Why you might want to skip college and go to trade school.

[Mai72]

Mike Rowe talks why trade school might be the best choice. He talks about the skills gap that is prevalent in America. He brings up a lot of good points.

The video is 45 minutes long.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/why-you-should-consider-trade-school-instead-of-college/

 

[cuafpr]

I agree 100% if you can't get a 70%+ scholarship, go trade school vs going 10,000.00's of dollars in debt. Trade jobs can be just as rewarding and in some ways more rewarding than post college jobs.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Community colleges are 25% the cost and 50% the time and effort for 75% the pay.

That's a deal, if you're willing to do a skilled trade from now until retirement. It could get a little... monotonous... though.

The problem is that a lot of 18 year olds - and their parents - don't have a clue. They've - we've - been told for decades that you have to go to college to get ahead, and our culture and media propagate the one side of the story. (Liberal arts majors creating movies and television shows that glorify liberal arts majors? No, really?)

And it's true - in absolute terms, the lifetime earnings advantage (on average) of getting a four year degree will offset the much higher upfront cost.

But that much higher upfront cost is crippling for a lot of people.

It is death to the ego to realize that instead of shooting for the moon, you might just need to "settle" for the "safe" and "reliable" future.

I'm especially fond of the idea of getting a two year degree, getting a job in your field, and continuing to finish a BA/BS while working. Employers like that whole committed-to-self-improvement thing, and a lot of them do tuition reimbursement.

 

[akahoovy]

I wish I hadn't gone to college right out of high school. I don't think I was ready to commit the time and effort to do a 4 year degree. I'm not sure what I should have been doing.

It is death to my ego to go for something I never thought I'd have any interest in, but the work schedule for nursing and the goal of a master's specializing in anesthesia, along with the salary, is very appealing to me.

 

[rednas]

I agree with him. I have a degree but I work in a trade which I learned while I was in college working full time to support myself while I was in college. It pays better than if I were to use my degree and it does not follow me home. Once I punch out thats it until the next time I work.

 

[master_shake_]

i've been in a skilled trade for the last 10 years, wouldn't trade it for anything.

but its unfortunate here in ontario that the government here keeps taxing us with useless fees and enforcements

 

[kyrax12]

i've been in a skilled trade for the last 10 years, wouldn't trade it for anything.

but its unfortunate here in ontario that the government here keeps taxing us with useless fees and enforcements

What sort of trade are you in?

 

[master_shake_]

What sort of trade are you in?

Automotive Service Tech.

 

[Humpy]

Depends on the trade but might want to skip trade school too if interested in the work. That's two years even earlier to enter the workforce, zero expense, and on-the-job training. If certifications are required they might mean more if obtained after getting some experience.

My understanding of the work is that it is performed in often extreme conditions, for long hours, next to uncaring scoundrels. If you are stuck in something like residential construction you can throw in mediocre pay and an unpredictable schedule. Can't really blame people for staying away.

 

[stargazr]

Depends on the trade but might want to skip trade school too if interested in the work. That's two years even earlier to enter the workforce, zero expense, and on-the-job training. If certifications are required they might mean more if obtained after getting some experience.

That's a great idea if you can find a company willing to train you on the job. I was fortunate enough to find an apprenticeship, but that was a long time ago. They are still out there though, I've seen a few opportunities recently in manufacturing (CNC). Quite a deal, earn while you learn, guaranteed raises, paid night school including books etc.

My understanding of the work is that it is performed in often extreme conditions, for long hours, next to uncaring scoundrels.

This is a very generalized statement. What trade are you talking about?

It is true that some trades are physically demanding. I messed up my back pretty bad for example. Still I have no regrets about not going to college. I just wasn't interested at that age.

 

[mikeford]

If you can't write a good paper, you better be willing to get dirty and work hard. Decide what you like and do it.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

This is bs. The jobs will get filled. It might mean a company taking on some young guys and training them but regardless the jobs will be filled. Of course they'd rather you go to trade school and learn on your dime.

