Anonymous wrote:We insisted our son get his degree before pursuing carpentry. He’s apprenticing with a master carpenter and does truly beautiful work. But education is important no matter what you do. I would insist on at least two years in community college before joining a trade.

You’re a snob and a half. What part of “traditional education isn’t ‘for’ some people” doesn’t make sense to you? You’d enforce a two year stint of possible misery if your kid didn’t thrive in academic learning? To what end? I have three kids, none at this age yet, but so far two of them are good scholastic students and one really does not thrive in school. If he finds a trade, I’m not going to force him to be miserable at college.

And your worldview could be flipped as follows: why did you quit learning about your world when you graduated?

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: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!

why would he not? Surely you're not suggesting that one needs to go to college (and pay $$ for) to pursue those things, right? What an odd comment.

I'm not suggesting that at all. I wonder why you assumed this since I don't mention going to college anywhere in my post. What I am saying is that everyone deserve the opportunity to pursue purely intellectual passions unrelated to work. That can be accomplished in many ways that don't involve getting a BA/BS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doing real jobs, good income, No outsourcing potential and can start business in the field.
This makes it excellent choice.

But, highly subject to automation.

It is the hardest.
Think of plumbing, electrician and Heating/cooling.

Anonymous wrote:Doing real jobs, good income, No outsourcing potential and can start business in the field.
This makes it excellent choice.

But, highly subject to automation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Welders who can scuba dive can easily make $300,000 a year

What do you mean?
Fixing submarine ?

Or the underside of ships in port. Or bridge structures, pipelines, etc…. Lots of stuff underwater might need welding.

Anonymous wrote:Welders who can scuba dive can easily make $300,000 a year

What do you mean?
Fixing submarine ?

Doing real jobs, good income, No outsourcing potential and can start business in the field.
This makes it excellent choice.

Anonymous wrote:We insisted our son get his degree before pursuing carpentry. He’s apprenticing with a master carpenter and does truly beautiful work. But education is important no matter what you do. I would insist on at least two years in community college before joining a trade.

+1. We are insisting on DD getting at least an associates degree from community college before going to chef school. A college degree today is what a high school degree was forty years ago. We need an educated populace.

Thanks for the post, OP. My 18 year old also entered the skilled trades and landed a very well paying position with a local specialty contractor and couldn't be happier! Plus he is 18 and contributing to a 401k - how cool is that!

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!

why would he not? Surely you're not suggesting that one needs to go to college (and pay $$ for) to pursue those things, right? What an odd comment.