Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's great, OP. My son is an engineer and had to learn basic welding as part of his degree requirements. He found it challenging and rewarding, and really respects the people who taught him this skill. Going into a trade can be an excellent career choice, though I hope that your son also has an opportunity somewhere along the way to pursue other interests that might inspire him -- not because I think those are more prestigious, but because he might find joy in being a welder who also loves poetry or art or who is knowledgeable about political issues. No matter what path he takes, I wish your son all the best!

I don't understand this part of your comment. Are you suggesting that a college education allows students an organized way to "pursue other interests that inspire" and that going into a trade doesn't?

Not that poster but obviously a college education EXPOSES the students to many different aspects including the arts, training as a welder does not, it is simply training as a welder.

How you cannot figure that out yourself is kind of a tragedy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s great OP. Not every kid’s strengths lend themselves to 4 year college degrees. The important thing, whether your kid goes the college route or not is to obtain marketable skills.

I do vocational work as part of my job. One thing to be aware of. Some skilled trades, a welding is one, are very hard on your body. By the time you are in your 50s, there is a good chance a welder has injuries or significant wear and tear and cannot physically do the job. Not everyone. But most people.

Your kid should have a plan for what happens as her ages. One great path is to take some community college business classes and start his own company and hire younger welders and transition to management as he ages.

Congrats to OP’s son. One huge mistake this country has made is trying to push everyone to college. The trades are hurting for people and can be a much better career path for many than wasting $$ on a four year degree that doesn’t really qualify them to do anything.

Very time this topic comes up someone posts the bolded. Of course people who work in construction or an industrial environment are going to have more injuries than someone sitting all day behind a desk, but the statement that “most people” in the trades are physically incapable of doing their job by 50 is just BS. I don’t know what kind of “vocational” work pp does, but I suspect that it exposes them to a higher % of disabled people than in the general population. I also wonder if they know people in the trades as family/personal friends, because I do. Yes, there are those with the occasional back issue, but I know lots of lawyers with bad backs, too. I also know many more lawyers with heart attacks from stress. There are certain professions, e.g., oil field rough neck, underwater welder, that have a high injury rate, but those jobs have commensurate pay. The skilled tradespeople I know are smart enough to have younger assistants/apprentices that do the heavy lifting/less skilled work. Where you start is not where you finish. This is what convinces me that pp hasn’t actually been on any actual job sites.

Well, I’ve never posted this before. And three things.

One, yes. I have direct, on-site experience. I also have voc. rehab experience, so I probably am exposed to a higher % of disabled people. But, I’ll stand by the assertion that most people cannot meet the physical demands of welding into their 50s. And it’s not just lift/carry. There are significant postural demands which stress your spine and joints and environmental requirements, like exposure to hazards (duh), noise, fumes and extreme heat. Even if you aren’t actually injured, repetitive stress injuries are common.

This is written for perspective welders

https://job-evaluator.com/being-a-welder-pros-cons/

Here’s more technical info

https://occupationalinfo.org/81/819384010.html

A strength of M (medium) is lifting up to 50 lbs

Two, I’m not dissing welders or any other skilled trade. I’m not saying OP’s kid shouldn’t be a welder. You’re right, Many professions have long term downsides. If my kid wanted to go to law school, I’d advise them to be careful about taking on too much debt to do so, because jobs that pay enough to repay the debt have crappy work conditions. If my kid wanted to work in a restaurant kitchen, I’d have concerns about substance abuse. Etc.

I’m providing information and things to think about long term. Welding is a very physically demanding job, and most people’ bodies can’t stand up to 30-40 years of years of the physical demands. Things you might not even think about, like developing retinopathy or COPD can make you unemployable as a welder.

BUT, I’m not saying this should stop OP’s kid. I am saying OP’s kid should do what they can to stay in shape and protect their health. AND that they should have a long term plan that doesn’t require lifting 100 pounds at age 60. Maybe that’s saving a ton and restring early. I’d advise my kid to go to the CC and learn how to operate a small business, so that in time they can transition into a supervisory role.

