-scale athletics offered by state colleges or universities. This graphic from Niche sums up the place nicely:

Admissions are Competitive

If there’s a catch to all this it’s that admissions are competitive. The college only accepts 21% of applicants — that’s a lower acceptance rate than that of Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan, and many other top-name schools. It’s a further confirmation, of course, that this college is something really special — anything that’s a good deal has a lot of people trying to get it.

Their ideal candidate: “At College of the Ozarks, we’re looking for high-achieving and hard-working students who don’t have the financial resources to pay for a private, Christian college education. In addition to demonstrating financial need, prospective students should be in the top half of their graduating class with a preferred high school GPA of at least 3.0. They should also seek to obtain our preferred score of at least 20 on the ACT or a 1030 on the SAT. Most of our students’ grades and test scores are well above these standards [average SAT is 1159]. We pay particular attention not only to these grading and testing factors, but also to the types of courses taken in high school and their levels of difficulty.”

Additional Information and Alternatives

The college’s website offers extensive information and is nicely organized. Take particular note of the application timeline. You can also find a lot of useful information — particularly when comparing this college to others — at Niche, USNews, and PrepScholar.

But job openings in what?

I asked Grok to identify the top fifteen jobs 1) that boomers are retiring from and 2) that employers are having trouble finding replacements for.

Listed below are those jobs, along with pay levels, advancement opportunities, and how to get started in each.

Note that many of these are blue collar jobs for which apprenticeships and training are good ways to start. I previously posted on a free website that tracks about 8,000 open apprenticeships and on a training scholarship for blue collar jobs.

Electrician

Being an electrician involves installing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems in homes, factories, or construction sites. The job demands physical stamina — climbing ladders, bending in tight spaces — and sharp attention to detail. Advancement opportunities include progressing to master electrician, specializing in solar or EV systems, or advancing to supervisory, project management, or business ownership roles.

Typical Starting Salary: $40,000–$50,000 annually (apprentice level).
Mid-Range Pay: $55,000–$85,000 annually (5–10 years experience).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 81,000

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete a 4–5 year apprenticeship combining paid on-the-job training (8,000–10,000 hours) with classroom instruction (500–1,000 hours) through union or non-union programs; obtain state licensing and consider certifications like OSHA safety or specialized electrical systems.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Electrical Training Alliance | Independent Electrical Contractors

Registered Nurse

Nursing requires strong empathy, quick thinking, and resilience amid long hours, night shifts, and high-stress situations. It’s a career of continuous learning, with tons of opportunities in specialties. Advancement opportunities abound, including specializing in telehealth or home health, pursuing MSN for leadership roles like nurse manager, or becoming APRNs with 35% projected growth.

Typical Starting Salary: $70,000–$85,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $90,000–$110,000 annually (3–5 years experience).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 189,000-193,000

Best Way to Get Trained: Earn a BSN (4 years) or ADN (2 years) from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure; consider nurse residency programs for new grads, with ongoing CEUs required.

Learn more: RegisteredNursing.org | Nurse.org | NurseJournal.org

Plumber

Being a plumber is physically demanding—crawling under sinks, lifting heavy tools, and dealing with messy situations like burst pipes or sewage backups. Pay is solid, with tons of opportunities for specialization, but irregular hours and emergencies keep life unpredictable. Advancement opportunities include specializing in areas like industrial or medical plumbing, becoming a master plumber after 7-10 years, advancing to project management, or starting a business.

Typical Starting Salary: $40,000–$50,000 annually (apprentice).
Mid-Range Pay: $60,000–$80,000 annually (5+ years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 44,000

Best Way to Get Trained: Join a 4–5 year apprenticeship (paid on-the-job with classroom time); obtain state licensing; consider certifications in green plumbing or medical gas systems for advancement.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Explore The Trades | National Center for Construction Education & Research

Truck Driver

This job involves long hauls stretching 10-14 hours daily, navigating through rain-slicked highways or sun-baked deserts, and it can be a lonely job. Physical demands include pre-trip inspections, securing loads, and battling fatigue with strict logbook rules. Rewards? Competitive pay, ever-changing scenery across states, and the satisfaction of independence. Advancement opportunities include specializing in hazmat, becoming an owner-operator earning up to $160,000, or moving into management/instruction.

Typical Starting Salary: $45,000–$55,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $60,000–$80,000 annually (3–5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 237,600

Best Way to Get Trained: Obtain CDL through 3–6 week school; complete entry-level driver training (ELDT); gain experience via company-sponsored programs or apprenticeships.

Learn more: Smart Trucking | LearnHowToBecome.org | TheTruckersReport.com

Construction Manager

Days start early on-site, coordinating teams of architects, engineers, and workers to ensure projects stay on schedule and budget. The role demands strong communication skills to mediate disputes and motivate crews. Advancement includes senior roles, specialization in green building, or executive positions in large firms.

Typical Starting Salary: $85,000–$105,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $105,000–$135,000 annually (5–10 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 46,800

Best Way to Get Trained: Earn a bachelor’s in construction management (4 years); gain 5+ years experience; obtain certifications like CCM or PMP; consider apprenticeships for hands-on start.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Construction Management Association of America | Associated General Contractors of America

HVAC Technician

Daily tasks involve installing, repairing, and maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in homes, offices, and commercial buildings. The job demands physical stamina—lifting heavy equipment, working in extreme temperatures outdoors or in attics—and requires certifications like EPA 608 for handling coolants. Challenges include irregular hours for emergencies, but rewards are plentiful: job security in a growing field, competitive pay (often $50K+ starting), and the satisfaction of restoring comfort to grateful clients. Advancement opportunities include specializing in renewables, becoming supervisors, or starting businesses, leading to salaries over $100,000.

