[Stephanie]

Ok Frugal Fam, I just hit my 30s and I’m realizing I don’t want to work a physically demanding job for the rest of my life.

What is the best (most fiscally responsible) way to get into an entry level office type job?

I’ve worked in food service, healthcare, and retail but I have no degree or certification other than NCRC Gold from 9 years ago and an Nursing Assistant certification which has long since expired.

Is it worth it to try for an Associates Degree? Will the investment pay off in the next 30-40 years I might be working?

I don’t believe I would qualify for any scholarships or grants and I’m extremely hesitant to go into student debt. Is it better to just jump in somewhere and see where it goes?

I’m a good worker, reliable, and willing to learn just about anything.

I don’t expect or want to be a high income earner, I do well on very little, but I’d like to make a living wage NOT being on my feet for 8 hours a day.

[Sara]

I would not count yourself out for scholarships or grants before speaking with your local community college.

Go meet with them!

[Kimmer]

How are you at multitasking?
I don’t know of any agency that’s not begging for 911 dispatchers!! We don’t give a fig newton about college degrees.

Truth the more degrees only means you know how to write a paper and take a test.

Dispatcher are street smart, quick on your feet, multitask faster than an octopus and stay completely calm during it all.

I’m leo side only, but with your nursing asst cert, you wouldn’t have any problems with the emd side. Would actually work in your favor when applying.

If that’s too stressful for ya or the thought of working holidays/nights/wknds is not appealing. Go for a dispatcher position with companies~commercial trucking, plumbing/electrical companies, funeral home(yes, I actually know a funeral home dispatcher), school campuses(which usually result in free or reduced tuition for your kids)

Almost forgot to add~won’t have to worry about buying a new wardrobe. Larger agencies like mine provide uniforms.

Smaller agencies they wear jeans to work.

[Sally]

I would go to a staffing agency. They will figure out what job skills you can do, and they will find a job for you.

So, you would originally be hired as a temp for whatever company, but if the company likes you they will offer you full time employment.

And with a temporary position if you hate it you can leave the position and just ask your staffing recruiter to set up another job for you.

You must communicate your desire to the staffing before you leave the job

[April]

I work for a community college, and we have a lot of short-term workforce programs that can prepare you for various jobs in just a few months.

So, you might not need to take the time to get an associate degree in order to train for an office job that will pay a decent wage.

Definitely check with your local community college and see what programs they have. Wishing you all the best!

[Nesha]

Can you sign up with a temp agency? Lots of companies hire from them.

[Brenda]

Medical coding certification is offered at many community colleges. Certification doesn’t take long and it pays better than entry level.

Some are even work from home.

[Helen]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Graduated high school at 16, then I attended cosmetology school; worked a year as hair dresser; married, moved to a different state without a reciprocal agreement.

Worked as a clerical worker for six years; I had above average office skills from high school.

Time off for a two children then relocated.

I started college at 29; earned a teaching degree and was in class room within 3 years.

My tuition and books were paid for by grants, scholarships and work study. Don’t sell yourself short.

I will say after teaching 27 years, avoid student loans even if it takes longer for any degree.

My nieces have managed to earn bachelor and masters degrees without student loans; it can be done.

Totally agree with advice about visiting with community colleges or any college financial aid officers; scholarships are available and many go unclaimed each year.

[Deanna]

Apply for a low level clerical position with your state government. They generally pay ok, have decent benefits and in my state once you’re in you can interview for other positions that may suit you better

[Alli]

I accidentally fell into insurance. Being a claims adjuster you can work your way up and make a lot of money and a lot of companies it’s flexible working from home some.

No prior insurance experience needed usually for entry level- they will train you.

Just empathize your background in customer service. I started with Progressive.

It’s a hard job to learn but then it’s easy once you learn it and move up.

Pay is good and a lot of companies like Progressive give bonuses too end of year.

[Nella]

I would research a company that invests in their employees to go to college. Apply there and keep applying.

Go back to school. Climb the ladder.

[Helen]

Start with something like data entry to get a peek in and identify interesting roles around you, I’d suggest.

Since you had medical experience you may be able to find good ones in medical.

But be aware, office work has its own wear and tear on the hands.

[Sandy]

There are LOTS of “entry level” clerical jobs out there. If you know the basics of utilizing a computer & Microsoft Suite Applications you can apply for any clerical position as they’re willing to train you.

DON’T waste your time/money on going to school to be an Administrative Assistant~no need! Good luck!

[Beth]

look for entry level office jobs and emphasize the customer service aspect of the jobs you’ve had up to now

[Tara]

I am a lawyer. Lawyers always need office help. Lawyers routinely hire people to be their receptionists and legal assistants, and office staff and they do not require the person to have any specific degree.

They may want you to have a GED or HS diploma.

What is more important is your skill set. Can you answer the phone? Can you write a basic letter? Are you fluent and can read and write in English? Do you speak Spanish or any foreign language?

(A plus in many places.) Are you good with people? Are you dependable? Are you competent and trustworthy?

Do you have a good work ethic? Will you not be a person who steals?

Will you help bring clients in the door with your people-skills? Will you be able to file papers and keep the attorney organized?

Can you use Microsoft word and Outlook? Can you act professional and appropriate with clients and coworkers?

Those are the things a lawyer will care about when hiring office staff.

There are also jobs in the local Court Clerk‘s Office that do not require advanced degrees.

Those are government office jobs and you get government health care benefits, FMLA leave, sick leave, annual leave, a pension, regular office hours, regular salary, and paid holidays.

From my perspective these are entry-level office jobs that you can do and if you enjoy them, maybe take courses to become a “paralegal” but many places do not even require a degree for that.

You can learn on the job and work your way into that category if you are smart and apply yourself. Good luck to you!!!

[Jackie]

Try your local hospital. They have registration position that they are usually looking for people. I loved being a registration Clerk.

Best of luck

[Barbara]

Try administrative work at a hospital. With healthcare experience if you have office skills like Word, Excel, etc you could probably get hired.

If you need office skills go take adult ed classes at a local college for computer and office management.

Less expensive than college and still you get certificates and experience.

[Elissa]

You don’t need a degree to get a good paying office job. I say from experience, I only have a high school diploma and make $62k a year.

Since you have health care experience I’d say try applying for an office job in health care. Otherwise look at applying for costumer service rolls at companies.

I work for an insurance company doing customer service.

They train you and pay for you to get your insurance licenses. Maybe even try health insurance call centers or something.

It’s still an office job. Just my 2 cents.

[Kris]

I would suggest taking Civil Service exams. They have study guides at the library and at bookstores. You can get a good entry level clerk job and move up by taking more exams after you have a year in.

There are city, county, state and federal exams.

All offer okay starting pay and raises every year. Also in most jurisdictions, union protection.

[Michelle]

I feel like you could get a receptionist/front desk type job without any sort of degree so I’d start there. Then see what kind of interests you have and what it would take to advance.

How is your typing? Lots of customer service experience?

You could learn things like bookkeeping and get good with Excel

[Katrina]

A family member did not finish college and started working as a school treasurer. She then moved on up to district level.

Years later, she has now finished her Bachelors and her MBA because while working she could take courses where she could go faster because of her experience.

[Cathy]

Is there a local college/university near you? You could look at getting hired there and then take advantage of the employee tuition discount.

You may have to take a custodian or food service job to get started, but could continue looking for something else.

In our town a small college allows for 75%-100% discount and a major university offers 50% discount.

If you can manage to remain mostly debt free your degree will pay off

[Author]

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