3. My kid is doing an engineering prototyping track, and is a certified welder. So, there’s that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s great OP. Not every kid’s strengths lend themselves to 4 year college degrees. The important thing, whether your kid goes the college route or not is to obtain marketable skills.

I do vocational work as part of my job. One thing to be aware of. Some skilled trades, a welding is one, are very hard on your body. By the time you are in your 50s, there is a good chance a welder has injuries or significant wear and tear and cannot physically do the job. Not everyone. But most people.

Your kid should have a plan for what happens as her ages. One great path is to take some community college business classes and start his own company and hire younger welders and transition to management as he ages.

Congrats to OP’s son. One huge mistake this country has made is trying to push everyone to college. The trades are hurting for people and can be a much better career path for many than wasting $$ on a four year degree that doesn’t really qualify them to do anything.

Very time this topic comes up someone posts the bolded. Of course people who work in construction or an industrial environment are going to have more injuries than someone sitting all day behind a desk, but the statement that “most people” in the trades are physically incapable of doing their job by 50 is just BS. I don’t know what kind of “vocational” work pp does, but I suspect that it exposes them to a higher % of disabled people than in the general population. I also wonder if they know people in the trades as family/personal friends, because I do. Yes, there are those with the occasional back issue, but I know lots of lawyers with bad backs, too. I also know many more lawyers with heart attacks from stress. There are certain professions, e.g., oil field rough neck, underwater welder, that have a high injury rate, but those jobs have commensurate pay. The skilled tradespeople I know are smart enough to have younger assistants/apprentices that do the heavy lifting/less skilled work. Where you start is not where you finish. This is what convinces me that pp hasn’t actually been on any actual job sites.

Anonymous wrote:That’s great OP. Not every kid’s strengths lend themselves to 4 year college degrees. The important thing, whether your kid goes the college route or not is to obtain marketable skills.

I do vocational work as part of my job. One thing to be aware of. Some skilled trades, a welding is one, are very hard on your body. By the time you are in your 50s, there is a good chance a welder has injuries or significant wear and tear and cannot physically do the job. Not everyone. But most people.

Your kid should have a plan for what happens as her ages. One great path is to take some community college business classes and start his own company and hire younger welders and transition to management as he ages.

Anonymous wrote:https://grownandflown.com/seven-reasons-skilled-trades-best-path-teen/?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1gbR-qaq4TTo8DNPSOxlznXNyfpA0c5iw-XAFyX13AZ_U3q0FSU6dx9K8

This is a great article. My son, who graduates next month, is not taking the "traditional" path to work. He really considered what he wants, what he likes to do, how he feels about school, what he wants to earn, where he wants to work, and more.

And he is probably going into welding, which is a perfect fit for him. He loves hands-on learning and creating things, he does not like book or computer learning and he wants to earn a good living.

Skills-based career opportunities exist across many industries, including healthcare, information technology, energy, manufacturing, public services, and others. And the path to reach them is shorter, more focused, and less expensive than the journey to a four-year degree.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's great, OP. My son is an engineer and had to learn basic welding as part of his degree requirements. He found it challenging and rewarding, and really respects the people who taught him this skill. Going into a trade can be an excellent career choice, though I hope that your son also has an opportunity somewhere along the way to pursue other interests that might inspire him -- not because I think those are more prestigious, but because he might find joy in being a welder who also loves poetry or art or who is knowledgeable about political issues. No matter what path he takes, I wish your son all the best!

I don't understand this part of your comment. Are you suggesting that a college education allows students an organized way to "pursue other interests that inspire" and that going into a trade doesn't?

Anonymous wrote:That's great, OP. My son is an engineer and had to learn basic welding as part of his degree requirements. He found it challenging and rewarding, and really respects the people who taught him this skill. Going into a trade can be an excellent career choice, though I hope that your son also has an opportunity somewhere along the way to pursue other interests that might inspire him -- not because I think those are more prestigious, but because he might find joy in being a welder who also loves poetry or art or who is knowledgeable about political issues. No matter what path he takes, I wish your son all the best!