Typical Starting Salary: $40,000–$50,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $55,000–$70,000 annually (3–5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 40,000

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete 6–24 month vocational program; obtain EPA 608 certification; pursue 2–5 year apprenticeship for licensing.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | NATE Training Academy | HVAC Excellence

Civil Engineer

Days often start with reviewing blueprints or site plans, collaborating with architects and contractors to design infrastructure like bridges, roads, or water systems. The role demands strong math and physics skills, plus software proficiency for modeling structures. Advancement opportunities include specializing in sustainability or tech, progressing to project management, leadership roles like chief engineer, and higher salaries with experience.

Typical Starting Salary: $65,000–$75,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $85,000–$110,000 annually (5–10 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 23,600

Best Way to Get Trained: Earn bachelor’s in civil engineering (4 years); gain 4 years experience under PE; pass FE/PE exams for licensure; pursue master’s for specialization.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying | American Society of Civil Engineers

Home Health Aide

In this job, you enter clients’ homes daily, assisting with personal care like bathing, dressing, and meal prep for elderly or disabled individuals. Tasks include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and light housekeeping. Advancement opportunities include specializing in areas like dementia care or advancing to roles such as certified nursing assistant or licensed practical nurse through additional training and certification.

Typical Starting Salary: $28,000–$35,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $35,000–$40,000 annually (3–5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 739,800

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete short certification program (weeks to months); obtain state certification if required; gain experience through agencies.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Indeed.com Career Advice | Nurse.org

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

Being an industrial machinery mechanic involves diagnosing breakdowns in conveyor belts, robots, or presses using tools like multimeters and wrenches. You’ll crawl into tight spaces, interpret blueprints, and perform preventive maintenance to keep production lines humming. The work demands physical stamina—lifting heavy parts, standing for hours—and sharp attention to safety amid noisy, oily environments. Challenges include urgent repairs under pressure, but the thrill comes from restoring operations and innovating fixes. Advancement opportunities include supervisory or management roles via experience, apprenticeships, and specializations in electronics, hydraulics, or automation.

Typical Starting Salary: $45,000–$55,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $60,000–$75,000 annually (5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 45,700

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete 1–2 year vocational program; pursue 4-year apprenticeship; obtain certifications like CMRT.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | My Next Move | National Center for Construction Education and Research

Carpenter

Carpentry is a blend of creativity and physical labor. Each day starts with blueprints and tools—saws buzzing, hammers pounding—as you shape wood into structures like cabinets, homes, or furniture. It’s demanding: sore muscles from lifting heavy beams, dust-filled workshops, and weather exposure on sites. Yet, the camaraderie with crew members, and seeing your work endure for generations make it rewarding. Advancement opportunities include progressing to foreman, project manager, general contractor, or specialized roles like estimator or inspector, often requiring experience and certifications.

Typical Starting Salary: $35,000–$45,000 annually (apprentice).
Mid-Range Pay: $50,000–$65,000 annually (5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 74,100

Best Way to Get Trained: Join 3–4 year apprenticeship; obtain certifications in specialties like green building.

Learn more: Bureau of Labor Statistics | United Brotherhood of Carpenters | National Center for Construction Education and Research

Manufacturing Plant Manager

This job is a high-stakes role blending leadership, strategy, and problem-solving. You oversee daily operations, ensuring production lines run efficiently to meet quotas while maintaining quality standards. Challenges include troubleshooting equipment failures, managing supply chain disruptions, and enforcing safety protocols to prevent accidents. Advancement opportunities include roles like Operations Director or VP through experience, training, and education in leadership and tech.

Typical Starting Salary: $85,000–$100,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $100,000–$120,000 annually (5–10 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 17,100

Best Way to Get Trained: Bachelor’s in engineering/business; gain 5+ years supervisory experience; pursue MBA or certifications like CPM.

Learn more: Top Quality Recruitment | OnePointe Solutions | ZipRecruiter

Auto Mechanic/Repair Shop Owner

Auto mechanic mornings start early, diagnosing engine woes or brake failures under the hood, grease-streaked hands wielding tools like extensions of your body. Afternoons shift to business mode: managing inventory, scheduling appointments, and juggling staff amid rising parts costs and regulatory hurdles. The rewards? Repeat business from grateful clients, and the independence of running your own garage. Advancement opportunities include gaining ASE certifications, specializing in EVs or heavy vehicles, progressing to foreman/manager roles, or starting your own shop with experience.

Typical Starting Salary: $35,000–$45,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $50,000–$70,000 annually (5 years; higher for owners).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 70,000

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete 1–2 year vocational program; earn ASE certifications; gain 2–5 years experience before owning.

Learn more: LearnHowToBecome.org | Automotive Training Institute | Automotive Service Association

Heavy Equipment Operator

Being a heavy equipment operator is a hands-on, demanding job that shapes landscapes in construction, mining, or infrastructure projects. Days start early with machine inspections, then involve maneuvering bulldozers, excavators, or loaders to dig, lift, and transport materials—requiring precision to avoid hazards. Travel is common. Advancement opportunities include apprenticeships leading to journey worker status, specialized licenses, and progression to leadership roles like foreman or superintendent.

Typical Starting Salary: $40,000–$50,000 annually.
Mid-Range Pay: $55,000–$70,000 annually (3–5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 46,200

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete 3–6 week CDL/operator school; pursue apprenticeship; obtain certifications for multiple machines.

Learn more: International Union of Operating Engineers | National Center for Construction Education & Research | Heavy Construction Academy

Welder/Welding Inspector

Welders spend days in workshops or on-site, donning protective gear against sparks and fumes, fusing materials with torches or electrodes. It’s physically demanding—crouched in tight spaces, lifting heavy pieces—but rewarding when structures rise from your skilled arcs. Safety is paramount; one slip can mean injury. As a welding inspector, the role shifts to scrutiny. You examine welds using tools like ultrasonic testers or X-rays, ensuring they meet codes for strength and integrity in pipelines, bridges, or aerospace parts. Both demand certification, problem-solving, and a passion for craftsmanship in a high-stakes trade. Advancement opportunities abound through certifications like CWI, leading to supervisory, inspection, or specialized positions in high-demand sectors.

