What are some career paths that make up to $60k-$70k and requires training of 2 years or less and is not manual labor??

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What are some career paths that make up to $60k-$70k and requires training of 2 years or less and is not manual labor??


I am living with toxic and corrupt family members. It's taking a massive toll on my mental health and I don't want to live with them anymore. I really, really, want to move out forever from people like that. What are some jobs/occupations that can help me to that goal and to successfully move out? I can't do manual labor because I was in a car accident years ago and injured my lower back and neck that's still making me feel pain till this day. I am willing to put in the work to find something suitable for me. I also live in NYC.


Jobadvisor

You’re looking for careers in New York City that:

  • Pay around $60,000–$70,000/year

  • Require 2 years of training or less

  • Avoid manual labor (due to your back and neck injuries)

  • Offer a path to move out and improve your wellbeing

Here are strong options that align with your needs:

1. Sterile Processing Technician

  • What it is: You sterilize medical instruments, a critical but often overlooked hospital role.

  • Training: Certificate program + clinical hours—typically under 1 year. LaGuardia Community College in Queens offers an affordable program (~$1,500) including 108 hours of clinical work; most students get hired afterward (New York Post).

  • Salary: Entry-level starts around $50,000–$70,000, with national averages near $74,900(New York Post).

  • Why it fits: Non-physical, stable, healthcare-based work is ideal given your injury and your NYC location.

2. Dental Hygienist

  • Training: 2-year associate degree + licensing exam.

  • Salary: National average around $77,000, with many in the $60K–$70K range(moneyzine.com, careerkarma.com, Reddit).

  • Pros: Office-based, patient-focused work in a clean environment.

3. Radiologic (MRI) Technician

  • Training: Certificate or associate program (typically under 2 years).

  • Salary: Often starts in the $60K–$70K range, with potential to go much higher(moneyzine.com).

  • Nature: Healthcare role that involves operating imaging equipment—minimal physical strain.

4. Web Developer / Digital Tech Roles

  • Training: Coding bootcamps or self-taught via online courses.

  • Salary: NYC salaries often in the $60K–$75K range at entry; national averages around $77K(careerkarma.com, AskHandle, flexjobs.com, Reddit).

  • Why it works: Fully non-manual, high demand, flexible scheduling, and often remote possibilities.

5. Project Coordinator / Customer Success / Operations Analyst

  • Training: Often none formal required; employer training common.

  • Salary: Frequently starts around $60K in NYC, with room for growth(Reddit).

  • Advantages: Office-based, structured, with upward mobility.

6. Cybersecurity or IT Support (e.g., Network Specialist)

  • Training: Certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Cisco CCNA—attainable in under 2 years.

  • Salary: Cybersecurity analysts average over $80K; network specialists often around $75K(flexjobs.com, Reddit).

  • Note: Cybersecurity may slightly exceed your stated range, but it's well within reach and offers resilience against automation.

7. Real Estate Agent

  • Training: Licensing courses (few months).

  • Salary: Commission-based, but many make $60K–$100K+, especially in NYC(jenniejohnson.com, AskHandle, Reddit).

  • Consideration: Less structured than salaried roles and may require hustle, but could enable independence quickly.

Reddit Insight

From people in NYC sharing their experiences:

“If you're in NYC, want office jobs, soft skills... project coordinator… customer success manager… start around $60k+ in NYC…” (Reddit)
“Network Specialist… Certifications like Cisco (CCNA)… median ~$75,000”
“Cybersecurity Analyst… Median salary ~$81,000… requires Certifications” (Reddit)

Summary Table

Career Path Training Time Salary Estimate Physical Strain
Sterile Processing Technician ~6–12 months $50K–$75K Low (clinic-based)
Dental Hygienist ~2 years ~$77K Low–moderate (ergonomic)
MRI Technician <2 years ~$60K–$70K+ Low–moderate
Web Developer/Tech Bootcamp/6–12 mo. ~$60K–$80K NYC Minimal
Project Coordinator/Admin On-the-job ~$60K+ Minimal
Cybersecurity / Network IT Certifications ~$75K–$85K Minimal
Real Estate Agent Few months ~$60K–$100K (comm.) Minimal

Next Steps

  1. Explore certificate programs — for example, check out LaGuardia CC’s sterile processing course or dental/radiology programs at CUNY campuses.

