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I highly recommend a book by Aaron Clarey entitled "Worthless". It's geared towards young people just graduating high school or those considering going back to college.
Is a trade really better? In terms of finding a job
So what's more likely to guarantee you a job? Electrician license or IT bachelors Degree
As alluded to in my post #53, I don't know anyone in Power Generation and related fields (e.g., power transmission, distribution, High Voltage Electricians, Instrument Technicians, Load Dispatchers, etc.) who isn't gainfully employed. Again, I currently have guys working under me who were former Stock Brokers and Chemists. Another was an Environmental Engineer. These guys are making more money now as Power Plant Operators than they did in their former professions.
I've been in this field for 32 consecutive years. I've never been without a job during that time. Once in a while I'll float a resume online just to see what happens. It use to be that I'd get phone calls (and later emails) directly from potential employers. Now I get emails from recruiters when I float resumes. Regardless, the point being is that this field has a proven track record of providing continuous work, coupled with a better-than-average income and benefits. This by far outmatches what most lines of work offer employees, especially now a days.
Lastly, the few guys I know in the IT field are mostly contract workers. Once the contract is up, the job's over. I could be wrong but I get the impression that the IT field is oversaturated.
the people promoting trade school are the same people that raised a generation of children that they steered away from trades and into a college education. Its a little too late to be promoting trade school now. Damage has been done.
A rather absurd POV but, ok.
First, it's never too late to embark in a field that pays well.
Secondly, regardless of whether trades are promoted or not, fact remains that trade jobs are an essential part of society and are not going away anytime soon.
Here's what I've witnessed: When qualified Tradesmen are not found locally, potential employers find them outside of mainland USA. It would be nice to find locally qualified personnel.
Yes, I can understand why you would feel that way. However, from my generation's pov, it is what it is. We have wasted time and money on a worthless education. Sure trade school may help now, but damage has been done. Lots of time and money wasted. This thread is all "relative." If you are older and went to college, chances are it worked out for you and you support the idea. IF you are younger and went to college, chances are it screwed you and you are against the idea of college.
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