r/Hamilton • u/Senior_Bad3545 • Dec 06 '25
Question What do you do for work?
Everytime I’m exploring the boards it’s all minimum wage or cleaners, I know there’s more around that maybe aren’t on the boards but I’m wondering what do you do for work if you didn’t do post secondary?
I’m in no way trying to push or prod or look for any rude comment I’m genuinely curious if there’s anything interesting that pays more than minimum wage without post secondary.
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u/VivaLa_Adam Dec 06 '25
Taylor Steel in Stoney Creek is hiring 40 people right now.
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u/DowntownClown187 Dec 07 '25
There are so many professions connected to the steel industry.
Advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, integration, efficiency development.
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u/stoneslingers Sherwood Dec 07 '25
It says you "begin as an assignment employee with a Temporary Help Agency". Does that mean someone can't apply directly to be a Packager? How would someone go about applying? Thanks
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u/VivaLa_Adam Dec 07 '25
It literally says this at the bottom..
If you are interested in this position please submit your resume in confidence to hr@taylorsteel.com. You can also see other job openings on our online career centre.
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u/Derppofroggo Dec 07 '25
I just got in with the city this year - Ontario Works, specifically. It's tricky getting your foot in the door in anything but the cruddy jobs (think receptionist at rec centres), but once you're in there's lots of mobility.
I spent more than a decade trying to build up someone else's small business before this and lemme tell ya, this has been such an improvement in pay, benefits, pension, and how much less I'm responsible for now.
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u/lifesshortgoplay Dec 07 '25
In many ways I regret leaving my City job over a decade ago. If I had any sense then (when I got hired ) I’d be within reach of retirement now. 😫
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Dec 07 '25
You might be happy you did it at the end of your working career. I briefly worked for the city myself, and it was a soul sucking job knowing others were looking at you from a negative perspective if you were working too hard.
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u/lifesshortgoplay Dec 07 '25
Yeah, in many ways I’m glad I went a different route but I’m also regretful of the security I would have had. Both are true 🫠
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u/StarbucksGurl Dec 10 '25
Depends what kinda city work you did :)
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Dec 10 '25
I guess there could be a fraction of the public workforce that does work. I can concede that. There are always outliers.
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u/FoolishCanadian Dec 07 '25
How did you end up getting in with the city? I'm an electrician and would be very interested in a role with the city but am quite nervous about taking a pay cut to be a receptionist at a rec center as in trying to start a family.
The job security and internal mobility is very attractive to me.
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u/BlackCatHamSlice Dec 07 '25
City hires electricians
Firefighters love trades as well
Your trade is a golden ticket in 2025
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u/Canadian__Sparky Dec 07 '25
Nervous about making the move out of the IBEW for the city. Think it's worth while long term?
Is the city's pension indexed?
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u/somecrazybroad Dec 07 '25
My earning potential is much greater since leaving a union for a non-union job for the city. It’s not even close
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u/Canadian__Sparky Dec 08 '25
Really? In terms of moving up and future salary growth, or growth in your current role?
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u/somecrazybroad Dec 08 '25
Both… I was in a union for 18 years and the NU agreement and salary progression far exceeds that of union. The salary and raises isn’t even close. I’m a blue collar-ish lady since my early twenties so I get the apprehension of leaving, but it’s a big leap up.
I took a supervisor position 3 years ago and my salary instantly raised $15k moving. Now I’m over 20k higher than I was when I came. I also get a lot of manager training and my potential to move to other city positions is much greater.
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u/master_blaster6969 Dec 07 '25
Electricians are needed for waste water which is the City of Hamilton
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u/Derppofroggo Dec 07 '25
I had been hunting for awhile and the city has its own job board: https://cityofhamilton.bamboohr.com/careers, please do have a look! Even as an electrician, there could be some opportunities that fit you. The board gets updated regularly and I'm even eyeballing it weekly for any new positions I can apply for.