Typical Starting Salary: $40,000–$50,000 annually (welder).
Mid-Range Pay: $50,000–$70,000 annually (welder; inspectors $60,000–$85,000).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 82,500

Best Way to Get Trained: Complete 6–24 month vocational program; earn AWS certifications; for inspector, gain 3–5 years experience and pass CWI exam.

Learn more: American Welding Society | Hobart Institute of Welding Technology | National Welding Inspection School

Insurance Agent/Financial Advisor

This job is a blend of sales, consulting, and relationship-building. You spend days meeting clients, assessing their needs for life insurance, retirement plans, or investment strategies, and tailoring solutions to protect their futures. Success hinges on continuous learning, networking at events, and staying tech-savvy with tools like CRM software. However, the failure rate for new agents in this field is relatively high, largely because it’s a job that pays well and that sometimes attracts people who don’t have the key skills — being extraverted enough to excel at relationship-building, and having the smarts for personal finance. So before launching into this career, be sure you have those skills. Advancement opportunities include certifications, management roles, and specializations in digital or cyber insurance amid industry transformations.

Typical Starting Salary: $45,000–$60,000 annually (base + commission).
Mid-Range Pay: $70,000–$100,000 annually (3–5 years).
Projected Number of Annual Job Openings Through 2031: 71,000

Best Way to Get Trained: Earn bachelor’s in finance; obtain licenses (Series 6/7, life/health); join firm for mentorship; pursue CFP certification.

Learn more: Kaplan Financial Education | ExamFX | WebCE

I started by looking at “best places to work” lists — these are lists of companies highly recommended by their own employees, as measured by confidential surveys. Several publications such as Fortune and Forbes create such lists, as do some job sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor. In this regard, I looked for retailer and restaurants that were highly recommended on more than one top list.

I then asked Grok to determine which of these “best places” companies paid relatively well and to estimate the years of employment it would take to reach a $100,000 salary. Starting hourly pay at the entry-level is universally modest — these are essentially low-skilled jobs, but junior management positions come fast, and some of these companies offer very generous benefits.

The result of this analysis is the following nine companies.

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger is a fast-food chain specializing in fresh burgers, fries, and shakes, known for its simple menu, quality ingredients (never frozen), and cult following, with a drive-thru focus and no franchising. It’s concentrated in the Southwest U.S. (California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon), with over 400 locations but no East Coast presence.

Summary: In-N-Out ranks at or near the top of all measures examined. No other company comes close. Working conditions are highly-rated, compensation is higher than average, and time to earn over $100,000 is amazingly just 2-4 years.

Working Conditions. The company ranks #1 in employee satisfaction among restaurant chains — in a confidential survey of its own staff, 91% said they recommended working there, according to QSR’s Best Brands to Work For 2025. Amazingly, In-N-Out has been top ranked for ten years. Glassdoor concurs, ranking it #3 in its Top 100 Most Recommended Employers list. Likewise, Forbes ranks the company #2 among retail companies on its list of America’s Best Large Employers.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Pay starts at $15-20 per hour for associates, averaging $18-22, while store managers earn $180,000+ with bonuses. Time to over $100,000 is 2-4 years, often reaching manager level quickly with dedication. Advancement follows a structured 1-8 level system from associate to manager, with internal promotions common and training emphasized. Benefits include medical/dental/vision, 401(k), paid vacation, free meals, profit-sharing, and life insurance.

Wegmans Food Markets

Wegmans is a family-owned regional supermarket chain renowned for its high-quality fresh produce, prepared foods, and customer service, operating over 100 stores. Wegmans is concentrated in the Northeast U.S., with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Delaware.

Summary: Wegman’s is one of the most frequently recommended employers in the US, based on multiple separate confidential surveys of its employees. This would be a comfortable and happy place to work — compensation and benefits are better than average, but advancement would be less rapid than at some other companies on this list — time to earn over $100,000 is a relatively long 5-8 years.

Working Conditions. It ranks #1 in Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Retail 2025 list, #4 in its Companies that Care list (highest employee morale), and #6 in its 100 Best Companies to Work For (most competitive list). “The company has a very strong family feel to it. Employees are given a lot of opportunities to grow within the company and hard work gets recognized very often and in ways that make people feel important to the company.” Glassdoor concurs, ranking it #93 in its Top 100 Most Recommended Employers list; Forbes ranks the company #7 among retail companies on its list of America’s Best Large Employers; Indeed ranks it #7 in its 15 Best Companies in Retail list; and CareerCloud ranks it #4 in its list of 12 Best Retail Jobs.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Pay at Wegmans starts around $15-$20 per hour for entry-level positions like cashiers or stockers, while department managers earn $60,000-80,000 annually, and store managers can exceed $100,000 with bonuses. The estimated time to reach over $100,000 in pay is 5-8 years, typically advancing from entry-level to store manager. Opportunities for advancement are clear, with career paths via internal promotions, mentorship programs, leadership training, and a promote-from-within policy—over 50% of managers start as hourly employees. Benefits are comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match up to 50% on the first 6%, tuition assistance up to $5,250 per year, paid time off starting at 2-3 weeks, employee discounts of 10-20%, and wellness programs. Full-time employees also get profit-sharing and flexible spending accounts.

Costco

Costco is a membership-based warehouse club retailer offering bulk goods, groceries, electronics, apparel, and services like optical and pharmacy at discounted prices, operating over 800 warehouses worldwide with a no-frills, high-volume model. Costco is nationwide in the U.S. (nearly all states except a few like Wyoming), plus international locations in Canada, Mexico, UK, Asia, and Australia, with heavy concentration in California and Washington.

Summary: Costco is likewise a frequently recommended employer. This would be a comfortable and happy place to work — compensation and benefits are better than average, but advancement would be less rapid than at some other companies on this list — time to earn over $100,000 is a relatively long 5-10 years.

