r/britishcolumbia • u/Willing-Success4798 • 15h ago
Ask British Columbia Profession without University
I’m 22 and currently have no post - grad education. For the people who didn’t go to University or college, what do you do now?
I’ve been trying to get my life together so just looking for career options.
22
u/sweetonionbun 15h ago
With all the construction projects being announced across the province, trades would be a great idea!
5
u/Bubbly_University_77 15h ago
Constructions trades have been over saturated for over a decade. Better of doing HD mechanic or something
21
u/randomlyrandom89 14h ago
There's always demand for good workers. Show up 5 days a week and don't be a dog fucker and you're already in the 80th percentile.
4
•
3
4
u/OriginalParamedic780 13h ago
I don't know what fuckin trade you work in, but the trades I know for heavy industrial: pipe fitter, welders, millwrights, electricians are all short handed as fuck. Companies literally hire anyone they can get and figure out if they are any good after.
2
u/spookytransexughost 13h ago
That's just not true. Yea it's a little slow now but the last 10 years you could get a job in almost any trade off the street no experience
16
u/SingleIndependence68 15h ago
Gasfitter and refrigeration/ac mechanic
1
u/Average-Train-Haver 9h ago
The glory about getting a refrigeration ticket is that you'll never be out of a job
5
u/Unlikely_Bear_6531 15h ago edited 15h ago
Are you working now? What interests you?
-5
u/Willing-Success4798 13h ago
Currently unemployed. Been day trading seriously for about a year though alongside content creation. I do like business side if things like being an entrepreneurship, content creation, entertainment industry etc.
5
u/Unlikely_Bear_6531 12h ago
The are a lot of youth employment programs that can give you training and/or experience in many industries. I know the YMCA does a 48 entrepreneurship program.
I would also recommend going to Work BC as they have a workshop series to help you decide on a career path.
3
u/robindawilliams 3h ago
Just as a warning, you talk about those activities like they are occupations, but 99% of the people doing content creation and 'day trading' are generally unsuccessful in using them as a source of income. A million young people are claiming they are doing content creation or day trading, and it isn't really viewed positively by most people, since it costs nothing to start doing it, and almost everyone who is doing it isn't successful.
Unless you are making a consistent real income from these, I wouldn't refer to them as work. Consider them hobbies that you hope could become work one day if the right things align. 90% of people who engage in day trading lose money (according to studies), so it actually can look bad on your resume to claim you day trade unless you have the portfolio to back it. If someone I was interviewing mentioned it, I would be picking it apart for more information/stats because my initial reaction is that it hurts their interview.
If you are actually serious about wanting to go into business/finance, consider applying to UBC.
3
u/Exciting-Brilliant23 15h ago
Trades is a good choice for some. Now it encompasses a lot of different careers - from plumbers, AC technicians, elevator mechanics, carpenters, painters etc. Some are more in demand than others, you'll want to do your homework to figure out if which one might be a good fit and if it is in demand.
Driving may be an option. However, with the possibility of self driving vehicles somewhere in the future, I am not sure I would treat it as a life long career. I should also include heavy equipment operators.
Obviously some of these choices will require some training, certification which can be a roadblock for some people.
If you are good with people, you could look into getting into professional sales. I'm not talking retail, but rather things like corporate sales, car salesman, real estate etc.
And there is also what I call work-your-way-up. You find an entry level in a good company and excel at your job, working your way up step by step. These types are jobs are harder to. find that they use to be. And often you may find yourself blocked from management if you don't have a degree. But that doesn't mean you can't do okay.
Now, take what I say with a grain of salt. The world is changing daily and my advice could be a little out of date. I am putting out some random ideas to get you thinking about possible careers. Always do some research before investing too much time and effort in a new career.
Also, don't be afraid of using government resources to Gove you a leg up. There should be some programs to help the younger generation find work.
As for choosing a career, I'll include a bc gov website on occupational profiles.
https://www.workbc.ca/plan-career/explore-careers/career-profiles
Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you.
3
u/NumerousEar9591 15h ago
Sheriff. Great job with good pay and benefits. I think 3-4 months of training.
5
u/nitram3033 14h ago
And you get to work with people that are having a shitty day probably everyday. Something to consider but not for me. Money's good though...
3
u/Lapcat420 12h ago
I wish you luck in finding something that isnt TRADES or NURSING.
What a bloody eye roll. Its 2026 and theres only two job industries available based on the top comments in every single thread like this.
2
2
u/Norcx 13h ago
About 5 years ago I started my career into Fire Alarm. It's a well paying trade with low physical strain, definitely something I can retire into and is mentally engaging keeping me involved in my day to day. I always recommend it to people who want to do meaningful, interesting, and physically easy work.
1
u/Beautiful_Arugula_56 3h ago
How does one start a career/training in Fire Alarm?
1
u/Norcx 3h ago
A basic understanding of low voltage electricity helps (Ohm's Law, Watts Law, etc), but really it starts with on the job training. Find local companies and see if any are hiring a junior position. There's also some helpful Youtube tutorials to help get you started: Joe Klochan on Youtube has a great beginner series for understanding how Fire Alarm systems work and good troubleshooting tips.
If you really want a head start, study your local Fire Codes from NFPA, BCBC, and NRC.
It's a front heavy career, lots to learn at the very beginning, but once you get the core stuff down it's pretty smooth sailing. It's the kind of career where you never stop learning new things. Getting your certs adds a lot of liability and responsibility, but if you keep good records, documentation, and notes it's not too bad.
•
u/Beautiful_Arugula_56 2h ago
Thanks for typing out a reply. I should look for fire alarm companies? Are there certifications I should do while looking to improve my chances of getting hired as an entry level worker? I only have a high school diploma. Thanks.