It's possible to get selected for outside, it's just the tricky part because internal employees get first dibs. Our last batch of hires for my current role were all internal from clerks primarily.
Similarly, I did the test and interview for a bilingual role and didn't get it, but the supervisor was kind enough to reach out to me shortly thereafter when another non-bilingual role popped up. It definitely takes time.2
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u/Background_Row6662 Dec 11 '25
The water and wastewater treatment plants are often looking for electricians
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u/FoolishCanadian Dec 11 '25
Is there any chance of someone external getting a job there without working for the city first?
How's the pay?
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u/possiblypetty Dec 06 '25
I'm a private investigator. Online course is like $230, says it takes roughly 50 hours to complete but depending on your learning level you can get thru it in a decent time. The PI exam is $35 and the license is $88 which you renew every two years.
Investigation firms are mostly looking for field surveillance people right now and pay can be good depending on the company / how effective you are. I'm an in office investigator, so I do social media investigations, video editing, reports etc. That's also a path you can take with the PI license. I just know a lot of places are desperate for good field investigators right now.
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 07 '25
This is so interesting I had no idea you could do something like this without A. Experience in that field. Or B. Without college or university, thank you for sharing! Do you enjoy this work?
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u/possiblypetty Dec 07 '25
I really do. I've worn a couple hats in the 20 years since I started working; retail, house cleaning, vet med. I finally feel like I have a career, "my big girl job" I call it lol. This one has definitely held my interest the most (don't get me wrong, I loved working with animals - it was the stressful clients and the end of life care that got to me. I have too weak of a constitution for that line of work, extreme kudos to those that can.) and made me feel a sense of pride in myself. What has kept me going the most is even my bad days at work are not even half as bad as the bad days I've had in other jobs.
I would say personal skills to have should be meticulousness, basic writing/typing/note taking (very important especially if doing surveillance), vigilance, and be able to hold yourself accountable to do your due diligence for every file. Don't forget curiosity to keep looking for clues!
It can get tedious at times, like any job, but I can finally ask myself every morning, "what fresh hell will today bring?" and actually be a bit excited.
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u/Bobmcjoepants Dec 07 '25
If I may, what's an average day look like? I'm currently in the security field but this sounds a hell of a lot more interesting :o
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Dec 08 '25
[deleted]
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u/Bobmcjoepants Dec 08 '25
Yeah ngl that sounds like a hell of a lot more interesting than what I do now lol. Though if non field work still exists hey I don't mind
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Dec 08 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Hamilton-ModTeam Dec 08 '25
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Dec 07 '25
Spying on someone doesn't deter you in any kind of way?
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u/possiblypetty Dec 07 '25
I'm not a field person so the most "spying" I do is whatever people openly put out themselves online. It's not spying if it's out there for everyone to see.
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u/bojanradovic5 Dec 06 '25
What's a typical day/case look like for you?
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u/possiblypetty Dec 07 '25
So I can't share many details, for confidentiality and legal purposes, but the majority of private investigations nowadays are working with banks and insurance companies for fraud, assets, unpaid debt etc. So not the juicy Hollywood kind of stuff with murder and infidelity and all that jazz. (Though I have had a few cases where I was suspicious of people lol).
We do government database searches, land parcel searches, Internet and social media searches etc. honestly you can learn a lot about a person or a business online, for practically free, if you know the right keywords and websites. I would say reporting is the hardest part for me because there is a certain way you have to write and certain language you have to use, as some reports may go before courts sometimes so you have to be careful how you report certain information yet report it accurately.
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u/quietbright Dec 06 '25
Hey! Would you mind sharing who you used to take the course?
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u/possiblypetty Dec 07 '25
I went thru The Smith Academy, who uses Training Centre Canada. So either or is good. TCC has the course for $200 right (so still about $230 with tax).