Working Conditions. Forbes ranks the company #3 among retail companies on its list of America’s Best Large Employers; Indeed ranks it #1 in its 15 Best Companies in Retail list; and CareerCloud ranks it #1 in its list of 12 Best Retail Jobs.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Pay starts at $18.50-$20 per hour but rises from there, with cashiers averaging around $40,000-45,000 annually, and managers $100,000-150,000 including bonuses. Estimated time to over $100,000 is 5-10 years, progressing from cashier to department manager or higher via performance. Advancement opportunities are plentiful, with internal promotions emphasized—many executives started as hourly workers—and training programs for leadership. Benefits are excellent: health insurance with low premiums, 401(k) match up to 50% on 4%, stock options, generous PTO (up to 5 weeks), paid parental leave, free memberships, and seasonal extras like turkeys. Full-time employees also enjoy profit-sharing and wellness incentives.

Publix Super Markets

Publix is an employee-owned grocery chain offering fresh produce, bakery, deli, pharmacy, and floral services, known for exceptional customer service and “Publix subs.” The company is concentrated in Southeast U.S. (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky).

Summary: Publix is likewise a frequently recommended employer. This would be a comfortable and happy place to work — compensation and benefits are better than average, but advancement would be less rapid than at some other companies on this list — time to earn over $100,000 is a relatively long 5-10 years.

Working Conditions. The company ranks #3 in Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Retail 2025 list, #28 in its Companies that Care list (highest employee morale), and #42 in its 100 Best Companies to Work For (most competitive list). “People care about you here. They provide mentorship, and want you to succeed and move up in the company. They are also always willing to work with you if you need time off.” Likewise, Forbes ranks the company #8 among retail companies on its list of America’s Best Large Employers. Likewise, Indeed ranks it #14 in its 15 Best Companies in Retail list.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Pay starts around $14-18/hour, with managers earning $70,000-100,000+. Time to over $100,000: 5-10 years to senior roles. The company has a high internal promotion (80%+) rate and extensive training programs. Benefits: Profit-sharing, 401(k), health insurance, tuition reimbursement, stock ownership.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is a fast-food chain specializing in chicken sandwiches, nuggets, and salads, closed Sundays, with a focus on hospitality and community. Nationwide in U.S. (all states except Alaska, Vermont, Hawaii), plus Canada/Puerto Rico.

Summary: Chick-fil-A has very high employee satisfaction. Initial compensation is just fair, but ambitious, hard-working employees will experience rapid advancement — time to earn over $100,000 is just 2-5 years.

Working Conditions. The company ranks #10 in employee satisfaction among restaurant chains — in a confidential survey of its own staff, 72% said they recommended working there, according to QSR’s Best Brands to Work For 2025. Chik-fil-A has been on the top ten list for eight of the last ten years.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Pay is above minimum wage — in some locations well above minimum wage, with operators/managers earning $100,000+. Time to over $100,000: 2-5 years to operator. The company has very extensive training and a clear path to advancement, including a management boot camp. Benefits: Health, 401(k), scholarships, Sundays off. The scholarship benefit is noteworthy and unusual — up to $25,000. Funds can cover tuition, fees, books, and other school-related expenses at accredited institutions, and it’s not even tied to continued employment, though recipients are encouraged to stay involved with the company.

QuikTrip

QuikTrip is a convenience store chain with gas, fresh food, and snacks, emphasizing clean stores and quick service. The company is located in the Southwest/Midwest U.S. (Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas).

Summary: QuikTrip has very high employee satisfaction. Initial compensation is just fair, but ambitious, hard-working employees will experience rapid advancement — time to earn over $100,000 is just 3-5 years.

Working Conditions. The company ranks #14 in Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Retail 2025 list. “At QuikTrip your coworkers are like family, and we look after each other and help each other grow and succeed. QuikTrip's profit sharing and employee stock ownership program has been very impressive, and it encourages employees to make a career here with no worries about retirement.” Glassdoor concurs, ranking it #72 in its Top 100 Most Recommended Employers list.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Pay: Entry $15+/hour, managers $80,000+. Time to over $100,000: 3-5 years. QuikTrip (QT) has a strong promote-from-within culture, with over 75% of store managers starting as entry-level part-time clerks. The company emphasizes internal growth through performance-based promotions, training, and mentorship, allowing employees to advance from store roles to supervisory positions, management, or even corporate opportunities. Benefits: Profit-sharing, ESOP, health, tuition assistance.

Raising Cane’s

Raising Cane’s specializes in chicken fingers, Texas toast, and sauce, with a simple menu. U.S. (30+ states, South/Midwest focus), 900+ locations.

Summary: Raising Cane’s has very high employee satisfaction. Initial compensation is just fair, but ambitious, hard-working employees will have opportunities for advancement — time to earn over $100,000 is 3-6 years.

Working Conditions. The company ranks #2 in employee satisfaction among restaurant chains — in a confidential survey of its own staff, 82% said they recommended working there, according to QSR’s Best Brands to Work For 2025. Raising Cane’s has been on the top ten list for nine of the last ten years. Glassdoor concurs, giving it a 4/5 score for employee satisfaction.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Entry-level positions, such as Crew Member or Cashier, typically range from $12 to $18 per hour. Higher roles, like managers average $86,000 annually. Raising Cane’s emphasizes internal growth, providing training and resources for progression from entry-level to leadership roles. The company supports this through development programs like the Restaurant Partner Program, LinkedIn Learning, and cross-training after six months, with many opportunities in operations due to rapid expansion. It typically takes 3–6 years for an entry-level employee at Raising Cane’s to advance to a position earning over $100,000 annually. Benefits include competitive packages like health insurance options, 401(k) matching, paid time off, employee discounts, and education assistance.

Buc-ee’s

Buc-ee’s is a chain of massive convenience stores/gas stations famous for clean restrooms, fresh food (like brisket sandwiches), snacks, and merchandise, operating as travel centers with a fun, beaver-mascot theme. The company is primarily located in Texas (majority of 50+ locations), and the Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina).

Summary: Buc-ee’s is an unusual recommendation for this list. It does not have strong employee satisfaction — indeed it may be a very demanding and stressful place, but it has made the news several times because its manager pay — even assistant manager — is very generous. In addition, ambitious hardworking employees will rise into management relatively fast. Time to earn over $100,000 is just 2-5 years.

