Hands-On Jobs for Students Who Would Rather Die Than Sit at a Desk

For some people, the thought of working from behind a desk or sitting at a computer for forty hours a week is absolutely unappealing. Whether it’s because you prefer more variety in your daily routine or just can’t sit still for long periods of time, there are plenty of reasons that you might want to avoid a desk job in favor of something that allows you to work with your hands instead. If you can’t bear the thought of looking at jobs that contain you in a cubicle, here are a few different hands-on jobs to think about.

Manufacturing

Working in a manufacturing plant can keep you on your feet and pays well, too. There is a wide range of jobs available to anyone looking to work in a manufacturing company, from creating automotive parts in Indiana to a job crafting carbide wear parts in Saginaw, MI. Working on an assembly line generally offers a great starting wage and gives you some flexibility to work either first, second, or third shift. Best of all, it’s possible to get placed in a different part of the warehouse if you’re looking for a change of pace.

Automotive and diesel repair

If you get the right licenses and certifications, working as an automotive mechanic can be a rewarding and lucrative career. With your automotive and diesel certifications, you’ll be able to stand out as a job applicant and land a job at a repair shop sooner. As an automotive mechanic, you’ll be responsible for diagnosing and fixing problems with cars and their engines. Sometimes you’ll also provide routine preventative maintenance as well. Beyond working on consumers’ cars, you’ll have other exciting opportunities with your automotive and diesel experience, too. Sometimes, businesses need a mechanic to help with bulldozer or forklift engine maintenance, and with the proper degree, you’ll also be capable of working on these sorts of machines, too. This helps you get variety and work with your hands every day.

Photography

If you have an artistic spirit and love working with your hands, getting into photography can be a great career option. From taking photos at weddings and special events to doing portraits for business professionals and aspiring actors, there are plenty of ways to use your skills in photography to make money. If you’d rather not work in portraiture, you can also get into some form of advertising photography, such as food photography. Whether you’re making people look their best or food look mouth-wateringly delicious, many clients will pay upwards of $100 an hour for your photography services. While it does take a bit of an investment in order to get professional-grade photography gear, you can quickly recoup those costs in as little as a month with an outgoing personality.

Architecture

Although a job as an architect does require working at a desk or drafting table, there are still plenty of hands-on opportunities in the architecture field. From using computer-aided drafting software to a pencil, ruler, and paper, you’ll have plenty of activities to perform that require your hands when you’re drafting blueprints. Architects often have to visit the site that they’re building on or renovating, too, so even if you do need to do some work in an office, it won’t be your whole week wasted behind a desk. Architects can easily make upwards of $70,000, too, which makes it a lucrative field to consider.

As you can see, there are a variety of jobs out there for someone looking to work with their hands. Best of all, many of these jobs can someday get you to a six-figure income, making them an even better investment in yourself and your future.