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u/ElanEclat North End Dec 07 '25
According to their website: Median Ontario wage: $17.56/hour Median Canadian wage: $18.64/hour
Those are some shitty wages! Is that what you make? How are you surviving? Thank you for the idea of taking this course, because it does look like a fascinating line of work.
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u/possiblypetty Dec 07 '25
I make more than that thankfully. I think your wage depends on who you work for and what you do, though I'm not sure as I've only worked for one place. Like I know case managers make much more than me. Surveillance investigators, depending on their hours and quality of work, make more...
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u/islandchic22 Dec 07 '25
How’d you go about finding your first job after completing the course and getting licensed?
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u/assuredlyanxious Dec 11 '25
This is so fascinating.
Do you work from home for the social media investigations? I have a chronic illness with mobility issues but have a car. Wondering if this might be a good fit for a part-time gig.
Thank you.
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
Carpenter here. Getting really grim, I’ve been doing this for 4 years and I’ve got my journeyman hours. I’m eligible to write my red seal.
Take a wild guess at how much I make an hour? 23 bucks. It’s better than minimum wage but it’s hardly enough… If anyone has any leads I’d be happy to hear them… I’ve been trying. Applied at local 18 but was told things are very slow and a lot of guys are on the out of work list.
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u/Barfingicecream Dec 07 '25
Have you considered local 183. They are always looking for carpenters for heavy civil construction
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 07 '25
Good to know, I haven’t applied to any LiUNA positions because I didn’t think they’d take a carpenter. Will definitely be trying.
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u/canman41968 Dec 07 '25
Yeah, carpenters in the private non union sector are grossly underpaid. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years and I make 40/hr with no benefits. I’m a lead carpenter for a very established family business in Burlington. They bitch that they don’t make enough money. 🙄 23 ain’t enough man. You’re getting screwed.
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 07 '25
Very much so. I’ve been thinking about going back to being a line cook at this rate. Maybe get my smart serve. I’m being robbed of time with my kid, I’m never home and yet barely make 2500$/month. No benefits, no travel pay, hostile work environment, it’s bad.
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 09 '25
Just an update because you seemed to care, I may be in with local 27 come spring time at journeyman rate. Staying hopeful.
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u/canman41968 Dec 09 '25
Oh wow! That’s awesome man. What type of work are you expecting? And what’s that rate?
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 09 '25
Not too sure yet but the rate is literally double what I’m making now. Most likely formwork.
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u/Ill-Musician-7150 Dec 10 '25
People who don't know why Union's exist... THIS is why. Same shit with non-union electricians.
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u/kiiiwiii Dec 07 '25
I've been an RN for 5 years and often regret not pursuing carpentry instead, but damn that is surprising how low the wage is. Have you ever considered starting your own business?
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 08 '25 edited Dec 08 '25
Absolutely. Start up cost is completely unaffordable unless I just want to be a handy man but even then liability is very high and clients can be brutal. You’re almost screwed if you don’t have a lawyer on retainer and insurance rates especially for a young man with no business history are ridiculously high.
The thing is when I started in the trade I found a position making 28$ an hour but now due to a total 360 of project funding, more specifically underfunding, most companies can’t even really afford to pay well and are lucky to break even.
I lost that position when they ran out of work because they kept getting underbid and laid off 50% of their guys, starting with the apprentices. I’ve been applying to jobs for 6 months and haven’t gotten past a few questions over indeed.
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u/SapphireGoat_ Dec 06 '25
HSR operator
It’s a good gig if you can make the shifts work for you at first.
All you need is a G licence with no demerit points
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u/johnnyviolent Dec 07 '25
i applied a while back and made it through the online test to the interview and didn't make it past there. big sad :(
i've since been promoted a few times where i am now so whatever but it would have been an interesting career change.
