First-generation Americans seeking white-collar jobs without college degrees have the potential to achieve long-term financial growth in the trades. A white-collar trade job combines technical skills with a professional environment, often requiring specialized knowledge but not necessarily a college degree. One example is a project manager in construction, which requires strong organizational and leadership skills, and knowledge of construction processes. (Some certifications may be needed.) Other examples include IT support specialists and HVAC technicians who can transition to sales or managerial roles later on.
2. Real Estate
It’s true that you’ll need licensing and certifications for a real estate career, but obtaining these is relatively quickly. Getting a real estate license typically involves 60 to 90 hours of education on federal and local real estate laws, taking the state licensing exam, and undergoing a background check. Depending on your pace of study, you could be ready to start in 3-6 months. Check with your state’s real estate commission for specifics.
3. Entrepreneurship
Owning your own business is the ultimate American dream. Last year, 5.5 million people started up new business ventures, and the numbers have already been increasing this year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau . Entrepreneurship lets you take charge of your own financial stability. It also allows you to form affirming policies on other things that matter to you, like work-life balance and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI). You can pursue a couple of different paths as a business owner: starting your own enterprise from scratch or joining an established franchise brand.
Opening a Franchise as a Career Opportunity
Joining a franchise like Merry Maids can be a great move for someone new to this country. As a brand with 45 years of experience, we’ve worked with many immigrant owners over the years. Merry Maids is one of the best franchises for minorities, offering financial stability, inclusivity, and work-life balance.
Merry Maids sees DEI as an integral component of our brand culture. As part of the ServiceMaster Brands family, Merry Maids is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds. This means we can better serve customers from different backgrounds, too.
The benefits of franchise ownership include well-developed support systems and established brand recognition. With Merry Maids, you can start small and scale your business for multi-unit franchising , which will help secure your family’s financial future. You'll receive comprehensive training, learn how to recruit and train staff, and focus on growing your business while providing the exceptional customer service we've been known for since 1979.
Franchise with Merry Maids
We’re the nation’s leading house cleaning franchise, with four decades of industry expertise and the support of our parent brand, ServiceMaster Brands. Investing in a Merry Maids franchise means you’ll benefit from high brand recognition, comprehensive training, and ongoing support from a dedicated Business Development Consultant.
These additional features help set us apart:
- Startup costs range from $126,880 to $165,610
- Our top 10% of multi-unit owners reported average annual gross sales of $3.2 million.
- $55,000 franchise fee
- $50,000 liquidity required
- Exclusive territories
- Customize services to match your market
If you’ve got the drive and the passion for customer service, join Merry Maids and build a thriving business. Get started today !