Without the logistics industry, receiving goods ranging from the simple pleasure of an online order, to necessities in the grocery store, would be obsolete. Logistics jobs offer an array of opportunities for people without college degrees to find employment that pays well. They are just as, if not more, important and demanding, than many jobs requiring higher education.
Trucking and warehousing provide many careers in the supply chain. You can normally find a warehouse job or trucking opportunity near you. If you aren’t sure which route in logistics you’d like to take yet, we encourage you to read on!
Warehouse Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Warehouse work can offer a fun, fast-paced, and flexible work environment. Since many companies hire from within, there is much upward mobility to be had if your goal is to find a long-term position. While some management positions may require higher education, most jobs within the warehouse do not.
Stocking Associate
Stocking associates are responsible for keeping products and inventory moving and organized throughout the warehouse. Typically working with RF scanners to track inventory, stocking associates monitor inventory status, ensuring that products are in stock and ordered before running out.
Material Handler
Some responsibilities overlap in the warehouse world. Like stocking associates, material handlers also work with moving, organizing, and recording inventory. Material handlers also record a product’s location, wrap pallets, and may even operate a forklift. To operate a forklift, one will need to have proper certifications.
Sorting Associate
Sorting associates oversee incoming packages, sometimes working on a conveyor belt, or on the move through the warehouse. Responsible for scanning packages and moving them on pallets to their designated location, sorting associates help ensure order accuracy. It is also the responsibility of a sorting associate to inspect an order for any damaged or missing items.
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Shipping and receiving clerks typically handle records on both incoming and outgoing shipments. Record keeping skills are a must in this position; shipping and receiving clerks will be responsible for invoices, record keeping, and creating posting labels for outgoing shipments. They may also collaborate with the shipper themselves to correct any mistakes like damaged or missing inventory.
Shopper Team Member
Technically, shopper team members operate outside of the warehouse. Their job is a fun and dynamic balance between a store and its backend. Shopper team members prepare orders for customers by retrieving items from the correct location and evaluating orders to ensure accuracy. Shopper team members may also work with an RF scanner.
If any of these warehouse jobs interest you, you can look for a warehouse position near you. If you would like to read further about different warehouse jobs, take a look at this list of 14 different warehouse jobs.
Trucking Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Trucking operates on the other side of the logistics industry and holds many great opportunities. Again, you do not need a degree to become a truck driver. You will only need a valid CDL license. To receive your commercial driver's license you may undergo CDL-A training which, depending on your program, takes about 3-6 weeks to complete. Whether or not you get a CDL-A, B, or C, is contingent upon your specific route type.
Last Mile Delivery Driver
Last mile delivery drivers occupy an important role in the logistics industry. Operating at the final step in the supply chain, last mile drivers deliver packages from a transportation hub to their respective destination – usually a business or place of residence. Last mile drivers tend to be responsible for operating any last mile carrier tracking technology as well. Generally, this job will not require a CDL.
Team Truck Driver
Becoming a team truck driver gives truckers the opportunity to drive with a partner, cover more miles, and in turn, earn a higher income. Since team driving allots one truck rather than two, it can appeal to trucking companies to allow for easier trips that cover more ground. Typically, this job requires a CDL, but the type of CDL needed depends on your route type.
Hot Shot Trucking
Hot shot trucking allows drivers to take a more entrepreneurial approach to trucking. Hot shot drivers work with time-sensitive loads that need to be expedited quickly to a worksite by a specific deadline. Often operating with heavy-duty pickup trucks, hot shot truckers do not usually need a CDL-A, unless traveling over state lines, or if their load exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Dedicated Route
If you are interested in consistent routes and stable income, becoming a dedicated route driver may be the job for you. Dedicated drivers tend to service the same routes from distribution centers to the same companies and locations on a regular basis. As a dedicated driver, you will likely need a CDL. While the type of CDL depends mainly on the truck you are driving, generally, you’ll be required to possess a CDL-A.
Owner-Operator
Believe it or not, you can become an owner-operator of your own fleet with no college degree. As an owner-operator, you’re in charge of your business in many aspects; from finding fleets, to routes ,to handling customer service matters, making deliveries, and more. A career as an owner-operator involves initial start-up costs, so you want to be sure you have enough money set aside. You typically will be required to have a CDL-A.
If any of these trucking positions interest you, look for a trucking job near you today! Or, for further reading, you can learn more about jobs in the trucking industry in this article.
Jobs in Logistics Open up Many Doors
A university degree isn’t the route everyone needs to take to create a successful and fulfilling future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, both the trucking industry and the warehouse industry are expected to remain steadily in demand through 2030.
There is an abundance of opportunities to be found in logistics with warehouse work and trucking.
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With any training expenses being minimal compared to an average student’s university debt, logistics leaves much room for a great career ahead.