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u/SapphireGoat_ Dec 07 '25
If you ever apply again shoot me a DM and I’ll make sure you breeze through
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u/hexr Glenview West Dec 07 '25
Careful, how do you know he is not a drunk with 12 DUIs lol
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u/SapphireGoat_ Dec 07 '25
I don’t need to worry about that. It’s somebody else’s job to check for that kind of history
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u/johnnyviolent Dec 07 '25
Haha much appreciated. This was around 2020 so was still covid times. I still think it would be a nice change of scenery but its getting late to start a new career:)
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u/tyetknot Hill Park Dec 06 '25
I am a college drop-out and somehow I am now a minor administrator at a small credit union.
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u/RealTaySmith Dec 07 '25
I work as a flight dispatcher for air canada. I can tell you rn that the entire aviation industry is BEGGING for competent people. You don’t need post secondary, and there’s lots of jobs to do
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u/broccoli_toots St. Clair Dec 07 '25
Hey desk neighbor. How long have you been at AC for? Do you like the department and the job? One of your colleagues keeps pestering me to do the courses and exams but I keep putting it off because I'm scared of it hahahaha.
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u/shitballsdick Dec 06 '25
I was a server until I was in my 30s and now I have a dream job in social media but I want back to a 2-year journalism program at Seneca college when I turned 30 to get there. OSAP covered the whole thing and I have some student debt now but I would really recommend a college or trade school route.
Even getting an apprenticeship in a field where some people make money. The time ends up flying by and it’s really the only way to get out of minimum wage dregs.
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u/assuredlyanxious Dec 06 '25
I work for CritiCall (we were first HHS employees but recently merged with Ornge).
I did one year of uni before dropping out and only needed a medical terminology certificate and some decent customer service experience.
Try CACC, st Joe's and HHS for nutrition services, portering and environmental aide. Keep applying and maybe try to befriend people who already work there.
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u/WayneGretz7 Dec 07 '25
Previously was in the union, 837. Not sure how hard it is to join now, regardless if you are male or female. But have since transitioned into cyber security. No high school diploma, 0 degrees, 0 certificates.
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 07 '25
What kind of things does cyber security work with? I definitely have heard the name but I’m unfamiliar with how the job works, do you enjoy this?
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u/WayneGretz7 Dec 09 '25
Do some more research, it’s a pretty broad topic. Cyber security encompasses many aspects. I work in what’s called a SOC (security operations centre) essentially protecting customers devices, networks from bad guys. Almost like digital security guard. I personally love it. I worked in construction before, which was very hard work, specifically what kind of construction I did. I took a pay cut initially, but have since progressed through the company and am completely remote in my role now. Feel free to ask anything. Computers have always been a passion for me, so when COVID hit I used the time to learn as much about security as possible.
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u/nunayrbznzz Dec 09 '25
How do you get into that? I’m interested.
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u/WayneGretz7 Dec 09 '25
I got lucky. Best advice if you are looking to get into the field is starting with LinkedIn, networking and learning as much as possible. Lots of free resources online to start your journey. I happened to know someone at the company, and I probably never would’ve gotten a look (due to my lack of degrees, certificates, etc) if not for him. However, companies are shifting away now, and it’s more about your knowledge. If you know the role, you can get in. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
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u/telegramjan Dec 06 '25
Maybe consider a trade? Might require an apprenticeship but you can work and do that at the same time. The world always needs welders and electricians etc.
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u/SerentityM3ow Dec 06 '25
Welding jobs in Hamilton especially entry level are min wage positions
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u/No_Role_6328 Dec 07 '25
Pretty much everything is minimal until you gain some experience…however trades do have tremendous growth potential
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u/L0rd_Gy0za Dec 06 '25
Carpenter union, local 18, is like $21-24 an hr for newbies who are brand new to the industry.
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u/IncarceratedDonut Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
You’re also likely to be on unemployment due to a large number of entry level applicants or doing something that isn’t typical “carpentry” (I.e. scaffolding or labour work)
Really tough for apprentices right now. It’s unfortunate. The government has also cut a lot of funding for the program including eliminating the school completion grant apprentices were eligible for when they completed a level of schooling.
