I'mt too Smart to learn a trade

[Brigandier]

Have you heard this shit? Apparently, if you can do math, or appreciate art, you're too smart for a trade. Did you know: the trades are reserved for uneducated, unenlightened pieces of social detritus.

 

[BabaBooey]

Sounds like you have been talking to a ignorant fool....:hmm:

 

[fstime]

Being a business owner making over a $500,000/year as a electrician, plumber, or HVAC specialist > your $50,000/year as a job slave after 4 years of college and debt if you are a hands on type of person and don't mind it.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Everyone knows this.

 

[VerticalHold]

bwahahaha! life is filled with funny people. that comment sounds like it may have come from someone lacking life experience, or they are trying to steer you down a different route becuse that is what they perceive to be best for you. meanwhile there is a crapload of unemployed college diplomas running around. the diplomas making good money - they will be the ones who can afford to hire a tradesman. the trades make better money today than they ever have. i'd rather bop around in a repair van, meet new people all the time and sneak in visits to see the pigs wiggle while i sip a few frosties, or get in 18 holes on a public course, than to be locked into CubicleWorld dying a slow horrible death. "where's the defective A/C at, m'am?" -- "why it's back here, in my bedroom!" / brown chicken brown cow lul

 

[dr150]

In Germany, getting into a trade means serious intensive learning (theory & practice). When you get "certified" over there, you're a master tradesman with skillz biatch.

They get paid better than your average Phd and are highly respected in their society for their abilities.

 

[Veliko]

Who has said this?

 

[Cyco]

Those that claim they're too smart usually aren't.

 

[mOeeOm]

I have a fancy engineering degree and I make no money I wish I went into trades.

 

[Dallascisco]

Education doesn't mean jack, it's what you do with it.

All I have is an AA and A+\Net+\MCP and I pull in 6 figures. I know plenty of people who have BA\MA\PHD that can't get a job in their field to save their life.

Being a tradesman doesn't make you dumb, you do what you are good at. people should stop looking down through their nose at people until they look in the mirror.

 

[LookBehindYou]

Shit, I've been in IT for the last 5 years now. Honestly, if I could make what I make now right off the bat, I'd probably leave for a trade in a heartbeat. I know I'd make more in the long run and enjoy it a helluva lot more, I just can't afford to start over income wise.

 

[slayer202]

I concur

So is the only benefit you guys see money? How much room is there for growth?

 

[LookBehindYou]

I concur

So is the only benefit you guys see money? How much room is there for growth?

The money thing would be a bonus. I think I'd enjoy it more than what I do now, I just get really bored lately. The only thing stopping me would be having to start over salary wise (and losing my benefits of a fed job and retirement).

 

[MayorOfAmerica]

I ran into someone at work who works for an outside contractor. During some small talk that I was forced into, he let it slip that he rode the short bus in school. He said this was the reason he is homeschooling his kids, because the public school system failed to realize how smart he was. The quote was "I rode the short bus because I was too smart". He is not smart and from what I know of him, deserved a short bus all his own. This post reminded me of that all too painful conversation.

 

[Fritzo]

The person you were talking to sounds too smart to give advice.

 

[brainhulk]

different people have different motivations...some people are motivated by money, some not. Maybe this person you are referring to believes that they will not be challenged enough mentally by learning a trade skill. I'm in no way saying that's true, i'm not in a position to say. But maybe that is what they believe

 

[alent1234]

Being a business owner making over a $500,000/year as a electrician, plumber, or HVAC specialist > your $50,000/year as a job slave after 4 years of college and debt if you are a hands on type of person and don't mind it.

my wage slave job has health insurance that will pay up to $1 million or more for a major illness. and has paid for the birth of my 2 kids

and you're the exception. there are so many low paid trades people it's not funny. a lot of illegals will do the same work for half the price as well.

