Is going into blue collar work a bad idea? (profit, college degree, employer)

[gball721]

Originally Posted by GuyontheInternet

Hello CD, I'm a 17 year old soon-to-be senior in high school and I have no idea what to do with my life. My dad and I have always had arguments (he's very stubborn) about what I should do after I graduate. He insists that having a degree from a university is the only way to be successful. He went to a pretty average state school for computer engineering and got a job programming software making the big bucks (probably overpaid compared to others with the same degree), which he soon may be fired from (the plant he works at just fired the entire IT department). I think he has this attitude because he came from a family where all of the kids went to a university except one who is 50 and still works as a waitress.

Anyway, he thinks I should get into software like him and that blue collar jobs like plumbing/electrician/hvac are all too competitive and don't lead anywhere. Is it really that risky to not go to a university these days? I mean, it would sure as hell save me a lot of money going to community college (there aren't any trade schools where I live). I could pay for it out of my pocket right now and still have money in my savings.

What do you guys think? I need some unbiased advice.

Hi GuyontheInternet. I have family who work in hydraulics and welding, and those as great jobs as well. they trained / studied for a couple years before going into business.
Also turbo-diesel repair / mechanics are probly in demand with all big trucks and now even some lil cars (vw's and all) being TD now. Best. G.

[behan]

You should look into AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps | Corporation for National and Community Service

I've lived with AmeriCorps people in the past and I think it's a good way to get your feet wet in some basic trades (framing, electrical work, demo etc) but it also lets you get out of your hometown and experience some of the country while being surrounded by those of a similar age.

Speaking from experience, it can be hard not going to college when you're 18-20. It seems like everyone else is off having the time of their life, worry free, making all these connections/friendships, hanging out with countless pretty women etc. If you're living in your hometown, even if you have your own place and are working, it can be easy to feel like you're not really amounting to much. At least it was for me.

It's important to get out there and experience new things. Meet new people. Go to new places. Sleep on a few floors and couches if you're lucky. Don't be too quick to try and assume as much responsibility as you can in life and be grown. I know it can be easy to feel in rush for all those things when you're a teenager. You will be old before you know it.

[ironoxide]

Hello Guy! Although I randomly came across this post, I pretty much felt obligated to give my opinion on this topic as I have been putting countless hours the past year or so thinking about this very topic almost daily. I have been working in the HVAC controls industry for about 8 years now. It's an ESCO (Energy Services COmpany) that redesigns existing buildings to make them more energy efficient. I actually also went to a "pretty average state school" for computer engineering. Among many other things, my primary responsibility is to "commission" our energy projects which essentially means that I have to check on all the other trades (mechanical, electrical, lighting, plumbing, controls) to make sure they complete their work properly and that the final product meets the intent of the design (it can sometimes be difficult to get everything coordinated to work together properly). I say all of this, only because I suppose I kind of did both of what you are asking about - I went and got a similar education but also work in this specific "blue collar" industry.

At this stage, I don't feel like I have a lot of growth potential and I don't particularly love what I'm doing. Mostly because I actually enjoy the computer side but not as much of the mechanical side. As far as growth goes - the industry's pay maxes out relatively quickly. I started at $55k in 2006 and have been able to grow my salary to $90k (with about $6k in bonuses each year). But I'm pretty sure that's about what I'll make for the rest of my life unless I get into management. I also work 60-70 hours per week and travel 100% (Monday-Thursday or Friday). This has obviously led me to the question of "how much do I need before I do what I love", as my quality of life is probably not sustainable long term. I certainly don't want to be one of the guys that gets married, has kids and gets divorced because he was never home. It's very common in this industry for those of us who travel consistently.

That said, when I look back, I am extremely glad that I got my formal education. However, it's not something that pays itself back instantly. To contrast the two opportunities, one of my good friends in high school decided to get his electrical license right out of high school and started working right away. I, however, went to a nearby state university and worked low wage jobs to try and help pay tuition and to cover my living expenses. While he was making ~$40k/year right out of HS, I was busting my butt pretty hard to make ~$5-7k/year and taking a full load of engineering classes. At our 5 year HS class reunion when the keg at the bar ran out, everyone looked to him to buy the next one (which he actually did without too much convincing). And there I was, just graduating college with a $50k debt looming over my head. In that same amount of time, he'd probably made at least $200k!! And like I said, I was only going to be making $15k more (and he probably was already getting raises, so it was probably even closer than that). So at that point it didn't seem like the 5 year investment to get my engineering degree would ever be worth it. I don't know what my friend makes these days (I haven't kept in contact or anything), but if he is still an electrician, he's probably not making a lot more than he was, unless he started his own business.

As life goes on, the much more important characteristic is understanding the role of continuous education and HOW to learn. At 17 it is really difficult to understand the importance of education. Imo, it's the real reason employers are willing to pay more to people with a college education. It's not just what the person interviewing knows (sometimes that doesn't even matter) - but the fact that the person has the capacity to learn on the job.

