What jobs exist for a 40-year-old woman with no degree?
From entrepreneur to an insurance agent, here are 14 answers to the question, “What’s a good job option for a 40-year-old woman with no degree?”
- Entrepreneur
- Data Entry Clerk
- Medical Biller
- Transcriber
- Blogger
- Real Estate Agent
- Professional Organic Farmer
- Transportation Worker
- Content Writing
- Foster Care Provider
- Podcast Host
- Healthcare Provider
- Crowdsourcer
- Licensed Insurance Agent
Entrepreneur
A forty-year-old woman with no degree could pursue a career as a professional home organizer, virtual assistant, pet sitter, administrative assistant, customer service representative, bookkeeper, or even a personal assistant.
With the right training and skills, she could also work as a medical or legal transcriptionist, transcription editor, website designer, social media manager, or even a medical coder. With the right resources and passion, there are plenty of options available to her.
Admir Salcinovic, Co-Founder, PriceListo
Data Entry Clerk
A peaceful and stable work environment, independence, and versatility of job opportunities make a data entry clerk an excellent career for a 40-year-old woman without higher education.
Data entry clerks are professionals responsible for transferring information into electronic format, including online databases and computer programs.
Except for adding alphanumeric data into systems, the person’s job is to verify and correct data, organize and maintain records, and perform basic data analysis.
Duties also cover responding to people’s inquiries related to data and assisting with additional administrative tasks. There are no special educational requirements for this role. However, some employers prefer applicants with similar work experience or related courses or training.
Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Resume Now
Medical Biller
A medical biller collects and organizes medical information for hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. They ensure that the medical facility has all the information it needs to bill for services provided.
They also work with patients to ensure that they understand their bills and have the correct insurance coverage.
Luciano Colos, Founder and CEO, PitchGrade
Transcriber
Transcription jobs typically require strong typing, listening, and language skills, but not necessarily a degree. You can work as a transcriber remotely, which offers the flexibility to work from home and set one’s own schedule.
Transcriptionists can earn a decent wage, with some experienced transcriptionists earning upwards of $50,000 per year. Starting a transcription business usually requires just a computer and an internet connection, making it a cost-effective career option.
With the rise of audio and video content, the demand for transcription services continues to grow, providing job security and opportunities for growth. These factors make transcription a good job option for a 40-year-old woman with no degree who is seeking a flexible and financially rewarding career.
Mahesh Kumar, Spokesperson, Transcription Certification Institute
Blogger
Writing a blog can be incredibly fulfilling and offer the opportunity to generate income. However, creating a successful blog requires time, effort, and dedication.
The key to success is to create interesting, helpful, and relevant content that resonates with your target audience. This might include tips, product reviews, recommendations, and personal stories.
Monetization opportunities such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, digital products, and advertising can help turn your blog into a profitable business venture. With the right dedication and focus, a mom blog can be a valuable job option for someone seeking to generate income outside of traditional corporate jobs.
Burak Özdemir, Founder, Online Alarm Kur
Real Estate Agent
Becoming a real estate agent is possible at any age, with no experience in the field and no degree. These professionals help clients to buy, sell, and rent properties.
Their duties involve showing the properties to prospective buyers or renters, presenting sale offers, assisting in negotiations, and preparing all the paperwork. To succeed, you must have outstanding communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
Patience, tactfulness, and understanding of social cues will also be assets. Active listeners and careful observers may find it easier to put themselves in the client’s shoes. An outstanding personality and some sales skills are enough to make a good living in real estate.
The median annual salary is $49,040. The more deals you make, the more money you have. What’s also essential is a career you never have to retire from. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, confidence in yourself, and determination to work hard, a real estate agent may be the perfect career for you.
Agata Szczepanek, Community Manager, LiveCareer
Professional Organic Farmer
Organic farmers and gardeners typically have a deep understanding of agriculture, soil health, and plant nutrition, and can grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Starting your own organic gardening business or working as a consultant can offer a flexible schedule and the ability to work independently.
