It’s a big decision for young people. College? Learn a trade? Some other option? Today I’ll explore a few pros and cons for each option.
I’m not here to say that one option is necessarily any better or worse than the other. It’s a big, diverse world.
I will say, though, that education and skills training are key to escaping poverty. If you choose neither – thus taking a low skill job – you stand a much tougher chance of escaping poverty and run a greater chance your job will be replaced by automation. The days of graduating from high school and getting a low skilled factory job earning enough to provide a decent living are gone.
Let’s first look at college. The lack of a college degree is one of the easiest and most frequently used screen out factors for jobs in the corporate world. Sure, prior experience can offset formal education, but if the employer is facing a large stack of applicants, is it realistic for them to start with the non-degreed folks first, especially if you weren’t recommended to the employer by a mutual friend?
Studies have shown college really boosts your earnings potential. Another advantage of college is that it allows you to gain exposure to different subjects. How many times have you known someone to change their major? Many people don’t necessarily know what they want to do for a career, so college can expose them to not only a diversity of coursework, but can also help them with their critical thinking and other people skills.
One downside of college is its cost. Scholarships, loans and/or working while enrolled can help you. If you have to support yourself and perhaps a family, finding the time (and energy) to juggle school/work/family is a huge challenge.
Let’s explore learning a trade. Face it, not everyone is thrilled about taking tests and the whole formal education environment. Maybe that’s you! Your learning process is different – you’d prefer to learn by doing.
Many folks like working with their hands, making and fixing things. They have a practical understanding of how things work. They like getting out and making things happen versus being cooped up in a cubicle while staring at a computer all day.
Unlike many jobs of today and the near future, you aren’t likely to have your job replaced by automation, much less have it outsourced to a foreign land. When a homeowner’s HVAC system breaks, someone has to come onsite for repair, right? So those jobs won’t be lost.
Skilled trades do come with a price – to your body. Your knees, ankles, back and other parts will tell you when it’s time to find other work. The good news you’d likely have taken training and certifications. You’d also have ideally moved into a leadership or business ownership role where you wouldn’t be required to do the harder physical work each day.
Local Goodwills across the country offer skills training classes as well as programs to help youths and young adults with plotting a career path. Take advantage of the resources available to you. Good luck!
