Skip The Hype—Unconventional Jobs Offer Real Money And Job Security

Forbes

2 days ago

Hardworking, high-paying and often overlooked, unconventional jobs like aircraft maintenance and ... More skilled trades are quietly powering careers and building real wealth.
Social media has glorified easy money to the point that when kids are asked what they want to do when they grow, they respond, 'Be an influencer.' Fifty-seven percent of Gen Zers said they would become an influencer if given the job opportunity, reported Morning Consult. That sentiment holds for adults as well. Many people believe they can become overnight millionaires simply by posting a few videos.
But where is the real money? Many overlook the quietly thriving industries where job security and stability reside. These aren't your typical 9-to-5 jobs. They're not trending on TikTok. But they are essential. And more often than not, they pay well precisely because so few think of them when picking a major in college.
One overlooked sector is military defense contracting. It's estimated that the Aerospace and Defense industry has around 2.2 million employees, representing 1.4% of the total U.S. employment base, according to the Aerospace Industries Association. While specific numbers vary by company, Kearney data indicates that women constitute 25% of the workforce at the top five defense contractors.
Defense contractors and related jobs are not among the most popular job fields or industries in the U.S., based on readily available employment data for 2024 and 2025. The largest industries by employment are private education and health services, which employ 27.2 million people, accounting for 17% of the country's workforce.
Kathleen Hildreth, cofounder of M1 Support Services, made it on this year's Forbes Richest Self-Made Women list. Her unconventional path proves that industries outside the spotlight offer some of the biggest payoffs, especially for women still exploring what they want to do.
In 2003, Hildreth and her cofounder, William Shelt, launched the billion-dollar defense contracting company specializing in aircraft maintenance, a field rarely spotlighted for women. Yet, Hildreth helped grow M1 into a powerhouse. In 2024, the company's revenue climbed to $970 million, and private equity firm Cerberus acquired a controlling stake for an undisclosed sum. She retained a 10% ownership stake and continues to serve on the board.
Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor. A service-disabled Army veteran, she began her career as a helicopter pilot deployed around the world. After leaving the Army, she brought her technical expertise to major defense firms, including GE, Lockheed Martin and DynCorp. During this period, she met Shelt.
In a recent interview with Glenn Hunter of Dallas Innovates, Hildreth explained, 'I went out without any contracts or work, and I approached large businesses, primarily in the same way small businesses had approached me, and asked to be a subcontractor, help them win business, because I knew a lot about marketing and business development in the government contracting space. In six months to the day after I left my job at DynCorp, I had my first subcontract.'
What makes Hildreth's journey especially inspiring is the way she redefined what leadership can look like. She built her career in service long before the spotlight found her. For women still figuring out their paths, this cofounder proves that you don't have to follow a traditional or glamorous route to make a powerful impact. Sometimes, the best opportunities are hiding in the jobs no one's talking about.
Plenty of people chase prestige jobs, especially fashion, entertainment and Silicon Valley startups, only to find themselves burned out or underpaid. Meanwhile, fields like welding, plumbing, utility services, logistics and aircraft maintenance are grappling with severe talent shortages. That scarcity creates leverage.
So why aren't more people entering these fields? Perception.
These roles aren't seen as sexy. They're hands-on, often involve physical labor and don't come with viral LinkedIn posts. This stigma limits the talent pool, which drives up wages and job security for those who do enter the field.
Behind-the-scenes industries may not trend online, but they offer stability and untapped ... More opportunities for those willing to do the work.
Leadership means going where others won't. It's about identifying company or industry needs and meeting them, even when no one is watching. That's where real impact—and real wealth—are made.
When you're evaluating your next career move, don't ask yourself, 'What's hot right now?' but instead, 'Where am I needed most, and how can I lead there?'
Hildreth's success came from recognizing where she could provide value in a system that desperately needed her expertise. By leaning into aircraft maintenance, she carved out a legacy few can rival.
This same principle applies across industries. The less glamorous the role, the greater the opportunity that is if you're willing to step into it.
While flashy tech roles and creative careers dominate headlines, these under-the-radar sectors quietly reward those willing to do the work others avoid and often require far less formal education to break in.
The jobs no one talks about are often the ones quietly building generational wealth. As industries struggle to fill essential roles, those bold enough to pivot into purpose will find not just steady paychecks but powerful careers.