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We all hear how trade careers could be the place to be for some.
One thing I've wondered, there is some benefit in getting a general education, particularly if you were to want to get an AA degree and also do a trade career. Is this reasonable? AA type studies are usually not part of curriculum for trades, correct?
I only lasted one year in college yet I am smarter and better informed (I dare say) than most people who have a 4 year college degree or better.
If you work as a welder (for example) you'll make more money than most mere college graduates.
If you work as a welder you can still read newspapers and books to educate yourself.
If you work as a welder but you still need or want that piece of paper saying you're educated then go for it, but realize that an AA degree from a county college may still get the stink eye from the waiter who went to Columbia.
A general education can be beneficial for most people, regardless of their career choices. I cannot believe that anyone would be harmed by studying some philosophy or art.
I have degrees in STEM and worked in finance, but the art, music, and ancient philosophy courses I took are the ones I remember most fondly. Those were also the most difficult for me; left brain/right brain problems.
And almost everyone could benefit from a basic personal finance course.
Last edited by Lillie767; 03-31-2021 at 12:56 PM..
I only lasted one year in college yet I am smarter and better informed (I dare say) than most people who have a 4 year college degree or better.
If you work as a welder (for example) you'll make more money than most mere college graduates.
If you work as a welder you can still read newspapers and books to educate yourself.
If you work as a welder but you still need or want that piece of paper saying you're educated then go for it, but realize that an AA degree from a county college may still get the stink eye from the waiter who went to Columbia.
My son's friend finished his BA at a pretty good private college and went into welding. He makes more money that anyone he graduated with. To top it off, He LOVES his job.
We all hear how trade careers could be the place to be for some.
One thing I've wondered, there is some benefit in getting a general education, particularly if you were to want to get an AA degree and also do a trade career. Is this reasonable? AA type studies are usually not part of curriculum for trades, correct?
Thoughts?
If I was going into a trade, I would get an AA in business. Accounting/bookkeeping and business writing for proposals would be good to know.
There's no real downside other than time and money in securing a general education and working in a trade. However, in today's USA, most tradespeople-to-be are not particularly interested in academic work. If you have zero interest in it and you just want to get out of class and on to the job, I'd suggest just going on to the job.
If I was going into a trade, I would get an AA in business. Accounting/bookkeeping and business writing for proposals would be good to know.
This. Many people in trades may want to run their own business one day, and having the basic skills such as writing (for business documents), accounting, etc. would be very useful.
Even though trades can be a great career, they are hard on the body. At some point, it is often beneficial to start your own business and manage other people so you don’t have to do quite as much physically.
I only lasted one year in college yet I am smarter and better informed (I dare say) than most people who have a 4 year college degree or better.
If you work as a welder (for example) you'll make more money than most mere college graduates.
If you work as a welder you can still read newspapers and books to educate yourself.
If you work as a welder but you still need or want that piece of paper saying you're educated then go for it, but realize that an AA degree from a county college may still get the stink eye from the waiter who went to Columbia.
You may be smart but are all wet about welder pay relative to college graduate pay.
US average welder pay is ~$19hr. or about $40,000yr.
Average recent college graduate pay is ~$50,000 yr.
You may be smart but are all wet about welder pay relative to college graduate pay.
US average welder pay is ~$19hr. or about $40,000yr.
Average recent college graduate pay is ~$50,000 yr.
My son's friend is a welder for the US Navy and he makes $60,000+ with GREAT benefits. He does have a BA in History - so many that's the difference
The average recent college graduate pay numbers doesn't mean a whole lot. There is a huge difference between a new college business, STEM or a liberal arts grad salaries. A great beginning salary doesn't mean a great total career salary. A liberal arts grad may start out lower than a STEM grad. However, the liberal arts grad may finish their career at age 65 and the STEM grad may be outsourced at age 45.
My son's friend is a welder for the US Navy and he makes $60,000+ with GREAT benefits. He does have a BA in History - so many that's the difference
The average recent college graduate pay numbers doesn't mean a whole lot. There is a huge difference between a new college business, STEM or a liberal arts grad salaries. A great beginning salary doesn't mean a great total career salary. A liberal arts grad may start out lower than a STEM grad. However, the liberal arts grad may finish their career at age 65 and the STEM grad may be outsourced at age 45.
Per the discussion average recent grad pay being much higher the the average for all welders invalidates the OPs claim - so it does mean a lot in context.
A life long friend of mine was a Navy trained welder he too did nicely.
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