Without going to college/trade school how does someone land one of those good jobs? Not dead end stuff like food/retail like a good job

I have no desire to go to school because im too old for that shit and can't afford it as is. My whole life has been spent in dead end land aka food and retail. How do i get out and land a good job? I feel like im qualified to do nothing no matter how hard i job hunt or browse the postings theyre never looking for someone like me or if i shoot my shot and try i never hear back or am instantly rejected

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orioninthenight · M

Great question and something I reflect on all the time in light of my experiences.

Process A

1. go buy a welding machine
2. go on craigslist or find a friend who knows how to mig weld
3. practice in the apartment parking lot or a storage facility
4. once you are good do the same to learn how to tig weld (skip stick welding, this is for old people and on the way out)
5. keep your best examples

Process B (to run concurrent with Process A if possible)

1. buy a small MANUAL milling machine (preferably a Bridgeport but you may have to go to a makerspace to get access because these can be large and expensive)
2. learn how to machine simple parts
3. buy a small CNC milling machine on Amazon
4. learn how to machine some more complex parts
5. keep your best examples

Process C (to run concurrently with Process A and B if possible)

1. learn how to use CAD software that has a free version online like Creo
2. watch videos about drafting on youtube
3. take a cheap course on Udemy on GD and T
4. keep your best examples

Now you are a mechanical engineering technician without a degree but you have sufficient knowledge and a big enough portfolio to be useful to any small business manufacturing. Not only that you are also a welder and a machinist.

I wish I knew this when I was in my 20s.

As an added bonus, move to an oil town in west Texas when its in full bloom with these skills and you can easily clear six figures. You will earn all of that money and be tired for it but you will live comfortably when not at work.

orioninthenight · M

There are some details missing in this but if you are determined enough to do this then I am sure you can fill in the blanks without a problem. I already went down this path but anyways I had to get a degree (unfortunately) before I started to understand.