There's a lot of factors that go into being successful. Intelligence, Ability to Learn, Ambition and Personal Finance Ability are what I consider the most important. Neglecting any one of them will not to your benefit in the long run. You can be super smart, hard working and learn quickly, but if you don't ever save any money, you won't be that successful long term (research compound interest). But, all in all, you do have to do what makes you happy. It's hard to know that at 17, but there's nothing wrong with trying different things out. Take a summer to shadow a TAB (Test and Balance) company. Or a mechanical contractor or electrician. See how they live and think about whether you would enjoy the work. AND there's nothing wrong with going back to school after working a couple years. It's just harder and harder to go back as time goes on.

Anyway, hope my ramblings/rant help you think about what you're going to do. I absolutely don't think you should go to college to study computer science just because your father wants you to, but that shouldn't be the reason you don't do it either. Everyone has to make their own decisions and be in control of their own life. You're likely to make more money (not even guaranteed) with higher education completed, but that may not be a priority for you. At this stage in my life, I'm extremely glad that things have worked out as they have and am grateful that I was able to gain my education. I wouldn't change that at all - but that's been my decision!

[tijlover]

My advice: learn 2 blue collar trades, or even 3. Aim for being a Jack-of-all-trades! Just don't put your eggs all in one basket!

Being forever insecure, I've had 2 jobs going for 40 years now! Both blue collar! And I've done quite well for myself!

[jerseygal4u]

My advice?

Do neither.
Join the military.
In my opinion,prior military service helps one get their foot in the doors at blue collar jobs.

[momrock]

If you don't quite know what you want to do yet and going to community college seems to be a pretty low-risk route, may i suggest aiming to get an Associate's Degree in Business (2 years) and with the intent of making a new decision when you're done. Spend the two years (or take three to do it) also working at jobs that get you some real-world work exposure. Try to find work as an electrician's or plumber's helper for a year. See if you can find an office job as a clerk or something else entry-level for a year. As much as the work itself matters, the environment in which you do it also matters. See if you want to be the people you're working with later in life. And also take some time to go have some adventures in life, see something cool, and learn to rely on yourself.

And so at the end of this two to three year period, you'll:
1) be prepared to make a decision about what route (trade or 4-year school) you want to go.
2) still be in the "education" mindset (once you leave school, it is harder to go back).
3) have a basic degree that will serve you no matter what you do (a basic business degree helps you make and manage money whatever route you go).
4) have some credit hours that will reduce how long you have to go to school if you get a 4-year degree.
5) get your dad off your back long enough to give you some breathing room to make a decision that respects your dad's perspective without letting it dictate your path.
6) have learned to trust yourself.

Now go enjoy your senior year!

[SunsetMission]

Originally Posted by tijlover

My advice: learn 2 blue collar trades, or even 3. Aim for being a Jack-of-all-trades! Just don't put your eggs all in one basket!

Being forever insecure, I've had 2 jobs going for 40 years now! Both blue collar! And I've done quite well for myself!

Not the best advice considering it takes about 5-7 years to become proficient in one trade and actually see some profit.

[jackmccullough]

You need to think about what you enjoy and what you think you will enjoy doing for a long time.

Many unskilled manual jobs are going to either be insecure or not pay well because there are millions of people who can do them. Skilled trades, however, can provide a comfortable income. In addition, unlike programming or a lot of other technical jobs, it's pretty hard for your neighbor's toilet installation or rewiring to be outsourced to someone in Bangalore.

[NickB1967]

Originally Posted by GuyontheInternet

Hello CD, I'm a 17 year old soon-to-be senior in high school and I have no idea what to do with my life. My dad and I have always had arguments (he's very stubborn) about what I should do after I graduate. He insists that having a degree from a university is the only way to be successful. He went to a pretty average state school for computer engineering and got a job programming software making the big bucks (probably overpaid compared to others with the same degree), which he soon may be fired from (the plant he works at just fired the entire IT department). I think he has this attitude because he came from a family where all of the kids went to a university except one who is 50 and still works as a waitress.

Anyway, he thinks I should get into software like him and that blue collar jobs like plumbing/electrician/hvac are all too competitive and don't lead anywhere. Is it really that risky to not go to a university these days? I mean, it would sure as hell save me a lot of money going to community college (there aren't any trade schools where I live). I could pay for it out of my pocket right now and still have money in my savings.

What do you guys think? I need some unbiased advice.

Pop is wrong. SKILLED blue collar pulls in the big bucks. (not mere ditch digging, mind you, but electricians, HVAC technicians, etc.)

Approach your father with the skilled and "technical vocation" emphasis. He probably just mistakenly thinks you will wind up merely lifting that bar and toting that bale (or is it the other way round).

[NickB1967]

Originally Posted by G-fused

The bottom line actually is that many people are missing the fact that he is 17. How the heck does he know what'll make him happy in his life? Whatever he thinks about what'll make him happy will probably end up being wrong.

He doesn't know what it's like to work full time, or be married, or raise a family, or own property, or many of the other stresses and pressures that come with life.

His parents know him, and they know life. OP should be consulting with them on something like this, not a bunch of strangers on the Internet.

OP, don't listen to any of us - assuming your parents are good people, talk with them about it. I'm not saying you need to do exaclty as they want, but this is a situation that you need to work through with them. After it's settled, they will hopefully support you in whatever career path you decide.

While his parents do know day-to-day-life much better, when it comes to specific career plans, all too often parents are operating with 30 year old "career maps" that are no longer up to date, despite their best intentions.