However, it might be a good idea to gain some experience and knowledge in the field before starting a business; you could look for an apprenticeship or volunteer opportunities with established organic farmers or gardening organizations.
Alex Tinsman, Founder and CEO, How To Houseplant
Transportation Worker
Without a college degree or specialized skills, it’s challenging to find lucrative and satisfying job opportunities. As a 44-year-old woman myself who was recently on the job market, I noticed several excellent opportunities in the transportation industry for women without a college degree.
Transportation jobs have few entry-level education requirements, but can be very rewarding. For example, delivery drivers, transportation managers, shipping managers, logistics staff, and warehouse supervisors rarely require a college degree.
Also, many companies provide on-the-job training to help you learn and practice the skills you need to be successful. Finally, local opportunities are a good way to get your foot in the door (literally): I suggest walking into the business to apply for a job, showcasing your motivation and charisma!
Tali Ditye, PhD, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder, Mommyhood101
Content Writing
Content writing is a very accessible career path for anyone who will put in the effort. Writing web content can pay well, and it is extremely rare for an employer to require a degree for the role.
As long as you have the writing chops and a handful of content samples (which you can write on a Google Doc in your free time), you are likely going to be considered.
Nick Zviadadze, Founder, MintSEO
Foster Care Provider
While there are many jobs that would be available to you without having a degree, one that springs to my mind is that of a foster carer.
Some might argue it’s not a proper job—but having raised children, I know exactly how hard it is. Fostering a young or vulnerable person who needs your love and attention can be a great way to bring in a livable income while being an incredibly rewarding, but often difficult, thing to do.
It’s definitely not something I would try to push people into doing. This job requires someone who is really passionate about it and wants to do it for all the right reasons.
James Townend, Foster Agency Director, Fitzgerald Fostering
Podcast Host
Podcasting has a low barrier of entry and you don’t need a formal education to get started. All that’s required is a good microphone and some basic equipment, and a little know-how. Plus, it’s a great way to share your knowledge and experience with an audience of potential listeners.
There are countless podcasting topics to choose from, and you can even specialize in certain areas, such as finance or health, or social issues pertaining to a certain demographic.
Jeff Pollak, Partner, RadioActive Media
Healthcare Provider
There are several options available. One viable career path is in healthcare. With a background in caregiving, medical office administration, or health sciences, an experienced and motivated woman can find success in a variety of roles in the healthcare industry.
For those interested in a more hands-on role, nursing is a great option. There are several routes to becoming a nurse, from taking a sped-up nursing program to completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Another option is to pursue a career in home health care. This type of role involves providing care for elderly or disabled people in their homes. Home healthcare professionals may assist with daily activities such as grocery shopping, housekeeping, administering medications, and providing health care.
Ben Basic, CEO, Router IP Net
Crowdsourcer
I think entrepreneurship is a great option for many women, especially if they take the skills they have gained and apply them uniquely. You can start by crowdsourcing by matching your abilities with what people currently need. Think about how you can creatively combine your strengths into a service or product that can help others.
For example, if you’re great at streamlining processes at record speed, you could offer this service to busy entrepreneurs who are better at the big vision part of their business than the ins and outs of how to run things.
Or if you are great at organizing and keeping a clean house, you could teach other people how to do the same with your tips. The possibilities are endless.
Laurel Robbins, Founder, Monkeys and Mountains
Licensed Insurance Agent
One great option is working for an insurance agency or insurance broker as an insurance agent. No degree is required! The insurance industry is always in high demand, offering stability and security. There is and will always be a need for insurance agents.
Also, it has good potential for financial profit. Most insurance agents work on a commission basis, but depending on the company, you might make $15-20 an hour, plus a commission on any policy you sell. Many insurance agents can set their own schedule; even work from home.
This makes this job great for those needing a good work-life balance. You need an insurance license with the state in which you live. Many insurance agencies offer to pay for this course and you can do it at your own pace—in as little as two weeks.
Amanda Moss, Sales and Marketing, A Plus Insurance
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