As a veteran, you may be looking for work. With so many jobs in the tech field and other office-based positions available, it can feel like there are limited options for veterans who want to keep their hands busy. Luckily, manual jobs are on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 300K+ new jobs every month in 2021 in the construction industry. If you love working with your hands, take a look at these four manual jobs that veterans should consider.
Cabinet Making
A cabinetmaker has the ability to use their hands and create something that will last a long time. It’s not an easy job, but it is rewarding when you can see your finished product in front of you or on display somewhere else. According to BLS, there is an estimated 93K employed cabinetmakers in 2020. Cabinetmakers aren’t usually self-employed because they need access to expensive equipment like saws and sanders. In addition, if working in their own garage, they’d need to set up and break down their own workspace, which can take hours.
Welding
Welders are skilled artisans who can take multiple pieces of metal and join them together with a scorching flame. This is a high-demand job so if you’re looking for work as a welder, there’s no limit to the places where you might find it – from construction projects like skyscrapers to racecars. According to BLS, there is an 8% growth expected from 2020 to 2030. Jobs such as automatic girth welder and automatic seam welders are great places for veterans to find work. Especially if you have previous welding experience from when you were serving in the military.
Woodworking
If you love working with wood, there’s a great chance that you’ll enjoy working as a woodworker. According to BLS, the overall employment of woodworkers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030. You can start by creating small things like furniture or bowls and work your way up to building an entire house! Many people find the process of seeing their ideas come to life as they’re shaped through various tools is an enriching experience. You could even work with your hands by doing carpentry, which is basically the same thing as woodworking but with a specific focus.
Ironworking
A blacksmith uses their hands to create and shape metal. This is a skill that takes time, patience, and practice to perfect, but when you can do it well, there’s nothing more satisfying than creating something beautiful from raw materials like steel or aluminum. According to BLS, about 10,100 openings for ironworkers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. As with welding jobs, this job requires access to heavy equipment, so you’ll need to either work for a company with the tools or afford them yourself. In addition, there are some blacksmithing schools that you can attend, many of which offer scholarships to veterans.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for work as a veteran and love the idea of working with your hands, there are manual jobs available in various fields that would best suit your interests.