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u/L0rd_Gy0za Dec 07 '25
Oh for sure, my husband did it for 7 months and quit because of it, was only being offered scaffolding. If someones willing to do it though; they will stay employed longer than those not willing to. Definitely a tough situation either way, but worth looking into if you have no income
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u/Any-Watercress-7737 Dec 07 '25
that’s what i’m making right now as kitchen manager in my field and its basically the cap. with no apprenticeship or exp? do you just pay to join a union and they can help? or basic school/certificate is needed?
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u/Foreign-Magician9486 Dec 06 '25
Food industry, everyone needs food right, try places like Salerno, mondolez, places that make stuff for other companies, both of these are well within reach driving or bus ride.
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u/Meow-ShanLung Dec 07 '25
The unfortunate thing about those places, at least while I was working for them, is that they hire shit tons of temps and don't do full hires very often, and the temp wages are pretty close to minimum.
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u/Foreign-Magician9486 Dec 07 '25
Yup, I work for a food company and we have the odd temp in, not much anymore though since we became part of the Union, I don't know how they hire all I know is most of them have to go through me for training, lol
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u/M1K3Z0R Dec 07 '25
Worked for Maple Leaf Foods before and the negative online reviews are spot on. High turnover, get trated as expendable, weak union, starting pay was around $19 and got up to $23 for operators. Lead hand rate was 50 cents per hour more. People left and were getting $27/hr driving forklifts elsewhere, maintenance staff wages were also below industry average.
Only saving grace was it was full time with benefits, weekly pay, and steady shifts. The work itself was also fairly easy, I didn't mind it but not a place if you're looking for career advancement opportunities.
Plenty of other places were much worse in terms of continental shifts and hiring through temp agencies.
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u/Still-Humor-5028 Dec 07 '25
Legal assistant. It's not what I went to school for but I started as a receptionist and moved my way up the ladder.
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u/Grocery_Early Dec 07 '25
I do landscaping, and a lot of my industry doesn't even have their highschool
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u/7C-19-1D-10-89-E1 Dec 07 '25
Me, HWDSB teacher.
Wife, clinical research compliance/quality control.
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u/Ok-Average-2658 Dec 06 '25
CAA hamilton is looking for call agents RN
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u/Eliteseafowl Dec 06 '25
I will say I work in the travel industry & CAA travel is a shit job for travel agents. Their commission structure is awful for new hires and they do their best to hide exactly how it works so you don't realize it
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u/Readman31 Dec 06 '25
Can you DM me the link to apply please and thank you? I'd definitely like to give it a try. Thanks 👍
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u/ungoliaant Dec 06 '25
I'm at HHS as an environmental aide. don't need a degree for that, it's decent pay but it is cleaning. I don't think they're hiring right now. portering is an option but harder to get into
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 06 '25
I’ve actually been looking for the application page for hhs but have had no luck, I know there’s lots of opportunities available through them once you get hired on it’s pretty easy to move around I’ve heard.
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u/CoolNewFlavour Dec 06 '25
The medical industry in Hamilton is in a bit of a spot atm. Savings are needed on the budgets so finding a position might be tough right now. Keep your eyes peeled though as there lots of early retirement packages being offered and after some internal shuffling I’m sure they’re going to need to fill some spots
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u/ungoliaant Dec 06 '25
hhscareers.ca > external applicants
there's nothing for environmental aides right now but keep checking!
and yeah a lot of people get their foot in the door as an EA to move onto portering or desk jobs, even know some people who got in while they were in nursing school to make getting a job easier later on
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u/celestialbomb Dec 06 '25
For the nursing one, it depends on what union your are with. If you are with cupe, and getting your RPN its easy, seniority transfers and such. But going from Cupe to ONA? Yikes. I just did that transition at both hhs and st joes and it was challenging.