  2. Look into local bootcamps or online courses for web development or IT certifications.

  3. Start applying to entry-level office, admin, or customer success roles—these often require minimal training and can jumpstart your income.

  4. Set a move-out plan—perhaps aim for a timeline (e.g. 6–12 months) based on training length and local rent costs.

You're already demonstrating resilience and forward thinking by researching good, sustainable options. Choosing a career path that fits your health needs and allows you to move toward independence is a powerful step—you're definitely on the right path.

Want help finding specific programs or local NYC contacts for any of these?


Applying for an internal role, can I add a referee who works at the same company?


As the title suggests - in my current job I work with many people across the company, doing creative work for various teams. I want to apply for an internal role. Would it be suitable to add someone as a referee who works at the same company as me? Note that they aren’t in the same team as me, and they don’t work with the hiring manager.


Jobadvisor

When applying for an internal role, it is generally not only acceptable but also highly recommended to use a referee who works at the same company.1 Here's a breakdown of the reasons why and some advice on how to proceed:

Why It's a Good Idea

  • Internal Credibility: A colleague from the same company can provide a highly credible and relevant reference.2 They understand the company's culture, values, and specific internal processes. Their endorsement carries weight because they can speak to your performance within the company's unique context.

  • Knowledge of Your Work: A colleague who has worked with you on creative projects across various teams can give specific, detailed examples of your skills and accomplishments that are directly applicable to the new role. They can attest to your collaborative abilities, problem-solving skills, and how you've handled challenges within the company.

  • Networking and Trust: This is a chance for the hiring manager to get a feel for your professional network within the company. A positive reference from a respected colleague shows that you are a trusted and valued member of the organization.

  • Relevance to the Role: Since your referee works at the same company but not on the same team as you, they can offer a neutral and broad perspective on your work ethic and capabilities. The fact that they don't work with the hiring manager is actually a good thing, as it reduces any potential bias.

Advice on How to Choose and Approach Your Referee

  1. Choose Wisely: Select someone who you know will give you a glowing reference. They should be someone who has a positive view of your work and can speak confidently about your skills and contributions.

  2. Ask for Permission: Always, always ask your colleague for permission before listing them as a referee. This is a matter of professional courtesy. When you ask, be clear about the role you're applying for and why you've chosen them.

  3. Provide Context: Give them a copy of the job description and your resume or cover letter. Briefly explain why you're interested in the role and how your skills align with its requirements. This will help them tailor their reference to the specific needs of the position.

  4. Inform Them of the Process: Let them know that they may receive a call or email from the hiring manager or HR department. Make sure they have a heads-up so they aren't caught off guard.

  5. Express Your Gratitude: A simple thank you can go a long way. After they have provided the reference, make sure to follow up and express your appreciation for their time and support.

In summary, it's not only suitable but often an advantage to use a colleague from the same company as a referee for an internal role. Their reference can be more valuable than an external one because they can speak to your performance and fit within the company's specific environment.


Is there a line of work where I can be paid to yell at idiots?

I've been in IT/software engineering for 25+ years and, though not completely burnt out, am completely bored of the industry. I'm financially secure so I want to try something different, but not sure what.

Thinking back on my career, one type of task I truly enjoyed was being an asshole... lemme explain:

  1. at my first job out of college, I was working in academia and the research unit I worked with had somehow lost a significant amount of data because of a 3rd-party company screw-up. The company was being evasive so I was asked, as the "tech guy" to see if I could "dig into" them. I got them on the phone and after a few minutes I realized the "company" was a bunch of morons who weren't doing anything right (no backups, no security, everything in an MS access database on a machine and account that they let their kids use, etc. etc.). I basically was able to bully them into submission and get a lot of concession from them... my boss was pretty happy because he got answers, and I was really happy because I was being paid to be an asshole.

  2. Much later, I was hired by a friend to audit the code that had been written by an offshore software team. I found bush-league spaghetti code with an injection vulnerability in almost every end point, etc. etc. I recovered a lot of the money that my friend had sank into the contract and I got paid to, again, be an asshole to a bunch of idiots with no repercussions.