 

[Eug]

Community colleges are 25% the cost and 50% the time and effort for 75% the pay.

That's a deal, if you're willing to do a skilled trade from now until retirement. It could get a little... monotonous... though.

The problem is that a lot of 18 year olds - and their parents - don't have a clue. They've - we've - been told for decades that you have to go to college to get ahead, and our culture and media propagate the one side of the story. (Liberal arts majors creating movies and television shows that glorify liberal arts majors? No, really?)

And it's true - in absolute terms, the lifetime earnings advantage (on average) of getting a four year degree will offset the much higher upfront cost.

But that much higher upfront cost is crippling for a lot of people.

It is death to the ego to realize that instead of shooting for the moon, you might just need to "settle" for the "safe" and "reliable" future.

I'm especially fond of the idea of getting a two year degree, getting a job in your field, and continuing to finish a BA/BS while working. Employers like that whole committed-to-self-improvement thing, and a lot of them do tuition reimbursement.

Shooting for the moon?

If you already have good grades and a strong work ethic in high school, there is a good chance you will succeed in your field after university. Success doesn't have to mean winning the nobel prize or making a salary of half a million a year or whatever. It just means being able to enter the job market at a higher level with more interesting job prospects and a decent pay. However, if you do aim a little higher, it can mean even more interesting job prospects and even higher pay, even if it's not $500000 per year.

I think the main issue here is there are a lot of people who have mediocre performance in high school think they're magically going to do better in university. This is usually just very wishful thinking, since at a good university/college, there is even more competition, and the standards are higher. In addition, many students go for degrees that are essentially dead ends unless they want to pursue academics.

Let me also note that although I have friends and acquaintances who have gotten many degrees only to end up with a job that would have taken less education to land, I also have friends who started with a trade and found it boring and ended up taking another degree in order to have access to better jobs.

To put it another way, when the time comes and my kids want to go to university, and their high school grades are decent, then I will do everything in my power to help them out in their goals. I will NOT tell them to just go for a trade school education just because it might be easier to land a job in that trade at 60% of the pay.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The only downside to many trades are that they often have high pay with little or no benefits. This obviously varies with locality and union representation either providing or inhibiting benefits.

In the right area though, contracting can pay way more and still provide benefits. Research whatever field you are interested in and see what it has to offer.

Post-secondary school education is good no matter what it is. It's what opens doors to a real career.

 

[Vdubchaos]

It's pretty simple really. It comes down to "what you want to do".

Some things don't require college and some things do. And Colleges do GREAT job trying to get you in for ANYTHING (after all they are a business).

MANY trades do require trade schools but many can be learned by simply working at the job (starting off on the lower end of the company and working your way up/learning).

Mind you, trade schools are NOT cheap. They can be as costly as 1 year of University ($20-30k around here for 1 year).

So again, decide what you want to do > find the best way to get there. College is NOT always the answer.

Besides, this entire "everyone should go to college" crap has to end. It's simply a sales gimmick. College should be for SOME talented people that excel in education and not what it has become today (everyone and their mother has a college degree).

The more people that get degrees, the less the degree itself is worth.

College degree = new high school diploma

 

[poofyhairguy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtYiJX_rxEY

 

[Eug]

College degree = new high school diploma

Perhaps, but what this also means is that for certain jobs, if you don't have a college degree, they won't even bother looking at you.

No university/college degree = resume goes into the garbage.

 

[purbeast0]

while at the time i almost dropped out of college, now nearly 10 years into my career i'm extremely glad i did not drop out. i'm making good money and really enjoy developing software. and i don't think i would have learned how to develop software without my college education.

that said, college is definitely not for everyone. the majority of my friends i grew up with who finished highschool and finished college, aren't even doing a job related to their college degree. they could have gotten their current jobs without that degree for the most part.

just do what you want to do and go for it. just make sure you know what you are getting in to though as far as school loans go. i'm still paying my loans off but it's like $180/month consolidated @ 2% so it's not like it's hurting my wallet.

