Name a non-physical/labor job...

[mich1]

I'm retraining right now for a engineering CAD designer since I can no longer work in a lab since I cannot walk well or far, or stand for a long period of time. Unfortunately, even though it is a 2 year program, it is very math intensive.

[Deleted]

What about IT? My XH was starting to do pretty well in that field and doesn't even have an associates degree. He learned most of it on the job and through a short training course where he got a certification (A+, I think it was called?). He may have to start from the bottom but I think you can move up fairly quickly pay-wise, like within a few years should be making a really decent living.

I think lots of people in IT do have degrees, but it seems like an area where it's possible to really succeed without one.

[formerlyak]

Does his wife work? Does she have better earning power than he does given his condition? Might be easier for her to find a job.

[Deleted]

Bank teller?

maybe he'd be a better student now that he's older? I know a lot of people who have gone back in their 30/40s and done way better as a mature student then when they were early 20s. Possibly he could go to a tech school - lab tech, book keeping, etc.?

[litasail]

911 operator.

[mich1]

Data entry position?

[mswax]

Truck driver?

[steph96]

May 20, 2015 11:17:41 GMT -5 litasail said:

911 operator.

That's a great idea. Dispatch jobs would also work (like roadside assistance or companies that have a fleet of trucks that go places).

Insurance companies (like the claims department).

[mich1]

May 20, 2015 11:28:26 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

CAD Drafter - but make sure it's a program where they learn both AutoCAD, ProEngineer (Creo) and Solidworks to make himself really marketable.

I'm doing this now and suggested it too.

However, even with a STEM undergrad degree, it is not an easy program - especially if you are not comfortable in math.

[Marmee]

Good ideas! He was special Ed kid so I think anything that requires a lot of math is out. He had a lot of help to get as far as he did in school. I thought of driver too but don't know if he can sit long term. He's pretty charismatic so I thought something in sales maybe but he'd have to learn to monitor himself. SIL has same degree & also not very academic. I think she's going to have to get a job but who knows when...they have a 6mo old baby & he's not supposed to lift more than 15lbs. Ugh...I see MIL supporting them forever. But I honestly think for his sanity, he really needs to get out of the house & MIL won't be around forever.

[LoveTrains]

A call center job could be good for him if he is charismatic!

some of that stuff he can even do from home. Places like Alpine, etc.
www.alpineaccess.com/

[shaynaatl]

He is extroverted? Sales is a good way to make a living without education.

[tealblue]

Just trying to think outside the box. Bus driver- either school bus of city bus? Or something janitorial at a school, hospital or some sort of nursing home? I'm sure there is an actual job title, but something in housekeeping/laundry at a hospital. Some sort of factory where its packaging items and not necessarily lifting items.

[otowngirl]

Security guard -- especially a monitor and report type position.

[mbcdefg]

If he's bilingual, could he be a translator? 

Could he give educational talks at a local zoo? 

A greeter at a hotel or restaurant? 

Do you live near a cruise port or an area with tourist ferries? During college I worked for the agency that checked people in to the cruises, not for the cruise line itself. I would stand at the head of the line and greet people and direct them to the next check-in agent; or I'd be the check-in agent and scan people's passports into the computer; or I would take their photos for their ID badges. When people disembarked I'd direct them to shuttle buses or help them find their luggage. Easy work and it was fun to interact with people, but the downside is that I was on my feet all day. 

[dr.girlfriend]

Medical billing? Receptionist at veterinary office? 

[ijack]

I think you know where I work, but if not you can message me (I guess assuming that he's located here). But anyway we have CS jobs that open pretty often that you don't need experience for.

[livinitup]

Community centers and non-profit community based agencies might be a good fit. I hired a former contractor type and he's amazing with clients.

[KaraOrNot]

He may be eligible for services through his state's vocational rehabilitation program. Their goal is to help people who have disabilities find employment. They are trained to look at what he may be good at, what the local labor market is, and to help him find a job in that field.

[imojoebunny]

Is he a guy who could do sales? I have had fence salesmen, wrought iron salesman, pest control guys, window treatment, closet design, lighting, cabinetry, flooring, roofing companies, and a host of other trades people come out in the past. They seem to be guys who just do sales, not install. They measure, but that's the existent of the physical work. Also things like tree estimates, insurance work, alarm system, general contractor estimates. Our bank even had a guy come out who just makes sure that you did the insurance work that your insurance paid you for. I know most of these guys did not have 4 year degrees.

Call center work might be brutal on a guy like him. I guess there are places, but DH used to manage a billing call center and it was mostly all women.

[bugandbibs]

Educational Assistant in a school.

[pumpkin]

As someone else mentioned, claims processing? insurance claims, state & federal benefits (unemployment, department of labor, VA)

[definitelyO]

Comcast is hiring a lot of customer service. Could he even learn cable installation? I'd think he'd only have to lift the cable box (under 5#). how about assembly type work - might involve standing - but not really lifting, just assembly or inspection or packaging - lots of manufacturing companies have those positions.