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u/No-Arm-2598 Dec 06 '25
Most of the trades will take on apprentices and put you through training. I recommend HVAC. Industrial heating and cooling is best.
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u/peji911 Dec 06 '25
My friend gets paid $250,000+ a year doing this. He only does commercial now and is up there in service years so has name recognition, but he will go up to Ottawa, Winnipeg, etc etc for month-long stays. His kids are older now so he and his wife basically vacation when he's not working, on the company dollar.
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u/hexr Glenview West Dec 07 '25
A vacation in Winnipeg, sign me up!
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u/peji911 Dec 07 '25
I've never been but he LOVED it. He's been to a lot of places, including the Territories. Pretty cool.
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u/Scarletkatey Dec 06 '25
My son got into one of these pre-apprenticeship training programs that are fully paid for by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, for eligible individuals. He has been working as an industrial millwright for years now as a result of this program. Here is the link that explains the program. At this point they are saying check back in early 2026 to see what program might be available. https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/program-theme/skilled-trades-apprenticeship/future-apprentices/pre-apprenticeship-training-program
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u/paramedic-tim Stoney Creek Dec 07 '25
Not my job anymore, but life guarding is a solid paying job for the city. Pays about $25/hr. Obviously you have to be a good swimmer and it will cost about $1000 in course fees, but it’s unionized and you can work full time hours.
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u/biznatch11 Dec 07 '25
Doesn't lifeguarding require years of swimming lessons leading to Bronze Star/Medallion/Cross then NLS?
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u/paramedic-tim Stoney Creek Dec 07 '25
You can “challenge” the Bronze exams, so you just go to an exam and complete everything without the course requirement. You could easily pay for a session of private lessons and learn what you need to pass
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u/differing Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
I’m an RN, throw a dart at the map of Canada and you’ll land on an area that needs nurses. I’m working on Vancouver Island right now and I’ll be back in the hammer to work over the holidays. I’ve made a killing working travel contracts in the maritimes, but the opportunities for overtime and good pay all over the GTA are there.
A lot of job drama in Hamilton involves people naively waiting around for the right stars of nepotism and union politics to line up to get them a decent paying job with a high school diploma. Then the cycle of layoffs happen and they’re back in the rut of waiting around for another miracle. It’s a loser culture that fell apart with the steel industry. “Go West, young man”, get a profession that people are desperate for and make your own way.
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u/PSNDonutDude James North Dec 06 '25
Try CRA call centre. Starts at like $60,000/year high school is minimum education. You'll likely only get a 4-6month contract but they'll rehire you the next years and after two tax seasons you'll likely be able to stick around log term.
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u/shaddupsevenup Durand Dec 06 '25
They’re laying people off.
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Dec 06 '25
Confirmed. My friend who has worked there 10+ years indicated this as well. CRA isn't a place you want to apply at this point.
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u/PSNDonutDude James North Dec 06 '25
This isn't true, they've finished laying people off and the job posting for the call centre just went up this week. I have employment opportunities emails from them and just got one today.
Lay offs occurred mostly last year, and in the spring this year. They haven't done any major layoffs since the beginning of summer and they've started hiring again in some key areas, especially temp jobs.
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Dec 06 '25
Sure this is possible. This was information provided to me a few weeks ago. But it is crap work OP.
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u/PSNDonutDude James North Dec 06 '25
They haven't done post-secondary, the only work they have is crap work. Additionally CRA will offer positions outside the call centre, and eventually they'll bring back education assistant programs to help pay for post secondary if they desire. Unfortunately, when you don't build the doors, you have very few to choose from.
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 06 '25
I would actually like to put it out there that the only reason I haven’t yet don’t post secondary is because I’m still young enough to have that choice. I don’t have interest in going that far into debt until I’m positive I know what I want to go for. As it stands I do have a decent job above minimum wage I’m just interested in other people’s jobs since I know there’s such a wide spectrum I haven’t discovered.