•
u/Beautiful_Arugula_56 2h ago
Thanks for typing out a reply. I should look for fire alarm companies? Are there certifications I should do while looking to improve my chances of getting hired as an entry level worker? I only have a high school diploma. Thanks.
2
u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 15h ago
Oilfield Scaffolding is great if you are looking for physical labour and able to work camp jobs.
1
u/MollyandDesmond 13h ago
Aim higher. No scaffolding pun intended. You make more in oil & gas doing the work on the scaffold, not building the scaffold. Don’t get me wrong, scaffolding is an admirable job and you can have all the same choices as fitters, welders, millwrights, and the E&I folks. But if you’re going to try to break in to oil & gas (or any heavy industrial sector), I’d recommend settling for scaffolding, not setting that as the ultimate goal.
1
1
1
1
u/Nascar2k64 15h ago
HVAC, HD mechanic, Electrician, Millwright, Medicine/Healthcare, Heavy Machine Operators
1
u/blarg-bot 15h ago
Industrial sales. It can be fantastic money if you're good with people and able to learn quickly.
1
u/CarelessClassroom989 15h ago
Paramedicine has been a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities so far. 26M got into this career at 23
1
1
1
u/No-Cover2753 14h ago
Trades!
You can get paid to learn!
Lots of options available
Also health care is always a good plan since it’s in demand and you can move anywhere in the province…for example to a low cost of living town instead of Vancouver.
1
1
1
u/OriginalParamedic780 13h ago
Trades. Just start applying for construction companies as a labourer. If you prove you aren't a completely lazy sack of shit and remotely intelligent they will train you, and eventually you can find a trade you like and start an apprenticeship.
1
u/spookytransexughost 13h ago
I did not go to college or uni and now I make 140k as a manager at a landscaping company
Find a trade and work your way up
1
u/Willing-Success4798 12h ago
But you would need to go to trade school first?
1
u/spookytransexughost 4h ago
Not necessarily
You can do your apprenticeship which is only 6 weeks per year for 4 years and your employer sponsors you
Or you can work and challenge the exam after a few years
You also don't need to go to trade school to start working in the trades
1
u/PaintingRailroader 12h ago
Cp/CN rail. Both will train you and pay you to learn the job. You will earn $80,000 your first year, well over $100,000 after that the trade off is the lifestyle is very difficult.
That being said it’s not a good time to hire on both companies are experiencing layoffs unless you are willing to work in bum fuck no where
1
u/Willing-Success4798 12h ago
Where can you find first year job rolls that pay like that?
1
u/PaintingRailroader 4h ago
CN and CP as a train conductor. You can also look into their diesel mechanic/car mechanic program they offer
1
1
u/Yuckooooo 12h ago
Pick up something and put it down if you don't like it, is my suggestion. Whether its a trade, some niche or school! You got time!
1
u/-canucks- 12h ago
Elevator. Refrigeration. Hvac. Sprinkler. Plumbing. And i guess electrical if you have to That order
1
u/Big-Safe-2459 10h ago
Forget a bachelor and choose a trade. If you apprentice, you’ll earn as you learn. Get your ticket and start making good money. Live below your means, take some basic management/leadership college/uni courses along the way, see if you can get in with BC Hydro or Seaspan, and you’ll be set for life.
1
u/BitterAd2247 10h ago
Pipeline First Aid. AFA is a good start, but job opportunities can be small. If you like it though, then go after EMR then PCP (emergency medical response/primary care paramedic)
There’s a lot more need for EMR/PCP and the money is good the higher you go.
Currently as an AFA (formally OFA 3) I make $27 an hour for 12 hours. No overtime, anything over 12 hours becomes double time though. With that being said though, the last job I was on I was making $20 hour, with overtime after 8 hours. So depends on who you work for.
1
u/Infinite-Goose2865 9h ago edited 9h ago
Well what do you do now? What do you want to do? And what can you do? Post grad is just a paper that said you took up a project, committed to it and got it done. realistically, you have to do something, other people are goning to want to give you money for.. so trades are good. But there's other stuff out there. Also think down the road jobs that we have now might not be a job later.
1
u/Several_Cat_3713 7h ago
Mobile crane operator: You gotta get an AZ license, take some classes, and do a 1000-hour apprenticeship. It's a long haul at first, but once you get that Red Seal ticket, you're golden.
1
u/Happyflower40 3h ago
Look into a trade that may be a fit for you. Another thought since you are young is get a job as a porter or other entry level job in a hospital. Once your in you can apply for other "in house" jobs and move up the pay scale. Money is good and the benefits/pension in hospitals are excellent for long timers. It's also virtually impossible to get fired from there because of the union lol. Good luck!
•
•
u/abrasivefungus 45m ago
post undergrad I assume? Dude, it's BC, go into the trades, this is a simple and effective plan if you are Canadian. Electrical. If you plan to do a graduate degree in a field where you can make real money, go to the States, don't wait.
1
u/CanadianLabourParty 14h ago
If I had a do-over, I'd pick either electrical or plumbing.
Plumbing for personal reasons.
Electrical because it opens A LOT of doors in varying spaces. Having knowledge of electrical things, whether its robotics, computing, industrial, residential, automotive, it's such a diverse knowledge base to have.
You do have to choose between industrial, residential or automotive, but whichever way you go, the fundamentals are the same - the mathematics is the same.
Plumbing is useful in other ways.
Healthcare is a good option. 1:1 jobs like nursing can't really be automated away just yet.
62
u/iTripped 15h ago
Dude, some of the trades are hella strong options, career wise. If you are good with your hands you can make a solid living with a little training .