 

[Midwayman]

There are a lot of people in college that would be better served by going to a trade school, that's for sure. A lot of people end up there because they don't really know what to do after high school and their parents sort of expect it of them. Many of those folks waste a couple years, drop out and then get a job. A 4 year school is only worth it if you graduate.

 

[Virge_]

I'm in a middle management position at a large fortune 100 technology company. I'm surrounded by people with multiple degrees. Two of the employees I manage on a team of 15 have their masters, one is a PHD.

Was almost a high-school dropout and was a second year senior due to an unhealthy EverQuest addiction. I've completed a total of maybe eight credit hours of higher education. If my co-workers, subordinates, and/or political enemies knew my true education background there would be a clusterfuck of outrage. My boss, the SVP over him, and the C-level employees are fully aware of my credentials and continue to give me opportunities and responsibility regardless.

Everyone thinks I'm in my late 30's due to a combination of how I dress, my highly knowledgeable experience in 15 year old technologies, and general senior level SME ability, but I'm in my late 20's. I make six figures with a bonus in the medium double-digits, and was the youngest salaried employee at a fortune 500 company at 19 completely by accident. I firmly believe had I gone to college I would likely currently be unemployed, or at the very least severely underemployed - and I admit freely I have no capacity to genuinely appreciate how my life would actually be different.

I've been successful being completely self taught and highly motivated to succeed. Everyone is different.

 

[VtPC83]

The only downside to many trades are that they often have high pay with little or no benefits. This obviously varies with locality and union representation either providing or inhibiting benefits.

In the right area though, contracting can pay way more and still provide benefits. Research whatever field you are interested in and see what it has to offer.

Post-secondary school education is good no matter what it is. It's what opens doors to a real career.

This is very true.

Second MAJOR issue with trades are that they typically take a pretty heavy toll on your body physically. As you age you better hope that you are eating right, keeping in shape outside of work and taking vitamins otherwise you will be in serious pain by 40's.

Plus side is that you may be able to get a management/overseer position by then which would reduce the amount of physical work you are doing.

 

[MiniDoom]

Perhaps, but what this also means is that for certain jobs, if you don't have a college degree, they won't even bother looking at you.

No university/college degree = resume goes into the garbage.

Sorry Bill Gates/Steve Jobs, you're not qualified for the job...

 

[Imp]

Maybe not... Found this gem titled, "How Kijiji's data threw off Ottawa’s math on skills shortages":
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...was-math-on-skills-shortages/article17675622/

Not specifically skilled trades, but "skills" in general.

How I would put it: you don't HAVE to go to college and get a degree. Maybe do a technical diploma, a trade, a clerical job, whatever that you kind of enjoy and pays the bills. There's no guarantee that school, of any kind, will get you a job anymore.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Trades are a great choice really and probably even have more job security than IT and other professional type jobs, which can easily be outsourced or relocated. Trades people physically need to be on site to do the work, at least till robots take over.

If I lost my current job and could not find anything else IT related I'd probably consider doing an electrical apprenticeship or something. Heck, probably take up plumbing too. I don't know if I'd want to get into general contracting though, but that's always an option too, and there's tons of work for those guys, they're always super busy.

The biggest mistake people do with post secondary though is go to a high end college/university and specialize so deep and think they will come out of school and be a CEO or something. Go to a lower end community college, get a job during the summer, graduate with no debt, and just apply at places, including wherever you worked as a summer student. Lot of companies hire summer students full time after they graduate. That's how I got my job. I started as a help desk tech and moved up from there. Skip the debts and apartment, and buy a house right off the bat. Will pay in the long run when you are under or early 40's and the house is paid off. If you do happen to get lucky and score a job that makes close to 100k because of going to some high end university you'll probably have over 100k of debts to pay off too, so what's the point.

 

[Exophase]

Community colleges are 25% the cost and 50% the time and effort for 75% the pay.

As far as most employers seem to be concerned associates degrees are close to worthless, not merely enough to hire at a lower salary. Community college is useful if you plan on continuing on finishing a four year degree elsewhere, or if you just want to learn.

But trade schools are something else entirely.