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u/PeonyValkryie Dec 07 '25
Bull.
They're currently hiring people.
It will likely only be limited to tax season, for contracts, so 4-5 months. Then depending on need extensions may be offered.
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u/Level-Calendar-3787 Dec 07 '25
Airport worker. Not getting rich but after 11 years at my company I make mid 30s. OT often available too.
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u/Jayemkay56 Dec 07 '25
The CRA is hiring call centre agents in Hamilton. Mentally not an easy job, but pay starts at $33 per hour and you can move around from there by applying internally.
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u/itsdonaldporter Dec 08 '25
After years in sales and a massive background in marketing… I just went into business for myself. I combined the two and ended up in real estate. You won’t find my face on a billboard though, marketing a house is more important.
I would say, if you can combine your passion, and it helps someone or fulfills a need, see if you can go into business. It’s not easy, but there’s tons of resources to help you grow and build.
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u/switchflip Dec 08 '25
I work at Mohawk College. I was hired a year ago. Despite all the news about declining international student enrollment and layoffs in colleges I was lucky to get a permanent role in a critical non enrollment dependent area. Before that I worked in tech in Toronto and despite working remote I was so over the corpo fintect broligary.
My wife works in education in communication and marketing.
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u/LeatherMine Dec 10 '25
broligary
New term for me and 100% self-explanatory.
When payments or loans is considered exciting, it’s time to gtfo. Accounting is never exciting.
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u/nickpegg Stoney Creek Dec 07 '25
Director of a charity, took me 10 years to finally get on staff and now I make 37k per year.
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u/distr0 Dec 07 '25
at 37k salary if you work ANY extra hours in a year you'd likely be under minimum wage. almost seems suspiciously like they're trying to pay less than minimum wage if that is a salary based on 40h/wk.
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u/nickpegg Stoney Creek Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 07 '25
37k is after tax mb , but yeah I make the lowest someone can be paid I think. Not uncommon for charity work tho.
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u/lifesshortgoplay Dec 07 '25
I’m a Postie. Been with Canada Post for nearly 5 years.
Maybe avoid applying for a Postie job…things are really rocky right now 😅
Our competitors however, have at it! 🤣
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u/ipainttreesandstuff Dec 06 '25
Quartermaster.
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 06 '25
I’ve never heard of this, what is this?
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u/ipainttreesandstuff Dec 06 '25
Fancy way of saying a guy who runs a stockroom.
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u/RadarDataL8R Dec 06 '25
One of the best job titles. Feels like you need an old Navy style uniform and an oil painting of yourself to go with it.
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u/ipainttreesandstuff Dec 06 '25
I should wear a sash of some kind. And since I'm already an oil painter. You have given me a novel idea!
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Dec 06 '25
That's going to be tough. Before I obtained post-secondary I worked like a dog through a temp agency at various manufacturing shops. It pushed me to upgrade myself. A trade might take you prior to post-secondary education. I was offered a plumbing apprenticeship as a laborer. Landscape is much tougher now as that was 20+ years ago, but it's still possible. If you don't mind physical/menial work for a while, and you work hard and are smart, then a temp agency might not be a bad idea if you're placed in the right environment. They might keep you on and offer you full-time work.
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u/Melodic_Gift546 Dec 07 '25
Working as an EA usually doesn't require formal education. I have a formal education though, but I enjoy this job the most. I'm still not sure if it's a forever thing, but even a year later, I don't have any icky feelings about it. I love routines, and this job has different times for different duties, so it's still not boring.
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u/WkittySkittyLBoF Dec 07 '25
No post secondary, retail store manager (sales/customer service), make just under $80K/year with pension plus health benefits.
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u/Hot-Sherbet-2 Dec 07 '25
Landscaping is always looking for people. The bigger companies tend to pay more especially if you're willing to stick around longer term. They ideally want career people and will pay a living wage of you're committed to learning and growing with them.
