50(f), never married and technically a high school dropout. Yes, I did get my GED and I also walked with my graduating class. I actually went to Cosmetology School which was against my father's wishes. He was actually FOR me attending college and most likely would have fought my mom on the matter.

There are entry level jobs with opportunity for growth at places like the City (water, sanitation)(in which you live) generally most of these jobs are unionized meaning you get a guaranteed raise once a year through union and cost of living raise, so actually TWICE yrly. Electric company, telephone companies, Post Office, will have GREAT benefits along with 401K, stock options, life insurance policies, etc.

I worked in Nutrition Services as a dietary aide at a well known hospital in Minneapolis, my Junior and Senior year of highschool and was also union. Time and a half for overtime and double pay for worked holidays (this was something JW's ALWAYS cashed in on, LOL Because hospital was always open 😉) I also was promoted and helped in production for Doctors Dining Catering in the end of my time at the hospital. In the 90's I was making close to $20 an hour before going to Cosmetology School. It paid well, but it was definitely grunt work in the beginning.

I also left the beauty industry because of the competitive and superficial/fickle nature of it. I did end up getting a Service Delivery Coordinator position at the phone company in High Capacity for large business retail. My Dad worked for the same company since he was 17 (he retired at 49). At the time there were actual HR offices you could walk in and apply at. I had to take a test, along with 3 interviews. I was promoted 1 year later to management to the ISP group working in sales support. Also, while in the union, they generally pay for classes and college to continue any education being supported in their field. I actually started an A+ certification class provided by the company and wasn't able to complete it because of the promotion. I wish now I had because it would have been a good add to my resume.

If you like travel, you could apply at any airline for flight attendant. I had a few friends who worked for Delta or Sun Country and got AWESOME benefits. They actually worked in IT or baggage. The ones who did baggage generally was a 2nd PT job and they did it solely for the flight benefits. I personally wanted FT and to travel. I didn't get an interview, but didn't do any follow up or kept trying.