College isn't right for everyone. Learning a trade can lead to a well-paying, satisfying career.
In the classic 1960s movie The Graduate, a family friend offers Dustin Hoffman, the recent graduate, one word of advice: Plastics.
My advice for todays high school graduates: Learn a trade.
Unfortunately, theres a historic stigma about voc-ed, the result of snobbery toward certain occupations.
Yes, theres also the shameful practice of tracking low-income whites and people of color into blue-collar jobs while encouraging wealthier white students to attend college. But now there are millions of rewarding, high-paying trade jobs sitting empty.
Instead of training for those, tens of millions of high school graduates are on college autopilot, loading up an average of $37,000 in debt and graduating without any practical skills.
Not only is our economy suffering for lack of skilled workers, but also a huge number of workers are unhappy and earning below their financial potential.
There are legions of depressed Dilberts out there in cubicle land, sitting in front of computer screens, wondering who will be laid off next. And there are millions of young people sitting in college classrooms dreaming of being somewhere else.
Put these same people in an apprenticeship with a skilled adult and theyll thrive. Instead of wasting their intelligence in an office, they could deploy it in a bicycle or auto repair garage, woodworking shop, or on a farm or construction site.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/commentary-high-school-graudates-should-consider-a-trade/?utm_source=DAILY+HERALD&utm_campaign=037b195259-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d81d073bb4-037b195259-228635337
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)But I do think we need to make Civics a mandatory course in HS again to try and ward off what will happen if these young people don't get a good basic education in HS. They need to learn to read and think about issues no matter what path they choose or we have Trump type Presidents forever.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)The Vocational Schools have to been brought back to fore front. Germany has the best transitional Education System in the world.
Cicada
(4,533 posts)Students work part time and learn and earn from high school through college. It seems to work great for all involved.
Cicada
(4,533 posts)Kansas, Nebraska, lotta wind. And wind mills so far require a lot of maintenance, so there is a lot of work available. Save the world, make good secure income. Whats not to love?