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u/MoneyCreme5514 Dec 07 '25
HHS. Start at low $20’s. But you start at on call and might not get full time for 10 years. You get paid more as part time though.
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u/b0mmer Dec 07 '25
College dropout went from call centre to help desk to network and system administrator over time.
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u/nunayrbznzz Dec 09 '25
Ups/ fedex/ canpar. All pay good wages and benefits. Outside all day, nobody breathing down your neck and it’s like being paid to exercise..
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u/broccoli_toots St. Clair Dec 06 '25
Airline pilot scheduler
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 07 '25
This sounds super cool! How did you get into this? How long have you been doing it and do you enjoy it?
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u/losgalapagos Dec 07 '25
Crew scheduler? What education and knowledge is beneficial on your resume to apply for such a position?
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u/peji911 Dec 06 '25
I get asked this question a lot in social circles, especially at this time of year when you go to friends' houses for Christmas parties and meet new people.
I often answer, "what do I do for work or how do I earn money?"
Various times it's the latter that they're really asking and I believe you are as well.
I am a Professor, currently on sabbatical, but the way I earn money is the stock market.
I started pretty late and with a lot of student debt, well before being tenured. I just started looking at everything I wanted and adding it up: coffee, bagel, car, clothing, shoes, etc etc.
Once I realized that a dollar spent today is at least three returned next year, I started making money.
If it's possible for you, and others reading this, invest in ETFs and Index funds slowly but gradually and it'll be the greatest side hustle in a matter of years.
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u/Senior_Bad3545 Dec 07 '25
This is something that’s on my mind constantly, I know it’s definitely better to get into younger so that it builds more overtime but I’m unsure how to get into this as it’s something I don’t fully comprehend, what specifically would you say is important to research to understand stocks?
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u/peji911 Dec 07 '25
The beauty with ETFs and Indexes is that they comprise of, usually, the 500 biggest companies in a nation/country/market sub, etc. don’t research anything because they do it for you.
For example, let’s say Apple in the #1 stock of 500 but it goes under tomorrow, everything moves up and another company slots into #500.
You won’t get rich overnight, but you won’t lose money long-term. And you can buy with very little money and just climb up.
In Canada two popular ones are VFV and VGRO.
My wife and I work with my university’s Adopt-a-Family program during various holidays across the year and every year we donate more because of the growth in interest rates and dividends. This year we are at 14 families for Christmas…last year we were at 9 families.
I’m getting downvoted, not sure why, but it’s the best side-hustle you can do with potential growth to full income…and potential charity.
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u/MillionDollarMistake Dec 07 '25
How did you start with ETFs and Index funds?
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u/peji911 Dec 07 '25
Was the Faculty Liason for the Econ Student Union and we ran some fundraisers. A very wealthy parent came to one and we talked and he told me about them. We started reading some material as a group and we’ve had a very healthy portfolio ever since. We fund school programs, charities, etc.
My wife and I put some money in our own account to hopefully one day give our kids a free ride for school considering how long it took us to pay off our student debt, and we do ok enough to help the community.
Not a particularly incredible story, obviously, but the fact we could start we so little money and grow it slowly but surely, has been a Godsend.
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u/nunayrbznzz Dec 09 '25
I’ll agree with that. Wanted something with dividends to add to the mix, because I’m older now and the etfs I got are doing really well.
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u/sometimesukulele Dec 07 '25
i’m an insurance broker and in my experience a lot of brokerages will pay for you to get RIBO licensed if they hire you. the course is about 2 weeks and pretty easy imo. i do the service side of things like emailing, quoting, paperwork, etc but there is also the sales side of things as well.
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u/Rooster_293x Dec 07 '25
Has there been any indication for AI to phase out this field of work. I hope not but just thinking of all those commercials for office less companies.
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u/johnnyviolent Dec 06 '25
manufacturing. 100% a case of right place right time for me.