Working Conditions, Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Associates earn $18-21/hour, assistant managers $125,000+, general managers $175,000-250,000. Time to over $100,000 is 2-5 years, advancing to assistant GM. Advancement paths: Associate to team lead to department manager to GM, with rapid growth in expanding company. Benefits include medical/dental/vision, 401(k) match up to 6%, PTO, and employee discounts.

Trader Joes

Trader Joe’s is a grocery chain known for unique, affordable products, and friendly staff. It operates 608 locations across 43 states and DC.

Summary: Trader Joe’s scores highly in employee satisfaction, with some staff even saying it’s fun to work there. This would be a comfortable and happy place to work — compensation and benefits are better than average, but advancement would be less rapid than at some other companies on this list — time to earn over $100,000 is a relatively long 5-10 years.

Working Conditions. Forbes ranks the company #1 among retail companies on its list of America’s Best Large Employers. Glassdoor concurs, ranking it #30 in its Top 100 Most Recommended Employers list.

Pay, Benefits, and Career Prospects. Starting pay is around $15-20 hourly depending on location and experience. In high-cost areas like California, pay averages reach $40/hour. Managers earn $100,000-$225,000 depending on location. Trader Joe’s promotes from within, with 78% of Mates (supervisors) starting as Crew and 100% of Captains (store managers) advancing from Mates. Time to over $100,000: 5-10 years. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage where the company covers most costs for eligible crew, health insurance and 401(k) matching. Other perks include paid time off, flexible schedules, gym reimbursement, and low healthcare premiums.

Pluses and Minuses of Retail and Restaurant Work

Pluses. There are always tons of entry-level jobs in the retail and restaurant sector — and entry-level positions require little experience, providing fast employment. Social interaction, and a dynamic, fast-paced environment keeps work engaging. These roles build strong customer service, communication, and teamwork skills.
Minuses. Jobs often involve low wages starting out, irregular hours, and physically demanding work like standing for long shifts. Dealing with difficult customers can be stressful, while weekend, holiday, and evening schedules disrupt personal life.

Next Steps

Note that the companies above are often regional, so you’ll need to see which ones are located in your area. After that, just apply! The company names above are linked to career homepages.

If you think remote (at-home) work is for you, here are the six most effective, proven ways to find it, ranked roughly by success rate for most people.

1) Target Remote-First Job Boards (Highest Success Rate)

Companies that offer remote work jobs commonly post them on specialized job boards. You can easily search these sites for jobs that fit your skills and apply online. Per Grok, the following sites have the largest volume of truly 100% remote jobs and the least scam/spam:

• FlexJobs.com (paid, but highest quality, manually vetted)

• Indeed Remote

• WeWorkRemotely.com (free, very popular with startups/tech)

• Remote.co (free, huge listings)

• JustRemote.co

• WorkingNomads.com

• Remotive.io (has a great free weekly email digest)

• LinkedIn → use the “Remote” location filter + set job alerts

2) Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile & Network

About half of all professional jobs are advertised on LinkedIn, including the ones open to remote work. You can signal your interest in remote work to recruiters by taking the followings steps.

• Put “Open to Work – Remote” green banner

• Create your headline: for example, “Customer Support Specialist | Remote | 5+ yrs SaaS experience”

• Turn on “Open to remote opportunities” in LinkedIn’s job preferences

• Post regularly about your field + tag #RemoteWork #OpenToWork

• Message recruiters directly (many post “fully remote” roles)

  

3) Register With Staffing Firms Open to Remote Work

Many staffing firms offer both temp remote jobs and permanent remote jobs, according to the demands of their customers. The following staffing firms are better known for their involvement in remote work. They are listed below with primary specializations, though in some cases they offer additional types of jobs.

• Robert Half — Remote | Finance, IT, clerical/admin, legal

• Randstad — Remote | IT, engineering, clerical/admin

• Adecco | IT, engineering, finance

• Kelly Services | Healthcare, IT, clerical/admin

• Toptal | IT, design, finance

• CyberCoders | IT, engineering, finance

• Kforce | IT, finance, healthcare

• DistantJob | IT, engineering

• Vaco | IT, finance, healthcare

4) For Tech Jobs, Also See Company Career Pages

Tech companies are commonly fully remote or remote friendly. It pays to check their websites every week or two.

• GitLab, Automattic (WordPress), Zapier, Buffer, Doist (Todoist), Basecamp, Toptal, DuckDuckGo, Hotjar, ConvertKit, InVision, etc.

• Big Tech: Shopify, Spotify, Square, Coinbase, Dropbox, Twilio, etc.

5) Freelance Platforms (Fastest Way to Start)

These sites offer “gigs,” i.e., short-term work, not full-time jobs typically. But if you need cash and have marketable skills (writing, design, coding, virtual assistance, marketing, translation, etc.), these sites are often the easiest entry point.

• Upwork (still the biggest, but you need a very strong profile)

• Fiverr (great for beginners in creative fields)

• Contra

• Toptal (higher-end)

• Freelancer.com

Pro Tip: Spend time making your profile 100% complete and get a few 5-star reviews quickly by offering small gigs cheap at first and over-delivering. Establishing a good rep early on will pay off in the long-run.

6) Focus on High-Paying Non-Obvious Remote Categories

Per Grok, as of 2025, these fields are in high demand for remote work and often pay reasonably well:

• Customer support / success (especially SaaS companies)

• Tech support / DevOps / Sysadmin

• Sales / SDR / BDR roles (many are remote now)

• Medical coding, transcription, scribe, billing (U.S.)

• Online teaching / tutoring (VIPKid, Outschool, Preply, iTalki)

• Content writing / copywriting / technical writing

• Virtual assistance (especially for executives or e-commerce)

• Data annotation / AI training (Scale AI, Appen, Lionbridge, etc.)