 

[waggy]

Have you heard this shit? Apparently, if you can do math, or appreciate art, you're too smart for a trade. Did you know: the trades are reserved for uneducated, unenlightened pieces of social detritus.

yeap. went to college with a guy just like this. know w hat happened? he lost his job and working at a factory making right over min wage.

In Germany, getting into a trade means serious intensive learning (theory & practice). When you get "certified" over there, you're a master tradesman with skillz biatch.

They get paid better than your average Phd and are highly respected in their society for their abilities.

I wish the US did something like that. NOT everyone wants or is cut out for college. I really think a big problem in the US is we are cutting such things as trade classes and training. People look down on such people. I think its rather silly.

 

[dank69]

Is he smart enough to help you fix your title? :whiste:

 

[Dallascisco]

Money isn't the only thing but it is a large factor.

I will say that IT has more ways to move up and out depending on your skill set. With trades once you get past journeyman you start your own business most of the time. The vast majority of tradesman I've spoken with agree that most companies don't hire master trades as they cost too much. So with trades the advancement tree is apprentice, journeyman, start your own business. How far you take that is up to you. I know tradesmen that work for themselves and pull down 6 figures running a business on their own or with a few guys. Trades aren't going anywhere any time soon and you can make good money if you are good at it and have some business savvy.

If I had the choice all over again I'd still choose IT simply because of the options it gives me. There are so many different facets the list would be endless. I myself am perfectly happy with my Sys Admin full time job and my part time side business fixing computers and other residential stuff. Like trades, this isn't going anywhere any time soon and the situation I've made for myself is fairly lucrative. At some point I may quit my full time job and start a repair biz. Could I invest time\effort\money into Cisco or security certs? Sure I could, but I don't see the value in it.

I concur

So is the only benefit you guys see money? How much room is there for growth?

 

[ichy]

and you're the exception. there are so many low paid trades people it's not funny. a lot of illegals will do the same work for half the price as well.

Having an illegal Mexican do your electrical work sounds like a great way to die in a house fire.

 

[alent1234]

i know someone that works in construction on the management side in the midwest. he said the illegals will build twice as fast and as good if not better than the american workers.

this stuff isn't rocket science, anyone can learn it.

a year ago a pipe under my sink started leaking. one of the maintenance people in the building i live in said i needed to buy something or other to fix it. i looked at it, tightened a screw and its been working ever since.

old place i lived in i hired an electrician to do some easy work. the snobby electrician people quoted me some ridiculous price. so my wife found a licensed guy who looked like a drug addict

 

[Murloc]

Those that claim they're too smart usually aren't.

this.

And being too smart doesn't mean you pass exams either, or that passing exams makes you smart.
Trades are for hand-smart people. That's still smart.
A dumb blue collar workers makes pricey errors.

 

[mmntech]

I heard this crap all through high school. It was pretty much official government policy. Kids that went into trades were less intelligent and universities were the future. Now it's those university grads that can't get jobs. My career has very little to do with anything I learned in university. If I could go back, I wouldn't have farted around so much and either accelerated my degree or just gone straight to college.

Skilled tradespeople are in high demand and get paid very well. Especially if you're an independent contractor or a LIUNA member. Anybody can swing a hammer but it takes skill to weld, plumb, wire, or be a good carpenter. Those are the types of jobs you can't replace with cheap labour.

 

[velillen]

I wish the US did something like that. NOT everyone wants or is cut out for college. I really think a big problem in the US is we are cutting such things as trade classes and training. People look down on such people. I think its rather silly.

Thats me exactly. I went to college for a year and a half and couldnt stand it. I have trouble just sitting and trying to study and crap. I'd much rather go out and play and enjoy life. So i went into "the trades" and couldnt be happier. Making more than most of the guys i went to HS with who went to college right now. Debt free (minus mortgage) and i could pull 6 figures if i really wanted (overtime). But i figure the base salary is plenty for me and i still get to go skiing every weekend in the winter/hiking and camping in the summer. Plus plenty of trips for work too. be in San Diego for a month in another week and a half.