There's more examples, and I remember each one vividly because I think I'm just actually an asshole who viscerally enjoys tearing dumb people and their work apart. How can I do more of this?


Jobadvisor

What you’re describing is basically getting paid to be a blunt, technically competent enforcer — someone who digs into a mess, exposes the incompetence that caused it, and forces change (or restitution).

The good news is: there are entire professions where your exact mix of skills — deep technical experience, razor-sharp bullshit detection, and zero fear of confrontation — are not just tolerated, they’re valued. The trick is finding roles where:

  1. There’s something broken or shady.

  2. Someone’s paying to uncover it.

  3. The work requires both technical depth and the willingness to call people out.

Here are some directions where “paid professional asshole” is an actual career path:

1. Technology Forensics & Expert Witness Work

  • What it is: You investigate failures, breaches, IP theft, fraud, or “this vendor screwed us” cases, then write formal reports and testify if needed.

  • Where the assholery comes in: You must spell out exactly who messed up, how badly, and why it’s indefensible — often in front of lawyers, judges, or arbitrators.

  • Example gigs:

    • Digital forensics consultant for law firms

    • Litigation support expert for software disputes

    • Incident post-mortem specialist

  • Bonus: Lawyers love it when you’re brutally clear and back it with hard evidence.

2. Independent Code Auditor / Due Diligence Consultant

  • What it is: Companies hire you before buying software, investing in a tech company, or signing a vendor contract to rip their code apart.

  • Where the assholery comes in: You get to shred garbage architecture, point out dangerous vulnerabilities, and save the client from lighting money on fire.

  • Example gigs:

    • Pre-acquisition code reviews for VCs/PE firms

    • Security audits for government contracts

    • Vendor quality assessments

  • Bonus: You get to be “the scary outside guy” — no internal politics.

3. Security Penetration Tester (Red Team)

  • What it is: You legally break into systems, networks, and apps, then tell the client how dumb their mistakes were.

  • Where the assholery comes in: The report is a humiliation list, but dressed in professional formatting.

  • Example gigs:

    • External pen test contractor

    • Application security reviewer

    • Social engineering tester

  • Bonus: When you prove you got in via “password123,” you can drop that smug mic.

4. Vendor Management Hitman

  • What it is: Companies hire you to deal with underperforming vendors — to confront them, demand fixes, negotiate penalties, or fire them.

  • Where the assholery comes in: It’s confrontation as a service. You’re not “mean,” you’re “protecting business interests.”

  • Example gigs:

    • Contract compliance enforcer

    • Outsourcing oversight consultant

    • IT procurement dispute fixer

5. Regulator or Standards Enforcer

  • What it is: Work for a compliance body, standards board, or government agency making sure companies follow rules (security, accessibility, privacy, etc.).

  • Where the assholery comes in: You are the guy who hands out fines and tells CEOs their pet project is illegal until they fix it.

  • Example gigs:

    • Auditor for PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2

    • Inspector for tech-related safety regs

    • Compliance review contractor

6. “Firefighter” CTO / Interim Crisis Leader

  • What it is: Come in when a project is failing hard, figure out who’s screwing it up, clean house, and rebuild.

  • Where the assholery comes in: You have to dismantle the old guard, sometimes publicly, and make it clear why they can’t be trusted with another commit.

  • Example gigs:

    • Interim CTO for startups in trouble

    • Project turnaround consultant

    • Rescue architect for failed system migrations

7. Journalism / Writing in Tech Scandals

  • What it is: Investigative reporting on tech industry stupidity, bad actors, and security negligence.

  • Where the assholery comes in: You get to name names in print.

  • Example gigs:

    • Cybersecurity journalist

    • “Vendor horror story” columnist

    • Whistleblower case analyst

💡 Pro tip: If you want a smooth transition, your sweet spot might be freelance vendor/code/security audits.

  • You’re external → no HR drama.

  • You’re paid for honesty → bluntness is expected.

  • You can lean into your “scary smart” rep → word-of-mouth will bring in the juicier messes.

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