As of 2025, some of the easiest remote work jobs to find are:

• Customer support roles: $18–30/hr, many entry-level

• Data annotation / AI training tasks: $15–25/hr, very flexible

• Online ESL teaching (if you have bachelor’s degree): $18–30/hr

• Virtual assistant (if organized): $20–50/hr once you have clients

Red Flags & Scams to Avoid

Remote work is very definitely a real, legitimate thing. But that doesn’t mean you won’t find the occasional scammer in the mix. A few hard rules:

1. Never, ever pay money upfront — you don’t need to pay anyone to get remote work.

2. Real employers will need the usual personal information for tax forms, of course, but don’t give such information out until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the employer, and usually not until you have a job offer. (That said, legit websites, like LinkedIn or Upwork, may require some personal information.)

3. If it sounds too good to be true — like $5k/month for “posting links” — there’s probably a catch. There is plenty of legit remote work, so skip what looks suspect.

Pluses and Minuses of Remote Work

Pluses. Remote work eliminates commuting, saving you time and money. In most remote jobs, you also gain flexibility to structure your day — parents can attend school events, night owls can work at peak energy. And it allows for healthier habits, such as home-cooked meals and midday workouts. It also enables you to live anywhere, a big deal when you consider that housing can be very cheap in some nice parts of the country that simply don’t have a lot of local jobs.

Minuses. Junior employees get less mentorship, and the feeling of isolation is common — 44 % of remote workers report loneliness. Boundaries blur; when work is at home you may feel like you’re always at work. And it requires self-management because no one’s keeping you on track but you.

Next Steps

Before you start looking, make sure you are properly set up for remote work and for Zoom meetings. If you get a response from a recruiter, you don’t want to blow it by not being prepared.

Also, for any job available, there will be multiple applications. So apply for jobs that make sense for you, where you will stand out, and take the time to make your application solid. That said, it is not unreasonable to apply for 10-20 jobs per week.

Don’t be discouraged! On average it takes about three months to find a new job (longer than that for higher-paying jobs) whether it’s local or remote.

They are called Toastmasters.

How Toastmasters Works

Anyone can be a member. You just show up. Fees are $100-$200 per year, though the first day is often free as a try-out. You may choose to be an observer the first day, but newcomers usually are invited to speak for one or two minutes about themselves. Ongoing members deliver prepared speeches (5-7 minutes) on diverse topics. Impromptu speaking happens during Table Topics, where members speak for 1-2 minutes on random questions.

Experienced members provide constructive, encouraging feedback through evaluations. Over time, members overcome fear, refine delivery, and often emerge as poised, articulate communicators ready for professional and personal stages.

What good is all that? Well, there are five ways it can help you get a job.

1) Nail Your Next Interview

You’re good at what you do. Your résumé is solid. But when the interviewer leans forward and says, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Why should we hire you?” something inside you freezes. The brilliant answer you rehearsed in the shower evaporates. You mumble, ramble, or — worse — sound exactly like every other candidate.

Toastmasters fixes that. In six to twelve months of showing up twice a month, you will transform into the version of yourself that walks into a room and owns it. Interviews are just small speeches in disguise. Recruiters consistently say the same thing: “The candidates who speak clearly and confidently stand out immediately.” Toastmasters is the cheapest, fastest way to become one of those candidates.

2) Be Recruited for Leadership Positions

Joining Toastmasters signals to recruiters that you’ve deliberately invested in the single most important leadership skill: communication.

Toastmasters forces you to lead meetings, give evaluations, run contests, and hold officer roles (real responsibilities with real stakes). These experiences turn “team player” from a résumé cliché into a proven reality.

Leadership is influence, and influence travels through words. Toastmasters proves you’ve already mastered the microphone long before you’re handed the corner office.

3) Be Recruited for Sales Positions

Sales lives or dies on communication, and Toastmasters turns you into a confident, articulate presenter who can think on your feet. Recruiters immediately notice members who speak clearly, structure ideas logically, handle objections smoothly, and read an audience — all skills honed weekly in front of real people. You learn to sell stories, not just products, and to close with conviction instead of hesitation.

In interviews, former Toastmasters stand out: they project energy, eliminate filler words, and answer tough questions with poise — exactly what top sales teams demand.

4) Build Your Network — and Get Recommended for Jobs

Your club will have accountants, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, retirees, students — people from every industry and seniority level. They become your cheerleaders, your referral sources, and often your friends. Members often land jobs because a fellow Toastmaster said, “My company is hiring—send me your résumé and I’ll walk it to the director.” That kind of warm introduction beats 500 cold LinkedIn messages.

And the Toastmasters network is huge. As of 2025, Toastmasters International has approximately 270,000 members worldwide, spanning over 14,000 clubs in 148 countries.

5) Get Certified for Public Speaking

Recruiters, especially in sales, consulting, management, and leadership roles, instantly recognize Toastmasters certifications as rigorous, third-party proof of elite communication and leadership ability. Unlike many online certificates, these cannot be faked; they appear on official Toastmasters transcripts and are widely respected by Fortune 500 hiring managers as genuine markers of confidence, clarity, and influence.

Pluses and Minuses

Pluses. For next to nothing — typically $100-$200 per year — you get rapid, real-world improvement in public speaking, interviewing, and impromptu thinking. Most members see dramatic progress in 3–6 months. And that progress is certified, giving you a verified credential to add to your resume, one sought out by recruiters. Joining Toastmasters means joining a global brotherhood of a quarter million, a terrific pool of professionals for job networking.

Minuses. It does take a time commitment, one to two hours per meeting plus prep time, usually twice a month. And it requires self-motivation. Public speaking can be daunting, so overcoming shyness can be challenging particularly at the beginning stages.

Next Steps

Take a look at the Toastmasters website and find a club near you, or select an online club for video meetings. You may choose to try out a few local clubs to find the best one for you. The first visit is generally free and speaking is optional.

Who Is Eligible for These Scholarships?

Applicants must be at least 18 years old (or graduating high school seniors), US citizens or permanent residents, and enrolled — or planning to enroll — in an accredited two-year community college, technical, or vocational program. No prior college experience is required; GED holders, career changers, and even former recipients (with justification) are welcome.

