If you can demonstrate competence, credentials usually matter less. I would recommend just getting a GED so you can check the box on the job application, it will make getting your foot in the door easier.

Intense labor trades are far less picky about achievements or other traditional black marks. Even then you probably need a ged to move up much further than general labor. Union trades can probably help you out.

I didn’t graduate from high school, I got into food service. Literally no one has ever asked me for a diploma. It doesn’t pay the best at first (though it is considerably better than when I started 15 years ago), but I got a comfortable-for-me salary when I eventually got into management.

Its not for everyone, if you can deal with fast paced work, weird hours, and weirder personalities its a lot of fun.

I wouldn’t say ‘most jobs’, but a lot of jobs don’t actually care about diplomas.

• The customer service jobs I’ve had typically only had a short ‘can you do basic math?’ type quiz beforehand just to see if I could operate a cash register.

• My warehouse jobs just had simple safety training and subsequent quizzes.

• Restaurant work only requires a food-handler’s card.

In my experience, entry-level jobs care more about you having a reliable form of transportation + flexible schedule than if you passed high school.

You should look into your state’s Department of Labor. They may offer adult education courses to help you get your GED.

If I didn’t graduate high school I would probably just lie to get my foot in the door.

There’s plenty of trucking companies who offer to pay for your drivers license if you come work for them. (if you don’t have a big rig licens yet. In the US that’s a class A or B commercial license.) That’s what I did, but I live in europe, maybe it’s different here.

Depends, if there are recognized certifications those always help. Otherwise, your previous work does matter. I’m sure it’s a terrible experience, but it’s still possible.

I’m looking for a printer operator, and not requiring a degree. It’s a techy job, requires a high level of attention to detail, and a high degree of work ethic. The job is collaborative and needs someone who likes to create, but has an understanding that it’s a business, not a maker hobby.

The jobs exist.

Well… nobody from the UK “graduates” from school. We’re doing fine.

It’d be an uphill battle but if someone got into programming via free online courses they could build a resume via collaborating with projects on github. It’d be a way to prove skill without the diploma.

Advice goes the same for anything where you can build a portfolio to demonstrate competency, most people in industries just care about results. This could be photography, graphic design, a physical labor like wood working etc.

Sucks because you’d have to outlay time upfront before maybe getting payed though. Ymmv