The focus is on fields that “build and fix” America: welding, plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, carpentry, diesel mechanics, machining, and more. A comprehensive list of approved programs is available on the foundation’s website, ensuring funds support certifications leading to immediate employability.

The Application Process

Submissions typically open annually in January or February and close in mid-April, for the upcoming academic year. For the 2026 cycle, expect the same timeline, with awards announced in summer.

Unlike merit-based awards tied to GPAs or extracurriculars, these scholarships prioritize grit over grades. What sets these scholarships apart is their unapologetic emphasis on character. “We’re not looking for the valedictorian,” Rowe quips. “We’re looking for the kid who shows up early, stays late, and doesn’t complain.”

Applicants submit an online form including personal details, proof of enrollment or acceptance, and a recent IRS Form 1040 (or equivalent) to assess financial need — though need is secondary to ethic.

The real meat is in two 500-word essays: one detailing a “dirty job” experience that shaped their worldview, and another explaining alignment with the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge — ”Skills & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo” — a 12-point creed that applicants must endorse. It pledges commitment to punctuality, problem-solving, personal responsibility, and a positive attitude, rejecting entitlement in favor of delayed gratification. This isn’t fluffy rhetoric; it’s a filter for recipients who embody the “dirty job” ethos.

References are crucial — two professional ones from employers or instructors (not family) who can vouch for reliability and hustle. Finalists may face interviews to verify authenticity.

Scholarship Details

Scholarships range from $1,000 to $20,000, covering tuition, books, and tools only — no living expenses. The number varies by funding; in 2025, over 526 recipients shared more than $5 million, a tenfold increase in applications from the prior year, reflecting surging interest amid labor shortages.

The impact is tangible: since inception, $16 million has trained thousands for jobs paying median salaries of $50,000–$80,000 annually, often with signing bonuses and overtime.

Mike Rowe’s Backstory

Mike Rowe’s journey to creating the foundation is as gritty as the jobs he celebrates. Best known for hosting Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel from 2005 to 2012, Rowe spent years knee-deep in America’s underbelly of labor — crawling through sewers, wrestling with alligators, and apprenticing under master craftsmen.

The foundation’s mission is refreshingly straightforward: promote a culture where hard work is honored, skilled trades are respected, and education extends beyond ivory towers.

As Rowe says, “The skills gap isn’t a shortage of workers — it’s a shortage of will.”

Pluses and Minuses

Pluses. The program provides substantial aid to cover essential trade training costs without debt, and it’s open to a wide variety of US applicants (high school seniors, GED holders, veterans, career-changers) in approved programs. There’s no question that it produces results — recipients often share transformative stories of career launches in essential fields. It has a 98% recommendation rate from users and has awarded $16M+ since 2008.

Minuses. Scholarships are limited to tuition, books, and tools only — no coverage for living expenses like housing, transportation, or food, which can still burden applicants. The application process is deliberately rigorous: you must enroll in a pre-approved trade program (limited list), provide transcripts, tax forms, two references, and record a 60-second video. It’s not for everyone, due to its unapologetic pro-trade, anti-entitlement stance, which may alienate some.

Next Steps

Check out the mikeroweWorks website to get the full details, and be sure to apply by the final deadline, which is usually in mid-April.

The boom in apprenticeships — there were 667,000 registered apprentices in 2024, up from 360,000 in 2015 — is part of a broader change. The college path to jobs is in decline because of its high cost, but training and certification of skills are still needed. Here’s how apprenticeship works.

What Exactly is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a structured, industry-driven training program that blends on-the-job experience with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to “earn while they learn” in a chosen trade or profession.

These programs typically last one to six years, depending on the occupation, and culminate in a nationally portable credential, such as a journeyworker certificate, that signals proficiency to employers nationwide.

The credential is key — this isn’t just learning on the job — it’s training, working toward a valuable certification. The certification is the end goal.

Participants, known as apprentices, work full-time for an employer while attending related technical instruction — often 144 hours per year — for subjects like safety protocols, blueprint reading, or specialized software. Unlike traditional college degrees, apprenticeships emphasize practical application over theory.

Eligibility usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, being at least 16 or 18 years old (depending on the field), and passing any aptitude tests or background checks.

How Much Do You Get Paid During Training?

Bear in mind that you’re getting trained for free at the expense of your employer, so pay rates start out low. Starting pay varies widely by industry and location but typically range from $15 to $25 per hour nationally — translating to $31,200 to $52,000 annually for full-time work. In high-demand trades like electrical work in urban areas, entry rates can hit $20–$29 hourly, while rural manufacturing might start at $10–$15.

Halfway through your apprenticeship, wages typically rise 20–50% as apprentices master competencies, often tied to periodic evaluations.

Benefits like health insurance, paid leave, and retirement contributions are usually standard, enhancing total compensation, though you should confirm specifics before accepting an apprenticeship.

How Much Do You Get Paid After Training?

Upon completion of an apprenticeship, average starting salaries jump to $80,000 annually, with journeymen in construction or manufacturing earning $60,000–$100,000, and tech roles pushing $90,000–$120,000. That said, for some apprenticed jobs, like teacher aide and culinary chef, final expected pay is a lot less. Obviously pay rates vary by occupation, so make sure the occupation you’re training for earns what you need.

Most importantly, apprenticeships give you a portable credential, which will open doors to advancement for the long-term. Completing an apprenticeship not only indicates to employers that you have verified skills but also that you are capable of going the distance, sticking with an employer and a training program for an extended period of time.

Ninety-percent of those who complete apprenticeship training are given a permanent job by the employer who sponsored them.

What Kinds of Jobs Offer Apprenticeships?

Registered apprenticeships cluster in industries requiring technical expertise and manual dexterity, though they’ve expanded into white-collar fields like IT and healthcare. In fiscal year 2024, construction dominated, accounting for the lion’s share of participants. Here’s a breakdown of the most common industries, based on the current number of apprentices:

• Construction: Over 451,000 apprentices, a 22% increase from five years prior. This sector leads due to chronic labor shortages in infrastructure projects. Top occupations include electricians (installing and maintaining electrical systems), plumbers and pipefitters (handling water and gas lines), carpenters (framing and finishing structures), and operating engineers (managing heavy machinery like bulldozers). These roles demand precision and safety awareness, with apprentices progressing from basic tasks to supervisory positions.

• Advanced Manufacturing: Approximately 96,500 participants, up 27% over the past five years. Manufacturing apprenticeships focus on automation and precision engineering. Common occupations: machinists (operating CNC machines to fabricate parts), welders (joining metals via heat and pressure), and industrial maintenance technicians (repairing factory equipment).

• Information Technology and Technology: Around 64,800 apprentices, reflecting a 29% rise in four years. Tech apprenticeships bridge the digital divide, targeting roles like software developers (coding applications), cybersecurity analysts (protecting networks from threats), and IT support specialists (troubleshooting hardware). These programs often appeal to younger demographics, with classroom components covering coding bootcamps and certifications like CompTIA.

• Healthcare: 37,325 apprentices, a significant uptick driven by aging populations. Key occupations: medical assistants (administering patient care), pharmacy technicians (dispensing medications), and surgical technologists (preparing operating rooms). Apprenticeships here emphasize compliance with HIPAA and hands-on simulations.

• Energy: 25,473 participants, boosted 43% in five years. Prominent roles: wind turbine technicians (maintaining renewable installations), solar photovoltaic installers, and power plant operators.

• Education: Nearly 13,000 apprentices, a 425% surge, focusing on paraprofessionals like teacher aides and childcare specialists.

• Hospitality: 9,942 apprentices, up 76%, in roles like culinary chefs and hotel managers.

Pluses and Minuses

Pluses: The foremost advantage is financial: zero tuition debt, immediate income, and built-in raises. Hands-on learning accelerates mastery — apprentices often outperform peers with only classroom training — while mentorship builds networks and soft skills like problem-solving.

Minuses: Duration poses a challenge — three to five years can feel protracted compared to a two-year associate degree, delaying full earning potential. Initial pay, while competitive, lags behind some salaried roles. Physical trades like construction involve risks — injuries, weather exposure — and irregular hours, leading to burnout. Limited geographic mobility ties apprentices to sponsors, and classroom commitments (evenings or weekends) strain work-life balance.

Next Steps

If this sounds like a possibility for you, take a look at the available openings. A couple of things to bear in mind. First, make sure that the apprenticeship ends in a certification. Otherwise it’s just on-the-job training, which is nice but it’s not the same as getting a credential. Second, an apprenticeship is a multi-year commitment in which you only get the credential only if you stay the course. If the job is not in your area and you’d have to move to take it, that’s fine if it’s somewhere you’d like to be anyway or if the credential is really valuable, but if you have doubts think twice because you’d be stuck there for a long time. All that said, if it’s a good fit, apply!

Students with very high scores — SAT ≥ 1460 or ACT ≥ 33 or CLT ≥ 105 — get automatic admission. Students with scores below that are ranked based on a combination of their standardized test scores and AP or IB scores. In both cases, applicants must also be age 17-23 at the start of the academic year and meet routine admission requirements.

The Student Experience

University of Austin is a new college, founded on the idea of returning to a true liberal arts experience, unfettered by woke politics or limits on free speech. This is a place of zero ideological conformity— it’s more an intellectual dojo than typical college.

Classes are small (8-12 students) and student participation is expected. This is old-school style, up close and personal with professors and fellow students.

All students are required to take a core curriculum based on the great books, examining the foundations of civilization and of human thought. These are small discussion-based seminars where students learn to advance ideas and solve complex problems. In their junior and senior years, students specialize in one of four interdisciplinary academic centers: computing and data science; economics, politics, and history; ethics and politics; or literature and creative writing.

The campus is located in downtown Austin, TX, with easy access to everything this popular city has to offer. All students live in new, fully-furnished private apartments a short distance away, with RA’s and appointed staff on site. Clubs and sports, so far, include: rowing, golf, weightlifting, Brazillian jiujistu, boxing, basketball, astronautics, entrepreneurship, theatre and Formula SAE.

Who Should Consider Applying

University of Austin is for students who want rigorous debate and real-world skills. If you thrive in small, intense, unconventional settings, it could be a good fit. If you want football games, a traditional campus, and an easy diploma, this isn’t the place.

What kind of students typically go here? The unconventional nature of the college tends to attract unconventional students — many are homeschooled, gap-year, or transfer students frustrated with traditional colleges. Of course, since the average SAT is about 1450, these kids are also very bright.

Pluses and Minuses

There is no question that anyone attending this college will leave well-educated by the highest standards. That’s not something you can say about many other colleges today.

Oh, and did I mention that every student gets a paid summer placement at a startup, lab, or policy shop (e.g., Palantir, NASA, think tank)? That’s something that, to my knowledge, no other college offers. The college actively recruits top-tier tech companies and other businesses to join its placement network. This is a brilliant win-win — the college is able to offer its students real-world experience and hiring companies get to access some of the smartest young people in the US.

Of course, any student smart enough to get accepted — and graduate — is also going to be part of a rare and formidable alumni network going forward.

All that, and University of Austin is now tuition free. In an age when the typical college grad walks away with tens of thousands in debt, that’s a big deal.

The biggest minuses are all rooted in that the college is new. First, it isn’t officially accredited yet. That’s not a problem if you’re planning on staying all four years — accreditation is expected — but if you transfer out, it’s unclear what credits you could transfer. Second, the physical campus and student life are still limited. This will likely improve with time, but for now students needing structure, parties, or the atmosphere of ivy-covered buildings may be disappointed. And third, the subject matter options are more limited than that of most colleges. Attending means signing up for a classical liberal arts focus. If you want a degree in business or civil engineering, this isn’t the place.

Next Steps

If interested, check out the college’s website. You will not find University of Austin in the typical rankings and reviews, again because it’s new. So if the opportunity intrigues you, the best way to learn more is to do what the college recommends: make a site visit.